The 16 Sweetest Moments Of Ariana Grande's Sweetener World Tour
The 16 Sweetest Moments Of Ariana Grande's Sweetener World Tour
By Emilee Lindner
Goosebumped and shivering, thousands flocked to the gates of Buffalo, N.Y.’S KeyBank Center on Friday night (March 22), where Ariana Grande launched into night No. 3 of her Sweetener World Tour. The aroma of wing sauce and French fries wafted into nostrils as a horde of blown-out curls breezed through security (thanks to Ariana’s post-Manchester bag rules), heels clicking past vestibules of Labatt Blue to watch Social Home and Normani kick off the next three hours.
Despite tapping into stan Twitter and veraciously following Ariana’s socials, I had avoided all of the Sweetener spoilers I may. However even right after sneaking a peek at the setlist on the train ride up to Buffalo, I still had several surprises lying ahead as soon as Ms. Grande strutted into the arena to start a mind-altering musical mission through space, time, love, and riches. And lucky for you, we’re breaking it all down below.
BAGS SCHMAGS
Let’s get the boilerplate stuff off to the side. Ariana implored her fans to opt out of bags... Or at least proposed they pick small plastic ones. I purchased one from her website, yet damnitall, it did not arrive in time for the show. Thankfully, I was able to check my tote — containing the computer I typed this on, deodorant along with a change of underwear (TMI?) — At customer services. Phew! Anyway, getting through security was a dream because there was nothing to hold it up.
THE SEARCH FOR MERCH
Light pink and ‘00s themed, the merch held retro-looking tees and, no, the “dick stain” shirt was nowhere to be noticed.
NORMANI NAILS IT
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Ariana Grande
You guys, we need to talk about Normani. In the words of Nicki Minaj, Normani really is “that bitch.” And she understands it. Case in point, the former Fifth Harmony member used Nicki’s legendary VMA words in a collage of headlines that intro’d her efficiency. Looking like a sexy disco ball, Normani showed off her incredible dance skills between a medley of Rihanna covers and 5H throwbacks, and also fan-favorite “Love Lies” and her newest track with 6lack, “Waves.” Don't because surprised if Mani is headlining arenas in just a number of years.
WELCOME TO THE LAST SUPPER
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Ariana Grande
Any time Ariana finally took center stage to “Raindrops” and “God Is A Woman,” she recreated her Last Supper choreo from the VMAs — just as we predicted.
THIGH-HIGHS OVER GUYS
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Ariana Grande
Beyoncé has her leotards, Justin Bieber has his Nirvana tees, Lorde has her Adidas, and Ariana? Ariana has her thigh-high boots. Six pairs to be exact. Versace designed all of her ‘fits for the tour, including boots of the white latex, black latex, plaid latex,x and red latex variety. Who needs pants anyway?
WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Ariana Grande
It makes brilliant sense that a giant celestial orb clung to the center of the stage. Very on brand. Right considering that, a couple of months prior, Ariana dedicated a multi-snap Instagram Story just to the planet Jupiter. The outer-space theme worked beautifully any time it came time for “NASA” or once a massive moon dropped from the ceiling for “Goodnight n Go.”
A MARATHON SETLIST
Your girl played nearly 30 songs over the course of the night — which means there was very little talking and some singing. Ten songs came from Sweetener and nine came from Thank U, Next. She also threw in an oldie-but-goodie medley for the OG fans, including “Right There,” “You'll Never Know,” and “Break Your Heart Right Back.”
UNDER COVER
Not only did Ari cover Frank Ocean’s “Close To You,” although she remade Marilyn Monroe’s “My Heart Belongs To Daddy” as well.
CAMEOS
While we hear the voices of Nicki, Childish Gambino, and Big Sean (some fans assured me they’re not dating, just hanging) while in the show, she didn’t bring out any of her well known companions. In Boston, two nights earlier, she invited 2 Chainz onstage to perform “Rule The World.” Nothing like that in Buffalo, unless you count Goldie Hawn in the First Wives Club clip she played or the Wall-E and Eve cartoons caught in her backdrop.
JUMP IN THAT CADILLAC
Yep, Ariana brought a vehicle onstage. To top it off, while in “7 Rings” — currently the No. 1 song in the country, by the way — the car got spray painted with the city name: Buffalo!
BABY ARI
Just to prove how much of a glow-up Ariana has had — and to prove how little she’s changed — concertgoers were treated a vintage vid of our tiny Grande going full Jim Carrey by reciting an entire monologue from Bruce Almighty (a movie that takes place in Buffalo, N.Y., So, appropriate).
DIFFERENT POV
However in spite of the fact that the Nicholson brothers weren’t as present in the dance troupe as they were in previous tours, they still played the piece of creative directors, with one of those filming Ariana for “The Light Is Coming,” so making a live music video right on the catwalk.
REGISTER TO VOTE
in the event you took a meal break, you can also register to vote. Ariana hosted nonprofit HeadCount at the show in hopes to get fans involved in democracy!
SHARING IS CARING
No one can ever mention Ariana doesn’t treat her fans well. For “Bloodline,” she dragged around a number of jewels to share with her Arianators in the pit. She even pulled a lipstick from her bra and tossed it into the crowd! It was at that point I wished I would’ve shelled out cash for that VIP upgrade, although I’m not ready for my receipts to look like phone numbers just yet.
I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND
We stan a queen who holds her fans’ hands while performing. Ariana did just that while in “One Last Time,” which has become an anthem for her fans soon following the tragic Manchester bombing while in the Dangerous Woman Tour.
THANK U, NEXT
Ariana abandoned us with “No Tears Left To Cry,” however not so fast! Right after fans began chanting “Thank U, Next,” each time getting louder, the Sweetener crew came out to perform Ariana’s first-ever No. 1 song. Does that mean "thank you... Next concert?" Excuse me Once I cruise StubHub for the next tour date.
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