Jesse McCartney Puts on a Jaw-Dropping, High-Energy Show at the Ryman, and Celebrates 20 Years of ‘Beautiful Soul’ (Review)

On October 29, I entered the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the first time to see Jesse McCartney on his All’s Well Tour. At first, I thought the Ryman would be too small for a show like McCartney’s; he’s an early-2000s-era pop star, after all, there’s a certain style that goes along with that. However, as soon as he began, I knew this was the place for him.

The Ryman allows for more audience interaction, and barring the fact that McCartney was livestreaming the Nashville show, I believe he would have put on a similar show whether he was in an arena or the corner of a Broadway bar. That being said, the Ryman was the sweet spot. It’s an intimate venue, with everyone pressed close in the iconic church pews and a third of the crowd tucked under the overhang. At night, you can’t see the stained glass windows, but there’s still a sense that you’re in a holy place; holy in the sense that transcendent music moments have happened there.

Jesse McCartney is not only celebrating the release of his new EP, All’s Well, but also the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Beautiful Soul. There was no shortage of nostalgia in the room, with almost every fan representing a hyper-specific demographic: women in their 30s who grew up watching Disney Channel. Many, though, were diehard fans. They followed his career way past 2004, which was probably the last time I listened to Jesse McCartney. Now, however, after seeing the kind of high-energy show he puts on, I have to say I’m a fan again.

Jesse McCartney Threw it Back to 2004 But Also Kept Things Relevant and New at the Ryman

Jesse McCartney played his early hits, of course, mostly turned into an acoustic medley with guitarist Greg Raposo, who was in the band Dream Street with McCartney. They performed “She’s No You,” “Why Don’t You Kiss Her?” and “Because You Live,” with the crowd singing every word without fail.

When McCartney puts on a show, he puts on a show. He’s personable, adorable, charismatic, and a little bit funky. A not-so-subtle sensuality oozes through his sexier songs, like “Shake” and “Wasted.” He knows how to work a crowd into a frenzy. Additionally, his band is perfectly groovy, and Raposo knows how to absolutely shred on the guitar.

When it came time for the encore, we all knew what was coming. McCartney ends his shows with his biggest hit, “Beautiful Soul,” which is apt for the 20th anniversary. The floors shook with the force of fans jumping up and down when he ran back out on stage, sliding easily into the song with an air of fond remembrance. There’s no hint that he’s tired of it, that it’s worn him down. It seems like Jesse McCartney is still grateful for “Beautiful Soul” as much as the fans are.

The night ended with the band jamming away at the finale of “Beautiful Soul,” wailing on the guitar and beating the drums within an inch of their lives. As everyone filed out there was an acute sense of camaraderie. With nostalgia at an all-time high, there’s nothing like seeing an early-2000s pop star who has grown and musically evolved. Jesse McCartney seems settled in himself as a performer in a way that shines through all the lights and the shreddy guitars. We’re all grown up, every one of us, but the passage of time does nothing to dim the infectious energy.

Featured Image by Dana Jacobs/Getty Images