I was especially excited to see Gareth perform, having followed him for about a year since discovering him on TikTok. He gained significant attention with his cover of “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, a song that helped launch his career. In fact, before I even knew it was a cover, I assumed it was his original—and I still prefer his version over the original!

During his set, Gareth performed several covers before transitioning into his own music. He shared with the audience that he only began writing his own songs early last year, making it all the more impressive that he is already touring with one of America’s fastest-rising country stars.

One of the most touching moments of his performance was when he spoke about his recent move to Nashville to pursue music full-time. He admitted that the hardest part has been missing his family, especially his mother. This sentiment led into a heartfelt song he wrote for her last June.

As expected, Gareth performed his now-famous version of “Stick Season,” explaining how it changed his life. The crowd sang along passionately, creating a special moment of unity. Accompanied by an electric guitarist who kept the rhythm flowing, Gareth delivered a performance worth waiting for. He is set to embark on his own tour across the UK and parts of Europe soon—a well-deserved next step in his career.