Early 2022: Through a grapevine of interviews and random searching on the internet

(*insert BS on the internet joke here) I was led to a model, actress, and not as-well known singer: Suki Waterhouse. At the time I started listening, she had 200,000 listeners on Spotify, but her songs: magic.  When I first listened to Suki Waterhouse, I had a full-on ‘Melrose Meltdown’. The downbeats and dreamy lyrics of ‘Good Looking’ made the song an absolute banger. One thought popped up in my head: “How is this song not more popular?”, but alas, a few months later the song blew up on TikTok and Spotify making the 200,000 listeners quickly reach 2,000,000. Needless to say, I was hooked on her music the second I first heard ‘Good Looking.’ 

A few months later I was blessed with her first album, I Can’t Let Go, releasing ten more songs to play on repeat. Then, her vinyl for the album was released: a gold Loser Edition (meaning first printing) of I Can’t Let Go. I wanted it so bad, but I just am not one to trust shipping vinyl because of potential damage. With the vinyl record in the back of ‘My Mind,’ I carried on, ‘Brutally.’

One humid day in June, Kate Novack ‘24 and I took a day trip down to Boston, visiting Newbury Street, the Commons where we rode on the swan boats and sat on the famous Good Will Hunting bench, Mike’s Pastry (the better pastry shop in the North End), and Faneuil Hall. But anyway, back to Newbury Street: the start of the morning- 9:00. Most shops were closed, so we paced around for hours, even accidentally walking into a closed H&M (but that’s not the point). Eventually, we made it to Newbury Comics, hoping to take a peek at their vinyl. I felt it was a perfect day to stumble on the perfect vinyl (and oh boy it was). Down in the basement, I searched and searched for that vinyl, the vinyl I would stumble upon and know this is the one I need, but that moment wasn’t happening. I found great records, but none of them were the one, but I refused to give up (sorry Kate) and kept looking, checking my Spotify for artists I listen to. Yet, in all this, I totally forgot about Suki’s vinyl which I had wanted. At this point, we are two hours into the search and I’m not having my Eureka moment. When suddenly, I remember: “Oh my gosh the Suki vinyl.”  So I run to W, flipping to find Waterhouse, but I’m thinking to myself: “There’s NO way they’re gonna have it because it’s like her first album. I don’t know if she’s big enough.” But then. There it was. In all its glory: “Suki Waterhouse.” One singular Loser Edition, gold vinyl of I Can’t Let Go. After two hours, I found it. The Vinyl I was looking for. All I can say was: I was ‘Blessed.’

A few months after this, Suki announced her US tour and I sprung to my phone. I had to go. Did I turn people into Suki fans so I wouldn’t go alone? Yes. Was It worth it? Absolutely;  I didn’t ‘slip’ up.

January 29th, 2023: today’s the day for Suki’s first US tour, and I am ready with my two Loser edition vinyl of I Can’t Let Go and Milk Teeth. Arriving 3 hours before check-in, Katrina Landry and I walked over to CVS where we bought a disposable camera and a teddy bear for Suki (I would like to make it clear I am the one who bought it, thank you).

Internally, I thought there was no way I would be able to give this to her, but it was a risk I would take. After a churro and horchata at a Mexican Restaurant next to Paradise Rock Club, Eliza Glaeser (who just joined us), Katrina, and I eventually made it to the VIP line where we saw Suki get out of her tour bus as she waved to us. Eventually, we were let in for Sound Check because of the VIP tickets we purchased. Let me just say, buying VIP tickets was the way to go. Once we got in, we got to the barricades- front row spots – as Suki sang us ‘Brutally.’ Hearing it live and in a very small group of around 4o seemed raw and emotional. She then explained she wanted to take Sound Check to talk to us and ask her questions. Looking for approval from Katrina, I knew this was my chance. I gave her the bear: she was so sweet and enjoyed that it was Chocolate scented- a moment I will never forget. I was honestly so surprised I met her seeing as I just started listening to her music one year ago. Now I’m here, giving her a teddy bear. Shocking, especially after the three of us were CONVINCED Katrina jinxed us when she said we were going to meet her (it’s probably because we knocked on tons of wood). 

Shortly after, the 900 other audience members were let in, and we waited. And waited. AND waited… but then, Blondshell came on stage, an amazing singer with two amazing guitarists, opening the show as they all dazzled on the stage and got us warmed up for Suki. (I totally recommend Blondshell by the way.) After another hour of waiting, Suki came out, singing and talking with the crowd, wearing a feathery green top with a pair of leather pants, oh and, by the way, Suki sings AMAZING live compared to others who can fail within the lights of the stage.

The show went by so fast, especially with a clear view that never distracted us away from her. Front row definitely has its perks from making eye contact to holding hands while being sung to (an experience of Katrina’s) to being able to high-five her during the last song of the concert. Ending with the song that started my love for her music, ‘Good Looking,’ it was sad to see the concert end, but it remains a memory that is forever formed and a concert hard to top.  The Suki Waterhouse concert, being my first concert ever, was memorable, intimate, stellar, and just made me have a ‘Melrose Meltdown.’ If you ever get the chance to see Suki live, do it because it no doubt was ‘The coolest place in the world.’ 

(Oh, and by the way, Listen to Suki, so you can understand my joke references)

By Abbie Lindblad ’24, Arts and Entertainment Editor and Managing Copy Editor

24alindblad@montroseschool.org