Nessa Barrett: From Heartache to Harmony at The Fillmore

February 14, 2025

Saturday, February 8, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Nessa Barrett’s much-anticipated ‘Aftercare World Tour’ at The Fillmore Detroit, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I stepped into the venue, I could feel the excitement in the air and with eager fans buzzing around me, I knew I was in for an unforgettable night.

Ari Abdul, an artist who brought an irresistible energy to the stage, kicked off the night. As the lights dimmed and she made her entrance, I was immediately captivated. Ari’s unique sound and magnetic presence engaged the crowd from the first note. While I was familiar with her sound (specifically her song “Babydoll” which had made waves all over TikTok), hearing her perform live was a whole different experience. Ari’s vocal prowess shone throughout the performance, displaying impressive range and emotion that left the audience in awe

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for: Nessa Barrett took the stage. As the lights came up and the heavy, almost industrial sound of Nessa Barrett’s hit song “S.L.U.T.” began to reverberate through the venue and the crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer, I could already tell this show was going to be one for the books. Barrett’s music career began in 2022 with her first album “young forever.” Barrett came out hot on the scene, capturing a unique essence that was entirely her own, setting a standard for her followers both new and old. In 2024, Barrett released the album that would undoubtedly skyrocket her to stardom, “Aftercare,” which was shortly followed by “Aftercare Deluxe” in 2025.

With low, moody lighting, heavy-hitting industrial backtracks, thumping bass, and emotional lyrics, Barrett had an almost ethereal presence about her, gracing the captive audience with her musical prowess. She worked the stage expertly, showcasing her talent not just vocally but lyrically, with the entire crowd singing along with her and dancing to the beat.

Transitioning into something slower with an almost swing-type beat to it, Barrett performed the well-loved song “BABYDOLL” next, slowing the beat down with her sultry vocals and alluring stage presence. The lyrically genius song was a home run with the audience, heartfelt and playfully bittersweet. While the song is smooth and velvety on the ears, the words provide a much deeper truth. The song references the idea of one-sided materialistic love, with lyrics such as “Drop me when you’re bored with me,” making this one a tear-jerker among fans.

Barrett’s third song of choice for the night was the beautiful “HEARTBEAT,” a true crowd-pleaser. While Barrett’s previous songs referenced the ideas of temporary love and toxic love, this one touched on the concept of true love, with lyrics such as “Only you can make my heart beat again.” Barrett’s impressive vocals and impressive performance truly touched the hearts of many fans, earning her their backup vocals throughout the entirety of this three-minute serenade.

While many of Barrett’s songs had a legato flow and jazz-like feel to them, Barrett also performed some more upbeat songs with fun, fast tempos, such as “P*RNSTAR,” a song that has earned her over 45 million listens on Spotify alone. This song exhibits Barrett’s extreme versatility, ranging all the way from languid choruses to staccato, dance-inducing beats.

Reflecting on my night, I feel incredibly grateful to have gone to this fantastic show. Both Ari Abdul and Nessa brought their unique talents to the stage, creating an evening filled with unforgettable moments. The genuine connection Nessa has with her fans, her powerful performance, combined with the overall vibe of The Fillmore truly made for an extraordinary experience. If you ever have the chance to see Nessa Barrett live, or if you catch Ari Abdul in action, I wholeheartedly recommend seizing that moment, and I can’t wait to see where Nessa’s journey takes her next!

SEE THE NESSA BARRETT SETLIST ON SPOTIFY BELOW:

SEE NESSA BARRETT ON THE ROAD:

Feb 17, 2025

Brooklyn Paramount Theater

New York, NY