Ariana Grande's Sweetener tour includes a touching Mac Miller tribute

19 March 2019, 11:28 | Updated: 19 March 2019, 15:10

By Sam Prance

Ariana Grande honours Mac Miller on her Sweetener World Tour...

Ariana Grande paid tribute to Mac Miller during the opening night of her Sweetener world tour.

Ariana Grande has rewritten the rules of pop with 'thank u, next'

Ariana kicked off her highly anticipated Sweetener tour in Albany last night (Mar 18) to universal acclaim from fans and critics alike. The 25-year-old star is touring in support of her fourth and fifth studio albums Sweetener and thank u, next and the set list includes hits from both records as well as some old fan favourites. Not only that but Ariana also takes time to pay tribute to her late ex boyfriend, beloved rapper Mac Miller.

How does Ariana Grande pay tribute to Mac Miller on her Sweetener tour?

Ariana Grande pays tribute to Mac Miller on her Sweetener tour
Ariana Grande pays tribute to Mac Miller on her Sweetener tour. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images // Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Before Ariana took to the stage, fans noticed that Mac's music was playing in the arena. One concert goer tweeted: "Ariana grande is playing Mac Miller right before her opening song for sweetener tour rn and my heart can’t handle it". It's common knowledge that artists often choose the songs that get played in venues before they perform, so it seems likely that Ariana wanted to honour Mac in this touching way.

Fans also noted that the first song which Ariana performs is 'raindrops (an angel cried)'. Given the context of Mac's death, it appears to take on a deeper meaning. Ariana sings: "The day you left me // An angel cried". None of Ariana's collaborations with Mac are currently on the setlist, nor are 'ghostin' or 'imagine', but Ariana previously tweeted that certain songs were left out so that she can "make it thru the show".

Ariana's tweet and a few of the reactions to the tribute.

Ahead of the tour, Ariana took to Instagram stories to write: "literally never thought i'd be doing this. six months ago i didn't think it were possible." She then continued: "but i'm very grateful that it was and we did. music is everything. friendship is everything. art is everything. i'm so proud of my incredible team".

What a woman. We can't wait to see the tour.