.png)
From 250 to 19,000: Sabrina Carpenter Always Steals the Show
- LJ Portnoy
- Sep 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 13
On September 26, 2024, Sabrina Carpenter took over Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, bringing her Short 'N Sweet Tour to thousands of adoring fans. The sheer energy and excitement that filled the venue were a testament to her incredible rise to pop stardom and the deep connection she has cultivated with her audience.
From the moment I stepped into the crowd, anticipation buzzed in every direction.
Standing in the general admission pit, I was surrounded by a sea of dedicated fans—some who had been waiting since the early morning just to get a prime spot close to the stage. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by the chatter of excited concertgoers and the occasional burst of Sabrina’s songs being sung in unison while we waited for the show to begin.
An Exclusive Fan Experience
Sabrina’s VIP packages played a huge role in shaping the experience for many. Three distinct tiers—Team Sabrina, the Short 'N Sweet package, and the Please Please Please package—allowed fans exclusive perks, with each group being let in at separate times. Team Sabrina gained entry first, followed by Short ‘N Sweet, and finally Please Please Please. This system gave each tier a fair chance to secure their spots closest to the stage, adding a sense of exclusivity and excitement for those who splurged on the experience.
Doors officially opened for these fans between 4 PM and 5:30 PM, allowing fans to explore merchandise booths before being escorted to their designated areas. The sight of fans clutching freshly purchased tour hoodies, T-shirts, and posters only added to the growing anticipation.
Amaarae: A Unique and Bold Opener
The night officially started with Amaarae, a rising artist known for her genre-blending sound and unapologetic performance style. While her music wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, there was no denying that she captivated the audience with her bold stage presence. Her performance featured a mix of sensual choreography, including a sultry dance with another woman, which added to the overall theatricality of her set. One of the standout moments was her cover of “Hot To Go” by Chappell Roan, which got a strong reaction from the crowd. Whether or not her music was everyone’s preference, she definitely left an impression.
Sabrina Carpenter: A Superstar in Her Prime
As the stage dimmed and the opening beats of "Taste" filled the arena, an eruption of screams filled the air. The moment had finally arrived. Sabrina Carpenter graced the stage, draped in a bathrobe, playing into the theatrical theme of her show. In one swift movement, she revealed a glittering, form-fitting outfit beneath, marking the start of an unforgettable performance.
The stage design was nothing short of mesmerizing. Designed like a giant dollhouse, it reflected the whimsical yet polished aesthetic that Sabrina has become known for. Lighting cues, screen visuals, and perfectly timed transitions turned the concert into a full-blown spectacle, elevating the performance beyond just music.
Act I: A Pop Spectacle
Sabrina wasted no time launching into her summer anthem, "Taste", before transitioning seamlessly into "Good Graces"—a personal favorite from her latest album. She powered through several more tracks from her new release before reaching "Bed Chem," a song with a tongue-in-cheek parental advisory warning.
The crowd erupted in excitement, fully immersing themselves in the performance as Sabrina effortlessly hit every note with the kind of vocal control and power that sets her apart.
With Act I coming to a close, Sabrina exited the stage, leaving fans buzzing in anticipation for what was next.
Act II: A Cinematic Shift
The transition into Act II was nothing short of stunning. Emerging once again, Sabrina donned a sleek black ensemble adorned with a feather boa, a look that oozed confidence and old-Hollywood glamour. This act leaned heavily into her breakout era, featuring tracks from "Emails I can't send fwd", the album that truly solidified her place as a pop powerhouse.
Opening with "Feather", she seamlessly transitioned into "Fast Times", keeping the momentum high. Every beat, every lyric, and every movement on stage was meticulously executed, yet still felt organic and effortless—as if she was simply having fun with her fans, rather than performing for them.
From 250 to 19,000: Sabrina’s Full-Circle Moment
Sabrina took a reflective pause between songs to speak directly to the audience. She reminisced about her first-ever performance in Michigan in 2016 at The Pike Room in Pontiac—a tiny venue with just 250 people.
The contrast between that intimate setting and her now sold-out show at the 19,000-capacity Little Caesars Arena was staggering.
It was a full-circle moment, a reminder of just how far she has come in a few short years.
You could feel her gratitude and the awe of standing on such a massive stage, playing to an arena packed with people who knew every word to her songs. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of growth, success, and the unwavering support of her fans.
After reminiscing about her early performances, Sabrina spun the bottle—a playful moment that led her to pick a special cover song for the audience: “Kiss Me.” The crowd swayed and sang along, fully immersed in the intimate, stripped-down moment.
With Act II wrapped up, it was time for a high-energy finish, and Sabrina knew exactly how to deliver. She leaned into the viral power that helped catapult her into mainstream pop dominance—“Nonsense.” The arena exploded as she performed the fan-favorite, a track that took over TikTok and social media throughout the past year.
Act III: A Grand Finale
Returning to the stage in a stunning blue floor-length dress, Sabrina took things up a notch for “Dumb & Poetic.” If her previous outfits were breathtaking, this one was next-level elegance, adding an air of cinematic drama to the final act of the night.
One of the show’s most memorable fan interactions followed. A fan I had met earlier in the day had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of receiving a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs from Sabrina herself. Their flirtatious exchange had the audience cheering and laughing, before Sabrina, in full pop-star charisma, playfully dropped the bottom of her dress—revealing a shorter, flirtier skirt underneath, just in time for "Juno.”
The Art of Seduction & Showmanship
Sabrina has built an unapologetically playful, sensual relationship with her fans, growing alongside them as she embraces themes of love, romance, sex, and the chaos that comes with it all.
During "Juno," she leaned into that energy, teasing the audience with a coy "Have you ever tried this one?" before seductively bending over, rolling her body back up in slow motion. She commanded the stage with confidence and cheeky charm, at one point dropping to her knees before stepping onto the heart-shaped platform at the center of the floor. As it rose nearly 20 feet into the air, she owned every inch of the space, effortlessly singing, dancing, and seducing the crowd from above.
As the night neared its end, Sabrina powered through fan-favorite anthems, including “Please Please Please”—a track that had already become a pop culture moment. But just when it seemed like the show was over, she returned for a final encore that sent the arena into absolute hysteria.
The Perfect Encore: A Toast to ‘Espresso’
For the grand finale, Sabrina performed her biggest chart-topping single to date, “Espresso”, stepping back onto the stage with a coffee cup that read ‘Detroit Michigan’—complete with a lipstick stain on the side of the mug. The crowd erupted as she delivered every lyric with effortless confidence, completely basking in the moment.
This show was pure magic, and I was completely under her spell. From the first note to the final bow, she owned every second, proving once again that she’s at the peak of her power. With unstoppable momentum, a killer stage presence, and an army of dedicated fans behind her, Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just a pop star—she’s on her way to becoming one of the biggest icons of our time.
Comments