Ashley Cooke Sells Out The Iconic Joe’s On Weed St. In Chicago on The Your Place Tour

In the heart of Chicago, on a crisp evening, music lovers gathered at the iconic Joe's On Weed St. for a night of country magic. It was the highly anticipated stop of Your Place The Tour, featuring rising star Ashley Cooke. With the venue's rich history and the excitement in the air, the evening promised to be unforgettable.

All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver

Joe's On Weed St., a beloved staple in Chicago's live music scene, has hosted numerous artists over the years. Known for its intimate setting and lively atmosphere, it's a place where fans can feel a special connection with performers. As the crowd filled the venue, you could sense the anticipation building for a night filled with heartfelt melodies and high-energy performances.

The opening act, Greylan James, took the stage to a packed house, his enthusiasm palpable. Kicking off with Only You, a new song he's been working on, he quickly transitioned into He Broke Up With You and Anything Cold. Greylan shared a nostalgic memory of his last visit to Joe's when he was with Old Dominion and Kenny Chesney made a surprise appearance. While there was no Kenny tonight, Greylan delighted the audience with Happy Does, a song he wrote that Kenny recorded.

As the set continued, Greylan showcased Next Thing You Know, his ACM Song of the Year cut by Jordan Davis, and Wait Till You Have Kids, a poignant track inspired by his parents' advice. He only covered one song, Jason Aldean's Dirt Road, relying mostly on his impressive catalog of self-written pieces. With Forever To Me, a Cole Swindell cut, Greylan rounded out his set with Ain't Thinkin' Bout You and Young Man, a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather.

Click The Image For The Full Greylan James Gallery

With the crowd energized and buzzing, the lights dimmed for Ashley Cooke. Her entrance was met with roaring applause, and the packed house was more than ready. Opening with Getting Into, she set the tone for the night, delivering her signature breakup anthems like Good To Be Back, Moving On With Grace, and I Almost Do. The audience sang along to Already Drank That Beer, as Ashley fondly recalled her last visit to Joe's, a show she still holds dear.

Slowing things down, Ashley dedicated Never Till Now to couples in the room, capturing the Valentine's Day spirit. The romantic vibe took a special turn when one couple got engaged during the song, adding a magical moment to the evening. Ashley then playfully transitioned into Katy Perry's The One That Got Away, blending it seamlessly into her own Running Back.

“Need to break it back down just to an acoustic guitar and you guys. This is how this whole thing started”

Cooke, who spent part of the year working on her sophomore album, gave Chicago a sneak peek with Baby Blues. Showcasing her band's talent, she performed a cover medley that had the crowd entranced. Stripping it down, Ashley took the stage with just an acoustic guitar for Morgan Wallen's Chasin' You, one of her early covers.

“Last year was a really tough year for me, I lost both of my grandmas in the same year, and I went through a breakup with my boyfriend of two years, and my dad got diagnosed with cancer, sounds like a country song. I guess it is. Honestly, I got to the point that I was so exhausted that I almost wanted to stop creating music, which is so not me”

Sharing her personal journey, Ashley spoke candidly about the challenges of 2024, marked by personal struggles and band changes. She debuted Getting Old, a new song that resonated deeply with the audience, followed by It's Been A Year, where her vulnerability shone through. With her band back on stage, Ashley decided to give something extra to the sold-out crowd, diving into another cover medley.

The set concluded with Enough To Leave, and Ashley invited Greylan James back for a duet of See You Around, originally recorded with Nate Smith. Back In The Saddle followed, and the energy peaked with Your Place, Ashley's first number-one hit, which brought the house down. Her love for Joe's was evident, and it was clear that Ashley is quickly outgrowing intimate venues like this one, poised for even bigger stages.

As the night came to a close, it was clear that Ashley Cooke made yet another powerful statement in Chicago. Her caring and empathetic presence, coupled with her heartfelt performance, left the audience in awe. For those lucky enough to be there, it was an evening of connection and shared emotions, one that they won't soon forget.

Check Out Ashley Cooke On The Your Place Tour

Ashley Cooke Set-List

Getting Into

Good To Be Back

Moving On With Grace

I Almost Do

Already Drank That Beer

Never Till Now

The One That Got Away (Katy Perry Cover)

Running Back

Baby Blues

Since You Been Gone (Kelly Clarkston Cover) / Castle On The Hill (Ed Sheeran Cover) / Complicated (Avril Lavigne Cover) / Life Is A Highway (Tom Cochrane Cover) / Signed Sealed Delivered [I’m Yours] (Stevie Wonder Cover)

Chasin You (Morgan Wallen Cover)

Getting Old (Acoustic)

It’s Been A Year (Acoustic)

Redneck Woman (Gretchen Wilson Cover) / Any Man Of Mine (Shania Twain Cover) / Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood Cover)

Enough To Leave

See You Around W/ Greylan James

Back In The Saddle

Your Place