Nessa Barrett’s “jesus loves a prima donna” stop at Thalia Hall on April 7 felt more like stepping into a mood than just another show. Thalia Hall always has that intimate Chicago feel, but this one really leaned into it. Even before she came out, the string quartet and the dark, dressed-up crowd set the tone right away for that whole dark romantic vibe she’s going for right now.
Her being walked out by two suited escorts was simple, but it worked. The whole setup was minimal, and it didn’t need to be anything more because everything was carried through her voice and how she moved through each song. Nothing felt rushed or thrown together, like the setlist was one continuous flow instead of a bunch of separate moments.
Nessa’s voice live was honestly the biggest thing. Way more controlled than you’d expect, especially on “West Coast Prayer” and “American Jesus,” where she kept it really restrained and let the emotion do the work. Then she flips it on songs like “Gaslight” and “HIGH ON HEAVEN” where there’s a little more edge. Even the “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” cover felt stripped back and personal instead of trying to do too much with it.
The middle of the set was easily the strongest stretch. “lucky star” into “KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME BOY” into “Black Haired Madonna” kept that balance between soft and dark, and you could feel how locked in the room was during that run. She’s not overperforming or trying to fill space, she just lets the songs sit and trusts her voice to carry everything, which worked perfectly in a room like Thalia.
By the time she got to “Stay With Me” and “i wanna die,” it felt fully intimate. The set wasn’t long, but it didn’t need to be. It felt tight, intentional, and exactly what it needed to be. More than anything, it showed how much she’s leaning into her voice right now, and that’s what actually makes the whole show stick with you after it’s over.
GALLERY: Nessa Barrett at Thalia Hall in Chicago, Illinois (April 7, 2026)
