Ariana Grande Says If She Hadn’t Gotten Her ‘Wicked’ Role, She ‘Might Have Ended Up in an Insane Asylum’

Ariana Grande really, really wanted to play Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked.

How much? “If it hadn’t happened, I might have ended up in an insane asylum,” she joked during a panel Sunday (Nov. 10) in Hollywood following a screening of the film, which opens in theaters Nov. 22. Grande, who is credited as Ariana Grande-Butera in the film, prepared for months for her audition.  

“Vocally, it’s very different for me than what I usually sing, so I started training every single day with my vocal coach for two-and-a-half, three months before my first audition, and my acting coach. I just wanted to be prepared to use any tool needed whatever was asked, I wanted to be able to drop in and do it and really become her,” Grande said. “I gave my everything to it and paused everything else.”

If she had not gotten the role, Grande noted she knew that, because of director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt, the part “was in the most loving hands, so I just kind of worked as hard as I could and let the rest fall into place. I do think, though, if it hadn’t happened, I might have ended up in an insane asylum, so there’s that.”

Chu admitted that Grande had “a giant wall to climb over” simply because of her fame as “Ariana Grande.” He also questioned, “Does she really know what it takes to carry a movie? Does she know what it takes to be inside a character? And she came in, and I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I was like, ‘She’s not talking like Ariana Grande. She’s not singing like Ariana Grande.’ By the way, I was outside in the parking lot, and she drove past like 14 times in 20 minutes.”

“I didn’t know you had seen me or heard me,” Grande broke in. “You were like, ‘Who’s blasting [Wicked song] “One Short Day?”’”

Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who stars as the Wicked Witch Elphaba, first met at Erivo’s house and shared snacks, including berries. “We just giggled and I felt an immediate safety,” Grande says. “And then we kind of made a pact to really take care of each other.”

“To be really honest with each other,” Erivo continued. “To make space for each other.”

Grande says she was extremely nervous. “I almost sh-t in my pants. But she’s just the warmest human being. We were just so open immediately with each other. I think that that promise that we made to each other and how we kept it and how it strengthened along the way is one of the things that we’re proudest of.”

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The Cure’s ‘Songs of a Lost World’ Debuts at No. 1 on Multiple Billboard Charts

The Cure makes a striking return to Billboard’s album charts (dated Nov. 16) with the arrival of Songs of a Lost World. It’s the band’s first No. 1 on the 33-year-old Top Album Sales chart and the act’s highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200 (No. 4) since 1992. It also bows at No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Alternative Albums, Vinyl Albums and Indie Store Album Sales.

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The Cure

The Cure Play Comeback Album ‘Songs of a Lost World’ in Full at London Concert: 7 Best Moments

Songs of a Lost World is The Cure’s first album of new material since 2008. The new album is the act’s third top 10-charting set on the Billboard 200, following its self-titled effort (No. 7 in July 2004) and Wish (No. 2 in May 1992).

Equivalent album units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. Nov. 16, 2024-dated charts will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Songs of a Lost World bows with 57,000 equivalent album units earned (the act’s best week by units) in the United States in the week ending Nov. 7, according to Luminate. Of that sum, album sales comprise 53,000 (The Cure’s biggest sales week since 2004, when its self-titled album launched with 91,000), SEA units comprise 4,000 (equaling 5.02 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs) and TEA units comprise a negligible sum.

The new album’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across five vinyl variants (which sold a combined 23,000 copies; the band’s best week on vinyl since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991), a standard CD, a CD/blu-ray audio package, two cassettes, a standard digital download and a deluxe digital download with five bonus live tracks (exclusive to the band’s webstore).

Meanwhile, the set’s “A Fragile Thing” rises 25-22 on Alternative Airplay (a new best and The Cure’s highest charting song since 2004) and 12-10 on Adult Alternative Airplay (the group’s first top 10, and third charted hit, since the list began in 1996).

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Viral Olympian Raygun Joins Tones And I Onstage for Melbourne Concert

Following claims of retirement from Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, or “b-girl Raygun,” the viral Olympic hopeful has made a surprise appearance onstage with fellow Aussie Tones And I at the latter’s Melbourne performance on Saturday (Nov. 9).

