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The Power of Music: Our Night with Lizzo

Turn up the music, turn down the lights
I got a feelin’ I’m gon’ be alright
Okay (okay), alright
It’s about damn time

On Sunday, my daughter and I attended a Lizzo concert in downtown Sacramento. It was a combined birthday present for us both and it was life-changing.

We got to the arena five hours before showtime and were lucky enough to be number 35 and 36 in line. The fans we stood beside became our friends as we waited in excitement to be let into the arena. I’d never done pit tickets before and didn’t know what to expect, but our new friends took us under their wing and walked us through the ropes.

Once inside, we got a spot on the barricade—right beside the stage! My daughter and I kept turning to each other in disbelief. It was more than we could have hoped for.

Lizzo’s DJ opened the show followed by the gorgeous Latto. One of her songs featured protest signs and we chanted “My Body, My Choice” as a crowd. The energy felt incredible.

Then, the moment came. When Lizzo took the stage in a striking purple sparkling outfit, my daughter and I cried. She is more than a performer to us, she’s a symbol of how to love your body. She’s a role model. She stands for self-love in the biggest way possible. We were starstruck! We danced, sang along at the top of our lungs, and laughed. We felt free and beautiful. We felt her magic.

When Lizzo appeared in a stunning silver robe and removed it to sing Naked to the crowd, it brought up some big feelings. I’ve had such a hard time loving my plus-sized body, but she made me believe I could. She made me believe I deserve it. We all do. What a gift!

Let down my guard, undo my robe
I’m standing here, don’t need no clothes
I’m naked
Love how you look at me naked
Come make this body feel sacred
I’m a big girl, don’t you waste it, naked

The most powerful moment of the night, for us, was when Lizzo played the song Special. This song is an anthem in our house and has played a major role in my daughter’s mental health journey. It’s a mantra and a call to self-love. We play it on the dark days as a beacon of light. We cling to it when times are hard. To hear Lizzo sing it mere feet from us was transformative. My daughter and I sobbed beside each other feeling the weight of the last few years, the bigness of what we’ve been through together, and the love we share.

In case nobody told you today
You’re special
In case nobody made you believe
You’re special
Well, I will always love you the same
You’re special
I’m so glad that you’re still with us
Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect

At one point during the song, Lizzo saw my girl sobbing and they had a moment. She gave my girl love. Directly. Life can be so hard, but that moment was pure and utter magic. I can’t thank Lizzo enough for seeing her, for her powerful music, and for making me believe in the good of people. Here’s a bit of the song for you to enjoy:

It’s been a few days since the concert and honestly, I still feel transformed. My body feels somehow more comfortable. More like my home. I wore tighter clothes the last few days and didn’t hide my arms. I felt more peaceful about my body. More in love with it. This morning I even caught my reflection in the back door while watering and thought I looked pretty. I snapped this picture so I can remember this feeling.

If you are reading this today, consider it partly a love letter to you. Yes, you. I know it’s hard to love our bodies when they don’t look like we think they “should.” But it’s okay. It really is. You can work on yourself and love yourself. You can be happy with your body right now. Please, be kind to you today. We all need you here. One more time, all together:

You’re special
I’m so glad that you’re still with us
Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect

47 thoughts on “The Power of Music: Our Night with Lizzo”

  2. Glad you both had such a wonderful time 🙂 Very powerful reminder of body positivity, especially in today’s judgemental society – thanks for sharing such an important reassurance!

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    • Thanks, Tom! I know men deal with body issues too. We are all sold a false narrative of what we “should” look like and act like. It’s important to take a step back and celebrate people who break that mold, like Lizzo. She’s brave and faces A LOT of hate online, but manages to remain kind and unapologetically herself. We can all learn a lot from her example.

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    • Sorry to make you cry at work! Yes, I feel so incredibly fortunate for my girl to have that moment with Lizzo. It meant the world to her and she will carry that energy with her for a long, long time.

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  7. I teared up while reading your post. I didn’t go to the concert because I still have issues with being among crowds, but it sounds like the party everyone needed to be at after such a long period of isolation and grief. I’m happy you and your daughter got to go, and found so much healing in Lizzo’s music.

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  12. This just made me feel over the moon for you. What a cool experience! As a plus sized person myself, I understand why feeling pretty once in a while can be a moment to remember, especially when media all around asks us to be ashamed of our bodies in so many ways. Sending much love to you and your daughter.🤍

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  13. I teared up a little reading this. I’m so glad that you got to go and enjoyed the concert to the fullest. I love Lizzo and her music and it’s honestly so heartwarming to see how it changes us all for the better.🤍

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  15. I am sitting here crying reading your words of triumph and understanding how far you have come. Your daughter is your spitting image both beautiful. Your post has touched something within me and I need to look at that some more. Have a wonderful day

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    • Thank you for sharing your kind words and for letting me know this post moved you. We all need to find ways to love ourselves more. Lizzo spreads the word in a global way, but we can all do our part in smaller ways. I’m hoping my daughter will hold this experience in her heart for a long, long time.

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  16. Lovely you sharing The Power of Music Night with Lizzo. You & daughter enjoyed Magic music. Both of you pretty look picture.
    Very interesting songs. Very nice your looked pretty snapped the picture, Bridgette!
    “I’m so glad that you’re still with us
    Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect ” nice written it’s!

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  17. What a beautiful, uplifting post. I struggle with body issues myself. Some of the meds I’m on cause a lot of weight gain, and I tend to stay cooped up at home. But yeah, I guess I needed the encouragement. So thanks 😊

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    • We all need reminders that we are more than our physical appearance. It makes me so sad to hear you’ve been hiding at home because of your weight gain. You deserve happiness at any size, because you are the same beautiful soul no matter what the scale says. Sending you a giant hug, friend. You are loved!

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    • Thanks! It was the first time I’ve done such a thing and I was happy it paid off. We are going to try again on Wednesday for my daughter’s second favorite singer, Melanie Martinez. Wish us luck!

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