Lizzo welcomes fans to Lizzoverse for the live stream album launch party

Lizzo’s fall arena tour doesn’t start until September 23, but she didn’t want to let the release of her new “Special” album on Friday pass without welcoming at least a few of them in person and many more via livestream. Throughout the three-day weekend, New York’s Cipriani 25 turned into an LED dance house for “Lizzoverse,” whose first night was dedicated to an intimate listening party and live concert, during which the singer performed all 12 tracks from the new album in a show streamed via the Amazon Music Twitch channel.

The opening party/performance started with fans dancing to a playlist full of Prince and Beyonce that felt like it could have been curated by Lizzo herself. That The actual performance began with the venue going pitch black, soon interrupted by small electronic stars projected onto the walls and ceiling as an automated Lizzo voice instructed fans, “Sit back, relax and prepare.” The singer then took the stage as the studio version of the opening track, “The Sign,” played. Wearing a bright pink sequined jumpsuit, Lizzo wowed the small live audience by jumping and throwing leg kicks while strapping at will.

Lizzo’s brand was ubiquitous as a dancer of hers six-time Emmy nominee “Lizzo takes care of the big grrrls” She next joined her to perform the hit “About Damn Time.” The album’s lead single – currently the No. 2 song on the Billboard Hot 100 – clearly resonated with fans, as those in attendance sang every lyric and hummed every tune. The energy of the dancers further increased the crowd in their playful moments with Lizzo. Speaking of the small but crucial changes portraying her plus-sized dancers, the singer noted, “Look, that’s what ‘Big Grrrls’ was about… It wasn’t just a show… These girls got it paid… They were traveling with me; we were just at the BET Awards.”

Another musical highlight came when Lizzo began serenading a group of fans with “Break Up Twice,” a throwback R&B song that features an interpolation of Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” — during Constellations reflecting female behinds filled the space.

About a hundred AmEx cardholders were able to take part in the opening night hang. Fans who weren’t able to catch the listening party were still able to join in the fun over the following two days of installation, which included several encores throughout the weekend for which fans could reserve seats and listen to the album together.

Lizzo ended the livestream by thanking her fans for staying strong over the past two years: “Thank you for staying alive; thank you for surviving.”