Performing at Rod Laver Arena, the penultimate song of Tones And I’s headline set was “Dance With Me”, the fourth single from her 2024 album, Beautifully Ordinary.

While the album charted atop the ARIA chart in Australia, Tones And I has not had a charting hit in the US apart from her breakthrough single “Dance Monkey”, which peaked at No. 4 on the Hot 100 i 2019.

Hyping up the crowd, Tones And I urged the audience to “please give it up for an Australian icon, the most iconic break dancer there is, Raygun!”

The controversial Olympian took to the stage to share her breaking skills throughout the performance, with memories of her viral appearance at the Paris Olympics flooding back for all in attendance.

Taking to social media following Raygun’s appearance, Tones And I shared a video of the encounter and expressed her gratitude for the breaker, referring to her as the “most beautiful kindest full of life human I have met”

“It was an honour to celebrate you last night,” she added. “Thank you for sharing the stage with me and bringing smiles to so many faces. You always have a friend in me.”

Raygun, a 37-year-old university lecturer from Sydney, shot to fame in August when failed to score any points at the Paris Olympics in routines that included a “kangaroo” dance. The following month, the World DanceSport Federation issued a statement to “provide clarity” on why Raygun had managed to top the sport’s latest world rankings. 

Their explanation revealed that the methodology for the rankings were based on each athlete’s top four performances within the past 12 months — but excludes Olympic events including the Paris Games and Olympic qualifier series events in Shanghai and Budapest.

Earlier this month, the breaker made headlines once again when reports emerged that she had announced her retirement from the sport.

She later went on the record to clarify that she would no longer be competing, though not retiring from breaking entirely.

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How to Watch the 2024 MTV EMAs

The 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards celebrated music around the globe with a star-studded event on Sunday (Nov. 10) hosted by Rita Ora.

Taylor Swift leads the list of nominations with seven nods including best pop, best artist and biggest fans.

Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish earned five nods. Beyoncé, LISA, Kendrick Lamar, Ayra Starr, Chappell Roan and Tyla landed four nods each.

Other nominees include Boone, LE SSERAFIM, Teddy Swims, Camila Cabello, Dua Lipa, Rema, Tems, Coldplay, Jimin, Katy Perry, Anitta, Karol G, Shakira, NewJeans, Stray Kids, Hozier, Megan Thee Stallion, Kehlani, SZA, Tinashe, RAYE and Shawn Mendes.

See below for everything you need to know about how to watch the 2024 MTV EMAs on TV and online.

When are the 2024 MTV EMAs?

The 2024 MTV EMAs will be held at the Co-Op Live in Manchester on Sunday. The show will broadcast live on MTV in the U.K. and 150 countries, in addition to red carpet and backstage footage streaming via MTVEMA.com and the MTV EMA’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram accounts. Viewers can stream internationally via ExpressVPN.

How to Watch & Stream the 2024 EMAs online free

For those looking to watch the EMAs, the ceremony will re-broadcast on MTV and MTV2 on Monday (Nov. 11) at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. If you already have cable or satellite, check your local listings for channel information.

Online viewers can stream MTV and MTV2 via Direct TV Stream, fuboTV, Philo and Sling TV. Signing up for free trials through platforms such as Direct TV Stream, fuboTV and Philo will give you access to MTV and MTV2 to let you watch the EMAs from your TV, laptop, tablet or phone.

directv free trial

Additionally, the 2024 MTV EMAs will begin streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV on Monday. Not subscribed to Paramount+? Subscriptions start at $7.99/month after a free, one-week trial.

paramount+ free trial

From must-watch movies and acclaimed originals to live sports and exclusives from MTV, and other Viacom channels, Paramount+ is home to a mountain of entertainment. The lineup of original programs on Paramount+ includes Lioness, Tulsa King, Ink Master, The Good Fight, Evil, Seal Team, 1883 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

Paramount+ is also available on Prime Video and you can access the platform from outside of the U.S. with ExpressVPN. 

Who is performing at the 2024 MTV EMAs?

LE SSERAFIM, Peso Pluma, Tyla, Benson Boone, Mendes, The Warning, RAYE, Pet Shop Boys are among this year’s performers.  

