LIVE: RACHEL PLATTEN – Charlotte, NC, USA – May 5, 2025

Venue: Neighborhood Theatre

City: Charlotte, NC

Dates: May 5, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (https://www.toddstarphotography.com)

When life gets busy, music slows always me down and hopes me refocus.  This past Monday night was no different as I unplugged from the day and made my way to The Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte.  Making my way into the theatre, I am welcomed by the sounds of opener Jojo Dodge who kicked off the show before the posted show start time entertaining fans after the door opened.  Her vocals and acoustic guitar was a cool setup for the evening and helped to start the evening in the right direction.  Without much pause, tour opener Ben Abraham hit the stage with his acoustic in hands and proceeded to not only keep the light acoustic vibe in check, but to play some great songs and pepper in some cool stories and anecdotes related to his move from Australia to LA to help launch his career in the US in January 2020… as he eluded to – we all know how that worked out.  He played his heart out and continued warming us all up for the headliner that we all came to see and hear.

With no fanfare, Rachel Platten and her band… well, drummer and cellist, took their places on stage and the evening kicked into high gear as the crowd joined in right way on the opener “I Know.”  This was to be an evening of music, stories, emotions, and community.  Moving from song to song, Rachel strived to bond with her fans and the crowd that packed in for tonight’s show.  Over the course of the evening, she drew from her latest release I Am Rachel Platten to cover more than half of the setlist.  As she worked through the set, she played some of my personal favorites, especially when she dropped “Girls” near the front of the set.  As she worked into more songs, she shared more and more about her personal life and struggles, swirling the songs and the stories from which they sprouted.  A huge Michael Bolton fan myself, I loved hearing the story of how she overcame personal issues and her own fan status to write with Bolton and then played that song they completed, “Caroline.”  After that, she stripped away and defenses and shared with us the reality of her own struggles with Post Partum Depression as she worked through what are now a couple of my favorites “Bad Thoughts” and “Mercy.”  Platten’s faith and belief in something bigger than her is obvious when you see and hear her perform and it drew me and many others in over the course of the set.  I will say, watching her play piano and sing with all that she had was mesmerizing.  I would not have been surprised if she had to toss the high heels she wore that evening, watching her pound the floor under the piano.  Hearing “Lone Ranger” and “Gimme Something” live added depth to the song and I will never hear those songs the same way again.  Rachel then shifted gears and showed us a more playful side as the set was working its way near the end.  To hear the older track “1,000 Ships” with a snippet of her beatboxing was incredible and fun, as was her pop hit “Shivers” and its choreographed dance moves.  After a set closer of “Set Me Free” we all braced waiting for the encore that had to be played… “Fight Song.”  Rachel shared some stories about its meaning in her mind and where it came from and how that same basis hasn’t shifted much since its release.  Everyone in the venue sang along, including a cool 8-year-old girl sitting in front of me at stage right.  She sang her heart out, drawing Platten’s attention when the singer paused dramatically during the song and the young girl kept singing so that the whole venue could hear her.  It prompted Rachel to turn her attention to the girl as the song came to an end, turning and pointing at the girl and sang along.  Closing the show with a talent show feel, she invited her band, the openers, and crew to join her on stage to sing and perform a cover of “Angel From Montgomery.”  As I walked to my car and digested the show I just witnessed, I realized I am now a huge fan of Rachel Platten and cannot wait to see and hear what comes next.

RACHEL PLATTEN SETLIST: I Know – Stand by You – Girls – Caroline – Bad Thoughts – Mercy – Surrendering – Better Place – Lone Ranger – Gimme Something – 1,000 Ships – Shivers – Set Me Free – Fight Song – Angel From Montgomery

[Show as slideshow]

COMPLETE SET OF RACHEL PLATTEN PHOTOS

COMPLETE SET OF BEN ABRAHAM PHOTOS

COMPLETE SET OF JOJO DODGE PHOTOS

RACHEL PLATTEN LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

X – TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

TOUR DATES

Tags: featured

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries