Hailey Whitters brings the Corn Queen to Washington’s 9:30 Club

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Being seven-and-a-half months pregnant isn’t stopping me – I mean, Hailey Whitters – from touring! As I get closer to the end of my Corn Queen tour, and with my first baby due in November, I’m still hitting the stage in cowboy boots and dresses. I’m still giving it my all with almost 90 minutes of the high-energy country rock that fans have loved from me for the past ten years.

She performed at Washington’s 9:30 Club this week. As she told the audience, this show felt like a milestone, especially since she had played the smaller Atlantis room next door to 9:30 last year.

The musician, originally from Iowa and now living in Nashville, performed 13 out of the 16 songs from her well-received Corn Queen album, which came out earlier this year. She was accompanied by her five-piece band. While she began with the album’s opening song, “High on the Hog,” and ended with its closer, “DanceMor,” the concert wasn’t just a simple replay of the album’s tracklist.

Throughout her performance, she kept things interesting by playing some well-loved songs and sharing personal anecdotes. Many of these stories actually inspired her work, Corn Queen.

Hailey Whitters occupies the high ground between modern country and rock & roll

The way Whitters arranges her band on stage beautifully reflects her musical style. On her left, you’ll find the electric guitar and bass. On her right, the pedal steel and fiddle. While her music is definitely country, it also incorporates enough rock and roll elements to appeal to fans of heavier music genres.

Following the energetic opener, “High on the Hog,” the band played one of her most popular songs – “Prodigal Daughter,” which was originally recorded as a collaboration with bluegrass artist Molly Tuttle. Whitters effortlessly moves between bluegrass and the country rock sound of tracks like “Wagon.”

Midway through the performance, she transitioned to heartfelt country ballads with the beautiful songs “Casseroles” and “I Don’t Want You.” During these songs, her drummer moved away from the drum set and began playing acoustic guitar, and her guitar player switched to mandolin. Meanwhile, the bassist played the keyboard.

Following those songs, the band resumed their usual stage setup and delivered a powerfully intense rendition of “White Limousine.” The bass and drums were much more noticeable than on the album version, which is comparatively subdued.

It was amazing! She actually raised a glass to the crowd before launching into “Fillin’ My Cup,” and she joked, “I really miss beer!” Then, she played a really raw and emotional version of “Hearsay” – I especially loved all the pedal steel accents she used. It really made the song stand out! #livemusic Seriously incredible.

I was so excited to hear Josie Toney’s fiddle really shining through on a lot of tracks, especially “Boys Back Home.” It’s one of the gems from Whitters’ earlier work, and her playing just makes it special!

She then shared a picture of herself on a Corn Flakes box, having been playfully named Corn King and Queen for the night. She also inspired the audience, urging them to pursue their ambitions and follow their dreams.

She also shared the story of her beginnings with the lively song “Shotgun Wedding Baby,” stating it was very closely based on her own life.

I was really impressed with how much support Whitters got from Owen Riegling. He’s a seriously talented young country artist from Canada, and honestly, he’s a lot like Whitters – he can switch between that raw, swampy rock sound, like in the song “Dan,” and then nail those classic, small-town country vibes, like “Old Dirt Roads.” He even dropped a new single, “Taillight This Town,” which I’m stoked to hear on his next album. It’s a great track and I think a lot of people will love it. It’s definitely one to watch out for!

Hailey Whitters isn’t reinventing country rock or pop; instead, she’s carrying on the traditions of artists like Loretta Lynn, Gretchen Wilson, and Kacey Musgraves. While these artists represent a diverse spectrum of political views, the core qualities of bold, confident, and direct country music remain strong in Whitters’ work. She embodies the spirit of those who came before her, delivering music that is loud, proud, and outspoken. Essentially, she’s continuing a powerful legacy.

Whitters has several dates left on her current tour before she takes a break to give birth to her baby, whom she jokingly refers to as a brand new Corn Prince.

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2025-10-04 16:00