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Mattel Apologizes for ‘Wicked’ Doll Packaging Mistakenly Linking to Adult Website

A misprint on the packaging for Wicked character dolls manufactured by Mattel led consumers to visit an adult website, rather than the movie’s website, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mattel issued an apology for the error on Sunday (Nov. 10).

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend the "Journey Through Oz" Tour to celebrate the Australian premiere of "Wicked" at State Theatre on Nov. 3, 2024 in Sydney, Australia.

Cynthia Erivo Says ‘Thank Goodness’ Ariana Grande Was Cast in ‘Wicked’ Over Fellow…

The web address listed on the doll boxes in question is wicked.com, instead of Universal Pictures’ wickedmovie.com, says THR. When going to wicked.com, a message comes up requiring users to be 18 and older. Those who click “enter” arrive on an adult website promoting a pornographic movie titled Kenzie Loves Girls 2 from a venture called “Wicked Pictures.”

The Wicked dolls being sold with the inappropriate website printed on their package include Glinda (who’s played by Ariana Grande in the upcoming film) and Elphaba (who’s played by Cynthia Erivo).

Mattel issued the following statement: “Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page. We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information.”

As of Sunday evening, Billboard confirmed the dolls are no longer available on major online retailers including Target and Amazon.

The issue comes less than two weeks before Wicked, filmmaker Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, opens in theaters Nov. 22. Leading research firm NRG has Wicked on track for an opening of $85 million — which would be one of the biggest starts seen at the box office for a musical, THR reports.

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MTV EMAs Pay Tribute to Liam Payne as Taylor Swift, Tyla and Sabrina Carpenter Triumph

Taylor Swift, Tyla and Sabrina Carpenter were among the big winners at the 2024 MTV EMAs, which also included a poignant tribute to Liam Payne, almost one month on from the singer’s death in Argentina.

“I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us. We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight,” said the show’s host Rita Ora, who duetted with the former One Direction vocalist on 2018’s “For You (Fifty Shades Freed).”

“He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could,” said a tearful Ora. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world,” said the visibly moved host.

The EMAs show, which was staged at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Sunday (Nov. 10), also featured a brief video tribute to Payne.

Swift, who was not present in Manchester, won the most awards on the night, taking home prizes for best artist, best live, best U.S. act and best video for her Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Fortnight,” featuring Post Malone.

“I have to say thank you so much to Post Malone for being the most amazing co-star possible,” said Swift in a video acceptance speech.

Just behind Swift with three awards was Tyla, who took home trophies for best Afrobeats, best R&B and best African act. The South African singer, who was honored with a global impact award at Billboard’s R&B No. 1s event in New York earlier this year, also delivered one of the night’s standout performances, flanked by writhing dancers for a lively two-song medley of “Push 2 Start” and “Water.”

“I can’t believe it,” said Tyla accepting the best afrobeats prize from LL Cool J. “Literally, all the nominees, they are insane. They have taken Afrobeats so far and I’m so honored to be winning this award… Afrobeats has opened so many doors for African music, so thank you so much to Afrobeats.”

Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who both did not attend the show, won best song for “Espresso” and the award best pop, respectively. Billie Eilish and Charli xcx, who were also absent, failed to win in any of the five categories they were each nominated.

Benson Boone opened the two-hour show, which was being held in the U.K. for the first time since 2017, with an impassioned energetic run through “Slow It Down” and “Beautiful Things” that began with the 22-year-old suspended in the air as he played a golden grand piano. Later in the evening, Boone collected his first EMA award in the form of the best new act title.

Making their U.K. live debut, K-pop band LE SSERAFIM delivered an energetic performance of “Chasing Lightning” and “CRAZY”, the title track from their latest EP, which topped Billboard’s Top Album Sales in September.

The five-piece pop group, who made their Coachella debut this year, were rewarded for their efforts with the best push award, one of three prizes they were nominated for in the lead up to Sunday’s show.

Other memorable performances included Shawn Mendes playing his new single “Heart of Gold,” Mexican trio The Warning with a raucous, pyrotechnic-accompanied rendition of “Automatic Sun” and Best U.K. and Ireland act winner Raye, joined by a 30-piece choir for a stirring medley of “Escapism, “Oscar Winning Tears” and “Body Dysmorphia.”

