After not seeing Zara Larsson in DC for a few years (I had actually seen her play 9:30 Club as a rising teen sensation several years ago), Larsson was spectacular on her return to 9:30 Club for a recent sold-out show.

Larsson, known for such timeless songs as “Lush Life,” “Uncover,” and “Symphony” (with Clean Bandit) is currently on a short tour of North America in support of her latest album, Venus.

Larsson’s vocal range and clarity was impressive throughout the evening on Nov. 1. Her ability to dance solo or within a group was superb. Larsson initially addressed the sold-out audience by stating that they were in for 1.5 hours of fun, which was totally correct. Larsson had four dancers for this show accompanied by her band. The show featured great dancing throughout the show and was one of the highlights of the evening.

Larsson’s affinity for DC was evident as she advised that they just had an amazing Halloween event, explored the city, and went to the White House for a visit. She highlighted that she “will be back to the White House when President Harris lives there.” alluding to the current US presidential election.

On Venus, Zara recorded On My Love with David Guetta for the album, and her international hit “Can’t Tame Her,” a fantastic dance number, taking her to the summit of dance, lyric, and song. And she brought down the house with a performance of the song to close her show at 9:30 Club. Zara tantalized with some solo dance moves, while saying thanks you to numerous folks including the light crew, her opener, and her band while introducing her international hit, “Can’t Tame Her” with a final upbeat moment in the performance by interjecting “got one more song…let’s get crazy…. party all-night.”

Watch the official music video for “Can’t Tame Her” by Zara Larsson on YouTube:

Earlier in the evening, Larsson interfaced affectionately with the crowd, who kept wanting more during the show, leading into one of her biggest hits at this point in her career with “Symphony,” a song she collaborated with huge success in the past with Clean Bandit. Her hit “Ain’t My Fault” tended to set the style of the performance for the evening at 9:30 with non-stop dancing from Larsson and featuring her team of four dancers on stage with her thorough out the set. The result was some of the finest dance-oriented music in mainstream pop in today’s global music scene which is seeing an emergence of numerous global female singers working within the dance/pop genre

Larsson’s vocals intermingled with serious dance moves work as well as anyone in today’s music scene. Connecting music, lyric, and sensational dance has been a huge staple of Larsson’s shows from the beginning and continues to be the nexus of her powerful performances, which the audiences fully participate in, that helps push forward the tone of each show in dramatic fashion.

A fan in attendance, Melanie Lindblom, a Virginia resident with Swedish ancestry, and who speaks fluent Swedish had great praise for Larsson’s show, recalling Larsson previously winning a talent contest in Sweden circa 2008. Lindblom stated in her regards to Larsson that she is “so talented vocally, and super upbeat” with a “mix of slower songs.” Lindblom emphasized that it was interesting to see major collaborations with Calvin Harris and Sabrina Carpenter in the past and she hopes that Larsson continues in the current direction with her music.

For me personally, as an admirer of Swedish culture, music and sport since the 1970s, it was very pleasing when she broke out with “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight),” an ABBA classic from the ’70s, which included tremendous audience participation, vocals, and dancing. Playing homage to the Swedish legends was a highlight of the entire evening and shows the diversity of Larsson’s musical skills.

The performance was actually an evening of music, dance, and lyrical content performed at the highest caliber. The sky appears to be the limit for this highly talented musician, and it will be interesting to watch her continue to grow with her next projects. Her ability to write catchy, sophisticated tunes helping to define today’s global music scene is secure, and of prime importance to her continued growth could be some of the next collaborators she works with.

I hope to see her back in the USA on tour again in 2025. Anyone with the chance to catch a Zara Larsson show should do so without hesitation. She is one of the best of her generation.

Here are some photos of Zara Larsson performing at 9:30 Club on Nov. 1, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.