Kesha brought freedom, nostalgia, and pure joy to Connecticut on Saturday night, taking over the sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville for a stop on her The Freedom Tour.
And before Kesha even hit the stage, the night already had a little extra Pretty Mess energy.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, aka DJ Pretty Mess, kicked things off at 8 p.m. sharp with a 30-minute set. Mixing DJ vibes with some of her own music, Erika made sure to give fans performances of two of her signature tracks, “XXPEN$IVE” and “How Many F**ks?” It was a fun surprise seeing Erika there supporting Kesha and getting the packed arena warmed up for what was to come.
At 9 p.m., it was officially Kesha time! From the second she opened the show with “TiK ToK,” the energy inside Mohegan Sun Arena completely shifted. The crowd was on its feet, singing along to a set that celebrated more than 15 years of Kesha’s music while also introducing fans to the artist she is today.
But what stood out most wasn’t necessarily the production, the costumes, or even hearing songs so many of us grew up with live again. It was Kesha herself. She sounded incredible. She looked incredible, and most importantly… she looked happy.
There was a genuine sense of joy radiating from her throughout the night that made The Freedom Tour live up to its name. This chapter of Kesha’s career carries an entirely different meaning as she moves forward as an independent artist under her own Kesha Records.
After everything her journey has represented over the years, watching her command an arena on her own terms felt like witnessing more than another pop concert. It felt like a celebration of survival, liberation, and finally getting to choose what comes next.
The 25-date tour began May 23rd in Chula Vista, California, and is will conclude next week in Indiana, marking a major new era for an artist whose career has continued to evolve without losing the wild, fearless energy fans fell in love with in the first place.
Saturday’s setlist proved that perfectly.
Kesha moved effortlessly between early fan favorites like “C’Mon,” “Crazy Kids,” “Blow,” “Cannibal,” “Take It Off,” and “Die Young” and newer releases including “JOYRIDE.,” “BOY CRAZY.,” “ATTENTION!,” “ORIGAMI!,” and “YIPPEE-KI-YAY.”
One of the sweetest surprises of the night came when Kesha acknowledged fans for bringing her 2010 track “C U Next Tuesday” back to life as the song continues to find a new audience on social media. She added the song to the show as a surprise acoustic performance, joined by her friend Kyle on guitar.
It was one of those moments that showed just how much Kesha still pays attention to and appreciates the fans who have continued growing alongside her.
On a personal note, this show was even more special because covering it turned into a date night with my two little sisters. Getting to bring them along and experience a sold-out Kesha show together while I covered the night for XO Diva D made it one of those memories I know I’ll hold onto.
There’s something pretty special about music that can span generations like that. Songs I grew up listening to are now songs I get to scream along to at a concert with my little sisters, while we also get to experience this completely new chapter of Kesha together.
And maybe that is part of what makes The Freedom Tour so special. This isn’t about pretending the past never happened, it’s about celebrating everything that came before while being excited about where life can go next.
Kesha’s always known how to throw a party, but Saturday night at Mohegan Sun felt like something bigger. It was loud, emotional, nostalgic, unapologetic, and genuinely joyful. More than anything, it was Kesha looking and sounding like a woman who is exactly where she wants to be.
A huge thank you to Kesha and her team, especially Jamie and Mari, for having XO Diva D out for such an incredible night. Long live Kesha, long live freedom, and long live the songs that somehow keep finding their way back to us exactly when we need them!
KESHA’S MOHEGAN SUN SETLIST
- TiK ToK
- Only Love Can Save Us Now
- Warrior
- Crazy Kids
- C’Mon
- Thinking of You
- Out Alive
- Blow
- Sleazy
- BOY CRAZY.
- Cannibal
- DELUSIONAL.
- Take It Off
- FREEDOM.
- ATTENTION!
- JOYRIDE.
- ORIGAMI!
- YIPPEE-KI-YAY.
- Timber
- C U Next Tuesday
- Good Old Days
- Cathedral
- Praying
- Your Love Is My Drug
- Die Young
XO Diva D 