GALLERY + REVIEW: Rebecca Black - Boston, MA (3/31/25)

Apr 1

Rebecca Black
The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA - March 31st, 2025
Photos & words by Samantha Davidson (@samantha.s.photo.s)

Rebecca Black Saved Boston at The Salvation Tour

Pop icon Rebecca Black stopped by a sold-out Sinclair as part of The Salvation Tour. The last time the star was in town, she performed an acoustic set at Northeastern University, where she played her just-released single “TRUST!” This time, all Boston fans had the opportunity to hear her newest album live. The line extended around the venue, with most, if not all, outfits featuring sequins and sparkles. Two fans wore matching bedazzled American flag shirts, and one wrapped themselves in a gauze scarf and sunglasses, a remake of the look Black opens the show with.

The room buzzed with excitement as electronic duo Blue Hawaii kickstarted the night. They walked on stage as the preshow playlist featuring “Jolene” by Dolly Parton faded from the speakers. Lead singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston shared her love for the Parton, sharing that they also write all their music before diving into an opposite genre. Their bass-pounding melodic music infused the venue with energy, and the standout track, "Not My Boss!" empowered the crowd.

The lights finally dimmed again, and fans let out thunderous cheers. A 59-second countdown with cheeky visuals of remakes of religious billboards that said "Salvation is coming" began. "Friday (Remix)" blared through the speakers, bringing the audience back to where it all began. Now seen as the camp hit it truly is, the audience screamed the lyrics while waiting for Black to take the stage. She strutted out in furry knee-high boots, a playful “I’m <3 Confused” yellow shirt, a denim skort, sunglasses, and gauze fabric wrapped around her head and arms. Her dancers were adorned with disco hats, white bodysuits, and matching denim skirts. After being unwrapped, she dove into “Tears in My Pocket" with her dancing creating an immediate palpable command of the crowd. She wore a head mic while performing sharp choreography with ease, reminiscent of the captivating performances by Britney Spears. The level of production left endless visuals for the audience to take in. Moments like when her dancers wheeled her around on a platform while holding bar lights made it feel as if Black was commandeering a ship through the sea.

The singer split the show into three acts, with a high point of the night occurring during the fan-favorite track “American Doll.” The song is a perfect blend of hard-hitting production and poignant commentary about the expectations of women. A video of the singer seductively eating fast food and playing baseball in a revealing outfit touched on those double standards as Black changed for act two. The lights flashed green when the bass began, and Black appeared in a ruched cone bra denim set with a bullet belt. Her dancers carried briefcases of money, machine gun replicas, and dolls for them all to dance with.

For part three, Black referenced the Y2K aesthetic with a peekaboo bra moment, a leopard print set, and a floor-length fuzzy white coat. Fans sang louder than Black during the hyperpop hit "Sugar Water Cyanide." The star also performed more emotional tracks like "Worth It For The Feeling" where she stood solo and sang with a mic stand. Black crafted a setlist that effortlessly navigated the ebb and flow of her genre-spanning discography. Black returned for the final encore, performing the title track of her latest album, yelling “Are you ready to be saved?” before diving into “Salvation.” The audience held on to each lyric with bated breath, hoping the night wouldn't end.

Each element of Black's performance was a masterclass in the magic of live music. Aspects like the detailed choreography and lighting enhanced the music and underscored each song's themes. Black surprised her fans at her show in Los Angeles with the news that she would be opening for Katy Perry on The Lifetimes Tour. This will be Black’s first Arena tour, a stage she is clearly ready to conquer as the energy and level of production she brought to The Sinclair on March 31 was bursting at the seams. Make sure to catch Black live on The Salvation Tour before it ends in April and again on The Lifetimes Tour before it ends in November. Buy tickets here.