Photos and review by Zachary Coleman
Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker have officially released three projects named “Brent” together. Brent and Brent II were two EPs released by the duo, but their latest release, Brent III, is a full-length album released on November 1, 2024. Along with the album, Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker announced the Brent Forever 12 date North American Tour. Each tour date had their very own opening act (with the exception of Boston and Chicago who shared the same opener). The tour came to the legendary Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario on November 24, 2024.
Ethan Regan, an acoustic solo artist from North Carolina, opened the intimate concert. Regan set the vibe for the night with his acoustic guitar, but what shined through his act was his compassion towards the audience. During Regan’s first song, there was a medical issue in the crowd and Regan quickly pointed it out to venue security. Regan stood and waited until he was given the go-ahead that the fan was in good hands. Regan took the time out of his opening slot and gave it to the audience which showed he was not just a talented artist, but one who cares more about the people in the room than his own performance.
The stage was set up like a living room with a couch, coffee table, books, and chairs laid across the stage. The eight-person backup band came out first delivering a melodic introduction to Chelsea Cutler’s and Jeremy Zucker’s performance and continued to deliver melodic transitions between songs throughout the night. The duo opened with the first song off Brent III, “ashes & rust.” As the performance continued, Chelsea Cutler got asked to play “Hello Old Friend” from the first EP. The fan challenged Chelsea Cutler to a rock-paper-scissors game. Cutler lost which meant they would play the song for the first time this tour. Throughout the show, the duo told stories about the Brent sessions including how the first song they wrote for their latest release didn’t even make the physical versions of the album because they took too long trying to make it perfect. That song being “And the Government too!” and they played the song after the explanation.
The show had some fun moments where the duo asked everyone to stand from their theatre seats for their song “A-frame.” The show then took a turn where Cutler would perform her solo songs from the records while Zucker waited and vice versa. Zucker stated that was his favorite moment of the set because it is the only time he is on stage where he gets to “live in the moment.” The audience held up toothbrushes during Zucker’s performance of “Toothbrush Song.” After both artists finished their individual sets, they went into the song that started the Brent sessions, “you were good to me.” The duo stated that if it hadn’t been for this song being the cornerstone of the world they built, they wouldn’t be on this tour right now.
Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker ended the night playing their song “This is How You Fall In Love.” They stated how this tour was a dream come true and that they would come back soon. The duo played every song from the Brent sessions and also played their song “Better Off” which wasn’t included on any of the Brent projects. The only collaboration song they did not perform was their song “Lonely Alone.” Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker made the audience feel at home with their intimate living room performance. They interacted with the crowd and made the show feel more like a family reunion than a concert.
