TikTok in the Mix finale: Cardi B was NSF anywhere, really, and that was just perfect
TikTok in the Mix, the first global music event put on by the trendsetting social media platform, took place at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, on Sunday, Dec. 10.
The sold-out event included headliners Niall Horan, Cardi B, Peso Pluma, Anitta and Charlie Puth.
The lineup also included Reneé Rapp. Rapp has been making headlines recently on her Snow Hard Feelings World Tour and through her lead role as Regina George in the "Mean Girls" musical movie set to release on Jan. 12, 2024.
TikTok Elevate emerging artists Isabel LaRosa, Kaliii, Lu Kala and Sam Barber also took the stage.
Curious why TikTok chose Sloan Park and Mesa for its first event of this magnitude? We break it down for you here.
Here's our complete coverage of TikTok In the Mix as it unfolded.
TikTok In the Mix: Ultimate guide to the music festival at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ
Cardi B: Even the twerking was beautifully choreographed
Cardi B was midway through the most anticipated headlining set of the entire day when she took a moment to reflect on what it meant to be there at TikTok’s first global live music event.
“This is not a TikTok party,” she announced. “This a Cardi (expletive) party!”
Fair enough.
It certainly felt like a Cardi B party as she dominated the proceedings in a shimmering red outfit, surrounded by dancers dressed in red, while blazing through her greatest hits with the take-no-prisoners attitude it takes to put those hits across.
Even the twerking was beautifully choreographed. And it ended fireworks as the fans chanted Cardi, hoping for the encore that never materialized.
— Ed Masley
Get ready for the boom boom, TikTokers
Ahead of Cardi B's performance, TikTok displayed a message on the big screen with "PYRO" in all caps, followed by "Please be advised, this performance will feature pyrotechnics and loud concussions (booms)."
And Cardi B gave fair warning when she said, "This isn't a TikTok party, this is a Cardi (expletive) party." It was not a family friendly performance at all, and excited fans were swearing and twerking right along with her. Her dancers' outfits — all red latex and sparkles — matched the headliner.
— Dina Kaur
Kaliii's set was not long enough, but you will hear more from her
The last of the up-and-coming talents from the TikTok Elevate emerging artist program to take the stage before the artist of the hour, Cardi B, was Kaliii, a promising young rapper whose all-too-brief performance made it clear that we’ll hearing more from her in no time.
— Ed Masley
Do yourself a favor and add Lu Kala to your playlist
Lu Kala was a revelation, a joyous throwback to the golden age of disco with empowering lyrics and personality to spare. It only lasted two songs but Lu Kala made enough of an impression that I will be tracking down more songs when I get home.
— Ed Masley
Niall Horan brings his soulful best to a set capped by 'Slow Hands'
By the time Niall Horan took the stage at 8:20 or so, it needed to be said.
And to his credit, Horan said it.
“It’s freezing cold, by the way,” he noted with a smile. “And wow, that’s coming from an Irishman.”
It was about 55 degrees, so he’s right, you know.
The first time I saw Horan live was in an even bigger venue, now called State Farm Stadium, when he was still in One Direction. He hasn’t lost the unassuming charm, much less the winning smile, that made him such a heartthrob in his boy-band days.
He even dusted off a One Direction hit, “The Story of My Life.”
His solo records may not be as world-conquering as One Direction’s, but it’s not for the lack of a well-written hook. Nearly every song he played felt like it could’ve been a massive pop hit.
And he sounded great, especially on songs that let him slip into his soulful upper register, from “On a Night Like Tonight” to the set-closing “Slow Hands,” his biggest U.S. hit.
— Ed Masley
It's not easy to follow Offset's surprise appearance. Just ask Sam Barber
TikTok promised us surprises and came through in a big way with the unannounced appearance of Offset, who emerged with roses in his braids and donned a silver glove like Michael Jackson for the second song of a very entertaining mini-set that left me wishing he’s been given more time to surprise us.
Sam Barber said it felt a little weird to go on “after all that” as a singer-songwriter playing acoustic guitar. Can’t say I blame him. Barber sounded pretty good, though, especially on his viral TikTok breakthrough, “Straight and Narrow.”
— Ed Masley
Niall Horan gave fans what they wanted: This 1D song
TikTok In the Mix put a lot of effort into the artists' stage entrances, with Niall Horan saying that was one of the things he was looking forward to most. With moody twinkling lights and smoke surrounding his arrival on stage after he greeted fans in the entrance area, it was a sweet moment.
As he sang "This Town" and "Story of My Life — an old One Direction song — fans kissed, hugged and swayed along. Color-changing beach balls released during his set added to the fun.
— Dina Kaur
Peso Pluma sends his set right over the top with an Anitta duet of 'Bellakeo'
How popular is Peso Pluma?
Any time his image flashed across the big screen in the lead-up to his main-stage set, it drew a huge reaction.
And the place went absolutely wild at the mere mention of his name as Pluma sauntered toward the stage to meet his bandmates in an all-black New York Yankees cap, gold chain LA and a black jacket over a black Balenciaga shirt.
His bandmates, all playing traditional Mexican instruments, were dressed in white from head to toe, a striking contrast.
Watching Pluma work a crowd with that contagious smile of his, it’s pretty obvious how he’s become the fastest-rising superstar of the regional Mexican music scene. (His sold-out concert in Phoenix in July was a pretty good indicator too).
He’s a charismatic figure with a great voice and a seemingly unlimited supply of energy putting an exciting spin on traditional Mexican music with the help of a truly talented ensemble of backing musicians. And his songs are just insanely catchy. A girl who looked like she was in first or second grade was standing next to me singing along to every word.
