The renowned 33-year-old artist, Ariana Grande, commenced her highly anticipated London residency, the first of ten nights at the North Greenwich venue, with a spectacular entrance. A descending curtain unveiled her in a striking black corset, perfectly complemented by her band’s similar attire, setting the tone for an electrifying performance.
As the evening neared its close, Grande expressed her profound gratitude to the audience, declaring them "by far the loudest" of her tour thus far and describing their unwavering support throughout the run as "overwhelming." Amidst the roar of ear-splitting screams, she conveyed her appreciation, stating, "I’m so grateful to be doing this with you all… these 10 dates are the last stop on this tour." She further emphasized her good fortune and thankfulness towards her dedicated fans.
The meticulously crafted setlist predominantly featured tracks from her acclaimed 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine, along with selections from her latest release, Petal. Fans were also treated to her most iconic hits, including "Into You," "Thank U, Next," and "7 Rings," alongside a powerful cover of Lady Gaga’s "Rain On Me." Addressing the exuberant crowd shortly after taking the stage, Grande exclaimed, "London, it’s so good to see us, isn’t it? Welcome to the Eternal Sunshine tour."
The elaborate staging elevated the concert experience, transforming the venue with creative elements such as a rundown house and a lighting rig that ingeniously morphed into a police helicopter. Throughout the performance, Grande engaged with her fans, waving and blowing kisses, fostering an intimate connection. The cinematic quality of the show was further enhanced by interlude videos between each act, notably one incorporating scenes from The Wizard Of Oz, a playful nod to her role in the upcoming Wicked films.
This series of performances comes in the wake of Grande’s recent announcement that she plans to step away from the public eye after concluding her O2 residency, which marks the culmination of her Eternal Sunshine tour. At an earlier tour engagement, Grande clarified that her decision to take a break was made from "a thoughtful and empowered place" and was "not a reactive or impulsive thing." This hiatus will also see her withdraw from the forthcoming London revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sunday In The Park With George, where she was slated to star alongside her Wicked co-star, Jonathan Bailey, with her role now set for recasting.
Speculation surrounding Grande’s well-being had arisen following the release of her music video for "Petal," the title single from her recently launched eighth studio album. Adding to the buzz, the singer seemingly confirmed her relationship with dancer and photographer Ricky Alvarez on Instagram earlier in the week. Petal has continued Grande’s remarkable success, becoming her sixth consecutive number one album, following in the footsteps of Dangerous Woman (2016), Sweetener (2018), Thank U, Next (2019), Positions (2020), and Eternal Sunshine.
