A week and a half after winning three Grammys and giving thank-you speeches on the MGM Grand Garden Arena’s stage in Las Vegas, singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo landed in Minneapolis to serenade Twin Cities fans at the Armory. 

Best New Artist Rodrigo performed every song from SOUR, the album that won the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy. At 19 years old, the former Disney actress commanded the stage in front of the sold-out Armory. Dressed in a plaid skirt, fishnets and heart-shaped top, Rodrigo began with high energy as almost all phones soared overhead to capture her peppy persona. Her energy transferred to the floor that could be felt shaking under feet.

Earlier that day, before everyone got inside the downtown Minneapolis venue on Thursday night, there was an abundance of platform shoes, baggy jeans, leather blazers, and colorful psychedelic prints, but very few coats. With snow flurries floating down, the wait was just like the opening track of the evening: “brutal.” Blankets, pillows and sweaters were draped over the metal railings outside the building. Many fans had camped overnight for a chance to stand as close as possible. 

That motive was especially clear before Rodrigo’s performance when a voice came over the speaker asking the front of the crowd to stop pushing against the barrier. Attempting to keep people safe, the speaker stated that they would not start the show until everyone stopped thrusting bodies toward the stage. 

Once lights dimmed, on opening tracks, “brutal” and “jealousy, jealousy” Rodrigo flipped hair and bounced from one side of the stage to the other with angst. Like many musicians do when visiting the Midwest on tour, she thanked audience members for waiting in the cold.

Screens quickly filled the room as soon as the singer played the opening piano chords of “drivers license,” the song that won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance. With the number one most globally streamed song on Spotify’s 2021 records, she didn’t even need to sing for the lyrics to be loud and clearly understandable. Knowingly, she left a few of the last verses of the crowd to complete: “‘Cause you didn't mean what you wrote in that song about me / 'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.” 

The other, more introspective and soft songs from SOUR elicited sing-alongs too. She played her acoustic guitar to “hope ur ok,” then thanked those who held butterfly cut-outs in the air. After changing into a white gown for “happier,” Rodrigo gracefully paced back and forth under a disco ball that resembled the scene of a melancholy prom dance. She then described “favorite crime” as a song she wrote when feeling responsible for her own heartbreak. 

Both Rodrigo and opener Gracie Abrams showed keen awareness, and paused to check on disruptions in the crowd. Abrams stopped twice during a song to ensure that security could help someone in the front of the room. Rodrigo halted during “All I Want” and “traitor” when people needed water and paramedic assistance. She began both songs again from the beginning. 

The covers that Rodrigo squeezed into the set were perfectly fitting. She dedicated her cover of ‘90s pop-punk group Veruca Salt’s “Seether” to her mom, and then asked the crowd to wave and say, “Hi Jen.” For Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” she sat on the piano to detail the emotions of romantic disappointment and disorientation—themes common in her own work. Seemingly confused, someone in the audience asked, “What song is this?” Others around her said, “Yeah, where is this from?!” Maybe Lavigne’s track was one for the older attendees.

It was an all-ages show, but you didn’t have to look at a ticket to know that. The majority of people appeared to be under 21, with many definitely under 18. While some music-lovers dismiss or speak pejoratively about the music widely enjoyed by teenagers, especially by younger women, niche music isn’t the only quality music. This was a room of thousands of people joyfully screaming lyrics that they feel echo their own life experiences (e.g. the inability to parallel park). Sometimes art is popular because it makes large masses of people feel validated and understood, and sometimes it even wins a Grammy. Genuinely, good for both Rodrigo and her adorning fans. 

She closed the night by showering the audience with confetti during “good 4 u.” 

One of the most excited to watch Rodrigo was Abrams who continually thanked the headliner for including her on the tour. In a more mellow set, she calmly danced with bouquets and a fluffy SpongeBob that fans threw to her. She said, “This is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.” Even with a few mishaps throughout the night, for any Rodrigo fans who had been given tickets, they might one day think of her concert as one of the best presents. 

Setlist:

brutal 

jealousy, jealousy,

drivers license

Complicated (Avril Lavigne cover)

hope ur ok 

enough for you / 1 step forward, 3 steps back

Interlude 

happier

All I Want

Seether (Veruca Salt cover) 

favorite crime

traitor

deja va

good 4 u

Olivia Rodrigo at Armory

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