Seeing an artist live that you know will make it big one day is truly something special. On August 16th, at the Sultan Rooftop in Brooklyn, I had the pleasure of experiencing Pearl live. A hot sunny day led to a perfect evening rooftop show filled with excitement and great music.
Pearl, also known as Hope Waidley, originally from Michigan, moved to LA at 20 to dedicate herself to her career in music. Traveling with her sister, Clara Waidley, throughout the country, trying to find a sense of stability amidst the craziness of performing and moving around. She is a singer-songwriter who’s passionate about writing songs full of vulnerability from her experiences, accompanied by breathtaking vocals. Listening to her music, you hear her stories sonically, told through bold lyricism and intriguing instrumentals that draw influences from older alternative rock.
My own discovery of Pearl was through TikTok, her user @unaestheticsurferpearls, where she posts candid videos, promotes her music, or famously, surfs in platform heels. The promo for her single “No Man” caught my attention, a song about the importance of wanting to be independent and separate from a man. Not relying on them to feel good or valuable, but rather finding that value within yourself. Once the song was released, I knew Pearl was an artist I would continue to love. Her raspy vocals, emotional delivery, a very 70s rock-inspired sound, and vivid lyrics captivated me.
Arriving at the venue and seeing fans all dressed in the same style as Pearl was heartwarming. Micro shorts, cheetah print, eclectic jewelry, and heels surged on the rooftop. Not only does this show the love and appreciation for Pearl, but it also shows the community that is brought together. This has become one of my favorite things about going to concerts recently. There is a certain aesthetic to an artist that fans see, then show up and show out for them!
As her band began playing, Pearl danced with fans before getting on stage to sing “I Like You But.” A small gesture connecting her to the audience. The energy at just the first song foreshadowed the rest of the show's liveliness. She jumped around the stage, whipping her hair, then introducing the crowd to her vocals. While mesmerized, we all jumped and sang along with her. Onto the second song, “Hungry,” which showed her range in style and stage presence. More of a groovier track, Pearl’s yearning vocals blended beautifully with the instrumentals.
“Fuck It Up,” released earlier this year, further proved how much she loves engaging with the audience while performing. Letting the crowd sing the chorus and dancing along with us. Pearl’s band went nuts, showcasing their individual talents. Drummer Devin Robinson keeps a steady beat as the lyrics speak for themself, and guitarist Kyle Blackman and his guitar solo command the stage.
An unreleased track, “Groupies,” continued with that 70’s rock vibe, with Marley Striem showing off deep bass lines blending along Blackman’s riff-driven guitar, creating a harmonious blend of grooves. Robinson thundered behind Pearl, sonically emphasizing her eccentric dancing and headbanging.
The fifth track, “Wonder,” truly displayed Pearl’s ease in switching from a more upbeat, exciting song to a slower, more vulnerable side of her discography. With raw lyricism, her vocals shone during this performance. Emotion was palpable with every line she sang. So much soul in her delivery, with just an outright beautiful melody. Then, a bass solo that soothes the crowd as enticing drums continue.
Another popular single released last year, “Methamphetamines,” sent the audience into an uproar. A song depicting an unhealthy, strenuous relationship, where the storytelling in the lyricism alone keeps you hooked—and even more so when you hear it live. Pearl’s level of emotion in singing the track was like she had just written it. Feeding off the high energy from the crowd, Pearl and her band only grew more enthusiastic in their performance. The well-known guitar riff in the song left a lingering sense of needing to hear more, along with the unapologetically truthful and stimulating performance.
Pearl covered the one and only Lana Del Ray’s “Radio,” which naturally made every girl in the audience melt while singing along. A version with a grungier electric guitar added, the instrumentals were strong. While admiring the show, I think to myself, “Many aspire to have the stage presence she and her band have.” Effortlessness in captivating the audience, dancing full out for each track, and all around, a performance you get lost in watching.
“Passenger Princess” is a newly released, slower ballad including Pearl's raspy, yearning vocals. An emotional chorus depicts the want for a healthy relationship, but it falls short: “All I want to be is your girl / But here I am being more of a man than you.” Her sister, Clara Waidley, on backup vocals, harmonized beautifully as Pearl put all of her energy into singing the bridge.
As a short interlude, in each show Pearl chooses a ‘princess’ from the crowd to come on stage, wear a tiara, and deliver a speech. Such a fun, exciting way she connects to her fans and allows them to be a bigger part of the show. An instrumental plays in the back as the chosen princess spins on stage and embraces Pearl. She emphasizes the importance of showing up for yourself and never changing for anyone. As the crowd cheers her on, the energy in the room shifts from eager excitement of the show to a moment of connecting to the music and the community created.
During an unreleased track, Blackman on the guitar shreds a sick solo while in the background, you can see Pearl pouring red wine into her bandmate's mouth. Chaotic energy that only continues as the princess of the night returns to the stage. They were just having fun. Hot girls having fun. That’s rock and roll.
Nearing the end of the show, everyone on stage was sweating from how humid it was on the roof, but they played through it. A cover of “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd left me feeling sonically elevated. The drums powerfully lingered after each hit, having us all jump and dance around. Pearl’s vocals blended with the guitar riffs, creating a conversation within itself, something beyond verbal communication. Music can communicate in unique ways, especially when performed authentically.
To end the night on a high note, Pearl finished with “No Man,” her most-streamed track released at the start of 2024. This song resonates for many, calling out the girls with so much love, strength, and fire in their hearts to recognize they are more than staying with a man who dims their light. The famous chorus goes, “I don’t want to worry ‘bout no man / No man, no man, no man.” This is part of the show where she calls girls to come on stage to sing the song. “First come, first serve!” she yells. Naturally, everyone swarmed onto the stage, blending in with the band. On an elevated surface higher up than the stage, Pearl began her song, and everyone on that roof and stage screamed along with her. Yet again, a beautiful way she connects to her audience, her people. That last song tied the whole night together for me. So much passion and energy exuded from her even after an hour set in the heat.
The Let Girls Be Hot Tour was engaging, impressive, and so fun. It was an honor to watch Pearl in person and deliver such a raw and exciting show for Brooklyn. There are artists who are on stage for the hell of it, but with this show, anyone would be able to tell she truly loves to perform and connect with people. To me, that is what music is about. Connection. In every capacity.
Keep up with Pearl’s latest song releases and follow her socials. You wanna be able to say you were here from the start!
Written by: Amy Kapel
Photography: Adriana Rivera
