Review + Photos: Suki Waterhouse Proves Poised for Bigger Stages

The singer is selling out big rooms on her own after supporting Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour

Suki Waterhouse [Matt Bishop/Pop Vulture]

Suki Waterhouse is conquering the world.

Since the start of her career, she's modeled for Tommy Hilfinger and H&M, acted in movies and TV shows, toured with Taylor Swift, and performed at Coachella. Now, the "model/actress/whatever" is taking another step in her career by headlining big clubs across North America.

Suki Waterhouse transformed Philadelphia's Franklin Music Hall into an ethereal dreamscape during her sold-out stop on The Sparklemuffin Tour. Touring in support of her sophomore effort, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, Waterhouse delivered a performance that was both visually enchanting and emotionally resonant.

The stage design resembled a lush, enchanted forest, complete with twinkling lights and whimsical props, immersing the audience in a world that mirrored the album's introspective themes. This meticulous world-building was a testament to Waterhouse's commitment to creating a holistic artistic experience. She described the tour as an opportunity to "disappear into the music alongside with the audience," emphasizing the importance of visual elements in her performances.

Opening acts Debbii Dawson and Bully set the tone for the evening, warming up the crowd with their dynamic performances. After her Sub Pop labelmates got things going, Waterhouse took the stage to a deafening roar from the crowd. She launched right into her hit "Gateway Drug," and proceeded to captivate the audience with a setlist that spanned her entire catalog. Highlights included "Supersad," "OMG," "Johanna," and "The Devil I Know," each delivered with a blend of vulnerability and strength that has become her signature.

A standout moment was her performance of "Blackout Drunk," a track that encapsulates the album's exploration of personal growth and self-discovery. The song's doo-wop harmonies and introspective lyrics resonated deeply, creating a poignant atmosphere that lingered long after the final note.

The evening concluded with an encore featuring "Brutally" and her breakout hit "Good Looking," leaving the audience in a state of euphoria. Waterhouse's ability to blend visual artistry with musical depth made this concert a memorable chapter in her evolving career.

Last spring, Suki made her Coachella debut, closing out the Gobi stage both weekends. She performed her new singles “My Fun” and “Faded” along with fan favorites like “Nostalgia,” “Too Love,” “OMG,” and her newly-certified Platinum single “Good Looking,” along with a cover of the Oasis classic “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” 

Suki Waterhouse has seemingly worked nonstop since the May 2022 release of I Can’t Let Go, her major label debut. Later that year, she released the “Nostalgia” single and the Milk Teeth EP (featuring the newly Platinum-certified viral hit, “Good Looking”). In 2023, Suki released the monumental ballad “To Love.” She embarked on a wildly successful headline tour and would go on to perform in front of the largest festival crowds of her career in North and South America. 

In 2024, Suki released the jubilant “OMG” and the sparkling “My Fun” and “Faded” ahead of her well-received Coachella debut, closing out the Gobi stage. “To Love,” “OMG,” “My Fun,” and “Faded” will be on her forthcoming album due out this year.

Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is “a sprawling 18-track release that never outstays its welcome and features plenty of shining moments” (Associated Press). The album, which features the Top 10 AAA radio single “Supersad” and Suki’s masterful video for “Model, Actress, Whatever,” along with highlights “To Love,” “OMG,” “My Fun,” and ‘Faded,” is available worldwide from Sub Pop.  

Suki brought this body of work to life with the album’s Executive Producer, Eli Hirsch, as well as Jonathan Rado (Weyes Blood, Father John Misty, Beyonce), Brad Cook (Bon Iver, War on Drugs, Snail Mail), Greg Gonzalez (Cigarettes After Sex), Rick Nowels (James Blake, Lana del Rey), and Natalie Findlay and Jules Apollinaire of the band Ttrruuces (with whom she co-wrote “Good Looking”).