WPGM Reviews: Nessa Barrett Live At O2 Forum Kentish Town (In Pictures)

Nessa Barrett wrapped up the UK leg of her ‘Aftercare’ tour with a second sold-out night at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, marking a powerful return to the city nearly two years after her last appearance. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, glittering under the lights in an iridescent blue and silver sequin bra top and matching bottoms, it was clear that Barrett had arrived with full pop star confidence and showgirl flair.

Opening with “Dirty Little Secret”, she set the tone early—commanding, emotive, and self-assured. Compared to her last UK shows in more intimate venues, the growth in both scale and presence was unmistakable. Barrett filled the Forum not just with fans, but with a maturity in performance that proves she’s not only evolved as an artist, but is increasingly owning the stage with poise and intention.

Behind her, projections flickered and shifted to match the mood of each song—scenes from Edward Scissorhands played during her haunting performance of the eponymous track. Her voice was front and centre throughout the night—soulful, gritty, and often catching the crowd off guard with unexpected key changes and vocal runs that felt almost improvised in their vulnerability.

Standouts like “Blue Valentine” and “Dying On The Inside” highlighted her signature tone, while songs like Gaslight showcased her more playful, provocative side, with her twirling the mic cord like a prop as she danced across the stage.

Throughout the venue, groups of friends decked out in fishnets, chokers, and Nessa-inspired fits sang along to every word, forming a kind of collective catharsis. The setlist was a careful blend of upbeat anthems and emotional slow-burners, with fan-favourites like “S.L.U.T.”, “Pins And Needles”, and “Mustang Baby” giving the crowd every reason to scream, cry, and dance in equal measure.

After briefly exiting the stage to thunderous applause, Barrett returned for a three-song encore: “the one that should’ve got away”, “die first”, and “P*RNSTAR”. Each track represented a distinct era of her artistry, reminding the audience just how far she’s come in a relatively short amount of time.

If this London performance was any indication, Nessa Barrett is stepping fully into her era—not just as a singer, but as a complete performer. From the visuals to the vocals, the growth is undeniable, and it’s exciting to think about where she’ll go next.

Words + photography by Stefania Mohottige

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