Ariana Grande has triumphed on Broadway, television and most recently, the mainstream music charts. Tuesday at a packed Allstate Arena, the 21-year-old singer strove to conquer another domain — the concert field. While the hit-making vocalist’s first headlining tour offers further distance from her prior identity as an actress on Nickelodeon sitcoms, it’s equally significant for giving Grande a chance to show the music industry young female pop stars can succeed without taking a lascivious approach.
She arrived with plenty of help. An entourage of dancers assisted in treating a majority of songs as skit-themed productions. Fireworks, lasers, sparks and two separate confetti showers supplied fun and glitz. Myriad costume changes, mobile props and a five-tier stage contributed to the requisite spectacle. Her band included a deejay and string section, reflecting the hybrid of contemporary dance and formal styles Grande favors in her material.
Cautiously flirtatious and constantly smiling, the singer came across like a playful albeit safely removed collegiate cheerleader that winks at admirers but refrains from acting on temptations. She blended sweet charm with light sass, moving away from girl-next-door innocence yet keeping wholesomeness within clear view. Sporting a high ponytail and an array of high-heeled footwear, Grande blew kisses, batted her thick eyelashes and shook her hips. At her most risque, she patted a male dancer on the rear.
The Florida native also demonstrated considerable vocal prowess over the course of the choreographed 90-minute performance, particularly on songs featuring stripped-back arrangements and reined-in choruses. Seated on a grand piano, Grande belted out the tender “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart” with poise and purity. Standing alone, she hit soaring highs on the soulful “Tattooed Heart.” During “One Last Time,” she unleashed a powerhouse range, never resorting to histrionic trills.
Unfortunately, Grande’s singing and focus often got lost amidst recurring sonic interference and visual distractions. Piped-in samples in the form of rapped verses and backing vocals, turned several upbeat tracks into muddled mix tapes. Sounding and looking artificial — Mac Miller’s “guest” video appearance on “The Way” failed to sync with what was heard — they exposed shortcomings pertaining to depth and personality that no fancy set piece (a floating cloud, giant chandelier) could offset.
Grande’s tendency to disappear from the stage via hydraulic elevators also killed momentum. Filling time with video interludes and a cliched hype man rank as rookie mistakes. Akin to a maturing puppy that hasn’t yet fully grown into its body, Grande is still learning how to match her huge voice with equally dynamic surroundings.
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