One unexpected highlight of Peso Pluma's set was Anitta joining him on a very steamy performance of their reggaeton collab “Bellakeo.”
— Ed Masley
Renee Rapp of 'Mean Girls' fame delivers sultry and sass
Reneé Rapp rose to fame on Broadway, where she played Regina George in the “Mean Girls” musical. But it didn’t feel much like a Broadway actress gone pop as she launched her second-stage performance with a sassy “Talk to Much” and followed with the sultry slow jam “Tummy Hurts.” That smile of hers should serve her well when that “Mean Girls” movie hits the multiplex next month.
— Ed Masley
Anitta's entrance and her set were smoking hot
We were told Anitta was about to “heat things up in a major way” as the second headliner at TikTok In the Mix.
And to honest, the Brazilian pop sensation had already heated things up plenty by the time she hit the stage after dancing her way across the Sloan Park ball field with a crew of backup dancers to the piped-in beats of “Envolver” and “Downtown.”
It was a very physical, provocative performance with plenty of twerking to the beat as Anitta made her way through such highlights as “Machika,” “Used to Be,” “I Wanna F” and “Funk Rave” in total command of the stage.
— Ed Masley
Fans can't wait for Niall Horan and Peso Pluma at TikTok In the Mix
Haleigh Lister from Chandler, Arizona, and her friend Ashley McGinn from Mesa came to TikTok In the Mix to see Niall Horan. They approved of the whole setup of the festival.
“I'm surprised like how well it's been decorated,” McGinn said. “I live right across the street so I could see all the lights and stuff. It was really cool to see everyone practicing. I'm big on festivals and so I was excited to hear we have something come to Arizona.”
The two are hoping Horan performs a One Direction throwback song and his newer release “Heaven.”
Caitlin Estrada from Phoenix is also excited to see Horan and hopes he performs “Nice to Meet Ya” or a One Direction song as well.
Alen Gonzales and his friend Estaban Lopez from Phoenix are excited to see Peso Pluma, who played a sold-out show at Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix in July. They are hoping he plays “La Bebe” and “Bipolar.”
The friends are also looking forward to Cardi B and Anitta.
— Dina Kaur
Charlie Puth hits the high notes, including a video appearance by Jungkook of BTS
As the first headlining act to take the main stage, Charlie Puth started his set with a comedy bit about scrolling through the music on his iPhone while making his way to stage in a white sleeveless T-shirt.
His vocals sounded great, especially that undeniable falsetto on such highlights as “No More Drama,” “Attention,” “Light Switch” and “See You Again,” the soulful ballad with which he brought his set to an emotionally charged conclusion, inspiring fans to wave their phone lights in the air.
He played piano on several songs and turned in a really fun solo on keytar while leading a four-piece backing band.
He’s a chatty guy, who explained at one point that he was attempting to “let you all inside my brain.” He seemed a bit overly eager to please at first but it had the intended effect.
He even brought along a very special guest — Jungkook of BTS, who joined him via video “Left and Right.”
— Ed Masley
Smile! You're on TikTok camera
It's hard to miss the cameras at TikTok In the Mix. One is flying overhead; others are panning in circles around the artist on stage. Sometimes blocking the crowd's view but giving a view to the fans watching live on TikTok.
— Dina Kaur
Late in the afternoon, the sold-out festival didn't feel crowded
At 4:45 p.m., when Charlie Puth hit the stage, the concert didn't seem that crowded. But TikTok said it was sold out, so maybe people are just being fashionably late, assuming Cardi B is playing last.
For those who showed up early, there was no apparent traffic congestion or long lines to deal with.
— Ed Masley
It's on: Isabel LaRosa launches the 1st TikTok In the Mix in Mesa
Isabel LaRosa got the party started on the Tower Stage, whisper-singing the opening verse of a moody ballad about thinking she needs somebody older while rocking a black latex jumpsuit.
Accompanied by an electric guitarist with all the other instruments and beats piped in, it was a short set, just three songs, including “Older” and “I’m Yours.”
But LaRosa made the most of it, showing the full range of her voice to dramatic effect.
— Ed Masley
Preshow vibe check: Fans are ready for the party. Charlie Puth goes on at 4
TikTok in the Mix has made Sloan Park its home. By 3:30 p.m. Sunday, crowds have already descended upon the field and fans are indulging in food, drinks and music as it blasts over speakers.
The giant TikTok logo sits on the field, and smiles are seen all over in anticipation for the artists and surprises to come throughout the night.
— Dina Kaur
Tiktok In the Mix lineup and set times
Here's the lineup and order of performance for the TikTok In the Mix music festival:
2 p.m.: Sloan Park gates open.
4 p.m.: Performances begin.
Main Stage
Charlie Puth | @charlieputh
Anitta | @anitta
Peso Pluma | @therealpesopluma
Offset | @offsetyrn
Niall Horan | @niallhoran
Cardi B | @iamcardib
Tower Stage
Isabel LaRosa | @official_isabellarosa
Renee Rapp | @reneerapp
Sam Barber | @sambarber_music
Lu Kala | @igobylu
Kaliii | @kaliyaashley
9:30 p.m.: TikTok In the Mix ends.
— Jill Cassidy
Weather forecast for TikTok In the Mix in Mesa AZ
You couldn't ask for a nicer day for an outdoor festival. Conditions at 4 p.m., when Charlie Puth takes the Main Stage to get the party started, will be 70 degrees and sunny. Skies will be clear throughout the day and evening, and the temp will slowly drop to 54 degrees by 10 p.m. There's zero chance of rain. Bring your sunscreen and a hoodie.
— Jill Cassidy
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: TikTok In the Mix 2023: Reviews and updates from Mesa AZ
