SOS Tour
The SOS Tour was the third concert tour and first arena tour by American singer-songwriter SZA, launched in support of her second studio album, SOS (2022).[1][2] The tour began on February 21, 2023, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, and concluded on August 4, 2024, at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Canada, comprising 81 shows across North America, Europe, South America, and Oceania.[2][3] It featured opening acts including Omar Apollo for the initial North American leg, RAYE for select European dates, and D4vd for select 2024 dates.[2][4] Commercially, the SOS Tour was a major success, grossing $113.1 million from 807,721 tickets sold across reported shows, with the 2023 portion alone earning $95.5 million and 674,000 tickets.[5][6] This made SZA the fourth Black female artist in history to gross over $100 million from a single tour, following Tina Turner, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.[7] The inaugural 18-show North American leg, running from February to March 2023, generated $34.5 million and sold 238,000 tickets, averaging $1.9 million and 12,812 attendees per night.[1] Subsequent extensions included an 11-date European run in June 2023 and a 21-date second North American leg starting in September 2023.[4][8] The production emphasized SZA's introspective themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery, with a dynamic setlist blending tracks from SOS—such as "Kill Bill," "Snooze," and "Nobody Gets Me"—alongside hits from her debut album Ctrl like "Love Galore" and "Broken Clocks."[9][10] Performances incorporated elaborate staging, including aerial elements, costume changes, and surprise guest appearances, such as Travis Scott during the European opener in Amsterdam.[11][10] The tour received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and SZA's vocal prowess, solidifying her status as a leading voice in contemporary R&B.[9]Background and Development
Announcement
SZA announced her SOS Tour on December 13, 2022, marking her first arena tour and supporting her second studio album, SOS, released earlier that month.[12][13][14] The initial North American leg featured 17 shows, commencing on February 21, 2023, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, and wrapping up on March 26, 2023, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.[12][15] Omar Apollo served as the opening act for these dates, with tickets going on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster on December 16, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. local time; a presale for Citi cardmembers and Verizon customers began the prior day.[13][12][15] On April 11, 2023, SZA revealed an expansion of the tour, adding a 23-show second North American leg starting September 20, 2023, in Miami, along with a 10-show European leg in June 2023, and further international extensions.[16] In July 2023, SZA announced 14 dates across South America for March and April 2024. Additional shows in Oceania were added in April 2024, with the tour concluding on May 2, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.[17]Production
The SOS Tour, SZA's first arena tour in support of her 2022 album SOS, was produced by Live Nation and commenced in February 2023, spanning North America and later extending to Europe.[18][19] SZA provided creative direction for the production, which was designed by Human Person in partnership with IMMANENT to deliver immersive, thematic stage environments.[20][21] The overall aesthetic drew from the album's maritime imagery, transforming arenas into oceanic narratives through elaborate set pieces and visuals. Central to the design was a diving board elevated above the stage, where SZA opened each show perched on the edge—mirroring the SOS cover art—before descending into performances like "PSA."[10][22] Additional elements included a ship-inspired main stage, a lighthouse projection, pier-like platforms, and an underwater seabed scene evoked via LED screens and animations.[23] A B-stage configured as a flying lifeboat allowed SZA to traverse the audience during ballads such as "Gone Girl" and "Nobody Gets Me," suspended on wires for dynamic intimacy.[24][25] The production team was led by Tour Director Matthew Walt and Production Manager CJ Stasinos, with support from Tour Coordinator Alysia Cortez and Production Coordinator Bianca Acosta.[20] Show direction was handled by Ian Valentine, while Ben Dalgleish served as both production and lighting designer, incorporating dynamic lighting to enhance the aquatic motifs.[20] Creative production fell to Molly Leishman, and technical oversight to Stephen Hedges, with lighting crew including chief Jeff Jerger and director Kasper Iseger.[20] Animations and visual effects were co-developed by IMMANENT and Human Person, utilizing automation from Tait and SGPS for moving set elements.[20][21] Audio engineering was managed by Phil Strong at front of house, and wardrobe styling by Alejandra Lapilusa, ensuring cohesive thematic outfits.[20] Vendors such as Fuse and Clair/Eighth Day Sound provided comprehensive technical support, enabling the tour's high-scale theatricality across 63 shows.[20][5]Concert Synopsis
