Nearly two years after bringing her critically acclaimed EP hell is a teenage girl to Boston, Nessa Barrett returned to Roadrunner, a local Boston music hall, for the latest stop on her global “AFTERCARE” tour.
Following a dynamic opening set from Ari Abdul, Nessa emerged on stage bathed in an ethereal glow, the bright light illuminating her tapestry of tattoos and the glint of her bejeweled Cheap Monday belt.
The glow quickly turned to strobes as Nessa Barrett plunged into a 26 song setlist featuring the “AFTERCARE DELUXE” album in its entirety, sans “GIVEN ENOUGH,” as well as a few other older favorites including “scare myself” and “heartbreak in the hamptons.” Nessa’s appreciation for old film and nostalgia was apparent in the black and white visuals projected upstage, juxtaposing new footage of Nessa with mid-century archival footage.
Although the lyrics of “AFTERCARE” delve into a fractured and tumultuous relationship, Nessa’s connection to her fans is anything but that. Whether an influencer, artist, or a fan, it’s often easy to forget that there’s a real person on the other side of the screen, let alone an entire sold-out venue. However, Nessa made it a priority to ensure everyone felt seen and valued. Through intimate moments at the edge of the stage, it was clear that her bond with her fans transcends the screen.
After an electrifying performance of “DISCO,” Nessa teased, “You guys are going to love me for this one,” before delivering a stripped-back rendition of “BREAKFAST IN BED,” a song that had only made its live debut a few nights earlier on February 17 in Brooklyn, NY.
She closed the show with “P*RNSTAR,” but the crowd’s calls for an encore brought her right back to the stage. “I’m back!,” she called out to the crowd before closing the night with “scare myself,” “PINS AND NEEDLES,” and the title track of the album and the night, “AFTERCARE.”
It’s no Dirty Little Secret, Nessa Barrett adores her fans, and its clear that she has created this intimate tour with them in mind. Find Nessa Barrett’s “AFTERCARE” tour dates and tickets for a city near you, here.
Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.