On Friday, December 8, 2023, music lovers around New Jersey and New York came together in Madison Square Garden to celebrate the holiday season with Z100’s Jingle Ball.
The show began at seven p.m., and the first set was by artist Doechii. She was a perfect choice to begin with as she ended her set with her hit single that trended on TikTok, bringing just the right amount of hype for sets to come.
Once Doechii finished, screens in front of the seats in the arena listed the following acts, and announcers came on in between each set to bring on the next performer. The announcers varied from Z100’s very own DJs, Bravo’s Andy Cohen, and TV personality Martha Stewart.
The performers following Doechii were Melanie Martinez, David Kushner, Big Time Rush, special guest appearances from “Lil Boo Thang” singer Paul Russell and Cher, Pentatonix, OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, JellyRoll, and headliners SZA and Olivia Rodrigo.
Madison Square Garden was perfectly set up for the occasion. With screens surrounding the arena, people from the highest seats to the obstructed views behind the stage were guaranteed to see their favorite artists perform. Additionally, people behind the stage had a first look at the performers while they were getting ready for their sets.
Multi-colored lights were shining even when performers weren’t there, providing the arena with a festive atmosphere. Not only were there lights provided by the crew, but concert-goers wore light-up headbands, either their own or the CapitalOne headbands sold at each level, blinking colors the whole night.
There was a five-minute break period between each performer, giving audience members more anticipation for who was to come. By the time SZA came out, fans were on their feet, singing and jumping to her songs.
The audience stayed standing in anticipation as they waited for the final performer, Olivia Rodrigo. When she came out, the arena was filled with screaming fans from the floor to the top row.
Rodrigo is touring this coming summer for her most recent album, GUTS. However, the Jingle Ball was her first official performance of these songs, giving all the more reason for people’s excitement about her appearance. Performing her new single from “The Hunger Games: Battle of Songbirds and Snakes,” three songs from her newest album, and three songs from her first, she left the crowd in awe.
Fans left the minute she finished, rushing to get to their cars and the train. Although anxious to get home, the attendees were left satisfied with a successful night of performances from their favorite artists.