Nessa Barrett at The Wiltern
March 16, 2025
On Sunday March 16th, Nessa Barrett performed at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, marking the second of two consecutive sold-out shows and underscoring her rising prominence in the pop music scene. As I drove by the venue earlier that day, I saw fans lined around the iconic Art Deco landmark well before the show even started. Fans were dressed in TikTok alternative dark coquette clothing, a tribute to Nessa’s signature style.
The night kicked off with an opening set by Ari Abdul. Though I only caught her final few songs, it was clear she had the crowd hooked with her dark, pop-infused sound. Her sultry, moody vibe made her the perfect opener for Nessa Barrett, seamlessly complementing her style. A standout moment came when Ari surprised the audience by bringing out Isabel LaRosa for their collaboration on "BABYDOLL." The two artists danced and jumped along the stage as they performed their last song, igniting the crowd's energy and setting the tone for the rest of the night.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eagerly awaiting Nessa’s arrival. Each time the lights dimmed, excitement rippled through the venue, only for the wait to stretch on, building suspense. Fans couldn’t contain their eagerness, chanting “Nessa! Nessa!” until, at last, she stepped onto the stage. Dressed in a striking black two-piece ensemble, she exuded effortless allure. Her lacy, bustier-style top featured a delicate silk bow at the center, while her feather-trimmed bottoms evoked the dark elegance of Natalie Portman’s character, Nina Sayers, in Black Swan.
She opened with "S.L.U.T.," immediately engaging the audience, who sang along passionately. Her setlist encompassed a range of tracks from her latest album, "Aftercare," including "BABYDOLL," "HEARTBEAT," "DIRTY LITTLE SECRET," and "RUSSIAN ROULETTE." Nessa's performance was defined by her hypnotic blend of pop sensibility and sultry allure. Her voice, both delicate and haunting, added a darker edge to her infectious pop sound, showcasing her unique ability to balance strength and femininity with effortless charm.
The concert concluded with a four-song encore, featuring "scare myself," "die first," "PINS AND NEEDLES," and the title track "AFTERCARE," leaving the audience spellbound and craving more. It’s no surprise she managed to sell out both of her Los Angeles shows.
Photographed and written by Lily O.
