On May 25th, platinum superstar and Grammy-nominated Ariana Grande is returning to New Orleans. Grande will be performing at the Smoothie King Center in support of her fourth and fifth studio albums, Sweetener and Thank U, Next. Tickets are still available on ticketmaster.com.
The Sweetener Tour commenced on March 18 and is expected to run until October 2019. The pint-sized singer is on her third world tour and her domination doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Her last album, Thank U, Next, is her fourth No.1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, six months after her previous chart-topping album, Sweetener. Thank, U Next also had the biggest streaming week ever for a pop album.
Grande's last two albums have also received widespread critical acclaim. Amidst widely-publicized personal struggles, Grande has churned out her finest work yet. Rolling Stone described Thank, U Next as "one of the year's best pop albums so far", while The Guardian observed that the album "flaunts Grande's emotional healing." The album's title track was named the week's "Best New Track" by Pitchfork. Sweetener was also massively praised by critics, with its refreshingly diverse tracklist. Grande has learned how to pour her heart out into relatable pop records and its success shows.
Grande's hasn't always boasted a mature sound but her strong pipes and cohesive production have been popular with audiences since her first album, Yours Truly. Her smash hit with Mac Miller, "The Way", was a radio staple and landed in the Top 10 of the Billboard Chart 100. Meanwhile, her platinum-selling second album, My Everything, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. Grande's third album, Dangerous Album, also reached major mainstream success with collaborations from industry giants like Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Future.
Grande's sound evolution is shown in her lyrics in the title track for Thank, U Next. "Thank U, Next" is both a self-empowerment anthem and a sly nod to Grande's constant media scrutiny. Grande makes references to her well-publicized relationships and finds value in letting them go. Her most personal track on the album is "Ghostin'", a vulnerable self-reflection about failing to let go of a past relationship. Grande's highest-charting non-single of the album, "Needy", reads like a self-aware and passionate confession. Her latest work is deeply personal and has led to widespread critical and commercial success.
2019 sees Grande embarking in her third world tour, making new music, and managing her large social media presence. Grande has over 62M followers on Twitter and a whopping 155M followers on Instagram. She posts upcoming song snippets, video previews, and answers fan questions about her personal lyrics. Perhaps this has contributed to Grande's enchanting stage presence and ability to connect with fans. Her 2019 headlining performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Her vocals, and visuals were described as "a breathtaking moment of light in a dark world" by NME. Grande's epic performance is a preview for what's to come in the Sweetener World Tour.
Ariana Grande fans are sure to be pleasantly treated by the singer's new splendorous tour. Additional tour stops have been added in the United Kingdom, Hamburg, and Dublin due to popular demand. Grande is also set to return to Manchester for a "special show" two years after the tragic Manchester Arena bombing. Grande returned to play at the benefit concert, One Love Manchester, raising millions for those injured and affected by the incident. This year's concert will be the first time she returns to Manchester since that show.
The Sweetener World Tour will feature older fan-favorites like "Dangerous Woman" along with newer hits like "NASA" and "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored." With previous concerts as a benchmark, the Sweetener Tour will dazzle and excite more mature audiences as well as longtime loyal fans. Get your tickets now!
