Abbie Callahan and Aidan VanSuetendael at Eddie’s Attic
On September 3rd, I found myself back at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, one of my favorite venues for nights when music needs to feel close. There’s something about that room—the way it carries a voice without drowning it, the way it invites you to lean in—that makes every show feel like you’re being let in on a secret. That intimacy set the stage for an evening with Abbie Callahan and Aidan VanSuetendael, two artists who turned the space into a living room full of stories, laughter, and unfiltered emotion.
Aidan VanSuetendael is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with deep roots in folk traditions, the kind of artist who writes songs that feel stitched together from small-town snapshots and lived experience. Her style blends Americana, folk, and indie influences, drawing comparisons to Gillian Welch, Brandi Carlile, and even shades of Allison Russell. What makes her stand out is the honesty in her delivery—every word sounds like it belongs to her life.
She opened the night and immediately pulled the audience in with her unvarnished voice. “Coy Dog” and “Fax Machines” felt like journal entries sung out loud, both quirky and deeply personal. “Courtyard” and “Everything I Saw” shimmered with quiet intimacy, while “Percy Priest” and “Madeline” tugged at something nostalgic and aching.
“You Gotta Move” and “Take You Dancing” closed her time on stage with warmth and levity. By the end, it didn’t feel like she was simply opening the night—it felt like she had brought us into her own backyard, where the songs carried both comfort and truth.
Headliner Abbie Callahan has been steadily building momentum over the past few years. Originally gaining national attention as a contestant on American Idol, she has since carved out her own lane as a songwriter whose music blends modern pop polish with the emotional storytelling of country and folk. Her voice—smooth like Kacey Musgraves with flashes Allison Krauss commands attention, but it’s her vulnerability and warmth that make her unforgettable on stage.
She opened with “Mary Jane,” a song that immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention. Her cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” followed, but instead of leaning into the pop punch, she gave it a sultry, “kaleidoscope country” spin that made the familiar anthem sound brand new.
Her original songs displayed her growing range as a writer. “Strawberry California” felt cinematic, the kind of song you want playing on a golden-hour road trip. “Yo-yo” and “Simon Says” were playful and clever, showing her lighter side, while “Cold” and “Big” revealed a more introspective, emotional core. “Drag Queen” and “Sweet Tooth” balanced sass and sweetness, keeping the audience smiling.
One of the night’s highlights was her cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger.” She approached it with reverence but added her own tender phrasing, bringing new life to a song I thought I knew by heart. She closed the night with “The Garden” and “I’ll Bring Flowers,” both of which left the audience in stillness, like we were collectively holding our breath until the final note drifted away.
What I love about Eddie’s Attic is how it forces you to listen. There’s no hiding in that room—every lyric lands, every pause stretches, every laugh carries. Aidan VanSuetendael gave us rooted storytelling, the kind of songs that feel lived-in and timeless. Abbie Callahan followed with a performance that was polished but never distant, moving easily between playful charm and moments of raw emotion.
Walking out into the warm Atlanta night, I felt like I’d witnessed more than just a concert. I’d seen two artists on parallel paths: one grounding us in tradition with honest folk, the other reaching upward with pop-folk or as she has defined it “kaleidoscope country”, ambition and an undeniable stage presence. Together, they gave us an evening that celebrated both where music comes from and where it’s headed.
And that’s why I keep coming back to Eddie’s Attic—because on any given night, you might stumble into a show like this, where you leave feeling more connected not just to the music, but to everyone who shared the room with you.
Check out Abbie Callahan’s tour dates and more on her website here: https://www.abbiecallahan.com
Find more about Adian VanSuetendael here: https://www.aidanvansuetendael.com
Enjoy a previous review by this photojournalist here: Show Review: William Beckmann at Eddie’s Attic (Atlanta, GA)
