Spencer Sutherland Brings the Drama to Minneapolis

March 11th, 2025 - Minneapolis, MN

Spencer Sutherland is the moment, and he’s bringing the drama. He turned a Tuesday into a Friday at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis on March 11.

Walking into Varsity Theater at 6:45pm and already hearing music playing was a bit of a shock. While the website was still showing a start time of 7pm, the show had actually started at 6:20pm. Despite missing the first twenty minutes of the show, all was immediately forgiven once I stopped and listened to Cloe Wilder. Even getting to hear a bit of her set was a treat. The indie-pop singer, Cloe Wilder, commanded the stage with her powerful presence onstage, and her energy left a mark.

Wilder performed her new song, “Tallahassee,” along with “For Fun,” “Cliff Diving,” and “Cigarette.” The emotional depth of her songs goes well beyond her age and touches upon topics like friend breakups, nostalgia, and recollections of home. Fans really showed up for the young singer, and loud cheers erupted as she left the stage.

A quick ten minutes later, the next opener, Stacey Ryan, began her set. Standing up there alone and playing all the instruments required for her songs while delivering powerful vocals is an impressive feat. Wearing sunglasses for the first three songs, Ryan’s jazz-infused songs told the story of falling in love and the heartbreak that went along with it. Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Ryan found comfort here in Minnesota and found some fellow Canadiens at the show. 

Now an independent artist, Ryan experienced a life-altering change and used songwriting and singing to get through it. Ready to finally put new music out, Ryan played her new single, “Everything Everything,” released just four days prior to the show. During the song, a fan put up a sign that read, “You’re my everything, everything,” which Ryan then took on stage with her. Spencer Sutherland fans are sweethearts. When they show up, they show up big: learning the openers songs and making signs for them as if they were who they came to see.

It wouldn’t be called The Drama Tour without a little bit of drama. In the middle of the stage sat a giant tarp covering something. That something ended up being theatrically revealed as a throne. As the tarp came off, the screams from fans came out. Indicative of Sutherland taking the stage soon, the fans could hardly contain their excitement. The theatrics were in full effect with a voiceover similar to the King George III announcements heard before the start of Hamilton. 

Beginning with the aptly chosen, “Welcome to the Show!,” Sutherland let the music play before coming onstage in a sparkly two-piece outfit. He strutted around the stage and took up every ounce with his presence. After Sutherland ran around onstage for the first few songs, I understood why the throne was on the stage.

Artists typically appeal to the city they’re in and call it their favorite one, but when Sutherland said it, I truly believed it. He has been playing shows in Minneapolis since 2015 and keeps coming back. With Prince being one of his favorite artists, his love for the city makes sense. 

He transitioned into a few slower songs in the middle of the show, playing “Melanie” and moving to the back of the crowd to play “Modern Heartbreak” from there. Laced with charisma, Sutherland found various ways to connect to his fans by reading signs, grabbing cowboy hats, and drawing out tattoos. His deep love and appreciation were never in question. 

Covering “Don’t Stop Now” by Queen and paying homage to Prince by singing a bit of “Kiss,” Sutherland showed off his impressive vocal range, which sounded like a combination of Prince, Harry Styles, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John. 

Sutherland wrapped up his show with “Chicken Little,” “Hater,” and “Drama” before coming back for an encore. Keeping true to the drama, Sutherland left long enough for fans to start chanting his name. Donning an open black jacket with shoulder pads and “The Drama” bedazzled on the back of it, Sutherland appeared back on the stage for his last song, “Place Like This.”

Spencer Sutherland is unabashedly himself, and every bit of his personality came out on that stage in Minneapolis. Every piece of his show was enjoyable, and I highly recommend attending one of his shows. Even if you only know one of his songs, you’ll leave the venue smiling.