When Cameron Whitcomb rolled into Louisville as part of his latest U.S. run, the sensation of discovery mingled with the grit of lived-experience in a show that felt less like a standard tour stop and more like a reunion.
From first chord to closing encore the 22-year-old Canadian proved why the buzz surrounding him isn’t just hype.
His latest album, ‘The Hard Way’ includes chart-climbing singles “Medusa” and “Quitter” (nominated for Single Of The Year at the 2025 Canadian Country Music Awards), both of which continue to rack up over a million streams weekly in the U.S. and two million streams weekly across the globe.
Spanning stripped-down folk, gritty country, and punk-infused pop, The Hard Way offers a raw, real-time look into Whitcomb’s inner world. Ahead of the album’s release, Whitcomb hit the road for his I’ve Got Options Tour, a rapidly selling North American headline run.
Having built momentum with singles like ‘Options’, ‘Medusa’ and his debut full-length album, this show offers both his emerging star power, authenticity, and ultimate energy.
The Canadian singer-songwriter last visited Louisville back in 2024 as part of The Quitter Tour, where he headlined at Headliners Music Hall. He’s no stranger to bringing an emotional and genre-bending performance to the city of Louisville.
The I’ve Got Options Tour is aptly named — a declaration of autonomy, sobriety, and self-belief that echoes throughout Whitcomb’s growing catalog.
Gaining support from Tayler Holder was nothing short of coming.
The native born Texan grew to fame with his prominence as a social-media creator — especially on TikTok. He pivoted to music soon after.
His 2025 single “This Ain’t You Leaving,” one of many hits Holder has withheld.
His catalog boasts millions of streams, with hits like “Dyin’ Flame” (9M+ streams), “Nothin’ But Neon” (5.8M streams), “Someone You Knew” (3.5M streams), and the poignant duet “Climb My Way to Heaven” with Cory Asbury (1.6M streams).
Holder brought the energy to start the evening off. Beginning with his song “Neon,” it was a great way to start the evening.
Holder brought not only energy, but an authenticity to his set. Interacting with fans throughout the entire set.
Someone that complimented Cameron’s set very well and prepared the crowd for the night to come.
Tayler Holder is a name to look out for in the industry and it won’t be long before he gains a heavier traction soon.
Cameron Whitcomb took the stage shorty after at 9pm.
Back by a three-piece band tight enough to sound rehearsed yet loose enough to breathe, Whitcomb opened with the thunderous “100 Mile High”, immediately filling the intimate venue with a surge of energy that sent the packed standing-room crowd into motion.
Mercury Ballroom, with its low ceiling and crisp acoustics, brings the perfect setting. The show’s production was understated — a handful of warm spotlights and analog amplifiers giving the stage a vintage, lived-in aesthetic.
Brings personality — but it placed Whitcomb’s raspy voice and impassioned storytelling front and center.
The mid-set section showcased Whitcomb’s more introspective side. Stripped-back performances of “Rocking Chair” and “Call For You” revealed a maturing songwriter, one who understands that silence can be just as powerful as volume.
The acoustic performance of “Flower Tattoos” was one that brought many in the crowd to tears. Loved ones hung to one another as they really connected with the lyrics.
His voice carried an emotional weight that filled the room.
Fans participated in a fan project where they held up paper hearts during the song “Fragile,” with messages such as “We’re proud of you” and “Love you” written on the front.
When he introduced “Options”, his anthem of recovery and self-redemption, the audience screamed every word — a collective exhale that transformed the crowd into something closer to a recovery meeting than a typical show.
The show closed on “Medusa” with “Quitter” to follow as an encore.
Whitcomb encouraged everyone to scream the songs as loud as they possibly could.
The line between performer and audience blurred, just for a minute, Whitcomb became one with his fans and embraced himself in their experience.
Cameron Whitcomb might still be shaping his sound, but his Louisville stop proved he’s got something better than polish: presence, authenticity, and a voice that sticks with you long after the lights dim and amps go quiet.
The I’ve Got Options Tour is one that is a must see. Filled with raw talent, energy, and hope. It amplifies that one is never alone and we can always find something that gives us a bigger purpose.
You can stream The Hard Way on all platforms now!
This article appears in Nov. 1-30, 2025.