Photos: Abigail McNatt
Review: Chris “Oberrated” Ober
All too often, two things tend to happen with artists that may have had a big break into the music scene and then their celebrity status may either dim or remain as bright as ever. Maybe that doesn’t open up as the most optimistic introduction for Jesse McCartney, but hang with me for a bit, I swear I’ll make it up to you. The date is October 18th, 2025, and Jesse McCartney is making a stop on his Weightless Tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A sold-out stop, might I add. If there was any question to Jesse’s star power, one could simply look at the legions of people lining the Roxian Theatre from wall to wall, anxiously awaiting the eternal heartthrob’s arrival on stage.
Before the beautiful soul that is Jesse McCartney took the stage, his touring opener, Ana Sky, was up first. The scientist-turned-musician was ready to warm up the crowd with her sensual and alluring presence and vocals. Mixing in her original ballads with some popular hits from both present and past, “Messy” by Rosé and “Toxic” by Britney Spears. Ana Sky hit the sweet spot for many people in attendance with her wide-ranging setlist.
So, tell me something. It is 2025, right? Because judging by the sold-out crowd at the Roxian I would’ve believed you if you told me it was 2004. This crowd went absolutely nuts and only got louder as Jesse’s set began with lights, then the band’s instrumentals, and finally the popstar’s grand entrance. In no time at all, right after “Trip,” Jesse began playing a favorite of many, “She’s No You,” and if you didn’t have ear plugs, I just genuinely feel bad for you. Everyone’s excitement was through the roof by the time Jesse was killing it on stage, and this energy and pace would run for the next hour and a half without faltering.
A big kudos has to go to the venue, the stage crew, and Jesse’s team for putting together an incredible setup to match the popstar’s presence. We weren’t just looking at a typical stage with a full band backing the artist. It was a giant raised platform with stairs and multi-leveled sections for each instrumentalist as well as multiple mic stands positioned so Jesse could perform from every possible angle. This stage was built for a superstar and his superstar band, and they all fit the part perfectly.
In order to match the superstar-worthy stage, there has to be a superstar-worthy performance, right? Well, guess what? Jesse McCartney is that dude. That little comment I made in the beginning about stardom shining bright or dimming? Yeah, does not apply here. Jesse has been working just as hard as he did since he broke onto the scene and he has only gotten better and more mature. This man was ripping his high notes like a star. His stage presence was magnetic, his showmanship was perfectly tuned to his vibe, his music, and his reputation for putting on a damn good show.
If there is one thing I love about attending these concerts for artists who have mega-hits from back in the day, it’s paying attention to the crowd once those beloved songs are performed. Just two songs in, “She’s No You” elicited a loud response from the crowd. Five songs in, “Because You Live” had the venue truly deafening, with nearly every person scream-singing it back to Jesse. And when “Leavin’” kicked off with that undeniable intro beat, murderous-level screams erupted from the crowd. It was easily the loudest moment of the night thus far. But of course, nothing could top the final song of the night — “Beautiful Soul.” Jesse might as well not have sung a word because the crowd was singing along something fierce. Not one lyric missed, not one note off key… well, maybe a few, but you get what I mean.
Two other major interactions happened that were almost as special for the fans in attendance as they were for the people involved. The first came when Jesse brought an adoring fan on stage from the crowd and serenaded her with his song “Party for Two.” (Sorry, husband.) The second — and maybe the biggest reveal of the night — came when two fans held up a sign that read “baby gender reveal.” Jesse read the results privately at first but teased the crowd, saying he’d reveal them during a later song. That “later song” ended up being one close to his heart: “Weightless,” which he wrote following the birth of his own child. Before performing it, he told the crowd that his son would soon need a playmate, then brought the fan’s note back out and revealed that they were having a boy. The announcement prompted an emotional roar from the crowd — especially from the area where the new parents stood, overwhelmed with joy after learning their baby’s gender.
I mention again how I mean no disrespect to the way this review started. Some stars burn bright and crash, others burn bright and go quiet. But Jesse McCartney? This is a man who’s been working in the industry for over 20 years and continues to churn out quality music, including his latest EP, Weightless. Whether it was a song off that new EP or one of his older tracks, this crowd was absolutely jamming with Jesse and celebrating their favorite artist who has not shied away from the scene. His musicality and especially his growth from day one to day now is something spectacular, and this stop on The Weightless Tour was exactly that—spectacular.
