There’s something wonderfully surreal about attending a concert at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Walking through the historic grounds for the first time, you’re greeted by sprawling mausoleums, weathered headstones and generations of Los Angeles history resting beneath your feet. It’s impossible not to pause and think about how unusual the setting is. A place known for remembrance also transforms into one of the city’s most beloved live music venues, hosting concerts and outdoor movie nights under the stars. It’s an unexpected pairing that somehow makes perfect sense, and for my first visit, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction than seeing Suki Waterhouse bring her Loveland era to life.
Fresh off the start of her tour, Waterhouse arrived in Los Angeles for the second night of the Loveland Tour, turning the cemetery grounds into her own dreamy corner of the city.
By the time fans settled in, the venue had already become part concert, part summer picnic. Blankets stretched across the lawn, picnic baskets lined the back of the crowd and groups gathered with wine, snacks and disposable cameras, creating a scene that felt more like an evening with friends than a traditional concert. For those packed near the barricade, the payoff was an unobstructed view of the stage just as the sun began disappearing behind the palm trees.
It was the kind of golden-hour backdrop you couldn’t have planned better.
Welcome to Loveland
Before Waterhouse even appeared, the audience was welcomed into her world.
Judy Garland‘s timeless rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” echoed through the cemetery before a telephone rang across the speakers. A voice answered the call and warmly welcomed everyone to “Loveland,” immediately establishing the dreamlike universe surrounding Waterhouse’s newest record.
Then she emerged.
Dressed in a billowy two-piece lingerie-inspired outfit with oversized white sunglasses, Waterhouse embodied effortless cool. The stage, styled like a blush-toned bedroom complete with flowing drapery, extended the fantasy of Loveland into something tangible.
Opening with “Supersad,” she immediately commanded the audience. Her performance felt loose and confident, moving across the stage with ease while her band delivered punchy arrangements that gave every song extra momentum.
A Performer Who Knows How to Command a Crowd
While Waterhouse’s recordings often feel intimate, seeing them live adds an entirely different dimension.
Her vocals carried effortlessly across the lawn while she bounced between playful banter and moments of emotional vulnerability. Between songs, she cracked jokes, exchanged smiles with her bandmates and danced across the stage as though she were performing in her own bedroom, except now thousands of people had been invited inside.
The chemistry between Waterhouse and her musicians was undeniable. Every glance, laugh and musical cue reinforced how much fun they were having together, making the entire performance feel spontaneous without sacrificing precision.
Whether delivering dreamy ballads or more rock-leaning moments, the band matched Waterhouse’s energy from start to finish.
Loveland Comes to Life
Released July 10, Loveland marks Waterhouse’s latest musical chapter, featuring collaborations with Amy Allen, Aaron Dessner, Joel Little, Dan Wilson, Jules Apollinaire and Natalie Findlay, with bonus track “18” arriving shortly after the album’s release.
The record explores romance, heartbreak and self-discovery through shimmering indie-pop production, and many of those songs found new life onstage.
Waterhouse previously described the album to Rolling Stone as reflecting a deeply personal transformation.
“I felt like I’ve been through such a seismic change… The record, it’s always sort of somewhat of a surprise to me, the shape that it takes,” she said. “I think Loveland is this place that I’ve arrived in within myself.”
That emotional thread remained present throughout the evening, but the show never became heavy. Instead, it encouraged celebration, confidence and embracing wherever life happens to take you.
Midway through the set, Waterhouse challenged the audience with a message that quickly earned cheers.
“I want you to seize the moment right now. Kiss the guy. Ask for whatever you want.”
The crowd didn’t need much convincing.
An Audience That Fit the Fantasy
One of the most enjoyable parts of the evening was simply watching the audience.
Fashion played almost as much of a role as the music itself. The billowy lingerie, tall boots, and white-framed sunglasses complemented Waterhouse’s aesthetic, making it feel as though everyone had collectively understood the assignment.
The audience also reflected just how broad Waterhouse’s appeal has become. Teenagers sang every lyric beside longtime fans who have followed her career for years, while parents joined their children for the experience.
A Perfect Los Angeles Surprise
As the evening came to a close, Waterhouse became visibly emotional while thanking what she called a “sea full of new friends.”
Then came one final surprise.
During the encore, she welcomed Beck to the stage, introducing him as both a “massive inspiration” and her neighbor before joking that the pair are “the resident weirdos.”
Together, they performed “Weirdo,” their voices blending beautifully in what quickly became one of the night’s standout moments. It felt uniquely Los Angeles in the best possible way, a surprise collaboration that no one saw coming but somehow made complete sense.
A Tour Worth Following
There’s a reason Waterhouse continues building such a devoted fanbase.
She doesn’t simply perform songs, she creates a fully realized world that audiences get to inhabit for a couple of hours. From the carefully crafted visuals to the effortless charm she brings between songs, Loveland feels less like an album and more like an invitation.
And there may not be a more fitting place to begin that journey than Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where history, music and a California sunset collide in unforgettable fashion.
If Waterhouse’s Los Angeles stop is any indication, her Loveland Tour is shaping up to be one of this summer’s most enchanting live experiences.
Click here for tour dates and ticket information.
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