As soon as SZA stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted, and the atmosphere became electric. My emotions surged, and I could hardly believe it was real— I was shook. She opened with “PSA”, “I don’t want anyone calling me anything but number one,” a gentle reminder of her status. Her energy was infectious, and the crowd sang along to every word. I couldn’t help screaming and tearing up as she brought music which soundtracked my little world to life.
SZA’s music has scored the last five years of my life. I first discovered her through “The Weekend”, from Ctrl in 2018. To say that I found a piece of myself in the complexity of “my man is my man, is your man, heard it’s her man too,” at the age of 11 would be a lie. But as I grew, I found myself appreciating the diary-like honesty which makes Ctrl the album it is. The art of being different and staying true to oneself resonates deeply with me. Songs like “Good Days” and “Garden” are my go-to songs during tough times, and her music has always found its way onto every single one of my playlists.
Attending my first festival was a dream come true, and seeing my favourite artist, SZA, perform live for the first time was an experience I’ll never forget. She previewed a new project, incorporating a bug, where she sang “Drew Barrymore” for her ‘day ones’. A tree trunk fell from the top of the stage, creating an earthy setting for her to perform “Normal Girl” and a rendition of “Rich Baby Daddy”. Every element of the performance was meticulously crafted, making the experience unforgettable: from the iconic “Kill Bill” and “Broken Clocks” choreography to the mesmerising guitar solos throughout her performance.
I cannot neglect to mention SZA’s incorporation of Biggie Smalls and Prince in her performance. She used vocals and the tracks from “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” during “Go Gina”. Very fitting choices for her anthem for that encourages the babes with anxiety and worries to just live and be free. She covered Prince’s “Kiss” before performing “Kiss Me More,” her 2021 collaboration with Doja Cat and an obvious fan favourite. Connecting her feel-good tracks with throwbacks and classics showcased her appreciation for music that transcends generations and unites fans of all ages. This seamless blend of old and new further highlighted her versatility and respect for musical legends, a talent displayed as she sampled both herself and Aaliyah on “Love Language” a track from 2022’s SOS.
What struck me most was how deeply SZA’s music resonated with my personal journey. As she performed, I found myself experiencing the moments in my life her songs have soundtracked, from late-night study sessions to moments of introspection. During her mashup of “Supermodel” and “Special,” I remembered moments of introspection, that felt like SZA was reading my diary aloud.
Tracks like the Grammy-winning “Ghost in the Machine” and “F2F” from SOS, showcase her ability to transcend genres, including elements of pop and rock, displaying that black girls aren’t limited to creating or experiencing music within narrow confines. This festival wasn’t just an event; it was a milestone in my personal growth and a reminder of the profound place SZA’s music has in my life.
Seeing SZA live was a powerful reminder of why I fell in love with her music in the first place. The performance was not just a concert; it was an emotional and artistic journey. If you ever get a chance to see your favourite artist live, don’t hesitate to sell your house to do so– it’s an experience like no other. Seeing her in person, just a few feet away, was surreal. The experience felt surreal, especially after missing the ‘SOS’ Tour last year. Her performance was everything I hoped for and more.
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