For anyone who was alive and aware of pop music in the early 2000s, Jesse McCartney needs no introduction. From his breakout role on “All My Children” to his boy band debut in Dream Street to his hit solo album “Beautiful Soul,” McCartney was an unstoppable pop culture force for every millennial’s childhood.
Though McCartney has taken some much-deserved rest in recent years, his enduring popularity was evident in the walls of The Fillmore. He took the stage silhouetted with symmetrical spotlights to thunderous applause from the packed crowd. He kicked off the set with “Discovering You,” an up-tempo track from his latest album “New Stage,” after which the tour is named. That applause grew even louder with “She’s No You,” one of McCartney’s most popular early releases. Nostalgic joy enveloped the room as hundreds of voices sang along, transporting many back to middle school swooning.
The night passed in a similar fashion, with the ever-charming star alternating between newer releases and old favorites. One of the night’s highlights was, of course, “Beautiful Soul,” the smash single that has been one of McCartney’s most enduring. The song simply begs to be belted, and the crowd certainly obliged. Other surprises included a rendition of “Bleeding Love,” which was written by the singer but ultimately sold to Leona Lewis. Later in the evening, McCartney even sang “Party for Two,” to a fan onstage.
There is little that can compare to the pure joy of witnessing a childhood favorite as an adult, and the New Stage tour brought that joy in droves. From the fans seeing McCartney live for the first time to those who have been along for every step of the journey, Jesse McCartney continues to prove the force of his star power.
Jesse McCartney in San Francisco
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