Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone Co-headlined The Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, PA

Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone have embarked on a 14 date co-headline tour of the eastern U.S.. I had not been so excited about a tour announcement in quite some time. When Joss last performed at the Wind Creek Event Center I was completely blown away and just had to see her again. Melissa is a timeless artist that I have seen many times throughout the years. She plays this area pretty often and treated everyone to a special setlist that included songs that do not always make the cut.

Joss Stone played a toned down set. She explained that she didn't plan on making a human when the tour was booked. 2/3 of the set she sat in a plush chair with her back up singers to her right and her bassist and guitarist to her left. She sang a mix of originals and covers throughout the night, the best part was her medly of "Midnight Train to Georgia"/"I Say a Little Prayer" and "It's a Man's World". The whole audience sang along like a soul revival.

She finished her set just like I remembered her last show. Dancing around the stage barefoot and singing her heart out. Joss Stone emotes so much joy on stage that you cannot be anything but happy when she is performing. If you ever just want to feel free go to one of her shows.

Melissa Etheridge always puts on a spectacular show. Her songs have been engrained in my mind since the early 90's. Her vocals are uniquely gritty and bass toned and her guitar playing is amazing. I don't think Melissa has ever gotten enough credit for the incredible musician that she is. I remember watching her Facebook streams during the pandemic, I was in daily awe of her playing.

Melissa started the evening with "All American Girl", in all the times I have seen her I do not think I've ever heard her perform this song. I know that she has, it was just a rare treat for myself off her prolific 1993 album Yes I Am. Other lesser played hits included "Let Me Go", "The Letting Go" (on piano), and "Silent Legacy".

Melissa also perfomed major hits like "If I Wanted To", "I Want to Come Over", "No Soveniers" and Come to My Window". She did a little story time before performing one of her newer songs "Burnin Woman", from her documentary I'm Not Broken about women's prisons in her home state of Kansas.

Melissa closed out her night with "Like the Way I Do". By this point most people in the floor seats had already made their way up to the stage. Everyone was singing, dancing and having a great time. It was a great night of music, friendship and joy. It was a Saturday night that gave everyone the relief they needed from their long weeks. There are a handful of dates left on this tour, I wish I could get to another one before it's over.