Meghan Patrick
The first time I saw Meghan Patrick was at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square in November 2017. She was opening for Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane, and even though she was still emerging on the national country music scene, she carried herself like a seasoned headliner. Meghan has that grit and confidence that immediately connects with an audience, a blend of classic country storytelling with a modern edge that draws you in. Her voice that night – raw, soulful, and undeniably powerful – hinted at the kind of star she was becoming. Watching her perform, it felt like catching lightning in a bottle.
It wouldn’t be long before I crossed paths with Meghan Patrick again. In 2018, she returned to Kitchener with Old Dominion as part of their Meat and Candy Tour. The venue this time was Centre In The Square’s louder, grittier sibling: The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Aud, as it’s known locally, is a venue built for big sounds, bright lights, and country crowds ready to stomp their boots. Meghan opened the show with the same fire I’d seen before, only this time, the energy was electric. The Old Dominion fans were there for a party, and Meghan brought it – her set was equal parts rowdy and heartfelt, a perfect pairing for the headliners. Her performance of “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” and “Country Music Made Me Do It” had the crowd dancing, while slower, more introspective tracks like “Walls Come Down” revealed her depth as a songwriter.
It’s a funny thing, how concerts punctuate life. You see an artist perform, maybe take a few photographs, and the music becomes a marker of where you were at that moment. For me, Meghan Patrick would mark one of the last concerts I photographed before the world turned upside down. In early 2020, just weeks before the pandemic shut down stages across the globe, Meghan rejoined Old Dominion at The Aud. This time, Mitchell Tenpenny was also on the bill, sharing the stage before Old Dominion took over as headliners. That concert had a special buzz about it. Meghan’s sound had matured, her stage presence sharper and more confident than ever. It was clear she was no longer just opening shows – she was on her way to leading them.
Looking back, I remember walking into that concert with a camera slung over my shoulder, ready to capture a night of music and energy. It wasn’t just about the photos – it never really is. It’s about documenting those fleeting moments of magic that only live music can offer. I had no way of knowing that would be one of the last shows I’d photograph for a long time. Over the next few weeks, the world went quiet. I had photographed The Beaches and Choir! Choir! Choir! earlier that year, gone to L.A. for some work, and when I returned, the silence was deafening. Venues were empty, tours were canceled, and artists were forced to adapt in ways no one could have predicted.
For Meghan Patrick, the road didn’t stop; it simply took a new direction. Like so many other artists, she kept pushing forward, releasing music and connecting with fans in the ways she could. While live performances were on hold, Meghan used the time to grow her already impressive catalog of songs, leaning into the kind of raw honesty that has become her trademark. Whether it’s a heartbreak anthem or an empowering country rocker, her music always feels personal and relatable, as though she’s singing directly to you. It’s that authenticity that sets her apart.
On a personal note, Meghan’s life has evolved as well. She married country artist Mitchell Tenpenny, her tour mate from that 2020 show, in 2022. Their love story has been something of a modern country fairytale, with two artists who share a passion for songwriting, the road, and each other. Together, they roll with a country crew that includes the likes of Lainey Wilson, an artist Meghan often refers to as one of her close friends and inspirations. It’s a fitting circle for someone like Meghan – grounded, talented, and surrounded by artists who share her drive to redefine what country music can be.
Now, in 2024, Meghan Patrick is still doing what she does best: touring across North America, connecting with audiences one show at a time. Her rise in the country music world has been a steady climb, built on hard work, perseverance, and an undeniable talent that refuses to be ignored. Every time she steps on stage, she brings that same fire I first witnessed back in 2017. Whether she’s playing to a packed arena or an intimate venue, Meghan Patrick always delivers a performance that feels honest, raw, and powerful – the kind of show that stays with you long after the lights go down.
When I think back to those nights in Kitchener, to the concerts that now feel like snapshots frozen in time, I realize how lucky I’ve been to witness her journey firsthand. From opening sets with Tom Cochrane to sharing the stage with Old Dominion and Mitchell Tenpenny, Meghan Patrick’s career has been a masterclass in dedication and growth. Her music has become part of the soundtrack of my own life, reminding me of the power live music holds to connect us, inspire us, and carry us through even the quietest of times.
It’s fitting, then, that Meghan Patrick’s story continues to be written one show, one song, and one stage at a time. As for me, I’ll keep showing up, camera in hand, ready to capture those moments of magic – because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that live music, and artists like Meghan Patrick, will always find a way to bring the world back to life.
