Ashley Cooke captivated the Boston audience with her Baby Blues World Tour at the Royale.
The first performer of the night was Timmy Mckeever. He blends modern country production with grounded, honest songwriting, McKeever began shaping his sound and stage presence in his home state of California, performing at venues like The Maverick and House of Blues Anaheim. After releasing his debut album Devils & Angels in 2024, he has racked up over 30 million streams. He has also recently signed with Droptine Recordings and secured representation with WME, further signaling the momentum behind his career.
McKeever took the stage with the confidence and enthusiasm of an artist ready for a much bigger spotlight.
McKeever’s sound blends contemporary country with the traditional storytelling that has long been central to the genre. His live performance added plenty of personality, with his guitar work and engaging stage presence helping create an immediate connection with the Boston crowd. Songs such as “21 in Texas,” “Break My Heart Tonight,” “Chills,” and “Bulleproof” demonstrated his ability to move between upbeat country energy and more reflective material.
His appearance provided a snapshot of an artist still early in his journey but already comfortable commanding a room. By the time he left the stage, McKeever had given the Royale audience a convincing introduction to his brand of modern country and offered plenty of reason to keep an eye on what comes next.
The final performer of the evening was Ashley Cooke. She is an American country music singer-songwriter from Parkland, Florida signed to Big Loud.
Cooke independently released Already Drank That Beer – Side A in 2021. The album was later retitled Already Drank That Beer and reissued on April 1, 2022, adding a new duet version of “Never Til Now” featuring Brett Young. It was released as Cooke’s debut single in May 2022 and promoted by Big Loud, the label with whom she inked a recording contract. It peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Shot in the Dark, Cooke’s 24-track second studio and major label debut album, was released on July 21, 2023, via Big Loud. It reprises Cooke’s debut single “Never Til Now” and also features new collaborations with Colbie Caillat, Nate Smith, and Jackson Dean. “Your Place” was released on December 11, 2023, as the alum’s lead single, and Cooke was the recipient of iHeartRadio’s On the Verge program.
From the opening notes of “Excuses,” Cooke demonstrated why she has become one of the more recognizable emerging voices in contemporary country music.
The set moved effortlessly between upbeat songs and more personal material. “I Almost Do,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Swear Words” and “Xs” gave the night an energetic start, while songs such as “The Hell You Are” and “I’m Up and I’m Down” showcased the emotional side of Cooke’s songwriting. The setlist drew heavily from her recent catalog while also giving longtime fans some familiar favorites.
One of the evening’s most entertaining moments came when Cooke stepped outside the traditional country format for a medley combining LeAnn Rimes’ “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” Hilary Duff’s “Come Clean” and Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.” The unexpected combination added a playful pop-rock element to the performance and showed Cooke’s willingness to have fun with her set.
Cooke also made room for some genuine emotional moments. “Johnny ‘N June,” “The Girl Who Cried Wolf,” “Famous to Frances,” “Never Til Now,” “If I’m Being Honest” and “It’s Been A Year” brought the focus back to the storytelling that sits at the center of her music. Her songs frequently draw from experiences involving love, heartbreak and growing up, giving the performance a relatable quality.
The collaboration with Timmy McKeever on the Rascal Flatts cover “Summer Nights” was another highlight. Having the evening’s opener return to the stage gave the show a communal feel and created one of the night’s memorable surprises.
As the main set approached its conclusion, “High School Sweetheart” and “Dance Around It” kept the energy high before Cooke returned for an encore featuring “Baby Blues” and “Your Place.” The latter has become one of her signature live songs, and its placement at the end of the show provided a fitting conclusion.
Cooke’s performance at the Royale balanced polished contemporary country with the personal connection that has helped define her career. She proved equally comfortable delivering emotional songs, upbeat crowd-pleasers and unexpected covers, creating a set that felt both polished and personable.
For a relatively intimate Boston venue, the Royale provided an ideal setting for Cooke’s performance. By the end of the night, she had delivered a show that highlighted her versatility while giving the Boston crowd plenty of reasons to sing along.
Ashley Cooke
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