Oct 28, 2022

Tour Diaries: Chelsea Cutler at Hammerstein Ballroom

Following her debut studio album, How to Be Human, Chelsea Cutler made a stop in New York City for her "When I Close My Eyes" North American Tour.

Despite her humble and chill demeanor, Chelsea Cutler can be best described as a disruptive force. While she was in high school, the singer, songwriter, and producer from Westport, Connecticut began recording covers and posting them on SoundCloud. Her unique attention to detail and the relatable factor of her songwriting would quickly make her stand out.

In 2017, Chelsea was writing songs from her dorm room at Amherst College in Massachusetts. She played soccer there while continuing to create music that got her closer to the artist she wanted to be. But once Quinn XCII offered her the opportunity to join his national tour in 2018, it was a no brainer. Chelsea dropped out of college to pursue music, and the journey has paid off in more ways than one.

Now, a few years later, Chelsea Cutler has become a name familiar to many. She continues to project her same kind and positive energy, but now to millions of people across the world. The 24-year-old singer currently has more than seven million monthly listeners on Spotify, and has reached a peak so far of 23 on the Billboard 200 album list.

But after attending her concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom, it's clear that Chelsea cares less about numbers and more about people. Throughout the night, her set included a series of messages in between songs: encouraging words from the singer to make sure everyone who was in the room felt welcome.

"It doesn't matter who you are or what brought you here. You are accepted. You are loved. You matter," she shouted to a crowd of thousands.

Chelsea delivered energetic performances of fan-favorites, including "Sad Tonight" and "You Were Good to Me." I can't put into words what the energy in the room was like during those songs. All I can do is encourage you to go experience it for yourself.

In addition to performing her most popular tracks, Chelsea also gave fans the chance to listen to her unreleased track "Men on the Moon." The song has been making the rounds on TikTok. There are endless videos on the platform from fans using bits and pieces of the song to depict important moments in their life. She also surprised everyone with the appearance of Quinn XCII, which earned a wild response from the New York crowd. The singer joined Chelsea for "Stay Next to Me" and "Calling All Angels." Their shared performance is truly one of the most special things in live music at the moment.

All in all, Chelsea Cutler's "When I Open My Eyes" tour is meant for everyone – no matter if you have been a fan for a long time or just getting acquainted – to have an unforgettable night. The setlist is perfectly balanced, gathering songs from her previous projects that die-hard fans will know, and bringing in the new sound of her latest one, When I Close My Eyes. She uses the time in between songs wisely, adding to the overall experience that is to see Chelsea Cutler live. But perhaps the most important part of her tour is the community she forms. Her positive messages and the stories she tells in between songs make you feel connected to her, and to those around you, in ways that no other artist has achieved.

See Cristi Name's photos of Chelsea Cutler at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York below.