Kelsea Ballerini Plays First Live Show Since Splitting With Chase Stokes

Kelsea Ballerini made an emotional return to the stage at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre on Thursday night (September 25), marking her first live performance since announcing her split from Chase Stokes earlier this month. The 15-song set included hits from her Billboard No. 1 Country Album, Patterns, and fan favorites like “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Hole in the Bottle,” and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” Ballerini shared that the show was a much-needed cathartic experience amid personal challenges, including her dog Dibs’ battle with inoperable heart cancer that included a surgery earlier that day. “I think there’s this beautiful healing connective thing that happens when I get to play music with you,” the Grammy-nominated singer told the crowd, while adding, “Your girl needed it this week.” Ballerini connected deeply with the audience throughout the show, closing the night on a hopeful note as she looks ahead to her upcoming Australian tour dates. (People)