Concert Review: The Musical Odyssey of SZA’s “SOS” Tour

Embarking on a voyage into the depths of her artistic soul, the R&B star SZA’s Saturday concert at Boston’s TD Garden was more than memorable. As fans awaited SZA’s arrival to the stage, ominous silhouettes of seagulls soaring above a colossal LED box created a mesmerizing visual spectacle that set the stage for a musical journey reminiscent of a voyage across uncharted waters.

The “SOS” tour was a testament to SZA’s versatility as an artist. The album itself, with its cover depicting the artist perched on a ledge overlooking the vast ocean, delves into themes of isolation and personal growth, themes that seemed to resonate deeply with the audience from the onset of the show. As the show kicked off, SZA took her place on an onstage ledge mimicking the album cover before setting the tone with a performance of the introspective "PSA.”

The setlist then seamlessly transitioned into a dynamic blend of tracks from her debut studio album, "CTRL." The crowd erupted in screams of delight as SZA serenaded with hits like "Broken Clocks," “Normal Girl,” and "Drew Barrymore," her technical prowess evident as she effortlessly switched gears into songs from her first, soulful album, coded with the longing emotion of an artist finding her identity not only in the music industry, but as a person rendered miniscule in the magnitude of the world. There was something sentimental about hearing songs off of her first album — while the tour catered to her exponentially growing fanbase from her second album, she still pays homage to the roots of her success.

But what distinguished SZA's performance from other artists' tours was her remarkable ability to connect with her audience, especially evident during the choruses of the songs from her album "CTRL." In these moments, she took on the role of an accompanist, blending her harmonies seamlessly with the crowd's rendition of the original melody.

And while some might argue that the primary purpose of a concert is to listen to the artist sing, SZA managed to strike the perfect balance between her own vocal ability and audience participation. Her willingness to harmonize with the audience rather than overshadowing them allowed concertgoers to feel like an integral part of the performance, enhancing the overall experience and leaving a lasting impression.

Complementing her already electric stage presence, the lighting and set design throughout the performance were nothing short of spectacular. Colorful LEDs bathed the stage in hues reminiscent of an underwater world, perfectly synchronized with the moves of SZA and her backup dancers. An entire ship was built to follow the course of a journey across the sea, with a rotating lighthouse casting out a beam of light.

Every element of the performance was meticulously crafted to ensure that audience members would have an unforgettable experience. Each song matched the ambience of the stage: “Low” was performed atop a background of stormy, crashing waves, while “Kiss Me More” featured colorful, vibrant underwater sea scenes. It was evident that no detail was overlooked as from the carefully curated setlist to the intricate staging, everything played a crucial role in bringing the show to life.

Yet one of the most breathtaking moments of the night occurred when SZA appeared on a suspended orange lifeboat, sailing gracefully through the audience. A surreal spectacle which perfectly encapsulated the feeling of being adrift in a sea of emotions, her harmonies of ballads such as “Supermodel,” “Nobody Gets Me,” and “Gone Girl,” were only embellished by the expanse of fans with flashlights illuminating the stadium.

While singing "Good Days," in the show’s final act, the stage was transformed with the glow of a rising sun, casting a warm and hopeful light over the audience. This served as a poignant reminder that even in darkest moments, there's always a glimmer of light on the horizon. A surge of catharsis coursed throughout the audience as the concert came to an end, delighted by the show they had witnessed but already missing the onstage spectacle.

Through a blend of aesthetics and artistry, SZA took listeners on a musical voyage that was more than just a concert. It was not just a show for R&B enthusiasts, but a meaningful testament to SZA’S ability to forge meaningful connections among people on a deeper and more profound scale.