Wow, what a year-and-a-half it has been for Ariana Grande. Upon releasing her fourth and fifth studio albums, Sweetener and thank u, next, just a mere six months apart, headlining Coachella, and breaking record after record on the Billboard charts, Ariana continues to shine her light as she reaches month three of her “Sweetener World Tour.”
I had the amazing opportunity to meet and see her live for the first time last Friday when she performed in Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center (shout out to my brother for this wonderful Christmas gift), and I’ve gotta say…I’m not sure why this was my first time seeing her live. I’ve been a fan since her lovable portrayal of Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon’s Sam & Cat, but that love only continued to grow after her debut album, Yours Truly. I try not to put Disney or Nickelodeon stars in a box, but I was surprised to hear the 90’s influences in her music. Not to mention, the voice she had at just 19, was enough for anyone to become an instant fan. The best part about it, is her stage presence and vocal ability continue to improve, and she showcases it all on this tour.
The M&G VIP Package included entry to her soundcheck dance party / Q&A session, entry to the pre-show lounge with a free drink ticket, a general admission pit ticket, merchandise items, and of course, a photo with Ariana. During the soundcheck dance party / Q&A session, our phones were locked away in a Yondr bag, which allowed fans to be present in the moment and really connect with Ariana. Without giving away too many details, fans also get a chance to win merchandise during the Q&A session. Ariana was so sweet; unapologetically herself, relatable, and you can tell she genuinely cares about her supporters. She doesn’t shy away from expressing her gratitude and treats fans like they’re friends.
Visually, the show had a very space-esque feel to it..maybe as an homage to her “God is a Woman” music video (she opens the show with this song), or her widely loved song, “NASA”, but there were many images of Earth or the moon throughout the show. The vibrancy of colors were also stunning; lots of pinks that mimicked her thank u, next album cover decorated the main screen at times, as well as some occasional blues, greens, and purples to match her outfit changes.
In terms of stage presence, vocally, Ariana went above and beyond. She sounded almost exactly like she does on her records–at times, even better. With how many shows this tour calls for, you can tell she really takes care of her voice and is committed to giving her fans a memorable show. For a few songs that called for it, such as “Needy” or “goodnight n go,” Ariana kept it very intimate, sitting on the edge of the stage to fully connect with the audience. Not only did she sing a whopping 30-song setlist live, but she did so with choreography and full-blown energy. Very few artists these days can sing in tune and dance simultaneously, but Ariana made it clear that she was meant to be a performer. She used the entire stage incredibly well.
It should be noted that the bag policy calls for only clear bags allowed through the concert doors. Although some may not be a fan of this policy, it is an understandable request, following the 2017 Manchester attacks. Security is very strict on this policy, but Ariana has made it clear that it is for her fans’ safety, and I respect her for not taking the situation lightly. There were also voter registration booths outside the venue per her initiative, #ThankUNextGen, which encourages concertgoers to register to vote / allow voices to be heard. I loved this partnership with HeadCount, and it shows that she aims to make a change with more than just her music.
Overall, this was one of my favorite concerts I’ve been to, just based on the energy alone. The setlist was perfect for a stadium setting and there were literally no empty seats in sight. With five albums already under her belt and an incredibly loyal fanbase, Ariana Grande has already made a historic mark in the music industry at just twenty-five years old. The best part about it? She’s still capable of so much more. Thank you, Ariana, for such a wonderful concert experience.
