Tori Kelly, Southern California’s pop-star singer-songwriter, kicked off the U.S. leg of the Purple Skies World Tour with a sold-out show at the House of Blues San Diego. The performance featured songs from her recent album, TORI., released earlier in April, along with a generous dose of throwbacks. After wrapping up the Asian leg of her tour, fans across the U.S. were ecstatic to see her perform these new tracks live.
Opening the evening was Maisy Kay, the outstanding English singer-songwriter known for her fiery red hair. Kay energized the crowd with nostalgic dance and pop vibes, and was welcomed with enthusiastic cheers and lots of love. Singing with a bedazzled butterfly microphone, she performed her new single, “Love Is A God,” along with upbeat hits like “After Midnight,” “Doorway,” and “Technicolor Honeymoon.”
Often hailed as one of the greatest vocalists of this generation, Tori’s new era is one not to be overlooked. She brought top-tier energy and party vibes, opening with the hit “Thing You Do,” followed immediately by the Afrobeat-inspired bop “Unbelievable,” which features Ayra Starr on the new album. Backed by bright neon lights, a drummer, and a keyboardist, the crowd was living for every moment of this refreshed version of Kelly. It’s clear she’s more confident and comfortable in herself, unafraid to have fun on stage. Tori perfectly embodies the 90s-00s kids who love the R&B and hip-hop sounds of that era, a major inspiration for many of the fun tracks on her latest project.
Newer songs on the setlist included “Spruce,” “Diamonds,” and “Cut,” which she flawlessly blended with a snippet of Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” No Tori Kelly show is complete without a few covers, and it’s incredible to see the range of fans in the crowd—people of different cultures and backgrounds, young and old—singing along to every word. When you have a timeless voice and pure God-given talent like Tori, it’s no surprise she consistently sells out venues like tonight.
One of the many memorable moments of the show was when Tori slowed things down mid-performance and brought out her trusty guitar for the acoustic portion of the set. The crowd was treated to fan favorites like “Dear No One” and “Unbreakable Smile.” At one point, she even let the crowd choose the next song, leading to beloved tracks like “Paper Hearts” and “Daydream” from her Foreword EP. The outpouring of cheers (and some tears) was palpable. She closed the acoustic segment with powerhouse performances of “Oceans” and “High Water,” both singles from the new album, which highlighted her heavenly vocals and guitar skills. She made it all look effortless.
The show then returned to old-school party vibes with songs like “Hollow,” “Shine On,” and “Shelter.” The dance moves, sing-alongs, and high energy never ceased. As the night came to a close, Tori made sure to express her gratitude to everyone in attendance, including friends, family, and, of course, her fans. She said, “Whether you’re a new or old fan, it doesn’t matter—I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you for making that little girl’s (referring to herself) dreams come true.” Tori ended the set with one of the best tracks from the album, “Alive If I Die,” and closed with an encore of her debut single, “Missin U (R&B Version).”
Hometown shows truly have a special magic. The love and support in the room were undeniable, and everyone left feeling on cloud nine. It’s remarkable to witness Tori’s consistent growth and success. There’s still plenty of time to catch the rest of the tour, including the European leg later this year. Don’t miss your chance, and don’t forget to stream the new album, TORI.
Photo Gallery by Robyn Tuazon:
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