SZA performing her song, “Snooze” (Milana Biswas/Staff)

On Tuesday, February 21, SZA lit up the Schottenstein Center on the first night of her world tour, “SOS” after the release of her December 2022 album. SZA just hit nine weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Charts, making her the first R&B female artist to reach this height since Mariah Carey.

Omar Apollo serenaded the crowd with his harmonious voice and heartfelt lyrics. Green lights accompanied his viral track “Evergreen,” and “Tamagotchi” (performed in Spanish) had the audience dancing along. The crowd waited for half an hour before SZA emerged with an unreleased snippet of “PSA.” She sat high above the stage in the same pose as the “SOS” album cover. 

With 18,000 fans and the dazzling visual effects, SZA thrilled concert-goers sitting high up in the arena when she boarded a raft suspended in the air and threw flower petals upon the crowd. This unique element of her performance engaged viewers and fit the nautical theme of the show. She sang medlies from new and old albums as well as “All the Stars,” featured in Black Panther, and “Kiss Me More,” a collaboration with Doja Cat.