Christina Aguilera at Sips and Sounds in Austin

by Christina Zamudio

For years, I’ve looked forward to the community concerts at Auditorium Shores in Austin during SXSW. Recently, the Coca-Cola sponsored Sips and Sounds festival has taken over the venue, and this year’s lineup featured a name I couldn’t miss – Christina Aguilera. Although she peaked during my parents’ era, her legendary voice is undeniable. Since she hadn’t performed in Austin in 19 years, I attended the show with my mother. We were grateful for the chance to see a true icon.

Although Aguilera was my main pull, I was also pumped to see undercards R&B-upcomer Ravyn Lenae and electronic dance group Major Lazer as well.

The Polished Singer

I was only familiar with Ravyn Lenae’s overnight hit “Love Me Not” prior to seeing her. That song had me hyped. It’s a soulful, yet super-catchy, pop track that feels different from much of what trends or is on the radio. From the top of her set, I was amazed by her smooth vocals and versatility as she sings over new-wave, Caribbean, and house beats. Her voice and animated emotions felt reminiscent of Doja Cat with a hint of Janet Jackson. The house track “Free Room” was a fun moment as Lenae said a fan had DM’ed her before the show that “if she didn’t play the track, then she’s homophobic.” It was a fun club track blending her smooth R&B sounds with a rap about “shaking thighs.”

She shared a personal moment with “One Wish,”  which is about the troubled relationship she has with her father. It’s a sad and honest track on which she comes to terms with his absence saying “called me on my birthday, thought you’d be on your way…still not seeing your face.” She closed her set on a high with her viral track “Love Me Not,” which was accompanied by the roaring crowd clapping along, as well as an epic guitar solo to finish.

Find out more about Ravyn Lenae on her official website: ravynlenae.com

The Party Starters

With members Diplo and Ape Drums manning the DJ booth, hypeman Walshy Fire, and the life of the party, America Foster, Major Lazer definitely got this party started. Their performance was full of crowd interactions which included encouraging folks to hold onto each other, to get low to the track “Get Low,” and to dance the Cha Cha Slide. Foster’s energy was beyond infectious. Throughout the set, she vibed with the audience with plenty of twerking and dancing. She even joined a fan in the audience after asking “Who here knows how to dance to dancehall music?” She was pleased with what she saw as she joined dancing alongside a fan.

Lazer blended many popular tracks into their set from the hype “Gasolina,” “Voices in My Head,” and “Sandstorm.” The best mashup was with Skrillex’s “Killers in the Jungle,” “Fein,” and “I Just Wanna Rock.” Hearing these tracks brought a flood of good memories of my middle-school years. A few were mainstays at school dances back then, such as “Lean On” and “Cold Water.” