The Coolest Girls in the World: Suki Waterhouse with Blondshell at the Metro

Written by Justice Petersen / Photo by Scott Teresi

Few concerts are made to feel as though they are some sacred ceremony, where those in attendance feel like an elite group who got this exclusive experience of something beautiful.

This is how it feels at a Suki Waterhouse/Blondshell show.

Waterhouse is currently on her North American “Coolest Place in the World” tour. She played a sold out show at the Metro on Saturday night, with indie rock artist Blondshell opening up for her.

Before the concert, hundreds of fans lined up in the freezing cold. It was a typical Saturday night in Wrigleyville, but the upcoming show added a certain buzz in the air.

The Metro is a historic music venue with a certain intimacy that only adds to this “buzz”. Not only did there seem to be a closeness in the venue itself, but with the people as well.

At 7:30 p.m Blondshell began her set, opening with her fuzzy rock song “Veronica Mars”. Blondshell performed as though she was trying to heal herself through the lyrics and sounds themselves. During her set, she would lay down on the ground and stomp her feet to the beat, as if she felt the music so much that it overwhelmed her. Watching Blondshell is like watching a powerful and brutal act of self healing; very moving and emotional.

Near the end of her set, Blondshell played “Kiss City”, saying “This is the most vulnerable song I have ever written. It was humiliating when my parents heard it when it came out, but it’s my truth.”

Ultimately, Blondshell sings about her truths, no matter how imperfect they may be. She sings about the imperfections of others, and that she will save herself no matter what it takes.

While both Blondshell and Suki Waterhouse sing about love and unique moments in their lives, Blondshell does so with screechy amps and stomping feet and Waterhouse does so with a light and romantic feel. They are the same but different, making a beautiful combination for a touring act.

By the time Blondshell ended her set, the venue was packed and the anticipation was building. As soon as the lights went down and the overplaying music stopped, the Metro was filled with ear-piercing screams. The intensity only grew as the band came out, soon followed by Suki Waterhouse herself, opening her set with “Bullshit on the Internet” from her 2022 album, “I Can’t Let Go.”

Waterhouse donned a glittery, geometric corset top with leather pants, black heeled boots, and a sheer, short-sleeved shawl. With the wind machines and the smoke on stage, she looked like a feminine Jim Morrison. Looking like a supermodel on a dusty desert highway, she moved to the music in an ‘Iggy Pop meets Edie Sedgwick’ kind of way.

The overall atmosphere of the concert was ethereal. With the choral backing vocals, the crowd singing along to “Moves”, and Suki’s delicate swagger, everything seemed to be an almost dreamlike state.

The love was evident from both the crowd and Suki. Waterhouse herself seemed overwhelmed with the passion from the crowd, saying that this particular show was the biggest one she has ever had.

“You’re blowing every other show out – I’m shook,” said Waterhouse.

Waterhouse ended the show and the entire audience chanted “Suki” until she came back on for the encore. She ended with her hit “Good Looking”, once again thanking the crowd.

“This has genuinely been my favorite show I’ve ever done,” she said.

Before she ended the show with her final song, Waterhouse talked about how “Good Looking” was almost never released due to discouragement from her management, but she insisted on releasing the song anyways. It is now considered her most popular song, being her most streamed on Spotify.

“I guess the lesson in all this is trust your gut, and trust good looking boys,” she said.

Wise words from the coolest girl in the world.

Links:

Blondshell:

Official: https://www.blondshellmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blondshe11
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Blondshe11
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blondshell/

Suki Waterhouse:

Official: https://sukiwaterhouse.tv/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sukiwaterhouse
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sukiwaterhouse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukiwaterhouse/

Metro:

Official: https://metrochicago.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroChicago
Twitter: https://twitter.com/metrochicago
Instagram: https://instagram.com/metrochicago