Upbeat, Soft, and Collaborative Songs, Courtesy of Chelsea Cutler!

8/16/25 - Doswell, VA

Photo by Cody Cooksey

Chelsea Cutler has been a steady star in the music industry for many years. She has found success from multiple albums, most recently Stellaria and brent iii. On top of this, she has mastered the world of collaborations with frequent work done with Jeremy Zucker, as well as Noah Kahan, The Band CAMINO, and Said The Sky. While the annual summer concert series, After Hours, is usually known for its country and rock shows, Chelsea was able to bring a unique set to the Meadow Event Park, alongside frequent collaborator and friend Quinn XCII. 

As the lights went out, the fog began to show its presence, and Chelsea walked to the front of the stage, it became clear that she was popular among the crowd, as cheers were heard throughout the venue. She had the advantage of beginning her set while it was still light outside, giving the show a brighter feel than usual. Starting off with strong songs such as “Something More” and “Cold Showers” managed to keep the crowd focused and enthralled by her. 

Something I did not expect, but was a welcome addition, was the inclusion of humor. Chelsea communicated well with the crowd by making jokes and poking fun at many things. Primarily, she did so by pointing out her own appearance, claiming that she is “still getting carded”, despite being 28. The lighthearted vibe she presented throughout the night made everyone feel welcome, even those who did not know her. There was a fair mix of upbeat songs such as “Sad Tonight,” as well as slow, soft, “hold your special one close” songs such as the well known anthem “You Were Good To Me.” Weirdly enough, she also played a cover of the famous “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. What made this so cool is that she told the crowd that she wanted everyone to sing this, giving each and every person in attendance a chance to sing a song that they would definitely know every word to. 

Sporting jorts and kicks, beautifully unique vocals, a stage presence in all aspects, and musical ability through acoustic guitar and beats, are all prime examples of what Chelsea has to offer in a live performance. It is always a good thing when it is clear that the artist performing is enjoying herself, making the crowd feel loved, and giving the music a reason to be played. Chelsea Cutler passed all of these tests with flying colors, and she is an artist that should be given more recognition as the years continue to pass.

Photo by Cody Cooksey