Grande Gets to Work
During her first headlining concert performance since 2019, the pop veteran ditched the greatest hits format for a pointed setlist that creates an essential conversation between herself and her fans
Ariana Grande needs everyone in Oakland Arena to be quiet. It’s opening night of the Eternal Sunshine tour and she’s standing at the circular end of the stage’s lengthy walkway with a loop station positioned in front of her. Her request asks a lot from the more than 17,000 people who’ve waited nearly seven years to share space with her again. She’s aware of this. When she emerges from a lift on the stage, it’s to the sound of piercing cheers. She takes it in for a moment, blowing kisses and holding her hand to her heart. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but maybe can you remain calm for just this one part?” Grande asks, gesturing to the loop station. “It feels like not the right time to ask you to be quiet.” The crowd responds with more noise, then settles as Grande gets to work.
The first few layers she records are different versions of the same lyric, “I don’t care what people say is true.” She adds some higher harmonies to one, then builds on it with a few more, then builds on that with even more. She moves on to the next section in her live mix. Won’t break. Can’t shake. This fate. Rewrite. Deep breaths. Tight chest. Life. Death. Rewind. The words loop over and over in different harmonic variations, some light, some more stern, some punctuated with an airy “buh, buh, bum.” Once it’s all loaded up, Grande gives the crowd a thumbs up. The audience’s collective voice joins in like a choir as she finally launches into “Eternal Sunshine.”
