Music

Grace Potter Kicks Off Her Summer Tour in Lowell

Lowell Summer Concert Series, July 17th, 2025

Grace Potter’s first stop on her summer tour was nothing short of a homecoming celebration at the Lowell Summer Concert Series. Returning to New England, she shared stories of writing her song “Mary” in parks across the region, reflecting on her roots and the sense of “coming home.” With her usual humor, Grace joked about the city looking exactly the same as it did the first time she played here and quipped that she’d helped build the train station, promising bullet trains before anyone knew it.

Early in the set, Grace poured her heart out with “Fill up my empty heart,” then opened up about her newest album—a project recorded 17 or 18 years ago with T Bone Burnette, only recently released after being shelved for so long. With the clock at 9:06, she launched into the album’s opening track, delivering a bluesy vibe while working the organ. Afterward, she introduced her band, playfully referencing “Back to the Future” with her drummer Marty and sharing how excited she felt to finally start the tour. The crowd, energized by her spirit, joined her in a collective “primal scream,” echoing her sentiment: “All we need tonight is to be weird together.”

Grace reminisced about collaborating with Kenny Chesney and the importance of performing with kindred spirits who “understand the moon.” She touched on her Nashville experiences, highlighting the incredible musicians she’s met along the way. The night took a spontaneous turn when Naomi the cowgirl charged the stage, only to reveal herself as the artist representing a local non-profit, Cultervation, adding another layer of community to the event.

As the show rolled on, rain began to fall, but Grace and her band refused to let “a good time down.” When the band briefly left the stage, Grace and Marty kept the energy up with a heavy, rocking blues jam. Then the sky truly opened up. The downpour transformed the concert into an ecstatic celebration—everyone cheered and danced through the rain. For the finale, the band played one last song, urging the crowd to “get weird and lose it” in the storm. Grace, ever the fearless ringmaster, danced wildly in her leopard print bra, channeling the spirit of a Taylor Swift rain show, and gave the crowd a night to remember—full of heart, humor, and unstoppable energy.