Meanwhile, best Latin recipient Peso Pluma was joined by Estevan Plazola for a rousing performance of their hit single collaboration “Hollywood.”

Busta Rhymes won the global icon award, EMAs top honor, previously received by Queen, Eminem, Janet Jackson, U2 and Whitney Houston, among others.

“Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. And it feels fucking incredible,” said Rhymes collecting the icon trophy from British rapper Little Simz.

The Brooklyn-born rapper went on to play glowing tribute to “one of my heroes” LL Cool J, who was at the ceremony on presenting duties, before performing a collection of his greatest hits, including “Scenario,” “Put Your Hands Where The Eyes Can See,” “Do The BusABus Pt.2,” “Break Ya Neck” and “Pass The Courvoisier”.

“LL Cool J was the template that I followed,” said Rhymes in a lengthy eight-minute-long acceptance speech that also saw him thank his mother and Public Enemy’s Chuck D for supporting him at the start of his career.

“I learned how to become the embodiment of Busta Rhymes because I love to bust rhymes for real and I love hip-hop for real,” he told the audience.

“Busta Rhymes is a true creative visionary who has made a massive impact on the musical landscape and pop culture,” Bruce Gillmer, the event’s executive producer and president of music and chief content officer for music at MTV parent company Paramount+, told Billboard in the run up to Sunday’s ceremony.

The show also contained a succession of playful references to the musical heritage of host city of Manchester with the Hacienda night club’s famous yellow and black striped branding and the distinctive opening riff of New Order’s “Blue Monday” recurring motifs throughout the evening.

Local band Blossoms, from the nearby town of Stockport, also made a cameo joking with host Ora as she served champagne in a bar style setting, while one of the show’s more surreal moments featured Ora chatting with Happy Mondays’ founder members Shaun Ryder and Bez, with the latter in characteristically uncontrollable, highly spirited form.

In addition to marking the 30th anniversary of MTV’s EMAs, which first took place in Berlin in 1994, Sunday’s show was the first EMAs since 2022 after last year’s event in Paris was cancelled due to global security reasons in connection with the Israel-Hamas war.

Pet Shop Boys were joined by members of the Manchester Camerata orchestra (wearing the band’s iconic cone hats) to close the show with a stirring cover of David Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” followed by the band’s debut hit “West End Girls,” first released in 1984.

Full list of 2024 MTV EMA nominees and winners

Global Icon Award

Busta Rhymes

MTV EMA Pop Pioneers Award

Pet Shop Boys

Best Song

Ariana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)

Benson Boone – Beautiful Things

Beyoncé – TEXAS HOLD ‘EM

Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!

WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Best Video

Ariana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love)

Charli xcx – 360

Eminem – Houdini

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN

WINNER: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Artist

Beyoncé

Billie Eilish

Post Malone

RAYE

Sabrina Carpenter

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Best Collaboration

Charli xcx & Billie Eilish – Guess featuring Billie Eilish

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile

WINNER: LISA ft. Rosalía – NEW WOMAN

Peso Pluma, Anitta – BELLAKEO

Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight

Best New

Ayra Starr

WINNER: Benson Boone

Chappell Roan

LE SSERAFIM

Teddy Swims

The Last Dinner Party

Tyla

Best Pop

WINNER: Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Charli xcx

Dua Lipa

Sabrina Carpenter

Taylor Swift

Best Afrobeats

Asake

Ayra Starr

Burna Boy

Rema

Tems

WINNER: Tyla

Best Rock

Bon Jovi

Coldplay

Green Day

Kings of Leon

Lenny Kravitz

WINNER: Liam Gallagher

The Killers

Best Latin

Anitta

Bad Bunny

KAROL G

WINNER: Peso Pluma

Rauw Alejandro

Shakira

Best K-Pop

WINNER: Jimin

Jung Kook

LE SSERAFIM

LISA

NewJeans

Stray Kids

Best Alternative

Fontaines D.C.

