by Caitlin Dennis | October 24th, 2025

All images are from Cam’s - Slow Down Tour Chicago, IL on 10/24/25.

Cam Ochs, known professionally as Cam, is a Folk-Country singer from California who has written for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, and Beyonce. Cam wrote a handful of songs on ‘Cowboy Carter’ which earned her a 2024 Album of the Year Grammy as one of the key songwriters! Cam recently released her latest album, ‘All Things Light’ earlier this year in dedication to her daughter. The album explores motherhood, life, death, isolation, and existence in a framework of Cam coming to understand a life framework having not grown up with religion. It is a beautiful body of work with gorgeous production and stellar vocals.

Cam has since embarked on The Slow Down Tour, which made a stop at the Studebaker Theatre in Chicago! Fans trickled into their seats on the brisk Friday evening for a night of beautiful music. Up to the stage first was Anna Vaus, a Nashville based singer-songwriter. Anna was so charming! Aside from the fact that she did in fact cover a Fleetwood Mac song during her set, her energy and sound very much so reminded me of Fleetwood Mac mixed with pop country. A small side note aside from the music, I adored her outfit, a beautiful rich brown flowing dress adorned with a belt, and it fit her music’s aesthetic really well. Her vocals were so crisp and dynamic, perfect for the acoustic set she and her guitarist Kevin delivered! Her banter with the audience really put the cherry on top of the set. She knew just what to say and when to crack a joke and interact with the audience. She did a great job at warming everyone up for Cam!

Then the time came for Cam! A gorgeous bird set piece graced the stage, hovering over top of the back of the stage. We would later learn that the bird’s name is Pearl, and was crafted in lou of Cam and her sister continuing to see these birds and feeling a sense of protection as they entered new chapters in life. A beautiful sentiment. Now I am not usually the biggest fan of country music, but Cam is a brilliant story teller and writer. I had heard a few of her songs prior to this show, but it was such a pleasure to listen to more of the new album. She does a fabulous job of blending country, folk, and pop sounds in the musical production that bring the bittersweet stories the lyrics tell into a harmonious piece of art with every song. I could feel the emotions in her voice, and so could the rest of the audience. She is a true artist and fans young and old were taken on a gorgeous journey of growth and woes as the set played on. I also have to give huge props to her band. They were nothing short of pure talent. Between their vocals, killer drum, guitar, and keys solos, the dynamic they all had on stage creating the music was insane. It was a gorgeous set, a beautiful album, and a privilege to see her perform live!