Nessa Barrett is on a roll. Fresh off the release of AFTERCARE DELUXE — an expanded version of her acclaimed 2024 album AFTERCARE — the alt-pop princess is in the midst of a globe-trotting tour, most recently playing the historic Brooklyn Paramount on February 17.
The Brooklyn show landed on the heels of a major moment: Lana Del Rey sharing Barrett’s viral single “LOVE LOOKS PRETTY ON YOU” on Instagram a few days before, a full-circle moment for Barrett who has long cited Lana as a core influence. The energy at the Paramount reflected that buzz. Fans filled the venue, screaming every lyric back as Barrett delivered a set that balanced raw emotion with the kind of dark-pop edge she’s perfectedJust a few years ago, Barrett was posting TikToks from her bedroom, first gaining traction in 2019 with moody lip-syncs and snippets of her early music. Since then, she’s carved out a space as one of alt-pop’s most exciting new voices, evolving from viral star to a fully-formed artist with a distinct sound — dark, sultry, and emotionally raw. With nearly a billion views on TikTok and a growing list of hits, she’s become a staple in the alt-pop scene, all while staying true to the vulnerability that first drew fans in.
"We're almost halfway through the US leg of my AFTERCARE tour and I am having the time of my life," Barrett tells PAPER. I have the best crew traveling with me and we're also enjoying the cities that we are in together. I can't wait to continue to bring this show around the world this year."
Now, Barrett takes PAPER behind-the-scenes of her Brooklyn Paramount show, sharing intimate moments, pre-show rituals, and everything that made the night unforgettable.
Photography: Kristen Jan Wong