Show Structure
The SOS Tour's show structure is conceptualized as an emotional voyage through SZA's discography, divided into five distinct acts representing stages of personal growth: naivete, self-protection, vulnerability, anger, and redemption. This narrative arc unfolds over approximately 90 minutes, blending songs from her albums SOS (2022) and Ctrl (2017) with theatrical staging inspired by oceanic motifs to symbolize introspection and transformation.[26] The concert opens on a diving board elevated above a projected ocean backdrop, mirroring the SOS album cover, where SZA performs "PSA" amid seagull silhouettes and LED screens simulating waves, establishing a tone of quiet urgency and self-reflection. This initial act of naivete quickly transitions into self-protection with high-energy tracks from Ctrl, such as "Seek & Destroy" and "Broken Clocks," accompanied by synchronized dancers and a floating "CTRL Fishing Boat" stage that drifts above the audience, evoking a sense of guarded exploration.[26][27][28] As the performance delves into vulnerability, SZA moves to a suspended lifeboat for intimate ballads like "Supermodel" and "Nobody Gets Me," where the stage darkens to mimic stormy seas, fostering audience sing-alongs and emotional closeness. The anger phase intensifies with an underwater seabed set featuring a large anchor, highlighted by the vengeful "Kill Bill," complete with dramatic lighting and choreography that amplifies themes of defiance.[26][27][29] The finale embodies redemption, returning SZA to the diving board under a simulated clear sky and sunrise glow for uplifting closers like "Good Days," culminating in a cathartic release with fan interactions and petals raining down, leaving the audience with a message of resilience and hope. Throughout, seamless transitions via rotating stage elements—like a lighthouse and trawler—maintain the nautical immersion, with six costume changes ensuring visual dynamism without disrupting the flow.[26][27][30]Surprise Guests
Throughout the SOS Tour, SZA frequently incorporated surprise guest appearances by fellow artists, particularly those who had collaborated with her on tracks from her albums Ctrl (2017) and SOS (2022), adding excitement and variety to the shows. These unannounced performances often occurred during renditions of the relevant songs, delighting audiences and highlighting SZA's industry connections. Guests appeared selectively across tour dates, primarily in North America and Europe, contributing to the tour's dynamic energy without altering the core set list structure.[31] One of the most notable recurring guests was Phoebe Bridgers, who joined SZA for performances of "Ghost in the Machine," their duet from SOS. Bridgers first appeared during the tour's New York City stop at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2023, where the pair delivered an intimate, harmony-rich rendition that emphasized the song's themes of existential vulnerability. She returned for the tour finale at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on March 23, 2023, reprising the track alongside another guest, further elevating the emotional close of the North American leg. These appearances underscored the strong creative synergy between the two artists, as Bridgers' folk-inflected style complemented SZA's R&B delivery.[31][32][33] Cardi B made a high-energy surprise debut at the same New York show, performing "I Do" from her album Invasion of Privacy (2018) and their collaborative single "Tomorrow 2" from SOS. The Bronx native's commanding stage presence and rapid-fire bars injected a hip-hop flair into the evening, with the duo's chemistry drawing cheers from the sold-out crowd of over 20,000. This one-off appearance highlighted SZA's ability to blend genres, bridging her soulful sound with Cardi B's trap influences.[31][34] In Atlanta on March 7, 2023, at State Farm Arena, SZA was joined by Summer Walker for "No Love," their 2022 collaboration from the SOS deluxe edition, and by Lil Baby for a performance that celebrated local hip-hop roots. Walker's smooth, melancholic vocals paired seamlessly with SZA's during the R&B track, while Lil Baby's verse added a gritty Atlanta edge, reflecting the city's pivotal role in both artists' careers. These regional nods exemplified how surprise guests helped tailor shows to specific venues, fostering a sense of communal celebration.