June 26th 2019, Ariana Grande at Scotiabank Arena

There's no question in my mind that Ariana Grande makes really great Pop music, really strong songs that demonstrate not only a solid understanding of the form and style, but also display an incredible talent and really exceptional vocal gifts. Over the years she's released a number of solid albums, but I think that the release of "Sweetener" ushered in a particular era in her career where talent and skill and artistry have all came together perfectly.

Grande's performance at the Scotiabank Arena in 2019 was spectacular, an artist at the top of their game, a performer who has reached a level of experience and ability that transcends the medium they're working in. She's making intelligent and resonant music that totally captures the Pop zeitgeist while simultaneously pushing the genre forward in new and exciting ways. Focusing mostly on tracks from "Sweetener" and "Thank u next", Grande gave an impressive performance that moved from highlight to highlight over the course of the evening, with God is a Woman, Breathin, and No Tears Left to Cry all being particularly strong moments that really stood out for me. It was also her birthday that evening so the audience sang Happy Birthday to her to celebrate, and that was pretty cool too.

I have no doubts that Grande's music will continue to develop and continue to grow in the years to come and I very much look forward to seeing where her talents take her in the future, but I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see the start of an exciting and transitional new era in her career in support of the "Sweetener" album.