2025 recap moment:
AFTERCARE
WORLD TOUR
STARRING
NESSA BARRETT
EXPERIENCE
NASHVILLE, TN
February 26
I have been sporadically keeping up with Nessa from the beginning, and listening to her music since her first release in 2020. So late last year when I discovered through her Zach Sang Show interview that she had just put out a brand new album I immediately went to listen to it. I immediately liked it from the first listen and enjoyed hearing her discuss the current era of her life that allowed her to create this new, different sounding collection of music.
​
When she announced the tour just days after the album release and I saw she was coming to Nashville, I had to grab a ticket!​
Ari Abdul was the opener. She said this was her first visit to Nashville!
The show took place at a relatively small venue called Marathon Music Works which I had never heard of. More on this below but overall the venue was just okay. I will say the staff was extremely friendly!
​
I purchased the VIP 2 ticket package entitled "VIP EARLY ENTRY PACKAGE," which granted a floor ticket with early entry and early-access merchandise shopping and a VIP -exclusive bag of merch.
​
I liked the early entry and was able to secure a spot about 5 rows of people back from the barricade, however the exclusive merch given only to VIP ticket holders was underwhelming. Definitely could've been better, specifically the designs of the merchandise. I did not purchase any additional merch from the merch booth so I didn't use the early-access merchandise shopping portion of my ticket.
​
Overall, if I were to go for a floor ticket again I would probably re-purchase this package, but I would only recommend it for those wanting to get as close to the stage as possible. If that's not a priority for you, I would save money and get a general admission floor ticket instead.
​
Full review/comparison of everything I liked vs. believe could've been better:
You can't stay the night, so baby, I'll call you a car
Promise me that you'll be there
VS.
-
The mics, particularly Nessa's, should've been turned up a bit and/or her backing track lowered. (Regardless of if this was intentional and her decision or if it fell back on the sound engineer(s) or venue staff, I would have liked to have been able to hear her voice through her mic more.)
-
I did not have a problem with the standing room but if I were ever to try and see Ness again at this venue I would consider a Lux Loft ticket. This was the loft (balcony) on the side of the room & stage. It is the only ticket that comes with seating. I was hesitant to get this bc of some things I read about it online, but while Ness did primarily stay center stage there were def moments she pranced towards the Loft so the people up there could def clearly see her. Everyone was standing during the show but I would consider the Loft to have a table and chair before the show.​
-
Getting picked up was hectic as there is extremely limited parking around the venue and not every car was parking; many were just stopping, picking up, and continuing on. The venue recommends getting dropped off/picked up, and there is a designated area for this near the entrance of the building, though I did not see it as the front of the venue was so crowded. There are a few hotels within walking distance and I feel this would be the best option, but only if you are with 1 or more people as the area is not center Nashville or a bustling part of town by any means.
-
Even though there was a backing track the band was playing along with and she was singing to, the band, especially the drummer, KILLED ITTTT
-
Set list was solid. She performed for approx. 1 hr and 15 mins and sang 1 song from both EP's, 1 from young forever, and the majority from AFTERCARE including all of the standard album tracks.
-
Venue staff handed out water bottles
-
Her fans have great energy, and everyone was kind to me! I went by myself and didn't know anybody, but within minutes of entering the building I was already receiving a compliment. Eventually I began talking to a group of girls standing close to me. The energy the fans brought was cozy and comfortable.
MY TOP 5 NESSA SONGS
1. HEARTBEAT
2. lovebomb
3. heartbreak in the hamptons
4. LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU
5. sincerely
My socks and shoes! A sweet girl I met at the show told me my outfit reminded her of the one Ness wears in the "lie" music video. I hadn't even thought of that as I was planning what I would wear, or at all for that matter, but I believe the video was in my subconscious because she was absolutely right! Shoutout to Victoria!
Overall and definitely reflecting back, I am honestly just grateful I got to experience such a fun.night and tour! While there are a few things I wish would've been better, this was my fav experience of 2025 and a night I look back on fondly.
​
Did you attend AFTERCARE TOUR? Which city? Message me your thoughts through my About page!
