Kelsy Karter & The Heroines recently played Pearl Street Warehouse. The band also played Pearl Street in 2025 and always seems to be in a great mood when performing in Washington, DC. While I did not get to see the show in 2025, the great reviews I read definitely made me want to catch the 2026 tour.
The performance on Saturday was outstanding, and the band is in great form, especially after so many shows in 2025, when they opened for Halestorm on numerous occasions.
Karter first emerged onto the rock scene in 2019 when she plastered an image of Harry Styles on her face, drawing global attention while releasing her track “Harry.”
At Pearl Street Warehouse on June 13, Karter and the band burst onto the stage and opened with a great rendition of “God Knows I’ve Tried.” The song, which I feel showcases Karter’s voice at its raw best, has a cathedral-like feel that quickly allowed the band to establish a strong foundation for the night’s show.
Dressed in her signature silk and lace, Karter emits a raw, sexual energy onstage as she belts out lyrics, dances, moves across the stage, and even falls to the floor while singing in unison with the band. The Heroines provide a full-fledged rock show from beginning to end. Her ability to project her voice into higher registers is amazing and remains one of the best vocal displays in rock today.
By the time “Love Goes On” arrived, The Heroines had definitely found their groove for the evening, delivering some fantastic guitar work. “Hotel Flamingo” also stood out as a great song in the set. The Heroines play a tight set and bring a classic-rock feel to their music as well.
Watch the official music video for “Hotel Flamingo” by Kelsy Karter & The Heroines on YouTube:
“Catch Me If You Can” may be the song that best highlights Karter’s dynamic vocal range, and it is definitely one of my favorites from the current tour set. It’s a catchy, upbeat song that features some very nice vocals from Karter. Near the end of the set, “Runaway” showcased the beauty of Karter’s voice in ballad form. It is one of several songs that makes you feel as though you are watching an orchestra perform. The songs are very well written, and the music helps elevate them even further.
At one point during the set, Karter jumped from the stage and danced and sang while lying on the floor, surrounded by audience members who sang and danced along with her. While this has become a regular part of her show, it remains one of the most popular moments because it brings her stage presence directly into the audience. They clearly loved it.
Near the end of the set, Karter delivered a great version of her signature song, “Harry.” The track is highly modern and eclectic, with a European dance-rock vibe that rivals any music of this style being heard around the globe today. It remains one of my favorites in Karter’s ever-growing catalog.
Karter and the band finished with “Liquor Store on Mars,” a rocking song that had the audience fully engaged and served as a fitting conclusion to a great night. The band promised they would return to Washington, DC, and the fans in attendance were clearly excited to hear it.
Setlist:
1. God Knows I’ve Tried
2. Devil on My Shoulder
3. Love Goes On
4. Hotel Flamingo
5. The Muse
6. Laser to the Heart
7. Cover You
8. Catch Me if You Can
9. Stick to Your Guns
10. Holding Out for a Hero
11. Runaway
12. Lightning in a Bottle
13. Love Made Me Do It
14. Harry
15. Liquor Store on Mars
Here are some photos of Kelsy Karter & The Heroines performing live at Pearl Street Warehouse on June 13, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