[35][36] Lizzo appeared at the Los Angeles finale, teaming up with SZA for "Special" from SOS, delivering an empowering, dance-filled duet that embodied themes of self-acceptance and joy. The performance, infused with Lizzo's charismatic flute interlude and motivational ad-libs, served as a uplifting highlight amid celebrity sightings in the audience. Similarly, Travis Scott joined SZA during the European leg, first in Amsterdam at Ziggo Dome on June 1, 2023, for "Low" from SOS and "Love Galore" from Ctrl, and again in London at The O2 on June 17, 2023, for the same medley. Scott's psychedelic production style and ad-lib heavy flow amplified the tracks' atmospheric intensity, marking his third European collaboration with SZA on the tour and sparking fan speculation about their ongoing partnership.[32][33][37][38][39] These guest spots, while not occurring at every concert, were instrumental in keeping the tour fresh and unpredictable, often generating significant social media buzz and reinforcing SOS' collaborative ethos. They prioritized meaningful artistic pairings over spectacle, ensuring each appearance enhanced the narrative of SZA's discography.[40]Aesthetic
Influences
The aesthetic of SZA's SOS Tour drew heavily from nautical and maritime motifs, reflecting the thematic core of her album SOS, which portrays emotional turmoil as a sea voyage. The stage design featured a central ship-like structure named "S.O.S. from the CTRL Fishing Company," complete with diving boards, ocean projections, and wave simulations that framed performances as a metaphorical journey across water.[41] This visual language extended the album's cover art inspiration—a paparazzi-style image of SZA on a diving board, evoking Princess Diana's 1997 yacht photos—to create an immersive, shipwreck-inspired narrative.[10][42] SZA explicitly cited cinematic and theatrical influences to elevate the tour's visuals into a surreal, high-drama spectacle. In a pre-tour interview, she described aiming for a Broadway-style play infused with the eerie, vibrant color palette of Dario Argento's 1977 horror film Suspiria, which informed the show's saturated reds, blues, and hallucinatory lighting effects.[43] Complementing this, elements of Cirque du Soleil's acrobatic precision and fantastical staging shaped the choreography and set pieces, blending dance sequences with aerial illusions to mirror the album's introspective vulnerability.[43] These influences combined to produce a production that reviewers noted as both aquatic and otherworldly, transforming arena spaces into a therapeutic odyssey.[24]Outfits
The outfits for SZA's SOS Tour were designed by stylist Alejandra Hernandez, who emphasized comfort, authenticity, and a blend of thrifted menswear and custom pieces to align with the tour's nautical and introspective themes. Hernandez prioritized quick-change functionality after dress rehearsals, incorporating elements like thrifted '90s jerseys, men's straight-leg jeans, varsity jackets, and bikini tops, while avoiding overly elaborate designs that could hinder performance flow.[44] The show typically featured six seamless outfit changes, often visible to audiences via on-screen projections during transitions, allowing SZA to maintain momentum without pauses.[45][23] One such change occurred backstage in grayscale footage during "Smoking on My Ex Pack," where SZA continued performing as the audience watched the swap.[23] Key outfits included an opening blue jersey, evoking casual athleticism as SZA performed with eyes closed amid aquatic visuals.[24] An all-black ensemble marked the album's titular intro, symbolizing a bold response to criticism, before SZA stripped to undergarments on screen—projected at venues like Barclays Center—for an intimate reveal. This led into a white dress for "The Weekend," doused with water to create a nearly translucent effect, heightening themes of vulnerability and sensuality.[26] In Act III, a giant puffy dress accompanied SZA's ascent in a lifeboat prop, bathed in blue lighting to enhance the ethereal, ship-like stage design.[46] The finale featured a billowing red dress during "Good Days" on an elevated platform, with an all-black look reappearing at show's end for a grounded, shadowy wave to fans.[45][46] Custom elements, such as a hand-sewn raft jacket, supported aerial segments where SZA floated over the crowd.[44]Analysis
