On April 23, Zara Larsson headlined the spring concert hosted and planned by the university’s programming board, The Crew, at the Bob Carpenter Center. 

Like many other students, when I heard that Larsson was coming to campus, I knew I had to get tickets to the show. The singer-songwriter famous for hits like “Lush Life,” has blown up on TikTok over the past year for her colorful costumes, bedazzled makeup looks and steady vocals. 

Although I am not her biggest superfan, I knew a good handful of her songs that I thought were catchy, and wanted to be in the stadium when she went on stage to perform. 

Even though it seems like she has just recently gone viral on the internet over the past year or so, Larsson’s music career spans back over a decade. Songs such as “Lush Life” and “Ain’t My Fault,” which are still on her setlist now, were released in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 

The second I walked through the doors of the Bob Carpenter Center, I was so glad that my friends and I were lucky enough to snag tickets. All of the attendees were dressed up in colorful outfits, makeup and glitter, and the energy was incredible even in the tiny row that I was sitting in. 

The girls I was surrounded by were so fun, and we were all dancing together by the end of the show — even though I did not know them an hour prior. 

Larsson’s stage presence was insane, and she and her incredible backup dancers had the entire building dancing and singing. 

I loved how, after a couple of her songs, her backup dancers even had their own moment to shine. They all had introductions accompanied by music and got the opportunity to sing and dance on stage for the fans. I thought it was a great way to show that the main performer isn’t the only important part of putting on a show. 

The hour went by in a flash, and I was left in awe afterwards, wishing that the set was longer. My personal favorite songs that she performed included “Lush Life,” “Midnight Sun” and “Pretty Ugly.”

I went to The Crew’s spring concert last year, and even though I absolutely loved that one too, there was something so fun and free about Larsson’s performance this year. The show was a 10/10, and when my friends and I hopped in the car afterwards to drive home, we immediately played the songs that she had just performed live. 

This show even had me considering buying a ticket to her upcoming tour… even though it is a European tour. Will I fly all the way to the United Kingdom to see her perform again with her backup dancers, this time with an even longer set? I guess we will have to wait and see.