2020 Gumbo Final - Book - Page 23
Lizzo Slays NOLA
Story: Lia Salime
Photo: Abby Kibler
Design: Mariah Graham
S
Lizzo opens “Cuz I Love You Too” Tour
with performance in NOLA
inger and actress Lizzo kicked off the second
leg of her tour, titled “Cuz I Love You Too,” at the
Fillmore in New Orleans on Saturday, Sept. 7. The
concert started at 8 p.m. with performances from
DJ Sophia Eris and Ari Lennox, Lizzo’s opening
acts.
Guests in pink wigs, cat ear headbands and lightreflecting sequins applauded and shouted as
Lizzo came onstage shortly after 10 p.m. clad in a
gold bodysuit and straight hairdo that cascaded
down her legs. The artist was as impressive live
as she is on her tracks, putting on a show whose
main focus was her strong voice despite her
equally strong stage presence.
Lizzo performed songs from her third album, “Cuz
I Love You,” amongst which were the titular song,
“Tempo,” “Water Me” and funk tune “Juice.” Lizzo
also performed Billboard’s Hot 100 #1 hit song
“Truth Hurts,” which gained popularity through the
TikTok app and the Netflix film “Someone Great”
and charted at No. 1 two years after its original
release.
“Sometimes my happiest songs come from my
darkest times,” Lizzo said to the crowd.
The statement preceded a lively performance
of “Soulmate.” Through her upbeat attitude and
contagious high energy, the artist also shared how
she felt vulnerable because it was a new show.
In addition to being a classically trained flutist,
Lizzo is a songwriter and principal writer for every
song in the album, perhaps the reason so many
listeners can connect with her music.
“I love Lizzo,” said LSU School of Nursing
graduate Claire de Back. “She’s one of my favorite
artists right now. She’s so much fun and really
breathes energy into the room and when you go
to a concert like this, that’s what you want.”
The artist took some liberties on the opening
night as she so stated, sharing some political
thoughts, uplifting words and singing the opening
lyrics of “It’s My Party” to a chanting crowd. It was
hard for anyone to not enjoy a show with such an
entertaining, high-energy, talented and relatable
performer who is having fun while also serving
some next-level pipes that belong in a duet with
Beyoncé.
Lizzo performing at
the Fillmore New
Orleans on Canal
Street on Saturday,
Sept. 7, 2019.
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