MEGHAN TRAINOR / PAUL RUSSELL LIVE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
By Mia Palazzo
Photos Philip Marcias
Meghan Trainor brought her bright and bubbly energy to Mohegan Sun Arena on September 21, delivering a night full of color, nostalgia, and dance.
From the minute DJ Chris Olsen kicked off the pre-show, the atmosphere was set for a night to remember. With his signature charm, he enticed the audience with his “celebrity paid best friend audition,” bit, rocking sparkly blue shoes and cracking jokes that got the crowd giggling. Olsen, who first rose to fame on TikTok, also showed off his musical theatre skills with performances of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from Grease and “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, sprinkled with his signature humor and playful antics. He even proposed the idea of a Meghan Trainor musical, much to the audience’s delight.
Then, the crowd was on their feet when Paul Russell took the stage, opening with a high-energy DJ set that featured classics like Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” and Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA”. The energy never dropped as Russell made his entrance, performing a mix of his hits like “Say Cheese” and “Ms. Poli-Sci”, keeping the vibe light and even asking the crowd what Connecticut’s food spots are best. But it was his hit “Boo Thang” that had everyone clapping along and singing in unison. He closed out his set to thunderous applause, priming the crowd for the headliner herself.
Meghan’s entrance was nothing short of magical. With a visual counting down to her arrival, the first notes of “Mother” (Ellis remix) rang through the arena, and the crowd erupted. Dressed in a vibrant, sparkly outfit, she launched into hits like “Lips Are Movin” and “No Excuses”, the perfect blend of sass and empowerment that had everyone on their feet. The stage was a kaleidoscope of pinks, greens, and yellows, and when the background lights turned pink for “Bestie”, it felt like a celebration of all the friendships in the room. Meghan, always one to connect with her fans, made sure to point out some “besties” in the crowd, adding a personal touch to the already intimate atmosphere.
The energy peaked with “Better When I’m Dancin”, where Trainor gave one of her backup dancers the mic and let her take center stage. The dancer lit up the floor with infectious moves, and the crowd followed her lead, dancing along under bright yellow lights. Meghan took a moment to laugh about the heat in the venue, encouraging safe concerts with a smile. She even reminisced about how her song “Title” became a viral hit eight years after its release, getting the audience involved in a call-and-response of “title, title” across different sections of the arena.
Photos Philip Marcias
One of the most heartfelt moments of the night came when Meghan dedicated “Superwoman” to her mother. With rainbow lighting filling the arena and a touching black-and-white photo in the background, the crowd swayed along, their phone lights creating a sea of stars. Trainor‘s vulnerability was on full display during “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”, a tender moment where couples danced together, making the arena feel like a huge family gathering.
The final part of the show brought out Meghan‘s famous humor and stage presence. With suggestive dancing and playful banter, she owned the stage for songs like “NO” and “Me Too”, with fans throwing their hands up and belting out the lyrics. Her set design, from the dark, moody vibes of “Wave” with giant beach balls to the green aesthetic of “Genetics”, complemented the songs perfectly. Meghan kept the crowd engaged, shouting out to everyone who knows they’re “beautiful and sexy” before transitioning into more hits.
For the encore, a video featuring her family played, leading into the slow, emotional ballad “Timeless”. With lights dimmed and the focus on Meghan’s vocals, it was a beautiful way to end the night. But the fun wasn’t over just yet. She brought back the energy with “I Wanna Thank Me” and her viral sensation “Made You Look”, dancers waving fans and lights flashing to the beat. It was a full-circle moment, with Meghan surrounded by her family on stage and closing the show with a final burst of joy and gratitude.
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