Live Report: Lizzo belts out self-love anthems in rapturous 3Arena performance

Don’t underestimate the power of Lizzo. Following the release of her fourth studio album Special last July, the Grammy-winning superstar delivered a powerful performance at Dublin’s 3Arena on Monday as part of her world tour, inspiring thousands of fans with her signature style of wit and self-love pop anthems.

The acclaimed rapper’s sold-out show follows record-breaking success for the 34-year-old artist. Her smash hit ‘About Damn Time’ reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and the top 10 in 12 other countries, and the single earned the Detroit-born star the Grammy for record of the year, making it her fourth Grammy win. Special also peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, becoming one of the highest-charting albums by a female artist in 2022.

In a review of Special, Hot Press’ Kate Brayden wrote that a charismatic force of nature reigns supreme on the artist’s fourth album. “Special cements Lizzo’s status as a yearned for trailblazer in the business. With zero features, she’s earned that spotlight all to herself...it's about damn time.”

As audience members secured their spots at the 3Arena, a video ad for Lizzo’s all-inclusive shapewear brand Yitty played on the big screens, another indication of both the superstar’s impressive accomplishments as well as her unshakable drive to promote inclusivity and body positivity. The Yitty brand, which launched in April 2022, aims to make women feel unapologetically good about their own bodies by offering a wide range of sizes between 6X to XS.

Before the first act of the night began, an army of fans had already made their way into the arena. Sophia Eris, also known simply as DJ Sophia, warmed up the exponentially growing crowd with her vibrant personality and a playlist of dance-party hits. Channelling other iconic female pop stars, Lizzo’s DJ played fan favourites including Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ and ‘Lift Me Up’ (from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack), Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ and Whitney Houston’s ‘I Want to Dance With Somebody’.

As the night’s DJ, Eris hyped up the crowd with superb dance moves and a magnetic energy that made these global hits feel even more exciting. A songwriter herself, the young artist also performed a handful of originals including crowd-pleaser ‘Front Runner’ while being the first act of the night to own the walkway.

Before leaving the stage, DJ Sophia thanked the massive Irish crowd for supporting Lizzo.

“I’ve been on this journey with her for 10 years now and I just want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for supporting her this long,” she remarked.

“As an A1 Day 1 Lizzo fan, I need you to make some noise if you’re an A1 Day 1 Lizzo fan,” she said to boisterous cheers before performing her collaboration with Lizzo, ‘Batches & Cookies’.

The next act of the night was UK songstress Joy Crookes, who performed with a four-piece band by her side. Opening with her 2021 single ‘I Don’t Mind’, the 24-year-old musician quickly captivated the crowd with her poised stage presence and ethereal sound. She then performed ‘Trouble’, showcasing her breathy vocals and an addictively catchy beat.

“I’m so happy to be back here and I come here as often as I can,” Crookes told the crowd, adding that her father hails from north Dublin. “Sorry south-siders but I’m a north-sider kind of gal,” she remarked to warm cheers.

Joy Crookes supporting Lizzo at 3Arena on March 13th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

“As a half-Irish human being, I know that a lot of us have been pissed off before. This is a song I wrote when I was very pissed off so I hope that you can relate,” she said before playing her next track ‘Wild Jasmine’, showcasing impressive vocal belts and heartfelt lyrics.

Later showing off her guitar prowess with her track ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, the UK singer brought the show down to a more intimate level as she led the crowd in singing the title phrase as a sea of smartphone lights shined brightly across the arena.

“As a half-Irish person, I feel like there’s responsibility for us to really be very warm tonight for Lizzo. Let’s be the most energetic crowd that she's had, okay?” she remarked before dancing off stage in style, with a drink in hand.

At 9pm sharp, the giant curtain was finally lifted, unveiling a pre-recorded video message from Lizzo about the importance of loving yourself, before the artist herself elevated to the stage to rapturous applause.

“Hi, motherfucker, did you miss me?” the artist sang, greeting the audience with the opening line from her track ‘The Sign’. Donning a sparkly dress and purple eyeliner, Lizzo instantaneously held the Dublin crowd in the palm of her hands starting from when she shined her first warm smile. Remarkably, the 34-year-old superstar appeared to still hold onto her child-like glee for performing while being able to shift into the professional boss that she is. Fans instantly started singing along to every word of the song and eagerly cheered when Lizzo decided to change a certain lyric:

“I keep on writing these songs / 'Cause he keep on doin' me wrong / And Dublin keeps singin' along,” she rapped to cheers.

“Dublin! Are y’all ready to sing?” the musician shouted before performing her next track ‘2 Be Loved’. For this song, she invited her dance troupe to the stage, known as her ‘Big Grrrls’, featuring 10 female, plus-size dancers wearing bright pink gym outfits. A typically underrepresented group in the live performance industry, the Big Grrrls commanded the stage with crowd-stunning moves (including the splits) that were packed with heart and soul.

Lizzo at 3Arena on March 13th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, the superstar's Emmy-winning reality television show, features plus-size dancers competing for a spot as a backup dancer on her tour. Lizzo’s selected backup dancers dominated the 3Arena stage and shined as stars in their own right, as the crowd went ballistic after their performance.

“My name is Lizzo and welcome to The Special Tour!” the singer shouted. She also introduced her all-female band, known as the Lizzbians and The Little Bigs.

