Live Review: Ariana Grande

Just a few months after the devastating terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, those attending the first of her Sydney shows were advised beforehand that no cameras, tablets, clutches or bags whatsoever would be allowed at the event. Fans, many wearing Grande's signature bunny ears and all carrying small ziplock bags containing their phones, wallets and keys lined up for an airport style security check outside the new ICC Sydney Theatre in Darling Harbour.

With no support act, a long countdown appeared on the huge screen behind the ICC stage, and every minute we got closer to seeing the American pop sensation, ear-splitting screams drowned out the huge room. Accompanied by a skilled troupe of dancers, and a talented band, Grande took to the stage, opening with Be Alright from her 2016 album, Dangerous Woman.

During one of the shows many costume changes, words and phrases like "Empowered", "Not asking for it" and "Female" were projected across the screen, before the Side To Side set - one similar to her 2016 VMA performance - was revealed. She started the song on an exercise bike, with her dancers using various gym equipment, and finished with video footage of Nicki Minaj performing her verse before transitioning into their other collaboration (with Jessie J) Bang Bang.

There were a few other spectacle moments - confetti cannons sprayed fake money with Grande's face on it into the audience, pink balloons rained down from the ceiling at one point, there was an impressive laser show during her performance of The Weekend collaboration Love Me Harder and cool choreography with light bars during Problem. The show was lacking a bit of audience interaction though - apart from an "I'm so happy to be here," and "Come on Sydney," Grande didn't say much between songs.

With the singer having so many hits over the last four years, it would be hard to choose a concert highlight - but Break Free and Into You showed off Grande's incredible voice - she can really sing! She paid tribute to the 22 people who lost their lives at her Manchester concert with an emotional performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, her voice shaking throughout the last lines.

She finished with a Grande performance of the title track of the tour, Dangerous Woman, and left the stage to deafening cheers.