Hozier

WINNER: Imagine Dragons

Lana Del Rey

Twenty One Pilots

YUNGBLUD

Best Electronic

WINNER: Calvin Harris

David Guetta

Disclosure

DJ Snake

Fred Again..

Swedish House Mafia

Best Hip-Hop

Central Cee

WINNER: Eminem

Kendrick Lamar

Megan Thee Stallion

Nicki Minaj

Travis Scott

Best R&B

Kehlani

SZA

Tinashe

WINNER: Tyla

USHER

Victoria Monét

Best Live

Adele

Coldplay

Doja Cat

RAYE

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Travis Scott

Best Push

Ayra Starr

Chappell Roan

Coco Jones

Flyana Boss

Jessie Murph

Laufey

WINNER: LE SSERAFIM

Mark Ambor

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

The Warning

Victoria Monét

Biggest Fans

Anitta

Ariana Grande

Beyoncé

Billie Eilish

Chappell Roan

Charli xcx

Katy Perry

WINNER: LISA

Nicki Minaj

Sabrina Carpenter

Shawn Mendes

Taylor Swift

Full list of 2024 MTV EMA Worldwide Winners

Best African Act – Tyla

Best Asia Act – BINI

Best Australian Act – Sia

Best Austrian Act – RAF Camora

Best Brasilian Act – Pabllo Vittar

Best Canadian Act – Shawn Mendes

Best Caribbean Act – Young Miko

Best Dutch Act – Roxy Dekker

Best French Act – Pierre Garnier

Best German Act – Ayliva

Best India Act – Mali

Best Israeli Act – Noa Kirel

Best Italian Act – Annalisa

Best Lat Am Central Act – Manuel Turizo

Best Lat Am North Act – Yerimua

Best Lat Am South Act – Dillom

Best Nordic Act – Zara Larsson

Best Polish Act – Daria Zawiałow

Best Portuguese Act – Bárbara Bandeira

Best Spanish Act – Lola Indigo

Best Swiss Act – Nemo

Best UK & Ireland Act – Raye

Best US Act – Taylor Swift

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Family Guide to Sesame Street Live! Say Hello: Dates, Tickets, Live Show Tips & More

The Sesame Street Live! Say Hello Tour is on the road now. For Sesame Street‘s anniversary (Nov. 10), Billboard Family has put together a complete guide for families interested in seeing the classic Sesame Street characters live on stage.

Whether you’re thinking of going to the latest Sesame Street Live! theatrical production because Sesame Street is your kid’s favorite show, or you’re just feeling nostalgic over your own childhood memories, here you’ll find a preview of what to expect before attending one of the dates. We’ve gathered all the details for families, and we connected with Jonathan Linden and Stephen Shaw, founders and co-presidents of Round Room Live, the current tour’s production company.

Eight years ago Linden and Shaw, with a long background in concert touring, looked at the live children’s entertainment market from the perspective of parents and saw an opportunity to create more dynamic experiences for both kids and their grownups.

They launched Round Room Live, which today puts on live theatrical tours like Sesame Street Live! Say Hello and Blippi: Join the Band.

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Blippi Join the Band Tour

Family Guide to Blippi’s Join the Band Tour: Dates, Tickets, Live Show Tips & More

“We really put our attention into the producing of the shows: great script writers, great choreographers, great costume designers and fabricators, a great soundtrack and music, and high production value that would keep kids engaged and entertained,” Shaw explained to Billboard Family in a previous conversation about the company.

This tour has Round Room Live collaborating with Sesame Workshop. Round Room, who says Sesame Workshop initially reached out to have a conversation about the production company taking over their live theatrical tours, notes: “We are incredibly proud that our experience in this space and the reputation Round Room has built in the industry would lead us to such an iconic brand like Sesame Street seeking us to partner with them.”

“Sesame Street is a brand that is more than 50 years old and has thrilled and delighted generations of children and families. Round Room was committed to respecting the deep history and tradition of Sesame Street, but we were excited to take a fresh new look at this property in the live touring space, and create something modern and extraordinarily special that families and kids could enjoy,” Round Room Live tells Billboard Family on the week of Sesame Street‘s anniversary.

Check out our Family Guide for tips about attending the Sesame Street Live! Say Hello Tour. Our guide also features an exclusive look at some live footage from the tour.

