Kenzie Shines Brightly at St Andrew’s Hall
With an amazing crowd and an even better performer, I got the privilege to experience Kenzie Ziegler’s full musical talent under the shimmering lights at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI on November 26th as she opened for Mark Ambor on his ‘Rockwood’ tour. With hit songs, including Ziegler’s number-one “anatomy” that has received over forty million streams on Spotify, this early actress, former dancer, and now singer, showcased the true range of her musical prowess atop the stage with a loving crowd echoing every word.
As I walked into Saint Andrew’s Hall, I could already tell this show was going to be breathtaking. Fans were lined up and buzzing for Ziegler to take the stage underneath moody lighting, as eager to see her perform as I was. Not only was the venue the perfect place for an artist of her caliber, but the moments I was able to capture left me utterly enchanted with Ziegler’s powerful stage presence leading the crowd, hearts beating and lips moving in sync with her every word.
Starting as an actress on the hit reality television series ‘Dance Moms,’ Ziegler has been recognized worldwide from a young age and is now making her break into the world of front-row, must-see artists. In 2017 Ziegler was well-received as she released her first single “Breathe,” and then only a year later received over 100 million streams on Spotify with her next single “What If (I Told You I Like You)” with Justin Orlando. As of recent, Ziegler has taken the world by storm with hits such as “anatomy,” “biting my tongue,” and “bad 4 u.” Ziegler has made a name for herself in the pop scene through heart-wrenching lyrics and beautifully somber storytelling, marking her as yet another artist you won’t want to miss when she’s in town!
As the lights dimmed and Ziegler took the stage, the crowd fell into a hushed silence as the haunting first chords of “biting my tongue” rang out. The moment Ziegler appeared on stage, fans erupted with wild cheers, singing along with every word. This song encapsulated the depth of people-pleasing with relatable and heartfelt lyrics, kicking the show off with an emotional melody that had attendees screaming for more.
Following shortly after and reinforcing the melancholic vibe, Ziegler performed her top-rated song “anatomy.” This tear-pulling piece had fans swaying their flashlights to the rhythm and relating lyrics to their own life experiences, touching on deeper subjects like familial relationships and how they can impact our lives long-term. The photos I was able to capture of this piece showcased exactly how much this song meant to both Ziegler and her fans.
With the final song of the night, Ziegler performed one of her newer tunes “bad 4 u,” shifting the mood of the crowd into a unique blend of wistful grace and ethereal undertones. This song is beguiling in its sound, combining delicate vocals with potent lyrics, the most iconic line being “all the best things are bad for you.”
Throughout the course of this show, I was repeatedly reminded why Ziegler has skyrocketed to fame in her music career. With her lyrical excellence and outstanding range, she has proven to be an influential artist of our time, widely recognized not just for her early onset fame on reality television but also carving herself a new path alongside other pop artists of the modern day. Between the stellar performance and commanding showmanship, I strongly recommend going to see Ziegler live in a show near you!