With the invention of social media, it has truly become the single best way for bands to get in front of new fans. From the Myspace era to Spotify introducing new bands on playlists every day, social media has revolutionized music discovery. Arguably, the biggest social media app to truly help any artist out has been TikTok. Many musical artists have found notoriety through their songs going viral on this app. Additionally, the younger generation often chooses to upload their music to TikTok before anywhere else online. Thanks to these consistent uploads and the app’s growth, many of these TikTok artists have risen beyond the platform and started performing on big stages around the world. One artist who has been consistently growing as a performer is Nessa Barrett. Nessa has now released her second full-length album, Aftercare, and has hit the road on the Aftercare 2025 tour, making a two-night stop at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and selling out both nights. I was fortunate to make it through the doors for night one, ready to experience what Nessa Barrett had to offer.

Opening the night was a musician who also broke through thanks to TikTok: Ari Abdul. Ari hit the stage wearing a suit and sunglasses, basking in heavy fog and a red glow, giving off an alluring mystique of someone the audience may not fully understand. Tossing her sunglasses to the side and starting to sing, she allowed the audience to glimpse into her musical world. Joined by Constance Antionette on guitar, the two of them created an atmosphere on stage. With a fusion of pop and dark pop, the audience was lost in the rhythm and mood of Ari’s music, while she herself seemed to get lost in her own performance. Ari Abdul’s set was a darkly beautiful one, consisting of songs like “Girls On The Internet,” “Taste,” “Bury You,” “HUSH,” “Worship,” “Haunt Your Dreams,” “DON’T,” “BABYDOLL,” and, for the final song, she was joined by Isabel LaRosa for “BABYDOLL (Speed).” Ari Abdul left an imprint on the audience—a deceitfully tasteful one that lingers after a strange but romantic night out.

As the lights dimmed, the crowd went absolutely wild before anyone even touched the stage. Chants of “Nessa! Nessa! Nessa!” rang out through the theatre as fans eagerly awaited their idol. When Nessa Barrett finally graced her adoring fans, she was dressed in what looked like a pure white Victoria’s Secret-style outfit, and the fans devoured every ounce of her presence. Opening the set with her song “S.L.U.T.,” her voice was almost drowned out by the fans singing along with her. Nessa sings with a breathy yet sultry voice that evokes comparisons to Marilyn Monroe. Whether intentional or not, her on-stage sexuality and voice embody many of Marilyn’s traits in a modern world.

Nessa Barrett doesn’t just rely on her looks on stage but gives the crowd a full show. She worked the mic stand like a pole dancer, fell to the floor as if the power of the music was too much for her body to contain, and even crawled toward the audience, locking eyes with fans and making them drop to their knees in pure ecstasy. She had everyone hanging on the tip of her tongue as they cherished every single moment with her during songs like “BABYDOLL,” “HEARTBEAT,” “DIRTY LITTLE SECRET,” “RUSSIAN ROULETTE,” “AMERICAN BEAUTY,” “LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU,” “MUSTANG BABY,” “PASSENGER PRINCESS,” “KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME BOY,” “DOES GOD CRY?,” “GIVEN ENOUGH,” and many others. She ended the night with a four-song encore featuring “scare myself,” “die first,” “PINS AND NEEDLES,” and closing with “AFTERCARE.” This wasn’t just a musical performance—it was a tantric experience. Without making physical contact with a single person, Nessa’s presence and music left fans flushed red in the face and emotionally overwhelmed all night long.

Nessa Barrett was more of a sensual experience than I could have anticipated. Talking with some fans, I learned that she takes the time and effort to change her on-stage outfit for every show, giving fans a unique and intimate experience each time. One way fans have gone above and beyond to celebrate these outfit changes is by wearing versions of Nessa’s previous on-stage outfits or lingerie to her shows. Wearing just jeans and a band tee, I felt completely overdressed for this event. Nessa Barrett has taken her TikTok fame and turned it into a true musical following, with diehard fans who worship everything she brings to the table. I can now see why she easily booked two sold-out nights in Los Angeles, and next time, I’ll make sure to wear something more fitting for a night with her.