Rebecca Black’s “Friday” is a household tune for most people with access to the internet in the early 2010s. The catchy tune uploaded to YouTube in 2011 went on to receive 174 million views, remixes, countless memes, and, of course, loads of hate. Rebecca Black used her viral moment as a springboard to build a legitimate music career today.
Besides growing up, Rebecca also turned to DJing, electric pop, hip-hop choreography, and crafting her queer anthems to sold-out venues, such as her recent turn at 9:30 Club. She’s embraced her identity as a queer artist and continues to explore her creative voice.
At 9:30 Club on March 30, Black brought dancers, props, eye-catching visuals, and more to her Salvation Tour, promoting her 2025 EP of the same name. Calling it camp and theatrical, it’s clear she loves to be on stage and spreading her messages of inclusivity — now more than ever.
“This is the place to be exactly who you are,” she told her crowd. “This is the place to be exactly the person you have wanted to be.”
Like many artists who play a show in DC, Black did not shy away from speaking about politics in the nation’s capital. Black noted the last time she was in DC was six months ago, when the vibes, and political climate, in DC felt drastically different than March 2025.
“I want you to take everything they want you to think doesn’t exist — and break that [message]!”
Black kept her audience engaged for the entirety of her set using elements like visuals during her “Friday” remix intro with funny clips and psychedelic-like visuals. For her song “Sugar Water Cyanide,” she brought a fan on stage briefly with her and her dancers. It was as if over an hour, the crowd kept their hands up dancing.
Watch the official lyric video for “Sugar Water Cyanide” by Rebecca Black on YouTube:
The crowd was already pumped and excited by the time Black took the stage thanks to openers Blue Hawaii, who are a Canadian electronic music duo formed in 2010. Blue Hawaii consists of Raphaelle “Ra” Standell-Preston and Alexander “Agor” Kerby. Notatibly, in addition to their eight songs on their setlist, they did a remix/cover to Coldplay’s “Apologize.”
Blue Hawaii’s ability to blend emotive storytelling with vibrant electronic soundscapes has solidified them as a staple in electronic music scenes.
Seperated into three parts, the Salvation Tour felt like a true theatrical production or movie. It’s clear the past decade has been one new chapter after another for Black, and she is succeeding with flying vibrant colors (and flashing lights.) From internet infamy to artistic reinvention, Rebecca Black’s story is one of growth, empowerment, and creative freedom.
Setlist:
Friday
(Remix)
Tears in My Pocket
TRUST!
Twist the Knife
Act 2
American Doll
Crumbs
Do You Even Think About Me?
Sick to My Stomach
Personal
Act 3
Sugar Water Cyanide
Better In My Memory
Worth It For The Feeling
Read My Mind
(Rebecca Black feat. Slayyyter cover)
Girlfriend
Encore:
Salvation
(extended outro)
Here are some photos of Rebecca Black and Blue Hawaii performing at 9:30 Club on March 30, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Sami Pye.