The aesthetic of SZA's SOS Tour is deeply rooted in a nautical and maritime motif, directly inspired by the album SOS's cover art and thematic exploration of emotional distress signals, vulnerability, and personal navigation through heartbreak and self-discovery. This visual language transforms the stage into an immersive seascape, symbolizing the artist's journey across turbulent emotional waters, where songs like "Seek & Destroy" evoke stormy seas and "Good Days" suggest calmer horizons. The production design effectively bridges the album's introspective lyrics with grand-scale spectacle, allowing audiences to visually "sail" through SZA's discography while emphasizing themes of resilience and intimacy.[23][24] Central to this aesthetic is the innovative stage architecture, which features a ship-like structure with elements such as a rusty sailboat prop, a gargantuan anchor for underwater sequences, and a floating platform that traverses the arena to foster closeness with fans. These components not only facilitate dynamic movement—such as SZA riding a lifeboat suspended on wires above the crowd—but also underscore the tour's blend of theatricality and raw emotion, mirroring the album's genre-shifting tracks from R&B to indie-rock influences. The diving board opener, positioned over projected ocean waves, serves as a metaphorical plunge into the performance, setting a tone of bold vulnerability that recurs throughout the 90-minute show.[24][26][23] Visual projections and lighting further amplify the narrative depth, with flowing blue waves, blood-red screens during intense tracks like "Kill Bill," and intergalactic sunsets creating a cinematic progression that aligns with the album's five distinct "SZA" personas—from fury to forgiveness. This layered approach, combined with on-screen backstage glimpses of costume changes in grayscale, adds a layer of transparency, humanizing SZA and reinforcing the tour's core of emotional authenticity over polished perfection. Overall, the aesthetic elevates the SOS Tour beyond a standard concert, establishing it as a visual manifesto of artistic growth that resonates with the album's high-impact exploration of modern relationships.[26][23]Reception
Commercial Performance
The SOS Tour became SZA's highest-grossing concert tour to date, generating a total reported gross of $113,119,055 from 807,721 tickets sold across 63 shows.[5] This equated to an average gross of $1,795,540 per show, with an average attendance of 12,821 and an average ticket price of $140.05.[5] The tour marked a significant commercial milestone for SZA, as it was the fourth by a Black female artist to surpass $100 million in gross revenue, joining tours by Tina Turner, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.[7] In 2023, the tour's primary year, it earned $95,541,339 from 674,226 tickets across 52 shows, reflecting strong initial demand following the release of SZA's album SOS.[5] The 2024 extension added $17,577,716 from 133,495 tickets in 11 shows, primarily in Oceania.[5] Regionally, North America led with $77,089,155 from 486,805 tickets in 38 shows, followed by Europe at $18,452,184 from 187,421 tickets in 14 shows, and Oceania contributing the remaining international earnings.[5]| Region | Gross Revenue | Tickets Sold | Shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | $77,089,155 | 486,805 | 38 |
| Europe | $18,452,184 | 187,421 | 14 |
| Oceania | $17,577,716 | 133,495 | 11 |
| Total | $113,119,055 | 807,721 | 63 |
Critical Response
The SOS Tour received widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious production and SZA's commanding stage presence, marking her successful transition to arena-scale performances following the blockbuster success of her album SOS. Reviewers praised the tour's nautical-themed staging, which included elaborate sets like a diving board, shipwreck, and lifeboat, seamlessly integrating with the 30-plus song setlist to create a cinematic narrative that amplified the album's themes of emotional turmoil and self-discovery. In her debut at Madison Square Garden, SZA delivered a "vigorous, confident, theatrical, and intimate" show that blended vulnerability with spectacle, earning her status as a "beacon for the vulnerable, stubborn, besieged, and broken."[24] Critics highlighted SZA's vocal prowess and genre-spanning versatility, noting how she effortlessly shifted between R&B intimacy, pop-punk energy, and indie ballads, often harmonizing with the audience to foster a communal catharsis. The Guardian described the production as an "astonishing nautical-themed stage set" where SZA's voice "rises above band and dancers," showcasing her elastic movement between "intimate candor and epic production," ultimately deeming it a "voyage of a lifetime." Similarly, Rolling Stone lauded the tour's launch as a "triumph of emotional rawness and vocal prowess," emphasizing SZA's ability to connect personally in a 19,000-capacity venue. At Boston's TD Garden, the performance was celebrated for its "stunning vocals and electric energy," with meticulous choreography and lighting—such as stormy waves for "Low" and a lighthouse for "Good Days"—creating "breathtaking moments of catharsis."