After a period of healing and rediscovery, Ashe returned with Willson, her third album and the powerful final chapter of her trilogy. As a Berklee College of Music alum, Boston felt like a fitting and safe place to land for the third stop on The Trilogy Tour, a homecoming of sorts to celebrate her triumphant return with the fans who stood by her through the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between.
Bo Staloch opened the night at Boston’s Royale. In a recent interview with ECHO and 1824, Staloch shared how live music inspired him to pursue a music career. Watching him vibe with his acoustica and electric guitars, his joy palpable as the crowd sang his lyrics back to him, it was clear his dreams were beginning to materialize.
His short but sweet set included six songs, ranging from recent 2024 releases and unreleased tracks to reimagined renditions of fan favorites. The crowd went absolutely feral when he put his own spin on Harry Styles’ “Kiwi.” The way the crowd roared, you would have thought that Harry Styles himself had walked out on that stage.
He also performed “Angelina,” a cheeky track he’s been teasing on social media. Judging by the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction, it’s poised to become a fan favorite when it officially drops on June 6.
Before closing with his song “Springtime Red Tulips,” Bo expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to tour with Ashe and perform live music, a sentiment that was both felt and echoed throughout the night.
Following a venue-wide karaoke session of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Ashe glided onto the Royale stage, her leopard-print dress flowing over her bare feet. She radiated joy as the spotlight trailed her, illuminating each graceful move as she danced from one side of the stage to the other.
Just three years ago, a moment like this seemed unimaginable. After a whirlwind couple of years, Ashe abruptly announced she was canceling the remainder of her previous tour. “I no longer feel mentally healthy or resilient enough to go back on tour yet,” she shared in a heartfelt Instagram post. “In forcing myself to take a break this last month, I’ve unintentionally uncovered a host of struggles and wounds I’ve not given myself time to address in the past. I’m so sorry to have let many of you down.”
Fans were heartbroken but understanding, giving her the time and space to heal, even without a promise she’d return.
“During that time, I also learned that I really need y’all in my life,” Ashe confessed to the crowd gathered that night in Boston. “I missed you so, so much. It was therapy, and missing you, that brought me back.”
Mid-show, Ashe scanned the crowd, taking in the moment and reading fan-made signs with touching messages like, “You will matter when they all turn to Ashe,” “You are the reason we’re best friends,” and “This is our first concert.” To a newly minted 20-year-old in the audience, she joked, “Happy birthday, sweetheart. You’re about to go through some crazy years.”
She acknowledged each sign, each person, making a room full of strangers feel seen, just as they had done for her over the past few years. She was especially moved by a fan-organized project where everyone held up handmade stars as she performed her self-titled track, “Ashe.”
The remainder of her 21-song setlist unfolded across three joyful and vulnerable acts, each inspired by one of her three albums: Ashlyn, Rae, and Wilson.
“Tell all your friends and let’s play Fenway next time,” she playfully challenged the cheering crowd before closing the show with her 2020 hit “Moral of the Story.” Until then, Ashe and Bo Staloch will take The Trilogy Tour across the rest of North America. For tickets, visit https://ashe-music.com/
On June 3, Ashe surprised fans with the announcement that new music is just around the corner. “We made a band. It’s called The Favors,” she shared on Instagram, revealing a new collaborative project with FINNEAS, her creative partner on their wildly popular duet “Til Forever Falls Apart.” “We deeply loved making this music together in secret and can’t wait for it to finally make its way to you,” Ashe wrote. The Favors’ debut single, “The Little Mess You Made,” drops June 6, with their full album, The Dream, arriving this September.
