Concert Reviews
The pop superstar returned to TD Garden with astonishing vocals, nostalgic hits, and a theatrical production that reminded fans why she’s one of pop’s defining performers.
Ariana Grande preforms at Billboard Women In Music on Dec. 6, 2018 in New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Billboard
Ariana Grande at TD Garden, July 23, 2026.
“It’s good to see us, isn’t it?”
After more than six years away from touring, Ariana Grande’s question was met with deafening cheers inside TD Garden on Thursday night. The answer was obvious.
Between launching a beauty brand, releasing two albums, and starring as Glinda in the two-part film adaptation of “Wicked,” the singer-songwriter and actress has kept herself incredibly busy. Yet, her highly anticipated return proved that she hadn’t lost a single step.
Across an approximately two-hour performance, Grande blended career-spanning hits with polished choreography, cinematic staging, and, above all, remarkable vocals. Her greatest special effect wasn’t the UFO-like lighting structure or the dynamic video backdrop — it was her voice. She effortlessly navigated intricate riffs, whistle notes, and sustained belts without any noticeable vocal fatigue.
Grande didn’t bring an opening act, but the show never felt like it needed one. Instead, she commanded the stage with the help of an energetic live band, dynamic lighting, and fog effects that kept the production visually fresh from beginning to end.
For newer fans, the setlist showcased favorites from her latest album “Eternal Sunshine.” But longtime listeners were rewarded with a celebration of Grande’s entire career. Those who attended 2019’s “Sweetener World Tour” might have experienced a sense of nostalgia Thursday night.
Grande embraced her biggest hits, including “Break Free,” “thank u, next,” and “7 rings,” while also leaning into some of the visual trademarks that helped define her pop star image. She opened the show wearing her signature high ponytail before switching to a bun, all while confidently moving around the stage in towering heels. Watching Grande perform alongside a complete troupe of backup dancers once again also offered an exciting blast from the past.
Rather than treating the concert as a straightforward run-through of songs, Grande built theatrical transitions into nearly every break. At one point, moving spotlights swept across the audience like helicopter searchlights as police sirens echoed through the arena, introducing the bad-girl aesthetic of “the boy is mine.”
One unexpected highlight came during an interlude featuring two dancers performing a contemporary duet. The quieter, more lyrical choreography contrasted sharply with the show’s hip-hop-and-jazz-inspired routines, offering a memorable change of pace and showcasing the versatility of Grande’s backup dancers.
The dancers were especially effective during “thank u, next,” where they transformed into a group of friends lounging together and gossiping about former relationships. The choreography wasn’t flashy, but its subtle storytelling, sharp musicality, and precise synchronization made the performance one of the evening’s most entertaining moments.
But many of Grande’s songs didn’t feature dancers at all. Rather than losing momentum, those quieter moments allowed her stage presence to carry the performance on its own. The scaled-back staging created an intimacy that contrasted nicely with the show’s larger production numbers, reflecting an artist who appears increasingly comfortable letting her voice and personality take center stage.
The show’s weakest element, however, was its ambitious house set, inspired by Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead” short film. Visually, it was stunning: a weathered home slowly reclaimed by flowers and climbing greenery.
Yet, its scale often worked against the performance. During “imperfect for you,” Grande sang from an upstairs bedroom, creating a striking tableau but distancing herself from much of the audience. The moment felt better suited to a music video than an arena concert.
Still, the production delivered memorable visual moments. A UFO-like lighting structure hovered above the audience throughout the show, rising and lowering as the performance progressed. During the finale, Grande ascended on a concealed harness, drifting toward the floating structure while finishing the final soaring riffs of “supernatural.”
If there were any lingering questions about Grande’s reputation as one of pop’s finest vocalists, Thursday night’s performance answered it decisively.
Grande proved she is a true musician during a standout moment in “eternal sunshine,” where she crafted layered harmonies live using vocal looping. Capturing and stacking each vocal line in real time demands extraordinary precision, a feat she achieved flawlessly.
Throughout the evening, her voice remained remarkably consistent, and she frequently pushed songs beyond their studio arrangements.
During “Dangerous Woman,” Grande repeatedly opted to alter notes upward during the chorus, sustaining impressive notes with striking ease. “One Last Time” featured some of the night’s strongest belts and introduced fresh vocal embellishments and whistle notes that distinguished the live performance from the original recording.
Speaking of “One Last Time,” Grande suggested last year while on Amy Poehler’s podcast that the “Eternal Sunshine” tour could be her “one last hurrah” for the foreseeable future.
If that’s true, Thursday’s concert rarely felt like a farewell. Instead, it felt like a celebration of every era that brought her here. And clearly, fans aren’t ready to say goodbye. When Grande waved before the encore, chants of “Ari, Ari, Ari!” echoed throughout TD Garden until she returned on stage. Even after the final notes of “supernatural,” much of the audience remained standing, watching as she disappeared into the air.
If this really is Grande’s last tour for a long while, she left Boston with a reminder of exactly what audiences have been missing: breathtaking runs, effortless riffs, and a stage presence that’s every bit as captivating as her voice.
Ariana Grande returns to TD Garden Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26.
Setlist for Ariana Grande at TD Garden, July 23, 2026
- yes, and?
- positions
- dandelion
- the boy is mine
- eternal sunshine
- just like magic
- thank u, next
- 7 rings
- imperfect for you
- warm
- safety net
- One Last Time
- Rain on Me
- Break Free
- twilight zone
- past life
- Dangerous Woman
- Honeymoon Avenue
- Hampstead
- Into You
- hate that i made you love me
Encore:
- we can’t be friends (wait for your love)
- supernatural
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