Chicago can’t seem to get enough of the emerging country star Ashley Cooke. On Friday, February 14th, she returned to the bustling city and once again packed Joe’s on Weed St., with numerous fans returning for yet another memorable evening.
Cooke expressed her excitement about performing in the city, noting that Chicago’s ardent fans make performing there a joy. She recalled her previous tour stop at Joe’s as one of her favorite performances and anticipated another fantastic night.
Despite the venue’s cozy atmosphere, Cooke delivered a performance that felt as grand as an arena concert, sparking a collective singalong from the audience right from the beginning.
She greeted the crowd enthusiastically, making her entrance in a stylish denim cheetah print outfit. Cooke kicked off her nearly 90-minute set with a dynamic rendition of “Getting Into” and followed with a series of personal breakup songs, including “Good To Be Back,” “Moving On With Grace,” “I Almost Do,” and “Already Drank That Beer.”
Although her setlist included several songs about heartache, Cooke also focused on the brighter side of love. Given the concert’s coincidence with Valentine’s Day, she made a special dedication to couples during her performance of “Never Til Now.”
During this performance, couples in the audience shared intimate moments, and one couple even got engaged, adding a memorable highlight to the evening. Cooke acknowledged the significance of this moment, congratulating the newly engaged couple and expressing her excitement to meet them after the show.
Continuing with the theme of love, she introduced “Baby Blues,” a new track gaining popularity online, indicating it would be part of her upcoming second album. She hinted at more details to come soon.
Amidst the high energy, Cooke took a moment to slow the pace and connect with her audience on a deeper level. Accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, she performed Morgan Wallen’s “Chasin’ You,” reflecting on her musical journey.
Cooke then shared personal challenges from the past year, revealing her struggles with a breakup, the loss of family members, and her father’s cancer diagnosis. These experiences inspired her to write “Getting Old” and “It’s Been A Year,” songs that resonated deeply with the audience.
Despite the hardships, she found a renewed sense of purpose and honesty in her music, aiming to express where she is in her life through her songs. She described a transformative songwriting session in Alabama that helped her process the year’s events.
As the show progressed, Cooke reignited the crowd’s energy by inviting her band back and surprising fans with classic country hits like Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman,” Shania Twain’s “Any Man Of Mine,” and Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”
Near the concert’s conclusion, Cooke brought opener Greylan James on stage to perform “See You Around,” followed by “Back in the Saddle.” For the grand finale, she delivered her hit song “Your Place,” the inspiration for her tour’s name.
With heartfelt gratitude, she thanked the Chicago audience for their support, promising to return and expressing her love for the city as she bid farewell.
Currently, Cooke is experiencing a new level of confidence in her career, allowing her to enjoy performances more fully without the pressure of proving herself. She noted how different touring feels now compared to last year, as she embraces a more settled phase in her career.
This remarkable Chicago concert was part of Ashley Cooke’s Your Place Tour, which began last October and resumed in January. Along with special guest Greylan James, she will continue to perform across various locations, including Tennessee, New York, and Massachusetts, until March.