REVIEW: Country duo Dan + Shay deliver high energy at Musikfest

BETHLEHEM, Pa — The smooth sound of love ballads filled the air Sunday night as one of Nashville’s most recognizable duos played Musikfest 2023.

Dan + Shay played to a cowboy-hat-and-boots-clad audience on the main Steel Stage as the festival's first weekend came to a close.

• Dan + Shay, a country duo from Nashville, played to a roaring crowd on the main stage at Musikfest 2023
• The two are just returning to touring
• They've been recording a new album due out this fall

Up-and-coming country singer Johnathan Hutcherson warmed up the group for the headliners.

Just after 8:30 p.m., a small pulse of light and sound grew until the two country stars took the stage and played one of their best-known songs, “10,000 Hours,” which they recorded with pop star Justin Bieber.

The lead singer of the two, Shay Mooney’s smooth sound effortlessly flowed through the summer night's humidity. Shay’s voice is just as strong and powerful in person as it is on his albums. He effortlessly hit high notes during their pop-country songs.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania native Dan Smyer’s guitar riffs, piano skills and backup vocals left concert goers “Speechless” as they played hit after hit on the Steel Stage at PNC Plaza.

Dan made reference to his western Pennsylvania roots, even commenting that Yuengling is his beer of choice.

“I might move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,” Shay told the crowd as his bandmate recorded a video of the crowd for social media.

The two are just getting back to touring after spending the last year and a half recording their fifth studio album, "Bigger Houses," set to be released Sept. 15.

Halfway through the concert they played some of their new music, such as the songs “Save Me The Trouble” and “Always Gonna Be.” To their surprise, fans sang along with the music, despite it having only been released a few days ago.

After 16 songs, Dan + Shay left the stage, only to return a few minutes later to perform an encore of fan favorites including “I Should Probably Go to Bed” and finishing with “Tequila,” asking those in attendance to sing along with them.

The energy level grew throughout the night and everyone was swaying along with the catchy country-pop that Dan + Shay have been shelling out for more than 10 years.

If the excitement from the fans in South Bethlehem is any indicator, their new studio album is going to be just as big, if not bigger, than the previous music that earned the duo three Grammys and countless fans.

Dan + Shay toured with Kenny Chesney in 2022.