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David Gilmour’s Luck and Strange Tour Brings Pink Floyd Classics (And One of His Very Talented Kids) to Madison Square Garden

A month and a half after his fifth solo album, Luck and Strange, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart, David Gilmour is in New York City for a five-night run at Madison Square Garden.

Prior to Saturday (Nov. 9) evening’s show beginning in earnest, bassist Guy Pratt (who also plays in Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets band) came out to politely but firmly urge the audience to stay “present” throughout the show and avoid the urge to watch the entire thing through the screen of a cell phone – and more importantly, keep your phone’s flashlight off (“David hates that”). Whether the MSG crowd was made up of exceptionally good listeners or just folks who are less inclined to capture every moment of their lives for the ‘Gram is up for debate, but the Gen X and Boomer heavy audience by and large obliged – a small miracle in 2024.

Gilmour’s Luck and Strange Tour is different from most concert tours these days in another notable respect, too. While he’s far from the only classic rocker still on the road, the English legend – best known as part of Pink Floyd, one of the most adventurous, influential and commercially successful rock bands to start in the ‘60s and endure as a major force for decades to follow – is one of the few arena-headlining veterans known primarily as a guitarist. Yes, he sang lead (“Breathe,” “Wish You Were Here”) or shared vocals (“Time,” “Comfortably Numb”) on several of Pink Floyd’s most beloved songs, but Gilmour’s most distinctive form of expression is his guitar playing. And on the Luck and Strange Tour, the 78-year-old axeman demonstrates what many an aging bluesman before him has proven – the years might wear on the vocal cords, but the guitar chords speak out as clearly as ever.

The blues are a foundational element of Gilmour’s playing, as is folk (he’s cited Pete Seeger and Joni Mitchell as stylistic influences). When he’s playing, those earthy, organic genres help tether him to planet earth as his mournful, lonely guitar solos echo throughout the depths of space. It’s a sublime juxtaposition, and one that hit especially hard Saturday night during the expressive instrumental “Marooned,” one of four songs from Floyd’s 1994 album The Division Bell in his setlist. Similarly effective was Atom Heart Mother’s “Fat Old Sun,” which Gilmour imbued with a country flavor while playing acoustic before switching to the electric for an extended, psychedelic outro.

The songs from The Dark Side of the Moon in the first half of his set got the biggest roar of approval, and while it was immensely satisfying to hear faithful renderings of tunes like “Breathe (In the Air)” and “Time,” his stripped-down take on “The Great Gig in the Sky” during the night’s second half was arguably more memorable. With Gilmour on the steel guitar, touring band member Louise Marshall played a baby grand while harmonizing with the Webb Sisters and Romany Gilmour (David’s 22-year-old daughter) on the wordless vocal classic; for a few minutes, it felt less like a famed arena and more like an intimate living room jam session.

In addition to providing backup vocals, Romany Gilmour sang lead while plucking the harp on “Between Two Points,” a cover of a Montgolfier Brothers song that appears on the Luck and Strange album. Famous artists bringing out their kids for a guest spot can be a dicey proposition, but Romany possesses a somber, clear phrasing that (not unlike their father’s guitar solos) is deployed in an understated, direct fashion; it captivates you while hollowing out your insides. That performance was one of the show’s absolute standout moments – which is even more of an achievement given that the song hails from a new album and hasn’t benefitted from years of familiarity.

This tour’s visuals aren’t quite as theatrical or prop heavy as what former bandmate Roger Waters brings to the road (but Gilmour is less extreme than Waters is several different respects these days). Still, the Luck and Strange Tour boasts its fair share of production flourishes, from bouncing inflatable balls during “High Hopes” to harrowing video animations to blazing green lasers.

For the encore, Gilmour and his band performed “Comfortably Numb” from what looked like a prison cell of white lights. By that point, the crowd had collectively decided it was time to ignore Pratt’s exhortations and get those phones out – but really, who could get mad? Despite the show featuring eight songs from a brand-new solo album, damn near everyone at MSG on Saturday stayed present, riveted and mostly seated until the very end. Were folks comfortable? Yes. Numb? Hardly.

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