Photos by: Damian Ruiz
Texas native, Hudson Westbrook, is making an iconic name for himself at just 23 years old! But age aside, it’s clear that he is riding a serious wave. His debut album Texas Forever is noticeably a standout in his career. Westbrook’s got that rare mix of hook-writing talent, charisma, and an instantly approachable vibe that makes connecting with him easy, whether you’re listening to a record or seeing him live.
At 713 Music Hall, the packed floor proved it. People were sardined in before opener Grant Gilbert even took the stage, and by the time Westbrook came out, the crowd was locked in. He kicked things off with Weatherman, a clever, fan favorite anthem about failed forecasted love and from there it was a non-stop ride through romantic slow-dance tunes, cowboy kickers, and everything in between.
There weren’t elaborate visuals, just his last name in neon lights glowing behind him, but that didn’t matter. The focus was entirely on the music, where it should be. Westbrook’s voice in person is richer and stronger than on record, and he’s already as confident a performer as artists with twice his mileage.
Hits like House Again, 5 to 9, Pray Your Name, Take Your Time, and Mine Tomorrow had the crowd screaming every lyric. Staples like Two Way Drive, Johnny Walker, and his latest, Funny Seeing You Here, gave the set emotional depth and balance while keeping the energy high. And just when everyone thought they’d heard it all, Westbrook dropped a surprise for his fans, Damn Good Taste in Whiskey, an unreleased track from his upcoming album. Granted, there might be a finite number of whiskey references one artist can get away with, but the fans didn’t seem to mind one bit.
His band who consisted of members, Gage McNeely on guitar, Silas Clark on fiddle and vocals, Tack Hammer on bass, Tabor Weller on guitar, and Brenden Courtney on drums, wasn’t just background noise. They were a driving force of rhythm and groove, trading spots on stage and taking every chance to jam down front. Although, Hudson Westbrook is a solo artist, he gave his band a moment to really thrive and shine on stage as they curated the night.
Covers of Miranda Lambert’s The House That Built Me and Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me sent the sea of cowboy hats in the crowd into a frenzy. Westbrook even made his way through the crowd during Dressed Down, pausing mid-show to help someone in the pit, which only added to his down-to-earth charm.
Whether he chooses to play it safe with crowd-pleasers or push into new creative territory, Hudson Westbrook’s ceiling is sky-high. And on this night, in this room, Westbrook and his band proved they can hold it down with heart, grit, and Texan pride.
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