Though it has been a few years since Ruel’s last visit to Georgia the city of Atlanta still remembers! On February 17th 2026 Ruel’s concert tour hit Georgia at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta.  The great Arthur Hill opened up bringing out the energy out of those that came wanting a show! From cowboy hats making their way to the stage and cheering erupting from the deepest parts of the pit it was a sign of what was to come. The emotion and positive energy being created was spreading and as the set ended its final song the stage went dark creating a sense of calm before the storm.

As the minutes ticked by getting closer to the 9:00 pm set time, people buzzed in and around the venue waiting for Ruel to take the stage. As the lights dimmed to signal the show was about to start, all that could be seen as the main attraction was a bright red door with no explanation but it signaled that this concert was going to take people to another place something not for the mundane and ordinary but where music and energy would invade from the speakers and bring a force worthy of kicking your feet up.

The red door began to flicker mist leaking from it like if something big was about to breach. As the door opened and light poured from out of it the silhouette of Ruel could be seen and for a split second silence overtook everyone until the venue erupted in cheering and “Only Ever” took over. The smoothness of “Only Ever” was personified as Ruel began to dance and glide to every part of the stage. He wanted to feel the crowd and the crowd gave it their all! The darkness of his suit a black blazer and black leather pants paired with the darkest chunky boots contrasted against the lights from his stage, it was clear that the 6’6” London born singer was in control and that he was making the stage his!

As "Only Ever” transitioned to “Not What's Going On” it was clear the vibe was to sing your heart out and to enjoy, the crowd got into it and let it all out! As it was winding down the tone seemed to change and Ruel knew what was to come, it was time for “Destroyer” and as the saying goes there is a time for everything and Ruel knew it was not time for sadness he braced everyone and reminded them that though sad songs were to come this was not a sad event. The melancholy filled the theatre and it led to the audience letting it out and having a true heart to heart with not only themselves but with each other and having a sense of not being alone by being surrounded by everyone else. It continued with “No News is Good News” a calmer piece dedicated to his mother and written from her perspective as a subdued and wistful reminder that no matter your job, location, or lifestyle a parent’s first instinct will be to worry. The set continued and returned from a somber pensive mood to something more uplifting with “the Suburbs” a stream of a more smooth and warm hearted beats that illuminated the atmosphere figuratively and physically with the help of the disco ball that reflected the theatre and seemed to make the environment warmer.

As the set list approached the end with “Pain Killer” a song that conveys the sense of gratitude for those that help get you through tough times it was obvious we all needed something to get us by with the pain of goodbye to this emotional and vulnerable performance. As goodbyes were said the want was too much and the encore was loud as it was swift people screamed, chants unique to Atlanta, and barking filled the theatre begging for more and like a gift it was granted Ruel appeared once again giving us “Japanese Whiskey” and “Kicking My Feet” opposite in the meaning and message they convey one tragically retelling of painful facades and how they can't be in it anymore and the other highlighting the excitement and giddyness that fills you up and making yourself a fool over them. 

The final goodbye was bittersweet after multiple songs and emotions through only a short amount of time the stage knew how to leave. With “ Kicking My Feet” filling the ears, first the drummer left receiving praise from crowd she bowed her head and entered the red door with mist filling her exit, then the guitarist hung his guitar waved to the crowd goodbye and with the crowds cheers filling his exit he entered the door and then all eyes were on Ruel it was only him carrying the song now and we all knew what was next… with the satisfaction of leaving it all on stage he plucked a few strings thanked everyone in a calm and sincere manner similar to a character in a movie knowing that it is time for the curtain and followed the others closing the door behind him not showing a trace that they were ever there except for the emotions that they had managed to pull from everyone.