[47][48][25] While predominantly positive, some reviews noted minor technical and pacing challenges. Vibe acknowledged occasional sound issues and uneven flow in the nearly two-hour runtime, suggesting the marathon length could occasionally dilute momentum. The Line of Best Fit pointed to an "over-reliance on a singular sonic palette" in the second half, which risked losing some groundbreaking energy despite the overall kinetic choreography and intimate fan interactions. These critiques were overshadowed by the tour's broader impact, with outlets like The Harvard Crimson hailing it as a "meticulously crafted musical odyssey" that solidified SZA's artistic range and emotional depth.[10][49][27]Accolades
The SOS Tour garnered significant recognition for its commercial achievements and innovative production. At the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards in 2024, the tour earned nominations for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year and R&B Tour of the Year, highlighting its impact within the live music industry.[50] Although it did not secure wins in those categories—where Post Malone and Beyoncé took the honors, respectively—the nominations underscored the tour's strong fan engagement and box office performance.[51] The tour's success also contributed to SZA's broader accolades, including her ranking on Billboard's year-end charts and features in industry analyses of top-grossing R&B tours.[6]Set List
Main Set
The main set of SZA's SOS Tour consisted of over 30 songs, drawing heavily from her 2022 album SOS while incorporating fan-favorite tracks from Ctrl (2017) and select collaborations, performed over approximately 90 minutes. The set opened with an energetic sequence emphasizing themes of desire and introspection, starting with the album opener "PSA" followed by "Seek & Destroy" and "Notice Me," setting a tone of raw vulnerability through synchronized choreography and oceanic projections evoking a shipwreck narrative.[52][9] As the performance progressed, SZA transitioned into mid-tempo reflections on relationships and self-doubt, featuring "Love Galore," "Broken Clocks," "Forgiveless," "Used," and a medley-inclusive "Ghost in the Machine" that incorporated Erykah Badu's "Bag Lady" as a cover for added soulful depth. The set built intensity with high-energy anthems like "Low," "Snooze," "Nobody Gets Me," "Gone Girl," and "Smoking on my Ex Pack," often accompanied by set pieces such as a "CTRL Fishing Boat" stage and live costume changes projected on screens. Later segments highlighted empowerment and sensuality in tracks including "F2F," "20 Something," "Supermodel," "The Weekend," "Kiss Me More" (with Doja Cat), "I Hate U," and culminating in the chart-topping "Kill Bill," which served as a climactic closer to the main portion before encores.[52][28][9] This structure, consistent across the tour's 63 shows from February 2023 to May 2024, wove a cinematic arc mirroring the album's exploration of chaos and healing, with SZA's vocal delivery and dancer interactions amplifying emotional peaks, such as crowd chants during "Special" interludes. Staging evolved from a diving board for initial tracks to an underwater anchor motif, enhancing the conceptual flow without major alterations in song order for most shows.[52][9]Variations
While the SOS Tour maintained a consistent core setlist drawing heavily from SZA's 2022 album SOS and earlier works like Ctrl, variations emerged through song rotations, occasional additions of lesser-performed tracks, and surprise guest collaborations that altered performances dynamically.[52] Songs such as "All the Stars," "Broken Clocks," and "Kill Bill" appeared in nearly every show, establishing the tour's nautical-themed structure, but others were selectively included to keep sets fresh.[53] Notable additions included "Ghost in the Machine," often as an acoustic or guest-enhanced highlight that evolved from sporadic early appearances to a semi-regular feature by mid-tour.[53] In contrast, tracks like "Far" were rarities, debuting only once in Sydney on April 23, 2024, reflecting SZA's approach to incorporating fan-favored deep cuts without overhauling the main sequence.[53] Other variable elements, such as "Supermodel" or "Rich Baby Daddy," appeared in transitional acoustic segments or encores, adding intimacy to the production's high-energy visuals.