Live Review: Kevin Morby with Liam Kazar at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, 6/14/26

Not even three weeks after my first Kevin Morby show in Kansas City, I found myself catching his set in Atlanta. This time, the experience soared. Morby is clearly leveling up, syncing deeper with his music and his audience, and radiating a coolness that outshines even the Big Ass Fan spinning above the Variety’s crowd.

Morby, a true Midwesterner, spins songs about the Kansas badlands, tornadoes, summer nights, and Junebugs. As someone who grew up in Missouri, I am whisked straight back to my own childhood. His latest album, Little Wide Open, feels like a handwritten postcard, inviting newcomers to discover the heart of this region.

After the first six songs – all from the new release – Morby said, “Okay, that ends the new stuff, now we’ll play some older songs.” Reaching back a decade to Singing Saw, it was evident these fans have been traveling with him all along. In what has become a nightly event on the tour, Morby brings out a surprise guest to perform a song at each stop. Tonight, the crowd was happy to welcome Erin Rae, who recorded “Bittersweet, TN” with Morby. It’s an ultra-lovely tune and sounded heavenly.

The floor was jammed with heady fans who jubilantly mirrored Morby’s excitement. The two played off each other making this a powerful example of how live music should be. The singer is in his element onstage and his worthy songs make it that much better.

“Beautiful Strangers” is reminiscent of an old spiritual, written shortly after the Bataclan shooting ten years ago. He sings, “Pray for Paris / They cannot scare us / Or stop the music,” later adding, “Fuck I.C.E!” met with roars from the crowd.

The night’s closer was “Dorothy,” a rollicking rocker that set the place ablaze. Incidentally, Dorothy is the name of Morby’s guitar. B.B. King had Lucille, KevMo has Dorothy. It’s a pairing that has created some terrific songs with more to come in the future.

Liam Kazar, Morby’s lead guitarist, opened the show with his own exciting material. The singer released his excellent Pilot Light last year to rave reviews and tons of fan love. During his set, Kazar exclaimed, “Here’s to Atlanta! Your team is the only one to take two from the Knicks! Berggren’s stupid team couldn’t do it (The 76ers.) He’s from Philly…so is Billet” (referencing the bassist and drummer). The crowd laughed and applauded in response. Kazar’s star is shining brighter and his headlining days are not far off.

With genuinely perfect tunes such as “The Word The War,” “Day Off,” and “Didn’t I,” Kazar is a one-of-a-kind songsmith ready for his closeup. And he adds a whole dimension of talent to Morby’s band, not unlike Sadler Vaden adds to Jason Isbell’s live shows. One to watch.

For more information on the tour, visit the websites at Kevin Morby and Liam Kazar.

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