I’ve followed Joshua Slone’s music long before he ever released an album. Like many of his fans, my introduction to him came through the videos he posted of himself singing on TikTok. From the very beginning, Joshua had a remarkable ability to capture people’s attention through a screen, and that same charisma translates effortlessly to his live performances.
Long before there was any talk of him headlining his own tour—and before he had officially released a single song—Joshua found himself opening for country music star Zach Bryan. Back then, it was simply Joshua, his bandmate Seth, and both with a guitar in their hands stitting on stage. Even in that stripped-back setting, it was clear he was building something special.
On October 29, 2025, Joshua released his highly anticipated debut album, Thinking Too Much. In a relatively short amount of time, he accumulated more than 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with “Your Place at My Place” becoming his most-streamed song, surpassing 11 million streams. So it came as no surprise when his first headlining tour sold out almost instantly.
As the crowd slowly filtered into the venue with drinks in their hands and fresh merch draped across their shoulders, I found myself looking around at the faces gathered in the room. Every person there shared one common interest: Joshua Slone. Excitement radiated from every corner of the venue, but perhaps no one embodied it more than Joshua’s father, who was seated in the second-level balcony.
I managed to share a brief but memorable interaction with him. He let out an enthusiastic “woo!” and flashed a quick rock-and-roll hand gesture toward the crowd. Instinctively, I returned the gesture. He laughed, and we exchanged a wave before turning our attention back to the stage. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the pride and joy that filled the room.
The show opened with “Regret It.” Like many of Joshua’s songs, it carried a gentle acoustic sound that felt like the morning after a rainy night. Almost immediately, the audience’s voices blended seamlessly with his own, as if they were meant to be part of the recording itself. The crowd transformed into a choir, singing every word back to him.
Joshua has spoken openly about how many of the songs on Thinking Too Much were written during his teenage years. That perspective is evident throughout the album, particularly in the way he captures the feeling of falling completely in love with someone, only to watch that relationship slowly unravel as life becomes more complicated. His songwriting reflects the struggle of growing up and realizing that the simplicity of young love is often impossible to return to once it’s gone.
After the first three songs, performed with Joshua alone on stage, his band joined him for “Wanting More,” a personal favorite of mine since the album’s release. His voice, layered with longing and heartbreak, settled over the crowd before the drums and full band arrived to drive those emotions even deeper. The transition elevated the song from an intimate confession into something much larger, and the audience responded accordingly.
Much like I had done earlier in the evening, I found myself watching Joshua as he scanned the room. His eyes moved carefully across the crowd, taking in every section of the venue as though he wanted to memorize the moment. It felt like he understood exactly what he had built for himself and for the people standing in front of him. Judging by the reaction around me, the crowd was more than happy to be part of it.
Taking a turn away from the softer side of his catalog, “Anna” came next. The rasp in Joshua’s voice and the subtle buckle in his knees helped paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with heartbreak and longing for a person who no longer feels the same way. The combination of acoustic and electric guitar was perfectly balanced, creating a sound that amplified the song’s emotional weight without overshadowing it. Every element worked together to make the performance feel raw, vulnerable, and deeply human.
Much to my surprise, his biggest song arrived in the middle of the set rather than being saved for the finale. The moment Joshua strummed the opening chords of "Your Place at My Place," a collective groan swept through the room—not out of disappointment, but recognition. It was the kind of reaction that seemed to say, "Here we go. This one's going to hurt."
As the song reached its final moments, Joshua sang, "But now it's too late..." before stepping away from the microphone entirely. Instantly, the crowd took over. Thousands of voices carried the lyrics back to him while he stood there, soaking it all in. For a brief moment, he wasn't performing; he was simply listening. Then, just before the song ended, he returned to the microphone to deliver the final line:
"Nobody's ever taking your place, at my place."
The room erupted.
Before anyone was ready for it, the end of the show had arrived. Joshua thanked the crowd before he and his band exited the stage. Almost immediately, his father sprang back into action. Just as he had earlier in the night, he began shouting from the balcony—this time leading the charge for an encore. Waving his arms and yelling "Encore!" with a grin stretched across his face, his excitement became impossible to ignore. You couldn't simply watch it happen; you had to join in.
Soon enough, the crowd answered the call, and Joshua returned to the stage alone with his guitar.
Many fans expected him to play "Diary Queen," an unreleased favorite that had lived exclusively on his TikTok page. Instead, he surprised everyone with another unreleased track that, unless I missed an announcement, remains untitled. For now, I've affectionately named it "Obsessed."
"Am I too attached? Am I lazy? 'Cause I always find a way back lately."
The song arrived like a whisper, but its impact lingered. Joshua's voice carried a soothing quality, gentle enough to quiet the noise in your head, while simultaneously unsettling any comfort you thought you had found. The lyrics forced reflection, making you revisit old relationships, old mistakes, and unresolved feelings. It was the perfect embodiment of the album's title, Thinking Too Much—a song that invited you to sit with your thoughts, only to leave you questioning them moments later.
As he sang, a soft golden glow washed over the crowd. The stage lights reflected off hundreds of faces and created a halo around Joshua, making the moment feel almost suspended in time. After an evening filled with a full band, sold-out crowds, and the realization of a lifelong dream, the show ended where it all began: Joshua Slone, alone with his guitar, and an audience hanging onto every word.
For a brief moment, it felt less like a concert and more like one of those early TikTok videos that first introduced him to the world—except now, the world was singing back.
You can stream Thinking Too Much on all major platforms and catch Joshua Slone on the final leg of his North American tour.
