Tucker Wetmore – The Armory – Minneapolis MN – February 26th 2026

Live Nation and The Armory present Tucker Wetmore with special guests Dasha and Jacob Hackworth

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

On February 26th, 2026, Jacob Hackworth took the stage at The Armory with the kind of quiet confidence that doesn’t demand attention — it earns it. Tasked with opening for rising country headliner Tucker Wetmore, Hackworth didn’t just warm up the crowd — he steadily pulled them into his world.

From the moment he stepped into the spotlight, there was an unpolished sincerity about him. No over-the-top theatrics. No forced bravado. Just a guitar, and songs that felt lived-in. His voice carried a slightly gritty warmth, the kind that bends naturally around heartbreak lyrics and blue-collar storytelling.

He did severalsongs from covers and to number ones he wrote, and some unreleased tunes. Tennessee River, Mess that Marlboro Man and What Took You So Long were all unreleased songs. Covers that he helped write were This Heart by Corey Kent and Rock and Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman had everyone signing. He also did a Post Malone cover I Fall Apart. There were also two released originals You Aint and Bad As I Do to fill out the set.

One of the strongest aspects of his performance was pacing. He avoided the common opener mistake of going all gas, no brakes. Instead, he let dynamic shifts do the work — pulling things back for an acoustic-leaning number that showcased vocal control, then ramping it up with a fuller band arrangement that let the guitars stretch out just enough to feel big in The Armory’s cavernous space.

Between songs, Hackworth kept the banter short and genuine. A quick thank-you to the Minneapolis crowd. A nod of gratitude for the tour slot. No rehearsed monologues — just appreciation. It played well in a room that values authenticity.

The Armory can be an intimidating venue for an opener. Its size swallows performers who don’t command it. Hackworth didn’t try to overpower the room — he let the songs expand naturally into it. By the time his final chorus rang out, the applause felt earned, not polite.

Opening for an artist like Tucker Wetmore means performing for fans who didn’t necessarily buy a ticket to see you. On this night, Jacob Hackworth turned a percentage of that audience into future listeners. And that’s the true mark of a successful opening set.

Overall: A grounded, emotionally resonant performance that proved Hackworth belongs on stages this size — and likely bigger ones soon.

Dasha stepped into the spotlight with confidence — no hesitation, no warm-up jokes, just a clear commitment to her songs and her craft. The Armory crowd, still arriving and finding their rhythm, perked up quickly as her voice cut through the ambient chatter. Her vocal style has an emotive quality that can lean soulful one moment and punchy the next, perfect for commanding attention early in the night.

Her set mixed emotional depth with confident delivery:

• Expressive Vocals: Dasha‘s tone carried an emotional vulnerability without ever losing control. On slower numbers, she held notes with nuance, conveying lyrics with subtle inflections that made even familiar themes feel personal. In up-tempo moments, her voice took on a sharper edge that pushed the band forward without sacrificing clarity.

• Musical Presence: Backed by a tight group of musicians, Dasha’s arrangements were crisp and cohesive. The interplay between her vocals and the instrumentation — especially during choruses — suggested she’s comfortable shaping her sound into something both contemporary and engaging.

• Stage Confidence: What stood out wasn’t just her voice, but how she inhabited the stage. She moved confidently, connected visually with the audience, and seemed genuinely present in each moment — a welcome quality for an opener tasked with engaging a crowd that’s still warming up.

Early in her set, some of the crowd were still settling in, but as her performance progressed, the energy noticeably shifted. Conversations died down. Heads began to nod. By the time she closed her set, applause was warm and communicative — the kind that says, “We’re glad we listened.”

What made Dasha’s performance memorable wasn’t flashiness but the strength of her presence and the consistency of her delivery. She didn’t need elaborate production or theatricality; her songs and voice were fully capable of holding the room’s attention.

As an opening act at a large venue like The Armory, Dasha proved that she’s more than capable of carving out her own moment in a stacked bill. Her performance was polished without being overly rehearsed, emotionally compelling without veering into melodrama — a balanced showing that left many in the crowd clearly intrigued by what she might do next.

Bottom line: A poised, engaging set that set the stage beautifully for the night’s headliner — and introduced Dasha as a performer worth seeking out again.

Setlist – Not at This Party – Work on Me – Like it Like That – Gimmie a Second – Memo – King of California – Here for the Party – Bye Bye Bye – Austin (Boots Stop Working)

When Tucker Wetmore stepped onto the stage at The Armory on the night of February 26 2026, it was clear that this wasn’t just another stop on The Brunette World Tour — it was a full-tilt home-crowd experience. From the first strum to the final encore, Wetmore delivered a show that balanced hook-filled radio appeal with the kind of heartfelt connection that turns casual concertgoers into devoted fans.

Wetmore kicked the night off with a burst of energy. The first few numbers were bold and immediate; his band came out tight and well-rehearsed, setting the tone for a show that felt both polished and passionate. Crowd favorites got instant sing-alongs, and it didn’t take long for The Armory — a venue known for its booming acoustics — to transform from a buzzing pre-show crowd into a unified sea of voices.

Although the full setlist spanned a mix of hits and deeper cuts, a few moments stood out:

• High-Energy Hits: Songs with punchy choruses and driving rhythms had the crowd moving. Big melodic hooks paired with Wetmore’s confident stage presence made these moments feel like shared celebrations rather than just performances.

• Emotion-Driven Mid-Set Moments: At the heart of the show were a few of Wetmore’s slower, more introspective songs. The lights softened; the tempo eased; and suddenly the massive space of The Armory felt intimate. Wetmore’s vocal control in these moments showcased range and vulnerability — a contrast that grounded the more upbeat portions of the night.

• Interactive Moments: It wasn’t all music and lights. Wetmore frequently paused to talk directly to the audience — whether cracking a bit of humor, sharing a story behind a song, or inviting the crowd to sing a line back to him. These interactions, while brief, felt sincere and helped deepen the connection between artist and audience.

Wetmore’s stage demeanor balanced swagger with accessibility. He wasn’t constantly pacing or performing theatrics — rather, he worked the space deliberately, connecting with different sections of the crowd without ever seeming disjointed. At times, he leaned into heartfelt eye contact and earnest delivery; at others, he let the rhythm take over, moving with a relaxed intensity that sold every beat.

Musically, his band was a crucial asset. Guitar parts, keys, and rhythm sections blended tight arrangements with moments of expressive flair — tasteful rather than showy — and the backing vocals enriched the texture without overshadowing Wetmore’s lead.

Production at The Armory — from lighting cues to the sound mix — supported the performance well. Lights shifted with song moods rather than merely flashing in time, helping to elevate emotional peaks and maintain momentum throughout the set.

From the opening note through the encore, the Minneapolis crowd was wholly engaged. Choruses were sung back with gusto, and applause between songs was enthusiastic without being rushed. Call-and-response moments triggered genuine cheer, and near the end of the night, a tangible sense of collective appreciation washed over the venue.

Tucker Wetmore’s February 26 2026 show at The Armory was a compelling snapshot of an artist confidently straddling mainstream appeal and genuine musical expression. Between dynamic performances, thoughtful pacing, and an undeniable connection with the audience, this was a night that reminded fans — and likely converted new ones — why live music still matters.

Overall: A strong headline performance — energetic, emotional, and engaging from start to finish.