Nessa Barrett may have gotten her start on TikTok, but she’s making it clear she’s here to be a pop star. As someone who’s followed her career for a while, I wasn’t sure what to expect from her live performance, but she exceeded every expectation. Opening the night was 19-year-old Sombr, who’s quickly making waves in the industry and making sure no one forgets it. Standing at 6’7, he immediately commands the stage, but it’s more than just his height that makes him unforgettable. His set had presence, power and emotion. From singing in the crowd to jumping (freakishly high) across the stage, he made every second count. There were fans at barrier crying just two songs in. You could feel how deeply people connected with him and with Nessa. I left feeling like I’d just seen two full concerts.
Then it was time for Nessa. Though much shorter than Sombr, she completely took up the stage with her energy and stage presence. From the second the white lights hit, the tone was set. There was something almost peak Lana Del Rey-esque about her aura, soft and captivating. And the mic was on. Her vocals were clear, and you could tell how much she’s grown into her sound and been working on her craft. She was sensual, confident and completely captivated the crowd- myself included. Every movement was intentional, and every song hit. “Given Enough” and “Die First” stood out most for me vocally. You could feel how personal they were to her and how much of her soul she gives to her music.
Watching Nessa live felt like watching an artist at the start of something big. There’s something about her that just works. She’s authentic and she is made for this. And I believe her when she says she’s just getting started.
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Words: Uchechi Adeboye
Photographer: Nick Haill