PHOTOS: Ryan Beatty – New York, NY 2/24/24

Ryan Beatty delivered an intimate, emotional performance to a sold-out crowd on the “Calico” tour stop in New York.

On a crisp Saturday in Brooklyn, hundreds of dedicated fans wrapped around the corner outside the entrance to Brooklyn Steel wearing light blue jeans and white shirts, a nod to Beatty’s pivotal debut album “boy in jeans” from 2018.

Less is more is the principle of this tour. With no opener or fancy stage lighting, this North American run of 20 shows is a celebration of the musical sculpture and lyrical intensity of his third studio album, “Calico.” A magnum opus in storytelling and intimacy, “Calico” laid the foundation for an emotional setlist in New York. 

A long piano intro and a direct spotlight on the pianist set the tone for a raw, candid evening before Beatty took the stage. As if 1800 people stepped into the artist’s own living room, there was a palpable feeling of connection and authenticity when the singer-songwriter stepped out in the same outfit as the crowd— a white shirt and blue jeans.

His poignant delivery of the opening line of “Ribbons” easily transported the audience to the deeply personal, vulnerable world of “Calico.” The song symbolized a gateway to a new era of music and growth when the single was released in March 2023. “Ribbons” represented more than its lyrics; it was an invitation into Beatty’s more mature inner world. Vocalizing in perfect harmony along to the band’s beautiful arrangement during the song’s instrumental solo, Beatty’s eyes were closed the entire time as he relished in the sonic atmosphere.

The artist followed immediately with “Bruises Off the Peach” with captivating vibratos and runs— smoothly sharing every note, every word with this fan favorite. Through a graceful play of acoustics and vivid metaphors, the song blended warm melodies with introspective thoughts about coming to terms with an imperfect relationship. The band’s symphony of calming rhythms drove a gorgeous crescendo into the song’s culmination, then seamlessly transitioned into Beatty’s first short speech to thank the crowd.

Pausing before “Cinnamon Bread”, Beatty would admit to saying very little between songs; instead, he let the lyrics and music speak for themselves.

A highlight that illustrated Beatty’s masterful production skills came at the end of “Andromeda.” With a descrescendo of pitched-down vocals of the chorus’s lyrics “What stops me from spending it all, spinning out Andromeda, watching Jupiter come back around again,” Beatty left the audience with a chilling, quiet closure to the song. It is no surprise that fans are longing for a full-length live album of “Calico,” as he was able to fill an immense amount of space with simple, subtle vocal and production techniques throughout the show. Music lovers and casual listeners alike could appreciate the unique live experience Beatty deployed to celebrate the art of music.

The clearness and clarity of his voice mesmerized the crowd during “Bright Red.” Another subtle lyric change at the end with “I’ll count on God to wake us up at sunrise / To see the sunrise in his eyes  / To wake us up at sunrise” brought a cozy, nostalgic ambiance.

Before “Hunter” and “Multiple Endings,” the singer treated the crowd to a set of stripped-down renditions his older, classic songs to reflect his current musical ballad style, including “Haircut,” “Powerslide”, “Backseat,” and “Casino.”

Beatty cherished a brief moment before “White Teeth” to soak in the warmth and love during the sold-out show. “Touring and playing shows just feels normal and it just feels like you kind of slip into this groove but this is anything but natural and normal— being here and having people stare up at you as you’re professing these truths in your life.”

A collective feeling of empathy showered the room as Beatty continued his short monologue: “My family’s been a lot on my mind during the show. Tonight’s one of those nights where I wish my family could see this, right now. This is such a special thing.”

He announced, “This is my last song. Please sing it with your heart, and I will as well.”

Fans warmly returned to the stage all the parts of “White Teeth” from the chorus to the backing vocals and harmonies. “A good end to a Saturday,” Beatty crooned on cue as the night closed.

Beatty ended up performing an encore with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?” allowing the crowd a glimpse into his personal and musical influences.

Attending the show was not just about listening and singing along to the music, but also hearing and appreciating Beatty’s story since he began his career over 13 years ago. He gifted an eager, loyal crowd with a live concert that was just as inspiring as it was musically impressive. 

Beatty concluded with the meditative “Little Faith,” blissfully fading out with the repeating chorus “What’s it gonna take? / Have a little faith.”

A visionary who has woven intimate thoughts about acceptance— with his relationship to his mental health and with others— into a collection of masterpieces, Beatty proved that “Calico” and his story were meant to be shared with the world. We are lucky to embrace a modern Shakespeare through his cinematic storytelling and new era of music.

The North American “Calico” tour runs until March 15, and Beatty will be making appearances at Railbird Music Festival, Governor’s Ball and Bonnaroo this year. Don’t miss the chance to hear the album as it was meant to be performed live.