Linda Perry, best known for her brilliant song-writing abilities on 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” and Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” performed on Sept. 21 in collaboration with her nonprofit, EqualizeHer. Perry works with music-loving philanthropist Alisha Ballard through EqualizeHer to support aspiring female artists by providing them with resources, including professional training and hands-on experiences. 

Two of Perry’s EqualizeHer mentees — Mikquala Skelton and Kaitlyn Croker — opened the show. Skelton performed two original songs, “May Rain” and “LA,” both relatable and heartfelt songs that focus on themes of love and heartbreak. After her set, Perry took the stage to discuss the rehearsal process, noting how she advised Skelton to lower the key for the performance — specifically, a step down for “May Rain” and two steps down for “LA.” This showcased Perry’s dedication to mentoring female artists, as she assists with every performance detail. 

Croker performed several original songs with emotion and power, creating a beautiful experience for the audience. Taking in the environment while absorbing the music was inspiring. 

Perry took the stage shortly after, introducing her documentary “Let It Die Here,” which premiered at the Nashville Film Festival, and her upcoming album of the same name. The documentary surrounds Perry’s journey to rediscover her voice. Perry was used to successfully writing for many artists but wasn’t used to applying that talent personally. Saturday’s performance truly demonstrated that Perry has found her voice again after three years. The songs she sang came from a deeply personal place, inspired by her experiences of losing her mother and her connection to a park in San Diego. Rather than writing music for others, this time Perry was writing and performing it herself. 

Perry performed several songs from her upcoming album, including “Push Me in the River,” “What’s Going?” and “I Saw Heaven Fall from Her Eyes,” which reflect on her mother and what Perry described as the best gift she gave her: her death. 

“When she passed away, I became free,” Perry said. 

Perry also performed acoustic versions of some of her songs throughout the performance, including “Beautiful.” She concluded with “What’s Up?” which she dedicated to someone in the crowd. 

Thanks to her incredible stage presence, watching Perry perform was an incredible experience. She commanded the stage, moving with purpose and attacking each lyric with intense passion, making every song more impactful and memorable. It was clear she not only delivered a powerful performance but also had fun.