Pop Country artist Ashley Kutcher, sang her heart out at The Atlantis in Washington D.C. The Baltimore-born musician returned to the DMV, greeted by a packed room filled with enthusiastic fans. From young women to adults, everyone felt the emotion fill the intimate venue. Her music if is perfect for fans of Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie and Tae, or Marren Morris.
Opening act Savanna Leigh brought an empowering wave of female energy to the stage, captivating the audience with her relatable stories and heartfelt performance during these challenging times in the USA. Her roots as a country-pop singer in a girl group with her sister perfectly mirrored the spirit and energy of Ashley’s tour. Savanna treated the crowd with her new music and delivered soulful ballads that felt like a collective therapy session, creating an emotional connection that resonated deeply with everyone in the pit.
Halfway through her set, Savanna invited fans to choose between a cover of Gracie Abrams or Coldplay song, creating a wave of excitement. A moment later, the venue erupted in a deafening roar as the crowd belted out the lyrics, “I love you, I’m sorry” by Gracie Abrams. It was an iconic moment many fans caught on camera. After her set, she made the experience even more memorable by heading to the merchandise table to meet fans, offering warm smiles and heartfelt conversations. Her approachable personality and heartfelt performance left a lasting impression, setting the perfect tone for the night.
When Ashley took the stage moments later, it was clear that her incredibly dedicated supporters were there, showing her their full support. Everyone seemed to understand the dress code, which made the concert feel more like a themed party. Before the show, she had shared an optional dress code with a red, black, leopard print, and lace color scheme. Though wearing those colors wasn’t required, it added a fun way for her to recognize her die-hard fans in the intimate crowd.
The setlist opened with tracks from their latest project, “Play Responsibly”. She later explained that the project became extremely close to her heart after she made the decision to become an independent artist. Her fans knew every lyric to every song, singing so loudly that they outperformed her. The sing along was definitely a great coping mechanism and stress reliever.
Halfway through her set, she brought out a hat. Inside the hat were pieces of paper with “Icks” written on them, contributed by Reddit users. Ashley explained that it was a trend. Some fans cheered while others were confused. Like Savanna, Ashley was eager to make her fans a central part of her show. She asked a couple of eager fans to pick from the hat and read some of the “icks”. It gave the fans a moment to shine. They were also able to take the piece of paper home as a funny souvenir.
Towards the end of the show, she performed an iconic song and shared how bussing at Maryland restaurants inspired her. “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by Coldplay shifted her perspective on life. She even urged fans to turn on their phone lights, creating a memorable moment she would never forget.
After the show, Ashley told the audience that she would be by the merch table, just like Savanna had earlier. The venue was packed, but fans stayed, eager to meet their role model—the person who had been there for them during a breakup or a tough time at school, the one who reassured them that everything would be okay. The independent woman who had changed their lives for the better.
The Thanksgiving Break tour runs until November 23rd, 2024. Tickets are still available on Ashley’s website.