[53] Later performances in 2024 incorporated tracks from the SOS deluxe edition, such as "Saturn." Surprise guest appearances provided the most prominent variations, with collaborators joining for duets on select dates to reinterpret shared tracks. At Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2023, Cardi B performed "I Do" and "Tomorrow 2," while Phoebe Bridgers guested on "Ghost in the Machine," extending the set with unrehearsed energy.[31] Similar moments occurred at the tour's final 2023 Los Angeles show on March 23, where Lizzo joined for "Special" and Bridgers returned for "Ghost in the Machine," blending SOS material with live remixes.[32] Other variable elements, such as "Supermodel" or "Rich Baby Daddy," appeared in transitional acoustic segments or encores, adding intimacy to the production's high-energy visuals.[53] Overall, such changes accounted for about 20–30% deviation per show, enhancing replay value across the tour dates.[53]Tour Dates
Overview
Announced on December 13, 2022, the SOS Tour was the third concert tour and first arena tour by American singer-songwriter SZA, launched in support of her second studio album, SOS (2022).[13] It marked SZA's debut in arena venues and began on February 21, 2023, at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, featuring opening performances by Omar Apollo.[54][55] Comprising 63 shows across North America, Europe, South America, and Oceania, the tour visited arenas and stadiums in multiple legs.[2] Extensions announced in April 2023 added an 11-date European leg in June and a 21-date second North American leg in September–October.[8] Later expansions included a 6-date South American leg in March 2024 and a 7-date Oceania leg in April–May 2024, concluding on May 2, 2024, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.[56][57] Opening acts varied by leg: Omar Apollo for the initial North American leg, RAYE for Europe, d4vd for the second North American leg, and SiR for Oceania.[2][4][58][59] South American dates had no announced opening act. Occasional special guests included Cardi B, Phoebe Bridgers, and Isaiah Rashad during select North American performances.[10]Cancellations and Postponements
During the early stages of the SOS Tour, SZA encountered production challenges that led to the postponement of her March 2, 2023, performance at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.[60] The delay was attributed to unforeseen production issues, prompting organizers to halt the event just hours before it was scheduled to begin.[60] This affected thousands of fans who had anticipated the show as part of the tour's initial North American leg, but tickets remained valid for the rescheduled date.[8] In response to the setback, the Philadelphia concert was successfully rescheduled for September 26, 2023, allowing SZA to perform as planned later in the year.[8] The makeup show proceeded without further interruption, integrating into the tour's extended fall itinerary and receiving positive feedback for its high-energy execution.[61] Later, on October 4, 2023, SZA was forced to postpone her Scotiabank Arena date in Toronto due to illness, announcing the decision mere hours before doors were set to open.[62] She cited health concerns in a social media update, emphasizing her commitment to delivering a full performance and promising a rescheduled show.[62] The original October 4 date was moved to December 5, 2025, with existing tickets honored.[63] However, the rescheduled Toronto performance was ultimately cancelled in December 2023, with no specific reason provided by SZA or her team.[63] Fans received notifications and automatic refunds, marking the only full cancellation of the tour's announced dates.[63] Despite these disruptions, the SOS Tour continued across its extensive global run, concluding successfully in 2024 without additional major interruptions.[10]Box Office Data
The SOS Tour grossed a total of $113,119,055 from 807,721 tickets sold across 63 reported shows, averaging $1,795,540 per show, 12,821 tickets per show, and an average ticket price of $140.05.[5]By Year
| Year | Revenue | Tickets Sold | Shows | Average Revenue per Show | Average Tickets per Show | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $95,541,339 | 674,226 | 52 | $1,837,333 | 12,966 | $141.71 |
| 2024 | $17,577,716 | 133,495 | 11 | $1,597,974 | 12,136 | $131.67 |
By Region
| Region | Revenue | Tickets Sold | Shows | Average Revenue per Show | Average Tickets per Show | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | $77,089,155 | 486,805 | 38 | $2,028,661 | 12,815 | $158.39 |
| Europe | $18,452,184 | 187,421 | 14 | $1,318,013 | 13,387 | $98.45 |
| Oceania | $17,577,716 | 133,495 | 11 | $1,597,974 | 12,136 | $131.67 |