Anything Lizzo said the crowd followed. She asked the audience to say “Damn!” for the Big Grrls in a low-tone voice before responding: “That’s appropriate”. The powerhouse performer then sang her self-empowerment anthem ‘Soulmate’, serving lyrics that promote unapologetic self-love and independence.

'Cause I'm my own soulmate (Yeah, yeah)

I know how to love me (Love me)

I know that I'm always gonna hold me down

Yeah, I'm my own soulmate (Yeah, yeah)

No, I'm never lonely (Lonely)

I know I'm a queen but I don't need no crown

Look up in the mirror like damn she the one

Later purple and pink lights showered the venue in lightning-speed before the star returned to the stage with her 2019 single ‘Boys’.

“Ireland, where my boys at?” Lizzo asked before showcasing her masterful blend of singing and rapping abilities, as well as her impressive physical endurance of hardcore belting and dance routines, inspiring the crowd to follow in suit with whatever space they could muster in the packed house.

When singing her fan favourite track ‘Tempo’, the artist’s performance featured a high bar of twerking from one of the best known stars of the artform. In a 2021 TedTalk on the topic, the artist states that twerking is “part of the black experience and black culture” and that she is proud to celebrate it in her music. She points out its parallel to the traditional West African dance mapouka, which was performed to celebrate joy and religious worship.

Lizzo then performed her collaboration with fellow superstar Cardi B titled ‘Rumors’, a song about embracing popular rumours about herself as an artist.

“You know what they say, Lizzo turning big grrrls into hoes,” she said with a frown. “Dublin, am I turning big grrls into hoes? We are all hoes tonight, baby!”

Lizzo at 3Arena on March 13th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

As Lizzo and her dancers lit up the stage, a backdrop of text messages appeared on the large screen showing several rumours about the star, ranging from “She’s definitely pregnant” to “Lizzo is running for president!!” Cardi B then made an appearance on screen in a pre-recorded video in which she rapped her verse.

After thunderous applause, Lizzo vanished from the stage and another video message of the artist appeared on screen. “My body is beautiful. My body is nobody’s business. I put in work for my body. I take care of my body. I look good in my body,” the superstar said in the video to rousing cheers from the sold-out arena.

Elevating from the stage once again, the superstar asked, “Is it okay if I come a little closer to you, Dublin?” before making her way down the walkway to serene with her single ‘Naked’. This performance brought the show down to a more intimate level by showcasing the singer’s softer vocal quality, although every note was still packed with power.

“Welcome to my body, I know it’s nice to meet it,” she sang. “All the conversations say I should feel a way / I don’t care what people think or spend or sway, we can run away.”

Once the song ended, the performer’s bodysuit was spotlighted with the phrase: “My body, my choice”, the popular rallying cry for the protection of abortion rights. Lizzo has been an outspoken advocate for a women’s right to have an abortion, especially following the United States Supreme Court’s vote to overturn its landmark decision Roe v. Wade.

“This is the part of the show I like to call therapy,” she said before singing ‘Jerome’ on a stylish chaise longue. “For anyone who’s ever had a Jerome in their life or someone who just needs to take they ass home, I want you to wave your lights,” she remarked.

“This light represents the love that you have for yourself. Don’t never let nobody dim your light,” she told the crowd.

She then performed her album’s namesake track ‘Special’, serving up inspirational lyrics:

In case nobody told you today

You're special

In case nobody made you believe (nobody, no, no)

You're special

Well, I will always love you the same

You're special

I'm so glad that you're still with us (so glad, so glad, so glad)

Broken, but damn, you're still perfect (you're perfect) 

There were also several memorable moments Lizzo shared with fans, including when the superstar sang happy birthday to a woman in the middle of the arena, signed a young fan’s flute and asked the crowd for the correct pronunciation of “Dublin”.

“Deb-lyn? Dub-leeen?” she attempted. But with the help of the loving audience, she eventually said the city name like a true local.

Lizzo at 3Arena on March 13th, 2023. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Performing her anthem ‘Everybody’s Gay’ under a colourfully lit disco ball, the singer proceeded to dance with an Irish flag, hoisting it into the air in gratitude to her Irish fans who welcomed her to the island.

After an astonishing performance of her smash hit ‘Cuz I Love You’, the crowd chanted ‘Ole! Ole! Ole!’ at the top of their lungs for around two full minutes and the superstar, for the first time of the night, appeared speechless.

THIS 2 AND A HALF MINUTE APPLAUSE?!

I STILL HAVE CHILLS❤️

DUBLIN I LOVE U pic.twitter.com/GxkPBKMWWP

— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) March 14, 2023

“I love you, Dublin,” she sang with pure heart and soul as the fan-filled arena cheered with pride. “I want the whole island of Ireland to feel this love.”

“I want you to take all the negativity of the day and stomp it out through your feet. Take all the bullshit and clap it out with your hands. Release it, you don’t need it. Let it die!” she screamed.

After encoring with 'Juice' and 'About Damn Time', the global superstar ended her show with some heartfelt words for her Irish fans.

"Thank you so much, Dublin,” she told the screaming crowd with gratitude in her eyes. “This was one of the most energetic, giving cities we’ve been to on the entire tour."

Holding back tears, the superstar added: “Y’all made this so memorable and dare I say special... To be able to fill up a place like this means a lot to a girl like me,” the Houston-raised artist said, ending her Dublin show with one of the loudest (and most deserving) applauses of the year.