#1

She loves love. Dean has said she wrote The Art of Loving partly as a response to Bell Hooks’ All About Love, an all-encompassing view of love that reflects in her songs about modern romance, self-love, friendship and family. She got personal too: she played “Carmen,” an ode to her Guyanese grandmother who moved to the UK at 18, and used the moment to talk about how leaving your home country takes courage, a theme she’d also touched on in her Grammy speech. Her “love” isn’t just romantic material, it’s explicitly framed as a whole worldview.

#2

Bringing back classic entertainment. Her variety show style semi-circular stage, with her full band consisting of two backing singers, a three-piece horn section, keys, bass, guitar and drums on risers behind her. A revival of showcasing a true performer without all the bells and whistles while still feeling modern. Very old-Hollywood, with outfit changes that seamlessly mirrored the setlist vibe.

#3

She is a star. Her voice was on point and effortless for the whole set that ran close to two hours. Her performance never fell flat, whether it was 2-stepping with the horn section or dancing with her back up singers and heading out to a B stage to get closer to the audience- her connection and song introductions were authentic while being precise.

#4

Love for Olivia Dean has no age. A big leap from her Massey Hall show last year to two sold out shows in Toronto at Scotiabank arena. The age of fans ranged from elementary school aged and up! To show their solidarity within the Dean community, they dressed polka dots (which has become something of a signature pattern associated with Dean) mixed with more formal dresses and heels along with tailored outfits.

#5

The show only got better as it went on. Dean’s energy grew, the dancing was locked in and the second half felt like one big crescendo. She saved the highest-tempo moments of the night for deep into the setlist, building to a run that included a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” between “Ladies Room” and “Ok Love You Bye” Ending on “Man I Need” with confetti showering the crowd with printed lyrics: “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” “love’s never wasted,” “when it’s shared”.