The newly re-named KEMBA Live! in Columbus, OH was packed to the brim with fans eager to see Chelsea Cutler.
Originally slated to open the night was Adam Melchor and Rosie. However, a case of COVID-19 in their crew prevented the night from going according to plan. Luckily, Columbus’ newest hero Sam MacPherson flew in to save the day. Only hours before the show, Sam was asked to come out and fill the slot for both the Columbus, OH and Madison, WI shows. “Who woke up this morning and didn’t know they were gonna be here? Me too!” he explained. “I got asked to do this 14 hours ago and now I’m in front of all of you. It’s going well so far I think.”
Sam’s set consisted of just him and his guitar, and he was met with open hearts by the crowd. His songs were dripping in vulnerability and mesmerized the whole room. Sam explained that his last song, “Last Minute,” was the story of being rejected by the same girl, twice, before she finally said “yes” a decade later.
At 9:15pm, Chelsea Cutler stepped out in her uniform: an athletic jersey and jeans. To no one’s surprise, this night’s outfit featured an Ohio State Buckeyes shirt. She took to the platform armed with just her mic and a lot of love for Columbus.Chelsea instructed everyone to turn to whoever was next to them to smile and put an arm around them. “Let’s break the ice around here,” she encouraged. The room broke out in brief introductions and camaraderie with the house lights up. This kind of energy held throughout the night and the divide between strangers melted away. Though she’s a star, Chelsea is first and foremost a regular girl living out her dream.
After a few songs, Chelsea must have sensed that the crowd, filled almost entirely with college students, needed a little bit more energy on this school night. “I get that it’s a Wednesday night, but you guys are acting like it’s a Wednesday night.” With that, everyone stepped up their audience-member-game. The crowd was booming after her encouragement, and the whole room was engrossed in her set.
With the release of her newest album When I Close My Eyes in October 2021, Chelsea is hitting the road for her first headlining tour since 2020. Favorites from her past albums like “Are You Listening” and “Cold Showers” lit up the crowd while new ones like “Someone Else’s Heaven” made their way into the setlist.
The lighting and set production were impressive for such a relatively small stage. A four-armed canopy of light housed drummer Gavin Chops and keyboardist J.T. Becker. Synced up with the large screen behind all three performers, it made for an immersive and quite intentional experience. Chelsea was unafraid to play around with the instrumentalists and often jumped up onto their platform. On occasion, she even broke out her guitar, proving her technical skill to an adoring crowd.
The drum kit behind Chelsea read “I dream of this.” And, surely, she is living her dream and doing it her way.
