SZA brings theatrics, T-Pain nostalgia awakens the fans

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — Just before the stars retired for the holidays, the 2024 Jingle Ball attracted several Grammy nominees and artists whose viral hits were inevitable on TikTok this year.

On Friday night, Los Angeles radio station 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball, part of iHeartRadio’s national tour, featured SZA, Shaboozey, Meghan Trainor, T-Pain, Paris Hilton, Kane Brown, Benson Boone, Tate McRae, NCT Dream and Madison Beer on. Everyone took turns playing short sets in the flashy, brand-new Intuit Dome (because having NFL Stadium SoFi and longtime venue Kia Forum within a mile of each other isn’t enough, is it?).

The lineup was split 50-50 when it came to artists who embraced the annual concert’s holiday theme. Kane Brown was ready to hit a bar in Venice Beach after the show, while Meghan Trainor apparently received a memo that the dress code was “LA Snow Queen.”

What Was A consistent theme throughout the show was the warm embrace each singer received from fans, be it in the form of eardrum-shattering screams (I’m looking at you, Benson Boone), venue-wide waving from the audience, and name calling (show closer). SZA) or the vast majority of the audience falls on “Low” (T-Pain).

Read on for the most impressive performances of the evening.

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T-Pain

T-Pain may have steered away from auto-tuned radio hits over the past decade, but he knew exactly what the Jingle Ball audience of all ages wanted to hear from him. As a gift specifically for millennials, T-Pain presented a medley of his greatest hits and collaborations, from “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” and “Bartender” to “Low” and “All I Do Is Win.” .”

Of all the artists, T-Pain’s performance most clearly demonstrated his influence as a musician. Sure, he was years ahead of the rest of the cast in terms of seniority in the music industry. But clearly his songs from the 2000s have a special place in the hearts of many Angelenos.

As an encore, T-Pain returned to the stage to accompany Meghan Trainor in one of her first live performances of her song “Been Like This.”

Best songs: “Low”, “2 levels”

Last year’s highlights:Olivia Rodrigo’s New ‘Hunger Games’ Song, Sabrina Carpenter Talks Christmas ‘Nonsense’

SZA

After an almost deafening reception as the final performer of the evening, SZA proved to be the artist who most blatantly ignored the winter holiday theme. The desert landscape of “A Bug’s Life” set the stage for a visually dynamic set. There was a giant tree trunk running the length of the stage, sword fights, and while she sang “I Hate U,” the Grammy-winning singer sat on a giant ant.

SZA took a dance break during “Snooze,” went for the jugular in “Kill Bill” when she fought off her dancers with a prop sword (threatening her ex and his girlfriend), and climbed halfway up the leaning tree trunk to become vulnerable to one previous relationship in “Good Days.”

Meanwhile, “Rich Baby Daddy” had the crowd dancing in their seats as SZA and her dancers gave the choreography their best with twerking and high kicks.

The performance was more like a practice run for her upcoming stadium tour with Kendrick Lamar than a Christmas jam, but honestly? This seems to be on brand with SZA.

Best songs: “Kill Bill”, “Snooze”

Benson Boone

Best New Grammy Artist nominee Benson Boone has had ups and downs — both vocally and physically.

Dressed as a rocker Santa Claus, wearing white-trimmed red bell-bottoms and a vest that showed off his six-pack abs, he delivered rousing falsetto vocals (“Cry,” “Beautiful Things,” “Drunk in My Mind”) that were just as stunning like his recorded tracks.

Oh yeah, and every now and then there was a backflip because people somehow weren’t impressed enough by the vocal gymnastics.

“This has been one of the greatest years of my life for myself, for my music, for you who listen to my music,” Boone said as he introduced his viral hit “Beautiful Things.” “Just before I got on stage, I found out that this song had been played on the radio… 1.8 billion times.”

Boone showed he was in top form heading into Grammy season, as well as his international tour dates next year.

Best songs: “Beautiful Things” (duh), “Slow It Down”

NCT dream

Despite strong choreographic performances from acts like Tate McRae and SZA, there’s never anything better than witnessing the precision and synchronicity of a K-pop band.

As each of the seven members of NCT Dream – Mark, Jeno, Haechan, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung and Renjun – introduced themselves, the crowd’s roar only grew louder with each singer. Given the warm reception, they said they were happy to be back at the same venue three months after their headlining tour.

In their coordinated black pants and black-and-white jackets, the group exuded the confidence of young men who knew their fans were eating their hearts out as they kicked, jumped and danced to tracks like “Smoothie” and “SOS.” moving her hips. “

Best song: “When I’m with you”

The essence of NCT Dream:Tour must-haves, pre-show routines and how to relax

How to watch iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2024

Performances from iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Tour stops will air as a TV special on ABC. It will stream on Hulu the next day. To watch it live, tune in to ABC on December 18th at 8:00 pm EST/7:00 pm CST.

Additional stops on the Jingle Ball Tour include: Chicago on December 9th; Detroit on December 10; New York on December 13; Boston on December 15; Philadelphia on December 16; Washington, DC on December 17; Atlanta on December 19; Miami on December 21st.

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