The fifth night of Ariana Grande’s current 10-night residency for her Eternal Sunshine tour was a magnificent display of the star power she currently occupies. Showcasing her 2024 album, she also infused some of her biggest hits into the mix, along with a few moments from her latest offering, Petal. Overall, the show confirmed why she is one of the strongest offerings in pop music today.
The show began with visuals that felt like an extension of her Eternal Sunshine Greater Days Ahead visual offering, and the sold-out crowd roared with energy as the curtain dropped. The lead single “Yes, And?” began. From there, the next two hours flew by, with a few pauses for outfit changes. The show was split into 5 parts, bringing her Eternal Sunshine universe to life while also incorporating some of her other classical music moments, with her band and a slew of dancers joining her on stage. Everything from the production to the set design, lighting, and visuals brought the show to life, creating an immersive theatrical experience.
London holds a special place for Ariana, from living here throughout the filming of Wicked to this being the only European show on her tour. The love and appreciation she received from her fans was something she addressed before going into “Hampstead,” saying to the crowd, “I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you so much for being here and for all of your love. Not just now but for the past 15 years. I never take any of this for granted, and thank you for being by my side.” It’s no secret that the last few months have been tough, and one thing about an Ariana Grande fan is that they are going to stand by their queen. On the heels of what will be a much-needed step back from the spotlight, this show does feel like a celebration of where Ariana is at this stage of her career. Vocally, she really showed us the performer she is.
The show’s standout moments included the live looping into “Eternal Sunshine,” showcasing her raw vocals to an empty arena before delivering the album title. Other album highlights included “Twilight Zone” and “Imperfect For You”. Bringing some of her fan favourites also drew the right responses as fans heard “One Last Time”, “Position”, “Into You” and “Break Free”. “Dangerous Woman” and “Past Life” delivered the emotional intensity those songs brought to the show’s story. “Just Like Magic” and “Safety Net”, as well as the Lady Gaga-featured track “Rain On Me”, were what I thought to be surprises on the setlist—yet delivered in every sense of the word. The vocal performances of Eternal Sunshine were what stood out when you listen to the album, and so naturally delivering those to the stage was somewhat of a high expectation, as they are played in vocal harmonies, stacking and textures that would seem difficult to replicate live; yet even as she delivered her bridge on “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Warm”, those performances excelled. The transition into the air as she closed out the show with “Supernatural” felt like an ascension into the unknown of what comes next.
Ariana’s artistry has been a journey to witness, filled with trials and tribulations along the way, as somebody who experienced her live for the first time. I can understand the lore and why she has been able to maintain and carry on the career she has. Her ability to delve into a variety of genres, whether it be pop, R&B, EDM, and everything in between, she can put her own stamp on it, with what feels like somewhat of a closing of a chapter until we see what comes next for her. This was a sensational and powerful celebration of her career thus far, and it felt like the natural conclusion to this era.
Words by Seneo Mwamba
Photography Julian Dakdouk
