Concert Review: Carol Ades at The Ballroom

Carol Ades and her crowd “screamed at the top of their lungs” at The Ballroom on Nov. 14. 

Written by Claire Hookstra

Photo courtesy of Mckenna Sefcik

On her first headline tour, Carol Ades beautifully vocalized a coming-of-age story by skipping, dancing, and belting her way through her newest album, Late Start. Released in September 2024, her first album captures the pains of growing up and navigating unexpected relationships. Her infectious energy enraptured the crowd as she twirled around the whimsical stage adorned with handmade fabric stars, dollhouses, and light-up castles. 

Sabrina Song, a New York-based singer-songwriter, promptly started the evening at 9:00 p.m. with just herself, an electric guitar, and a laptop. Creating an ethereal soundscape, Song enchanted the audience with songs from her recent album, You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same. Switching between a keyboard and her guitar, Song swiftly navigated the stage. Ending the set with “Strawberry,” the crowd erupted in a prolonged applause as the indie-rocker left the stage grinning.

A hush fell over the crowd as drummer Jake Chatelain and guitarist Madelene Eliasson (also known as artist and producer LonelyTwin) graced the stage at exactly 10:00 p.m. The angelic chords of “Dreams (Reprise)” echoed through the venue as Carol Ades bounded onto the stage sporting tight low buns tied up with red ribbons. The subtle opening song alluded to the full-production version of “Dreams” that would close the show an hour and eleven minutes later.

Ades urged the audience to dance through the upbeat “I’m Having Fun,” a fitting song to warm up the slightly stiff crowd. “You can dance better than that!” Ades jokingly yelled as the crowd let loose and joyfully bopped around to the drum-heavy track. “Everything Else Is Just Noise” showcased her stunning vocal range as the crowd yearned alongside her, singing, “How poetic / No one else understands / You’re magnetic / Stuck to the palm of your hand.” Making eye contact with each smiling fan, Ades frolicked across the stage with excitement. 

The concert was more than just a show, but a “coming of age story,” as the New Jersey native described. Segueing into the next power ballad, she declared, “Our story starts with hope,” as “Hope Is a Scary Thing” boomed through the speakers. The audience smiled up at the artist, who swayed wistfully to the dreamy track discussing uncertainty in newfound relationships. “I’m not ready / How do you know when you’re ready?” the crowd and Ades asked alike. 

Only four songs in, Ades’ charming stage presence captivated The Ballroom. Suddenly, the show felt intimate, as if she was singing to each fan directly rather than to a room full of people. The euphoric “Crying During Sex” followed as fans chanted along to the somber, yet energetic song. Further proving her dedication to fans, Ades promptly removed a stage decoration blocking an excited fan’s face from her view. “I couldn’t see you!” she laughed between a verse and the chorus. 

Before moving into a set of older tracks she asked, “Is anyone here sad? I am.” as a collective and earnest “Yes!” responded to her. After reassuring the crowd that sometimes you just have to sit in sadness, “Sadtown USA” began as some fans were moved to tears. “The feeling’s here to stay / And nothing’s getting better,” Ades crooned as fans watched intensely.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Lee

Pulling up a stool from the back of the stage, Carol Ades took a seat for the reflective and melodic tracks “Special” and “Furniture.” Her face beautifully illuminated only by the spinning disco ball, Ades smiled gratefully up at the ceiling as the two songs ended with raucous applause. “I met this girl,” Ades slyly remarked as she turned back to her Eliasson, “She’s standing right behind me, dressed like me,” giggling as the crowd applauded. A song co-written by the couple, “A Place You Can Meet Me,” followed. The captivated crowd danced alongside Ades, listing off the places where she and her partner might escape. 

“It’s been 50/50 if the crowd knows this song,” Ades teased, explaining that one might know it if they were “sad in high school.” A cover of “Breathe (2 AM)” by Anna Nalick followed as a few fans poured their hearts out to the soundtrack to 2000s yearning. Chatelain left the stage as the acoustic love song “Save the Sad Part for Later,” featuring vocals from both Ades and Eliasson began. “Maddie, do you want to sing with me?” Ades asked as Eliasson sang for the first time that night. A sweet, yet shy voice magnified by the microphone, Eliasson’s vocals added the perfect harmonies to the charming serenade. 

A sharp tonal switch ensued, as the powerful “Never Fucking Fall in Love Again,” followed the saccharine love song. The emotional rollercoaster that ensued left the crowd screaming along with her: “And I know enough to know it makes me wish that I was dead / No, I’ll never fucking fall in love again / I hate it.” 

Defined by the burden of inevitably growing up, the band in schoolgirl smocks played “26” and “Unlearn Me”.  A phone onstage rang shortly after, “Sorry. It’s my mom!” Ades laughed as she pretended to answer the phone before the vulnerable “Mom Song.” The respectful audience intently listened as Ades sang about struggles she’s experienced with her own mother, an earnest ode to her childhood. “Cause the truth is you were learning / You were also just a person,” Ades confessed. 

Immediately re-lifting the spirits of the crowd, Ades energetically announced, “We’ve reached the end!” as the crowd applauded bittersweetly. Ending the narrative of growing up she had established throughout the night, she acknowledged that she still doesn’t have the answers to the questions she posed through her confessional songwriting. Urging the crowd to sing loud, the title track “Late Start” boomed as Chatelain picked up his drumsticks. Ending with an uplifting note for the audience, Ades sang, “I know you think you’re a late start / Baby the best part is only around the corner.” 

The singer and bandmates dashed off the stage at 11:05 p.m., just to return three minutes later to conclude the narrative with “Dreams.” The song serves as a soundtrack for any hopeful romantic. The crowd danced and leaped one last time, chanting, “Close my eyes and push you up against the wall / But only in my dreams.” At 11:11 p.m., a seemingly perfect time for the narrative show of self-discovery, emotional growth, and growing up, Ades and her band left the stage in a sea of excited cheering. 

Carol Ades reminded the audience it’s ok to make mistakes, live for the hope of it all, and fear growing up. The magically unmatched stage presence of herself and her band made the audience feel like a part of the family. The ‘Late Start Tour’ is just about halfway over, but Ades’ career will only get bigger from here.