Boston’s historic Boch Center set the stage for an unforgettable evening on November 22 as Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker kicked off “Brent Forever: The Tour.” The sold-out concert celebrated the release of their third collaborative project, brent iii, and left fans in awe with its emotional depth and cinematic charm.
The performance marked a milestone in Cutler and Zucker’s musical journey, following their previous projects, brent (2019) and brent ii (2021). With brent iii, the duo broadens their horizons, offering fans a poignant yet expansive collection of songs that blend heartfelt ballads with upbeat pop tracks and lush orchestral arrangements. While the earlier brent albums provided a sense of intimate escapism, the latest release invites listeners on a more complex journey, exploring personal yet universally resonant themes.
Cutler’s East Coast roots run deep. After high school, she attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where she played varsity soccer. During this time, she began honing her musical talents, eventually deciding to leave college early to pursue her career full-time. Cutler and Zucker first became aware of each other through SoundCloud and later met in person at a frat party, sparking the creative partnership behind their brent musical series.
Transforming the Boch Center into a living-room-like haven, the stage design mirrored the intimate tone of the music. A grand piano, plush couches, and fur-lined chairs created a cozy aesthetic, accented by blankets and a glowing chandelier overhead. The addition of an orchestra brought a sophisticated depth to the performance, elevating the duo’s signature sound.
The night started with a performance by Grace Enger, a rising artist from Hoboken, NJ. Enger, who released her debut EP Well Here We Are in 2023, has co-written Sadie Jean’s Gold-certified single “WYD Now?” and contributed to Rod Wave’s “Nostalgia.” Recently named a Vevo DSCVR artist to watch, she has also opened for Maisie Peters and Laufey. Under a chandelier glowing with golden light, Enger performed her popular songs like “Think I Wanna See You Again” and “The Neighborhood,” showcasing her powerful vocals and setting the stage for the rest of the night.
After Grace Enger’s opening performance, Cutler and Zucker took the stage, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. Before launching into their set, a small projector on stage illuminated the creation of their brent installments, showcasing intimate behind-the-scenes moments and the meaningful experiences they’ve shared while making the music.
The duo opened the show by performing “ashes & rust.” Sitting across from one another, the two went into performing “i miss you” and “A-frame.” A special moment of the night came when Cutler decided to incorporate a new instrument into Zucker’s solo song: a vibrating toothbrush.
“I’ve never played this instrument before,” Cutler joked, holding it to the microphone as Zucker sang. The impromptu addition brought laughter and lightheartedness to the performance, showcasing the duo’s playful chemistry. The buzzing toothbrush added a quirky twist to the heartfelt song, making it a moment the audience wouldn’t soon forget.
The duo performed most of the show together, captivating the audience with their seamless chemistry. Cutler took center stage for two or three songs to perform solo tracks while Zucker relaxed at the back of the stage with his feet up. During one of these moments, as Cutler played, Zucker pulled out his phone, turned on the flashlight, and began swinging it back and forth. He signaled for the crowd to do the same, and soon, the concert hall was filled with the flicker of flashlights swaying in unison, creating a mesmerizing, starry effect. After the song, Cutler revealed that she had always thought it was a routinely spontaneous moment when the crowd lit up during her set — until she realized that Zucker was behind the entire orchestrated display.
The best moment of the show came during “you were good to me.” Cutler took her place at the piano, her fingers gliding across the keys with delicate precision, while Zucker perched atop the platform, guitar in hand. The gentle strumming of his guitar intertwined seamlessly with her piano melody as he sang, their harmonies filling the room with raw emotion.
The duo closed the night on a poignant note, starting with “better off.” The stripped-down performance showcased their heartfelt lyrics and vocal harmonies, leaving the audience in awe. They followed it with “this is how you fall in love,” a tender and emotional finale that felt like a love letter to their fans. The room was bathed in soft light as the two sang, their voices weaving together in perfect harmony, creating a dreamy and intimate atmosphere. As the final notes lingered in the air, the crowd erupted in applause as the two stood with their hands high, bidding farewell to their brent era of music.
Follow along with Zucker and Cutler on Instagram @jeremyzucker and @chelseacutler
