Ruel & Carlie Hanson – The 9:30 Club – Washington (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

Ruel & Carlie Hanson – The 9:30 Club – Washington, DC – June 13, 2023

Ruel and Carlie Hanson filled the place on their second sold-out DC show accompanying his most recent album, 4th Wall. After lining up around the block, fans eagerly packed into the venue waiting for the night to begin.

The show started off with an incredible set from Carlie Hanson. She began her set with “Back In My Arms,” “Illusion,” and “608.” Her energy was incredible from beginning to end as her beautiful vocals rang through the venue. She engaged with the crowd through the entire set, and it was clear that both she and the crowd were having so much fun.

At around 9:00, the lights went low and Ruel took the stage! His band came out first, dressed in matching 4th Wall jumpsuits as Ruel’s intro played out. The stage was decorated beautifully with numerous plants, creating a great atmosphere from the very beginning. As Ruel took the stage, his remarkable vocals soared through the venue and the crowd went wild. He began his set with “Go On Without Me,” “Growing Up Is ____,” and “You Against Yourself.” He was met with cheers from the crowd as they sang loudly to every word of every song.

Ruel came out with so much energy, as he commanded the stage making sure to use every inch of it throughout his performance. His set continued with “Say It Over,” “Sitting In Traffic,” and “If And/or When.” He interacted with the crowd well throughout the set, and the chemistry he had with his band made for an incredible performance. The crowd continued to sing loudly as he sang a cover of “Night Changes” by One Direction and performed his verse on his remix of “Golden Hour” by JVKE.

To end the set, Ruel did “Someone Else’s Problem,” “Dazed & Confused,” “Painkiller,” “The End Scene,” and finished with an encore of “I Don’t Wanna Be Like You.” Smiles could be seen on everyone’s faces in the crowd as three large beach balls were thrown in and around the venue, adding even more energy to the show!

Overall, both Ruel and Carlie Hanson put on an incredible show. Both sets were filled with so much energy and excitement, and they without a doubt gave the crowd a night to remember. Make sure to catch a Ruel show when he’s in your city, and don’t forget to stream his latest.

Emma Fox