Purple lights and heaps of smoke from burning frankincense engulfed the stage as Suki Waterhouse made her entrance for her sold-out show at The Black Cat on Jan. 31. Instantly, flocks of phones sprung up to take videos as the London-based artist began performing her song “Bullshit On The Internet” from her debut album “I Can’t Let Go.” As a wind machine blew her lustrous blonde hair and flowy white silk shirt around, the crowd swayed in hypnosis.
That’s just the power of Suki Waterhouse: with her effortless talent, yet emotive aura, you can’t help but be mesmerized by her songs.
Waterhouse’s musical career has catapulted her into success over the last year. Her song “Good Looking” became a TikTok viral sensation. Most recently, Waterhouse opened for Father John Misty’s tour. Yet, having modeled since she was 16 years old and acting in a myriad of films, the singer-songwriter is no stranger to the limelight. Throughout her time getting acclimated with the public eye, the artist held onto curiosity for her love of music, finally releasing her first single in 2016 titled “Brutally.”
Waterhouse’s music comes naturally to her, having her own personal signature style seamlessly figured out. Taking influence from the likes of Sharon Van Etten and Mazzy Star — especially in her latest EP, “Milk Teeth” — Waterhouse delivers both mystical and angsty vocal performances paired with moody production in her music. It goes without saying that her modeling past is intrinsically wrapped up within her musicianship, bringing her fashionable, cool-girl style alive in her sonic essence. The veins of Waterhouse’s artistry feel complete by her live staging of soul-stirring tracks.
Waterhouse continued to welcome her audience as the show progressed with “Devil I Know,” swaying and stomping in her leather boots as she executed an edgy performance.
“I can’t forget that night you said I looked like Suzi Quatro,” she sang on one of her most popular tracks, “Moves,” reiterating her free and easy, chic aesthetic. The crowd recited every line as her band played devastating instrumentals for the iconic song.
The outstanding talent of Waterhouse’s band became apparent as the show went on. The singer’s chemistry with her band was especially accentuated as they turned her slow burn, low-toned despairing track, “On Your Thumb” into a shouting, upbeat banger in the live rendition. Significantly, drummer Emilia Paige highlighted Waterhouse’s captivating vocals with her mesmeric beats in both fast-paced songs like “Neon Signs” and dreamy acts like “Nostalgia”.
“Coolest Place In The World” proved to be the most dramatic performance of the night, with Waterhouse only lit in a low blue light as she sang accompanied by solo melancholic keyboarding.
“I wish this had more of a romantic backstory, but it's actually about a navy sheets guy,” Waterhouse joked before segwaying to the sorrowing love song.
Returning for an encore, the artist finished the show on a high note with her most beloved track, “Good Looking.” Putting on a completely cinematic performance of the song, it’s without a doubt that Waterhouse knows how to entertain.
Currently, the artist is finishing up the last leg of her “Coolest Place In The World'' tour. Waterhouse is also set to star as a rockstar on screen in Amazon Prime’s “Daisy Jones & The Six,” a show based on the original book by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
From the screen to reality, Waterhouse has proved herself to be a rockstar through and through, with her live performance at the Black Cat radiating versatile brilliance.
This article was edited by Sara Winick, Kylie Bill and Nina Heller. Copy editing done by Isabelle Kravis and Stella Guzik.
