Ruston Kelly Lit Up the Fine Line Kicking Off His ‘Pale Through the Window’ Tour

The Fine Line hosted a night of intimacy and reflection on October 2, as rising singer-songwriter Sam MacPherson opened the evening for Ruston Kelly. With nothing but his guitar and his voice, MacPherson set the tone early; stripped down, soulful, and vulnerable. Between songs, while tuning his guitar Sam shared stories about what inspired each track, adding a personal touch that made the set feel intimate and reminiscent of John Mayer’s early days. The New Jersey native, who described himself as a “kid from Asbury Park,” brought a postcard from home in the form of a Bruce Springsteen cover, delivering a heartfelt rendition of “Dancing in the Dark.”

The room was quiet, but not the disengaged kind of quiet, rather the kind that comes from a crowd leaning in, listening, and hanging onto every word. Between stories about his songwriting and testing out a new track, “Goodbye Benny” (about a friend heading off to war), MacPherson offered an intimate glimpse into his world. The audience especially lit up during “Run Baby Run,” singing along.

Then came Ruston Kelly, joined by a five-piece band that included his father on synth—a detail that deepens the familial, heartfelt energy in the room. From the raw power of “Dying Star” to the tender honesty of “Just for the Record,” Kelly reminded the audience why his music resonates so deeply. Layes of songs from throughout the years and more guitar changes than you could count, each swap setting up another sound to match the mood of the songs. Having last seen him at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles back in 2018, it was striking to witness how his mix of emotion and rawness remains as captivating and as real as ever.

Kelly has never shied away from channeling his struggles with darkness, addiction, and depression into his music, and onstage he pours it all out, offering catharsis not only for himself but for the audience, too. The band kept the set dynamic, weaving in some rocking numbers alongside the ballads. In a spontaneous moment, they even granted a front-row request, adding “For the Record” into the setlist before closing with “Mockingbird.” It was a powerful closer, but if you ask me, that addition of “For the Record” deserves a permanent spot.

Together, MacPherson and Kelly gave the Fine Line a night of stories, realness and connection and a reminder that sometimes the quietest rooms can leave the loudest impact.