A Skyline Stage and a Shared Moment
On a cool September evening at Pier 17, Maren Morris transformed an ordinary concert into a living diary. Her Dreamsicle Tour stop wasn’t simply a string of hits — it was a portrait of an artist in transition. The Manhattan skyline shimmered in the background while thousands of fans sang along, creating the feeling of an open-air living room where everyone already knew each other.
Opening with the introspective “Cry in the Car” from her new Dreamsicle album, Morris signaled early on that this set was about truth as much as entertainment. Each chord seemed to tell a story; each lyric landed like a confessional whispered to a friend. From there she rolled into fan favorites “80s Mercedes,” “GIRL” and “People Still Show Up,” weaving nostalgia, confidence and comfort into one seamless emotional arc.
Style with Spark and Humor
Draped in a black feathered gown studded with glittering accents, Morris looked every inch the headliner. Yet she didn’t shy away from levity. Before launching into “Bed No Breakfast,” her sly ode to no-strings-attached encounters, she joked about trying the New York dating scene. The crowd’s roar of recognition said everything about how universal her lyrics — and her humor—have become.
Covers That Connect Generations
Halfway through the night, the stage lights softened and Morris launched into Elton John’s “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters.” Gasps spread through the audience. It was a respectful yet personal interpretation, a moment when you could feel the room leaning in. By choosing a classic that speaks of city life and dreams, she tied her own journey to a broader musical history, bridging Nashville’s songwriter circles with Manhattan’s skyline mystique.
Life Beyond the Spotlight
What made this concert resonate even more deeply is how openly Morris has been living her personal story. When she think After finalizing her divorce from fellow musician Ryan Hurd in January 2024, she’s spoken candidly about co-parenting their son Hayes and adjusting to Nashville’s small, interconnected music community. “Everyone knows everyone” is how she describes it — a place where mutual friends sometimes have to choose sides. Yet she’s clear that she and Hurd are determined to keep their son’s world stable and loving.
From Songwriting Partners to Parents
The arc of Morris and Hurd’s relationship is almost a country song in itself. They met in 2013 during a songwriting session that produced “Last Turn Home” for Tim McGraw. Friendship evolved into romance in 2015; a red-carpet debut followed in 2016, an engagement in 2017, and marriage in 2018. Their vows were written in a bar — a mix of sincerity and levity that mirrors Morris’s stage persona today. In 2020, their son Hayes arrived, and in 2021 they released their duet “Chasing After You,” which earned them a Grammy nomination.
But the demands of constant touring, pandemic stresses and shifting priorities took a toll. Therapy and candid talks helped for a time. Eventually, irreconcilable differences led to divorce, finalized in early 2024. Even now, Morris acknowledges it’s “tough” to perform songs inspired by Hurd, yet she does so because they matter to her audience. That openness about struggle and growth is part of what makes her concerts feel like shared experiences rather than performances from a pedestal.
Motherhood and Music on the Road
Morris has also been open about motherhood reshaping her priorities. She once skipped the Grammys for a babymoon in Tennessee. She’s posted tributes to Hurd on Father’s Day and accepted public praise from him on Mother’s Day. When touring with a toddler, she calls Hayes her “biggest trooper.” These glimpses of real life behind the glamor resonate with fans who see themselves not just as spectators but as fellow travelers.
Why Dreamsicle Marks a Turning Point
The Dreamsicle album feels like a chapter marker: part wistful reflection, part bold new beginning. Songs like the title track carry the weight of nostalgia and homesickness; others are breezy and defiant. Performing them live at Pier 17, Morris built a set list that moved like a story arc — from heartbreak to humor to hope. She closed with “The Middle,” “Carry Me Through” and “The Bones,” a trio that sent fans into the night buzzing with energy, many already planning to see her again.
An Artist for This Moment
Maren Morris’s power lies not only in her voice but in her willingness to evolve in public. She blends vulnerability and confidence, pop hooks and country roots, personal upheaval and communal celebration. On a New York night lit by phones and stars, she showed that you can walk through heartbreak and still make a room full of strangers feel like family.
1. What songs did Maren Morris perform at Pier 17 on her Dreamsicle Tour?
At her September 9 Pier 17 show, Maren Morris mixed new Dreamsicle tracks such as “Cry in the Car” and “Dreamsicle” with fan favorites “80s Mercedes,” “GIRL,” “People Still Show Up” and “The Bones.” She also closed with “The Middle” and “Carry Me Through,” turning the night into a complete journey through her catalogue.
2. How did Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd meet and when did they marry?
Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd first met in 2013 during a Nashville songwriting session that produced “Last Turn Home” for Tim McGraw. Their friendship turned romantic in late 2015, they got engaged in 2017 and married in March 2018 at The Cordelle in Nashville.
3. How is Maren Morris co-parenting after her divorce?
Since finalizing her divorce from Ryan Hurd in January 2024, Morris has said they are focused on raising their son Hayes together. She’s described their relationship as “really friendly” and works to keep their child’s life stable despite Nashville’s close-knit music scene.
4. Which Elton John song does Maren Morris cover on tour?
Maren Morris performs Elton John’s classic “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” during her Dreamsicle Tour. She has said it’s a special song she likes to play whenever she’s in New York, and the crowd response shows it’s a highlight of her set.
5. What is the meaning behind Maren Morris’s song “Dreamsicle”?
According to Morris, she wrote “Dreamsicle” late at night while feeling homesick. The song reflects the desire to hold onto fleeting moments and childhood memories, blending nostalgia with hope — which is why the live performance often makes fans emotional.
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