Kesha Kicks Off New Chapter at Hard Rock Live in Atlantic City

The platinum-selling singer performed at Etess Arena just hours before the release of her first independent single

Kesha live Atlantic City 2024 — Kesha [Matt Bishop/Pop Vulture]

Freedom.

Last night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, Kesha let us all know just what freedom sounds like. Just hours before the release of her first independent single, the multi-platinum singer took the stage inside Etess Arena and gave a liberating performance to celebrate with her fans. The song, "Joyride," which dropped last night, marks the start of a new chapter for Kesha, as it is her first independent release on her namesake label, Kesha Records.

Check out the setlist from the show plus our full live photo gallery below.

The new single's title is poignant, as Kesha seems to be taking the stage now with a newfound sense of peace. Just over a year ago, she released her fifth studio album, Gag Order. The LP completed her five-album committment to Kemosabe, an imprint of RCA Records. The Kemosabe label was founded by Dr. Luke, who produced Kesha's first two albums. Although the records were commercial juggernaunts that shot Kesha to stardom, she would later sue Dr. Luke for alleged sexual, emotional, and physical abuse in 2014. After nearly a decade of counter-suing and not being released from the record deal she signed when she was just 18-years old, Kesha and Dr. Luke/Kemosabe settled out of court last June.

Now, Kesha's just out for a Joyride.

As Kesha was taking the stage last night, the words "What does freedom sound like?" were displayed on a huge LED screen behind her. It eventually transitioned to a massive "FREEDOM" moniker. As the spotlight hit her, she was grinning from ear to ear. It was a moment of clarity, and pure joy, as she kicked off the next chapter of her career with a new song, aptly titled "Freedom."

She followed her opening number up with "Cannibal" and "Backstabber," and then launched into her chart-topping smash, "Tik Tok." The song, which sold over 8 million copies, has long been a staple in Kesha's set. In the keeping with fighting the good fight, Kesha has tweaked the track's opening line to send a clear message to disgraced entertainment icon P. Diddy. Originally recorded as, "Wake up in the morning feelin' like P. Diddy," Kesha changed the lyric back in April while performing with Reneé Rapp at Coachella. Holding a middle finger to the sky, she belted out, "Wake up in the morning, like, fuck P. Diddy." The rapper-turned-entrepreneur has recently been embroiled in a slew of sexual assault and human trafficking accusations and lawsuits. While investiations and proceedings are on-going, Kesha is using her platform and past experiences to call out abuse.

As the show went on, it was an absolute barrage of hits. A more casual fan of Kesha and pop music in general may forget for a hot second just how many bangers she has in her catalog. From "Tik Tok" and "Your Love Is My Drug," to her colossal duet with Pitbull, "Timber," Kesha has been a keysyone on pop music's soundtrack for nearly 15 years. All the aformentioned tracks garnered a huge reaction from the crowd last night, with fans singing every single word.

She wrapped things up with her fist-pumping anthem, "Blow."

With the capacity crowd wanting more, Kesha returned to the stage for a two-track encore than began with a powerful rendition of her ballad, "Praying." During the performance, she was nearly drowned out by the crowd singing along with her. She turned the mood more upbeat with her closer, "We R Who We R." The chart-topping, five-times platinum smash hit is an anthem for all, and perhaps Kesha's best singular piece of work. It was the perfect way to cap off a great concert, and it left fans absolutely stoked for whatever is coming next.

Kesha is reportedly working on her upcoming sixth studio album. The record is set to feature the newly released "Joyride," as well as the song "Freedom" which she has been performing at her live shows. Her last album, 2023's Gag Order, was produced by Kesha herself. Renowned producer Rick Rubin (Metallica, Jay Z, Ed Sheeran) co-produced the album with Kesha, and she recorded it at is Shangri-La Studio in Malibu, California. The album received a favorable reaction from fans, and postive reviews from critics.