2023 Year in review! Wharf Amphitheater 2023 highlights.
Rated as one of Alabama’s top concert venues, the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach is a significant part of the state’s bustling entertainment scene! The 10,000-capacity amphitheater boasts a long history of hosting the biggest names in music! Its open-air feature provides concert attendees the opportunity to be energized by amazing hits from their favorite bands and artists, bask in the excellent Alabama summer weather, and enjoy a myriad of food and drink concessionaires! Coming to the Wharf Amphitheater has somewhat turned into a yearly tradition for most locals and tourists! Here, we review the most exciting concerts that have occurred at the Wharf Amphitheater in 2023! Being one of the largest music destinations along the Gulf Coast, the venue provided thousands of attendees with a unique breathtaking backdrop, as well as plenty of other attractions to enjoy! Here’s the list of the most exhilarating performances at the Wharf in 2023!
Spring season featured a plethora of great performers, including the iconic southern rock group Whiskey Myers. The high-powered performances definitely made things hot over at the Whart with incredible staples, “Broken Window Serenade,” “Bury My Bones,” and “Ballad of a Southern Man.” The band certainly knew how to deliver a sensation performance, and fans were ecstatic to see the Internet viral rock band conquer The Wharf on Friday, 5th May.
summer concert season
Meanwhile, the summer season also featured terrific performances from incredible artists, such as Walker Hayes, Kenny Chesney, and Hank Williams Jr. (who basically packed the venue to the brim). June definitely had a musical heat wave as artists such as Koe Wetzel and James Taylor brought thousands of attendees into the amphitheater in June!
The following month, Parker McCollum performed at the Wharf on Saturday, 15th July! The young singer-songwriter from Texas was in town to promote his fourth album, Never Enough. The night was packed with McCollum’s incredible hits, spanning from his debut album, The Limestone Kid, all the way to his latest efforts. Fans were absolutely thrilled as McCollum showcased his remarkable vocals and guitar-playing prowess. He’s absolutely one of the stand-out performances during the summer season!
Another great band that came to the Whart was Dave Matthews Band. The sold out show was part of the band’s 44-date outing titled the Walk Around the Moon Tour. On Wednesday, 26th July, fans were treated to the band’s diverse range of sounds, from jazz to funk, rock, soul, hip-hop, and more. Dave Matthews Band delivered their signature extended jams and onstage improvs. They say no two shows from DMB are the same, and Alabama fans were given a highly unique performance at the Wharf that night!
Another outstanding sold-out concert featured the illustrious Jelly Roll on Sunday, 30th July. The Grammy-nominated country singer-songwriter was promoting his Backroad Baptism Tour, and the highly-awaited performance at The Wharf was packed with iconic hits, such as “The Lost,” “Halfway to Hell,” “Save Me,” and many more. Making the night more exciting were exhilarating performances from Struggle Jennings, Caitlynne Curtis, and Josh Adam Meyers, who all performed their career-spanning hits. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll also prompted his latest chart-topping album, Whitsitt Chapel. It was certainly a night of high-energy sets and fantastic country rock staples – a perfect opener to The Whaft’s summer season!
The following month, Wharf Amphitheater welcomed the rock sensation 3 Doors Down. The band, which rose to prominence with outstanding hits like “Here Without You,” “Kryptonite,” and “When I’m Gone,” also brought Candlebox as their special guest. 3 Doors Down delivered a thrilling performance on Wednesday, 16th August. It was a nostalgic trip for most listeners in the venue since the band dominated the music scene during its prime in the early 2000s. Nevertheless, 3 Doors Down remains a tremendous live act, and lead singer Brad Arnold’s stage presence was unmatched.
The following day, The Chief moved in to bring the highly anticipated Outsiders Revival Tour. Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Eric Church was leading the biggest country music tour of the season, and lucky fans in Alabama got a chance to experience the incredible performance at the Wharf for three nights from Thursday, 17th to Saturday, 19th August. The performances began with outstanding sets from rising stars Lainey Wilson and Jackson Dean. Finally, The Chief took the stage and belted out numerous unprecedented hits, like “Chattanooga Lucy,” “Drink in My Hand,” “Springsteen,” and “Sinners Like Me.” The chart-topping icon delivered a total of 23 songs that night, and fans couldn’t help but sing and dance along to his exhilarating setlist. This three-night extravaganza was a sight to behold as fans from Alabama and beyond traveled to the Wharf Amphitheater for the chance to experience the Outsiders Revival Tour.
After Eric Church, another country superstar, Jason Aldean, brought his Highway Desperado Tour to the Wharf. The show featured several special guests, Corey Kent, Dee Jay Silver, and Mitchell Tenpenny. Can you just imagine the excitement of country music fans during this time? The back-to-back country concerts were certainly making the fans have a fully-packed schedule! And there was no way the die-hard Aldean Army would just skip this one! True enough, the venue had a full house that night on Saturday, 26th August.
In September, The Wharf hosted a myriad of exciting performances from Turnpike Troubadours, Muscadine Bloodline, and the Castellows. The following month, on Sunday, 8th October, Willie Nelson’s monster tour, the Outlaw Music Festival, brought a ton of big-name live acts, such as The Avett Brothers and Gov’t Mule! The show, which celebrated Nelson’s 90th birthday, also brought in Elizabeth Cook and Particle Kid.
Fans were incredibly thrilled for 2023’s concert season as the most exciting tours made coveted pitstops at the Wharf. Barret O. from Alabama has nothing but great words for the Whart. “A pretty nice concert venue with easy access, plenty of free parking, good security, and a lot going on outside the venue within walking distance.” The Wharf Amphitheater has dedicated its operations to streamlining the entry and exit process, as well as providing concert attendees with facilities for their utmost comfort. Matt C. Illinois can attest to the easy access feature. “It’s kind of a cool entry, you walk across a raised wooden sidewalk type thing.” Lastly, the venue had always made it a point to provide top-tier sound and light. And fans absolutely appreciate this feature. “I’ve seen many shows in many venues, and this sound is amazing!” says Dustin T from Alabama.
Aside from an excellent open-air concert venue with excellent facilities, The Wharf Amphitheater’s best attraction is its great location. The venue sits in the middle of the shopping and dining district. A wide array of other activities, such as movies, express trains, Spectra Laser Light Experience, and Ferris Wheel, can also be found in the area. Most of all, fans are treated to a gastronomic experience thanks to the venue’s plentiful food truck choices near the box office. Tourists visiting Alabama for the shows also have a great selection of accommodations available. Lastly, locals can enjoy the venue’s ample parking and arrive at the concert with ease.
Experience the Whart Amphitheater for yourself by securing tickets to 2024’s concert season! The venue has already confirmed some outstanding acts for spring and summer and tickets are bound to move fast! Hurry and buy yours now before it’s too late!
fan photos
