Ariana Grande, the American pop star, opened her 10‑night residency at the O2 Arena on Saturday, a performance that attracted keen interest from fans across Canada and the United States.
The show began with a curtain dropping to reveal the 33‑year‑old in a black corset, accompanied by her band dressed in matching outfits.
Towards the end of the concert, Grande told the audience they were "by far the loudest" of the tour so far, adding that their support had been "overwhelming".
Her North American shows have consistently sold out, so the enthusiastic response in London signals strong momentum for fans on both sides of the border.
She said, "I'm so grateful to be doing this with you all… these 10 dates are the last stop on this tour," and later added, "You've shown me so much love so I want to say thank you."
Grande also expressed that she feels "so, so lucky" and "grateful" for her fans.
Setlist Highlights
The set drew heavily on Grande's 2024 Eternal Sunshine album, with tracks from her latest Petal release, as well as classic hits such as "Into You", "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings". She performed a cover of Lady Gaga's "Rain On Me".
Shortly after stepping on stage she greeted the crowd, "London, it's so good to see us, isn't it? Welcome to the Eternal Sunshine tour."
The elaborate staging featured a rundown house and a lighting rig that transformed into a police helicopter, while Grande waved and blew kisses to the audience.
Video interludes gave the concert a cinematic feel, including a clip with scenes from "The Wizard Of Oz" referencing her role in the "Wicked" films.
Future Plans
The residency follows Grande's announcement last month that she will step back from the spotlight after the run, ending the Eternal Sunshine tour.
She explained earlier in the tour that the decision comes from "a thoughtful and empowered place" and is not "reactive or impulsive".
Grande has also withdrawn from the upcoming London revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday In The Park With George, where she was set to appear opposite co‑star Jonathan Bailey, with her role to be recast.
Her recent music video for "Petal", the title track from her eighth studio album, sparked speculation about her health, while she confirmed her relationship with dancer and photographer Ricky Alvarez on Instagram.
Grande's album Petal became her sixth consecutive number‑one album, joining a string of chart‑topping releases that include "Dangerous Woman", "Sweetener", "Thank U, Next", "Positions" and "Eternal Sunshine".