On a cool fall night in Austin, Texas, Jesse McCartney turned an ordinary Monday into something special. Playing to a packed crowd in downtown Austin at the Moody Theater, he reminded everyone in the audience exactly why his songs still hit, and why fans have stuck with him all these years.

The night kicked off with Ana Sky, who set the tone beautifully in a sparkly black dress and lace veil. Her powerhouse vocals shined through both original songs and covers, and she even took a sweet moment to dedicate a song to a young fan carrying a sign that said “my first concert.” She showed off her piano skills too and threw in a “Hook ’em Horns” for the Austin crowd, earning plenty of cheers and setting the perfect mood for what was to come.

The second the lights turned off, the crowd erupted in excitement. Jesse hit the stage with a new song, “Trip,” and the room filled with cheers and voices singing along. You could feel how much everyone had been waiting for this moment. The buzz of anticipation that had been building all night finally spilling over as he appeared under the spotlight.

From there, Jesse’s energy felt effortless, from his dance moves to his powerful voice. He talked about the joys of being a dad, his love for Texas – especially Austin – and his gratitude for everyone who’s been along for the ride since the early days of his career. He had this easy charm about him that kept the whole crowd smiling throughout the set.

Midway through his set, he took a seat at the piano for a few songs, showing off both his musicianship and his smooth vocals. One of the highlights was “Bleeding Love,” which he told the crowd he originally wrote before giving it to Leona Lewis, a reminder of just how many hits he’s had a hand in creating.

One of the funniest moments of the night came when he walked out dressed as Judge Judy, complete with her voice playing through the speakers so it looked like he was saying the words. The crowd was cracking up, and when the Judge Judy audio ended, he jumped straight into “Body Language,” still in costume, trying to sing through his own laughter. When it came time to take the outfit off, he got stuck for a second, laughing along with everyone else. After finishing the song, he grinned and said, “can’t wait to see that posted online,” and the crowd burst out laughing all over again.

The setlist mixed timeless classics with new tracks, blending familiarity with something fresh. Jesse worked every inch of the stage, flashing that familiar smile and keeping the energy high the whole time. Towards the end of the set, he picked a fan out of the crowd and brought her onstage for “Party for Two,” serenading her while everyone else screamed like it was 2004 all over again. He ended the night with “Beautiful Soul,” and the place erupted into a massive sing-along that echoed through the venue as fans shouted every word.

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