To quote Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin from the Amazon TV show The Summer I Turned Pretty, “Last summer felt like a dream.” Or in this case, “August 13, 2024 felt like a dream.”
Not just for me, but for the fans who were anxiously and excitedly waiting to see Joshua Bassett at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s not Joshua’s first time in the city as he performed at The Underground last year on his Complicated tour. As per usual, Joshua never disappoints when it comes to his performances. He returned to the city where it was not only a night about fun and excitement on his tour The Golden Years but also about peace and forgiveness. Though Bassett returned to Charlotte with a different theme and mood of his performance, he still brought joy, happiness, and passion to his music.
Opening for Bassett was the energetic Thomas Day, who was also a contestant on Season 15 of America’s Got Talent. Appearing on stage before us like lightning, Day performed his heart out. After seeing how incredibly talented he was, I can honestly wholeheartedly say, Thomas Day will definitely be an artist that I will be adding to my playlists on Spotify!
About a few minutes later, Bassett appeared beaming with so much energy as he sweetly greeted fans throughout his entire performance. With his songs like “The Golden Years,” “Secret,” “Biting My Tongue,” “Life Line,” “She Said He Said She Said,” and more, every fan was either dancing or singing his lyrics back to him. Throughout his set, he even made a few small trips around the venue, greeting and meeting his fans. Another highlight of the night included Basset even bringing back Thomas Day to the stage to sing a cover of a Beatles song, “Yesterday.“
Bassett and his fans took turns in teaching each other something new. Though he gave us insight into his life, struggles, and life advice, at one instance and in return, his fans gave him dance lessons. While performing “Circles,” two fans taught him line dancing, which he happily partook in.
Bassett was even transparent with his fans of his struggles. A common theme I have noticed in his performances and in his music is reflection, typically healing, being grateful for certain lifelines in our lives, and surrounding yourself with amazing people. Though these are certainly great lessons for us to learn, he even threw in another one: forgiveness, and how it is always important to learn from our past mistakes and perhaps our golden years, and continue to move forward.
Overall, it was a night that I nor the fans will never forget. I especially enjoy how open and honest Bassett always is about his struggles as a means to reassure his fans that they are not alone. His songs and performances always seem to give them comfort and a safe place, myself included. I hope to look forward to more animated performances by Bassett the next time he comes back to the Queen City!
The Golden Years Album Review:
Since it has his album release, even on the car rides home, I continuously listened to The Golden Years. The album was released on July 26, a few days before Bassett kicked off his headlining tour with the same name. At first I somewhat struggled to find the words to describe this album, but now I definitely found them: Emotionally mature, honest, relief, and reflection.
Since its release I could not help but wonder: where was this album when I needed it most?
Bassett reflects on the past few years of his life, the good, the bad, the happy, the sad. In the album, he not only reflects on the golden years of his life but also on certain heartbreak, with some regret, which is something that I know most of us do. He even channels the roller coaster being fine one minute, but not fine the next. Through song, he exemplifies what healing is like realistically.
In the past, Bassett has been open and honest with his fans with his struggles, and always finding the good in every situation. Though he channels his feelings and honesty into song, notably past songs like “different” and “would you love me now,” the songs on The Golden Years now constructs those feelings and creates such a heartfelt and honest album. It is an album that I believe most people can either relate to or even find solace in.
Overall, The Golden Years not only reflects on the highs and lows of the past few years of Bassett’s life but also his achievements and his personal growth as an artist and as a person.
The album presents itself with such emotional maturity, a deep sigh of relief, letting go, and looking forward to what’s to come.
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