Carol Ades closes Worst Person in the World tour with a stunning finale

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“I’m kind of tired so if you guys want to keep singing, that’s fine with me.”

Man, last night’s Carol Ades show in DC was insane! Seriously, the place – Atlantis – was packed with like 400 people, and we were all screaming the lyrics to ‘Worst Person in the World‘ with her. Carol herself was amazing, as always. If you’ve ever seen her live, you know she never has an off night – ‘kind of tired’ just isn’t in her vocabulary!

After a brisk 80 minutes and 20 songs, no one seemed the least bit tired.

Most people first discovered Ades 13 years ago when she competed on season five of The Voice. Back then, she was known as Caroline Pennell and was just 17 years old. She finished in the top eight, performing covers of artists like Florence and the Machine and Ellie Goulding, including a particularly charming rendition of the White Stripes’ “We’re Going to Be Friends.”

After thirteen years, Ades has stopped performing covers. Now, she has enough original songs to play a full show.

Carol Ades brings the drama to DC’s Atlantis

It’s tempting to compare Ades to other popular young female singers known for their powerful voices and openness. However, after reading an interview where she discussed how comparisons can stifle creativity, I’ll avoid doing so.

Her unique and varied taste in music – a mix of comedy, theatrics, and different genres – reminds me more of artists like Nellie McKay and Jill Sobule than of today’s mainstream pop stars.

I just stated I wouldn’t make comparisons, and then I did exactly that. It’s similar to how Carol Ades often structures her songs – she’ll start one way and then unexpectedly shift direction.

Many pop songs begin quietly and then build to catchy, powerful choruses. This isn’t a groundbreaking approach, but Ades stands out because she executes it exceptionally well – in fact, she doesn’t have a single weak track.

Second, she writes some of the sharpest, wittiest lyrics in modern pop.

The song explores the conflicting feelings of wanting fame and appreciating everyday joys. It’s a world where small details feel huge – like the singer obsessing over her appearance while waiting for something to be fixed – but a sense of realism always reminds you what truly matters.

The contrast between these ideas was especially obvious during the show with the back-to-back performances of “Special” and “Normal Feelings.”

I’m independent and self-assured. I’ll help you forget your troubles, and just a touch from me can leave you breathless. I know what I want and I don’t need anything else.

Instead of a powerful, energetic chorus, the song ‘Special’ focuses on a tender longing to feel unique, and the audience responded by illuminating the venue with their phone lights, creating a scene reminiscent of a folk festival.

Then “Normal Feelings” flips the script, but not before opening with…

“Dating boys with heroin addictions
Dad I’m gonna be an independent musician.

The energy immediately shifted with the upbeat pop song “Good Swimmer.” Ades, backed by Jake Chatelain on drums and Maddie Eliasson on guitar, was constantly moving, dancing across the stage. She even brought a couple of fans up to share in the fun during “Turns Out I’m Amazing,” and kept the audience energized throughout the entire night.

She handled an early microphone problem and some guitar feedback from Eliasson with remarkable ease, almost as if she’d anticipated them. While these issues weren’t planned, Ades seems to perform best when things are a little unpredictable. Before starting her song “Familiar Hell,” she explained her philosophy: “I’d rather deal with a known struggle than risk an unknown future.”

She ended the night with energetic performances of “Late Start” and “Dreams.” She then returned for an encore, playing two more popular songs – “Sadtown, USA” and “That’s My Girl,” which she dedicated to Eliasson. The audience sang along to every line.

Singer-songwriter Julip, from New York, kicked off the show with a 30-minute performance and was brought back for a rare encore as the opening act. While she uses technology to enhance her vocals and guitar, Julip focuses on connecting with the audience rather than getting lost in her equipment.

The singer’s performance was a hit, with fans enthusiastically demanding an encore. She initially said no, but when the sound engineer gave her a signal of approval, she agreed. She was surprised, though, that the crowd specifically requested “Lobotomy,” which hadn’t gotten much attention online.

Hearing the opening line, “Lou Reed, are you watching over me?” makes me want to include that song in our standard performances.

Carol Ades isn’t currently scheduled to tour, and after her energetic performances, a break is probably well-deserved. However, she’s likely to be back on stage soon, perhaps at larger venues. While her first album, ‘A Late Start,’ suggests she began her career a bit later, and her recent EP, ‘The Worst Person in the World,’ playfully acknowledges imperfections, it’s clear that Carol Ades is a rising star.

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2026-05-15 14:30