From the moment he stepped onto the stage at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley, Gen Z pop up-and-comer Alex Sampson had his audience’s undivided attention. His dramatic entrance was to be underscored by his band however it was quickly realized that Sampson’s microphone had other plans, leading to some kind of technical failure. Immediately the young singer-songwriter displayed excellent showmanship with a cheery and genuine “let’s try this again.” In a world of sterile, nearly automated, pop performances, Sampson stands out as an artist who can still deliver the goods live. Following one minor mishap from the starting point, the set was delivered with sincere passion, enthusiasm, and character. With a crowd composed of young music lovers, Sampson delivered a catalog of relevant, youthful, and occasionally humorous songs. A personal favorite was a song about being in the unfortunate area known as “the friend zone.” Dedicated and loyal fans lined the front of the stage and seemingly knew every word to every song Sampson had released. This same demographic received Sampson’s unreleased music with all the expected fervor and intensity that comes with having an excitable fanbase. As Sampson’s tour continues one can only expect this anticipation to grow further as fans across the country have the chance to experience new material. Since his start on America’s Got Talent, Sampson has only gotten stronger in every aspect of his artistry. The vocals, songwriting, and stage presence of this sensation-in-the-making are all to be admired coming from a relatively new artist. Though there is no way to be sure, Sampson is one to watch and likely has a bright and promising future in which he can be expected to join the ranks of modern teen idols and pop stars galore.
- Harrison Eason
Photos Courtesy of GC Moorman (For Bell Music Magazine)
