Selling out Madison Square Garden is becoming second nature to Lizzo – and it’s ‘about damn time!’
The Emmy and Grammy award-winning singer Lizzo brought her “Special Tour,” a world tour in support of her latest Grammy-nominated album Special, to sold-out crowds at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on October 2nd and 3rd. This was her first headlining tour with venues as iconic as MSG– she has headlined much smaller venues in the past.
Lizzo is also headlining iHeart Radio’s Jingle Ball concert on December 9, also at MSG. Tickets for the event, which features performances by the year’s biggest recording artists, sold out in record time.
While this is Lizzo’s second appearance at Jingle Ball (she also performed in 2019), it is the first time she will headline the lineup – this time alongside Dua Lipa, Charlie Puth, Backstreet Boys and more.
The show will be a dress rehearsal for “part two” of her “Special” tour. The event, called “The Special 2our,” continues to support her latest studio album Special, which is also nominated for two Grammys: Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Lizzo’s show was all about female empowerment. Everyone involved – from the band to the backup singers, dancers and DJ – were all women.
The show opened with Lizzo’s personal DJ, Sophia Eris. After Sophia’s set, the opening act, Grammy-nominated rapper Latto, excited the crowd with an approximately 30-minute set that concluded with her hit song, ‘Big Energy.’ Shortly after Latto’s set, it was time for the main event – Lizzo!
Lizzo ascended from the stage dressed in a stunning bedazzled neon yellow bodysuit. The crowd was greeted with her asking, “Hi… did you miss me?,” a fitting segue (and opening line) to her opening song, ‘The Sign.’
She welcomed the audience to her show, and asked them, “When was the last time you said something nice about yourself?” The crowd gave mixed reactions as she explained, “When you’re at a Lizzo show you’re about to have a self-love fest.”
The first act also included other known hits such as; ‘2 Be Loved (Am I Ready),’ ‘Grrrls’ and ‘Rumors.’
The second act of the show began with Lizzo ascending from the stage once again, this time wearing a silk robe and nude bodysuit, flowing into the song ‘Naked.’ During the song, she discarded the robe, and a projector displayed designs and images on her bodysuit. At the end of the number, the projector unveiled the words “My Body My Choice,” which kept the screaming audience on their feet.
After a brief break, Lizzo kicked off the third act with screens onstage displaying the message: “I love you. You are beautiful and you can do anything. In case nobody told you today, you’re special.” She returned to the stage wearing a sparkling purple dress as she sang her album’s title song, ‘Special.’ During her song ‘Birthday Girl,’ Lizzo invited a fan from the audience celebrating her birthday to dance and sing with her.
She continually connected with her audience, often taking the time to read her fans’ signs and comment on them. She even made sure her fans in the highest seats felt ‘special,’ by waving and pointing them out and commenting, “There are no nosebleeds at a Lizzo show!”
The singer took time to film her own Tik Tok with the audience, and even took a fan’s “Be Real.” A fan’s sign asked Lizzo to call her ‘situationship’ – which Lizzo did unhesitatingly. She FaceTimed him and asked what’s taken him so long to commit. He was completely shocked to not only be on the phone with Lizzo, but to have the phone call projected for all of MSG to witness.
Lizzo got emotional during ‘Cuz I Love You’ when the audience sang the lyrics back to her. She explained, “After selling out MSG, it feels like you can do anything.” During Lizzo’s song ‘Coldplay,’ she flipped the script and gave audience members roses as she sang. Lizzo’s iconic flute, named Sasha, appeared for a solo during the song. Like its owner, Sasha — which was displayed on a studded museum stand –made a spectacular entrance by rising from the stage floor. The third act also featured her top hits ‘Truth Hurts,’ ‘Water Me’ and ‘Good As Hell.’
The show’s finale began with the pop hit ‘Juice,’ and ended with her Billboard Hot 100 hit – and three-time Grammy-nominated song – ‘About Damn Time,’ where ‘Sasha’ made another appearance for a flute solo. Lizzo said goodnight, but not before reminding the audience she loved them and they could do anything as she descended into the floor of the stage.
Lizzo’s two full house shows at MSG came shortly after her first Emmy win for her hit show Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, a reality television series where 13 women competed to be Lizzo’s dancers. She gave a nod to her recent Emmy win while on stage by asking the crowd “…Or am I turning big girls into Emmy winners?”
With this Emmy win, Lizzo is one step closer to achieving EGOT status (earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award).
We can’t wait to keep following updates on the next part of her tour and possible Grammy winnings!