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We Are Story Tellers
Nightly In Nashville
May 30th, 2025 felt like one of those rare, electric nights in Nashville where everything just clicks. Nightly In Nashville returned to their hometown roots with a headline show at the iconic Ryman Auditorium and what unfolded was a dreamy, high energy, heart on your sleeve kind of night that hit in all the right ways.
Nightly at the Ryman Auditorium
The show came at a time when the band’s following continues to grow beyond their local beginnings, and playing a venue as storied as the Ryman felt like a full circle moment for both the band and their fans. I had the honor of photographing the show, and I can confidently say: this was one of those nights you want to bottle up and keep forever. The night kicked off with Jonah Marais, who many know from his time with Why Don’t We but this set made it clear he’s more than capable of holding his own. Jonah brought an effortless charm and a voice that filled the Ryman with heart. It was a strong, confident opening that set the bar high.
Following him was Nashville’s own Molly Grace, who stepped onto the stage with a quiet magnetism that quickly commanded attention. Her rich, warm vocals wrapped around the room, and her set felt deeply personal, like she was letting us in on a secret. Equal parts spunky and powerful, Molly’s performance was a love letter to the city she calls home, and a reminder that Nashville talent never stops showing up. Both openers helped shape the emotional arc of the night.
Bringing the Hometown Heat
From the moment they stepped onstage, Nightly had the room wrapped around their fingers. The set opened with a rush of energy that made it clear: this wasn’t just another gig, this was the show. The band’s usual mix of dreamy alt-pop and vulnerable lyrics played perfectly in a venue like the Ryman, where every echo feels amplified by history. A standout moment came with their stripped down cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” a bold, reverent move that earned the room’s full attention and felt like a soft salute to the legends who’ve graced that stage before them.
Later in the set, the band played “On Your Sleeve,” and something special happened. At their request, the crowd joined in to sing, and it wasn’t just polite murmuring, it was loud, honest, beautiful. You could feel how much that moment meant, both to the band and to everyone who got to be part of it. And just when things were feeling extra tender, they flipped the script with a surprise cover of Smash Mouth’s “All Star” because of course they did. It was chaotic in the best way, and the crowd loved it. People were dancing in the aisles, laughing, and singing like it was 2001 again. The duality of this band? Immaculate.
Capturing the Moment
Photographing this show felt like being let in on a secret: every glance, every lyric, every lighting cue added to the story unfolding on stage. It was a challenge (and a joy) to try and capture that mix of nostalgia, hometown pride, and raw artistry through my lens. The energy in the Ryman that night wasn’t just electric, it was human. Nightly In Nashville at the Ryman wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration. Of how far they’ve come as independent artists, of the city that raised them, and of the fans who’ve grown up alongside their music. Nashville showed up for them, and they gave everything right back.
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