Drew & Ellie Holcomb: Never Gonna Let You Go Tour
Words by Liz Wyatt
Photos by Steve Satzberg
Drew and Ellie Holcomb headlined Saturday night at DC’s ornate Lincoln Theatre, surrounded by young fans and buoyed by a joyful, highly interactive atmosphere. Joined throughout the evening by Drew’s backing band, The Neighbors, the show felt less like a concert and more like a warm, communal gathering.
Ellie and Drew entered the stage bathed in bright halos of spotlight, opening with “High Seas.” Ellie’s voice led Drew’s harmony and guitar on the sweet love song, its refrain asking, “Will you follow me into the high seas?” Taking turns on guitar and vocals, the duo followed with “Mississippi River Bluebird,” drawing cheers from the now-warmed-up audience as Drew shared how much they both enjoy performing the song.
Married for 20 years, the Holcombs’ love is woven clearly through their lyrics, which radiate an innocent joy. Having released four children’s albums over the years, it was impossible not to notice how many young people in the audience seemed to have grown up with this uplifting, hopeful music.
Ellie then delivered an earnest, aching “What Would I Do Without You.” Though she has also pursued a solo career in Christian music, her presence alongside Drew felt seamless. As the spotlight brightened, Drew launched into the moving “Promise Me I’m Not Alone,” a song that explores the dark night of the soul. Lyrics like “Find me and bring me back home, I’ll be in the dark” resonated deeply.
Ellie followed with a crowd-pleasing sing-along — “Sing” — prompting the audience to join in enthusiastically. Drew rewarded the energy by tossing a T-shirt to a child who had requested the song. “We all share the experience of how many become one when we come together,” Drew said, as the band launched into “Dance With Everybody,” turning the theater into a unified, dancing crowd.
After intermission, the Holcombs were joined by The Neighbors for a lively “Memory Bank,” greeted by loud cheers. The tempo slowed for “Rain or Shine,” with the couple swaying together as the audience swayed along. Drew paused to share the story of falling in love with Ellie in college, noting her enduring vibrancy and grace — enhanced by her flowing floral dress and Memphis-rooted charm.
Watch the official music video for “Memory Bank” by Drew and Ellie Holcomb on YouTube:
A five-voice harmony on “Far Country” nodded to bluegrass roots layered over classic country strumming. The Neighbors took center stage for a light rock number driven by heavy guitar and reflective lyrics like “I never want to be a ghost to you.” Another standout lyric echoed through the room: “Gotta find your people, the ones that make you feel whole.”
As the set continued, bowed double bass and glowing harmonies filled the theater on “Sweet Ever After,” creating a deeply moving moment. “Hope’s Gonna Find You” followed, its drumbeat and bright guitar framing vocals filled with encouragement. Later, Drew and Ellie stripped things back to just two guitars for a hypnotic rendition of “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes,” urging empathy through repetition.
The final stretch of the night leaned fully into interaction, driven by kids’ requests that brought a playful, family-style energy. Ellie danced lightly across the stage during “I’m Gonna Fly,” her movements matching the song’s buoyancy. One request followed another, laughter and joy spilling into every corner of the theater.
During “Where Does the Light Go,” the Holcombs stepped away from the microphones, letting the natural acoustics of the Lincoln Theatre carry their voices. As house lights warmed the audience, the band shared that one dollar from every ticket sale was being donated to a rescue charity, encouraging everyone to “stop the chaos, start small, and take small steps.”
Watch the official lyric video for “Where Does the Light Go” by Ellie Holcomb on YouTube:
The night ended with the entire crowd on its feet, dancing and singing along to “Never Gonna Let You Go,” before closing with “Family.” My final image was of the audience still standing — silhouettes softly swaying beneath an ethereal glow — as the theater sang together:
“Family… we’re in this together.”
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Setlist
High Seas
The Whole Thing
Mississippi River Bluebird
Constellations
Sing
Dance With Everybody
*Second Set*
Memory Bank
Rain or Shine
When I’m With You
Far Country
Dragons
Neighbor’s Song 1
Where Can I Go / I Will Carry You
Find Your People
Sweet Ever After
Feels Like Home
Hope’s Gonna Find You
Neighbor’s Song 2
Requests
Shut Up and Dance
Never Gonna Let You Go
Family
Here are some photos of Drew and Ellie Holcomb performing live at the Lincoln Theatre on Feb. 7, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
