MAX MCNOWN'S NOVO SHOW SIGNALS NEXT CHAPTER IN HIS RAPID ASCENT

On Saturday, September 6, country singer Max McNown brought his Forever Ain’t Long Enough Tour to The Novo at LA Live, filling the downtown Los Angeles venue with a lively, small-town energy. The crowd was a sea of denim, cowboy boots, and trucker hats, made up of young couples and groups of friends ready for a night of heartfelt lyrics and high-spirited singalongs. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, blending country charm with the big-city backdrop for a show that felt both intimate and electric. 

At just 24 years old, Max McNown has quickly carved out a space for himself as one of country music’s most compelling young voices. Born in Oregon but now based in Nashville, the singer-songwriter blends classic country, Americana, and folk into an earthy sound that feels both timeless and fresh. His emotionally charged lyrics first reached a wide audience with the viral success of his 2023 single “A Lot More Free,” which took off on TikTok, climbed the charts, and earned an RIAA Gold certification. Since then, McNown has been on a steady rise, releasing two full-length albums in less than a year; his debut Willfully Blind and its follow-up Night Diving, which arrived earlier this year. His stop at The Novo marked an important milestone: a major Los Angeles performance that gave fans a chance to experience his music live and celebrate the momentum of his rapidly growing career. 

Wild Horses set the tone for Max McNown’s show at The Novo with a stirring and intimate performance that immediately drew the crowd in. The three-piece band, hailing from Grand Rapids, Minnesota and aking their Los Angeles debut, featured a singer on guitar whos haunting voice left the audience utterly silent, hanging on every word of his emotional lyrics. At his side were his wife on keys, who seamlessly shifted to a fiddle throughout the set, and their best friend rounding out the sound with deep, grounding tones on double bass. For their final song, Wild Horses stripped everything back and stepped away from the microphones, trusting the room to carry their voices and instruments on their own. The Novo fell into a rare kind of quiet, the audience leaning in so completely that every note and lyric rang clear without amplification. As the song built, the crowd joined in—stomping their feet in unison to create a pulsing percussion and singing out the chorus with the band, transforming the performance into a communal moment. It was raw, unpolished, and deeply moving, the kind of closing that lingers long after the lights come up.Together, their raw chemistry and heartfelt delivery created a mesmerizing atmosphere, perfectly preparing the room for the night ahead. 

The Novo itself, with its reputation as a launch pad for future stars, proved a fitting stage for McNown’s rising career. While many artists lean on elaborate production, his set up was stripped down to the essentials: just him with his guitar, flanked by the four members of his band, all gathered around a patterned rug. The simplicity placed all the weight on the music, and the venue’s impeccable sound ensured his voice came through crisp, powerful, and deeply resonant. At times, the audience fell into a hushed stillness, hanging on each lyric, while at others the room erupted into singalongs, hands waving high in unison. The balance of intimacy and energy made the night feel both personal and electric, the kind of performance that cements an artist;s connection with their fans while hinting at even bigger stages to come. 

The show itself was a masterclass in balancing intimacy and energy. McNown’s stage presence was warm and engaging, moving naturally between heartfelt storytelling and playful banter with the audience. He often shared the inspiration behind his songs, giving listeners a glimpse into his life and making the set feel like a conversation rather than just a performance. The band complemented him seamlessly, shifting from gentle, sparse arrangements on emotional songs to full, rich instrumentation on the more upbeat numbers, creating a dynamic ebb and flow throughout the evening. 

From the opening notes of “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” to the closing moments of “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)”, the crowd was fully invested. During emotional songs like “Take This Plane”, a song about a close friend who had taken his own life, the audience hung on every lyric, leaning in with hushed attention. By contrast, when McNown transitioned into “Marley” and the Bob Marley classic “Don’t Worry About a Thing”, the room erupted into singalongs, with hands raised high and voices joining together in celebration. Between songs, he paused to connect with the audience, sharing personal anecdotes and thoughts on the healing power of music, which made the experience feel deeply communal. 

The pacing of the set was carefully crafted, alternating between emotional highs and introspective lows, giving each song space to resonate. Moments like the recorded voice of his grandfather woven into “Hindsight and Photographs” added layers of intimacy, while full-band crescendos showcased his energy and charisma. By the end of the night, the audience had experienced the full spectrum of McNown’s artistry: raw vulnerability, heartfelt storytelling, and infectious joy, leaving the room buzzing long after the final chord. 

Max McNown’s performance at The Novo was an intimate glimpse into the heart of a rising artist whose music blends vulnerability, storytelling, and unbridled energy. From the hauntingly personal moments to the joyous singalongs, the night showcased his ability to connect with fans on a profound level, leaving everyone in the room not just entertained, but moved. If this show was any indication, McNown’s trajectory in country music is only just beginning, and the audiences can expect even bigger and more unforgettable performances in the future.

Written by: Ana Oquendo

Photographed by: Steven Esperanza for Goldenvoice