The English triple threat: Suki Waterhouse graced Cleveland with her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, for the first time on Friday night (12.06.24). She brought a palpable energy that was infectious and thrilling to watch.
Backdropped by a dreamy enchanted forest set featuring lush plants and spiderweb details with a shimmering disco ball overhead. Suki emerged from the ever-growing clouds of smoke in a pink fur coat, a matching sequin bottom bodysuit, and dazzling chrome thigh highs, ready to give the just as fashionable Agora crowd a show that no one would ever forget.
Backed by her four-piece touring band consisting of drummer Emilia Paige, bassist Myqle “Motorcycle” Sanford, guitarist Jane (previously known as Raj Jain and Jane Holiday), and Pete A. Jonas on extra keys and guitar, she opened the set with “Gateway Drug.” Suki kept the energy high with “Supersad” from her second studio album ‘Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.’ The 18-track album offers lush arrangements and heartfelt moments. The live show captured the same magic, blending her love for classic Hollywood glamour with her distinct indie-pop sensibilities.
As Waterhouse danced in flashing lights, her hair blowing in the wind as she struck poses, it was easy to spot influences from great women of rock history in her stage presence. Whether intentional or not, Suki channeled a subtle nod to icons like Stevie Nicks and others who came before her, embracing their carefree attitudes.
The model and actress’ vocals sounded fantastic, cascading beautifully in the Agora throughout the set. She fed off the energy of the boisterous crowd with every song. You could see her dance more freely and just have fun with songs like “Blackout Drunk” and “My Fun,” unleashing a spirit that brought even more drama to her performance. Suki’s ability to seamlessly switch moods and styles kept the energy dynamic and the audience engaged. These were some of my favorite moments of the show, where Waterhouse’s versatility as an artist became apparent to us in the audience.
“I’m so blessed to be here. I wasn’t even doing this a couple of years ago. This is just insane,” Waterhouse told the excited crowd.
As the stage went black before the encore, fans chanted, “Su-ki! Su-ki!” She walked back onstage to thunderous applause. Waterhouse couldn’t leave for good before giving her longtime fans songs like the 2016 single “Brutally,” which she performed solo at the piano, with Jane joining in on backing vocals. Waterhouse described this song as the first piece of music she wrote that she truly loved.
One of the show’s most memorable highlights was her final performance of “Good Looking,” the song that exploded on TikTok and catapulted her music career to new heights. Suki dove into an emotionally charged performance that felt like something straight out of a film. Wind machines added drama, while the band, sharp and polished, delivered one of their best performances of the night. It was the perfect way to close the show, with the audience belting every lyric in unison.
Suki Waterhouse’s stop in Cleveland on her Sparklemuffin tour was a testament to her versatility and growing prowess as an artist. Her live vocals are powerful, and her sense of aesthetic is fierce, with each new project, she seems further to carve out her unique place in the music world. If you’re searching for an underrated yet immensely talented voice in the indie-pop scene, Suki Waterhouse is one to watch.
Bully opened the show with a solid set of alt-rock songs, such as “Hard to Love” and “Trying,” which showcased her powerful vocals and guitar playing.
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