The best two-hour $100 therapy session I have ever had.
The night opened with a few words from Olivia Rodrigo: “We will have so much fun tonight. I want you to jump, to scream, to cry if you feel like crying. I am so, so happy you are here.”
She gave every single person the freedom to express their emotions and connect with her music on a much deeper level than just listening.
A connection was made between her fans and her as if everyone knew Rodrigo personally.
Rodrigo is performing 57 shows in 2024 and opened in Palm Springs, California. Omaha’s CHI Health Center on March 13, 2024, was her 12th stop on the tour and included Midwest singer/songwriter Chappell Roan.
Roan opened the show with lots of energy, with the crowd on their feet spelling H-O-T-T-O-G-O with their arms. This is from the song “HOT TO GO!” It was the first song that started the energy in the concert. This type of energy created the base on which Rodrigo came into the room, and time froze.
Rodrigo played songsfrom her “Guts” and Sour” albums. Being able to fully scream out the lyrics of songs that have been on repeat since 2020 felt wholesome. My inner self, who listened to Rodrigo’s songs when experiencing joy and sadness, was healed.
Rodrigo cared for her fans; when performing, she thanked them. Popular artists typically skip over Omaha, and fans find their way to Kansas City instead. But Rodrigo recognizing Omaha gave listeners, young and old, the chance to experience her concert in person.
One concert can change one’s perspective on life, and I feel like this one did. I finally was able to let go of anger and sadness, like a therapy session would allow me to do. After this concert I looked at everyone surrounding me as people who just need someone to listen and care about what they are going through. Rodrigo gave people a place where they were heard.
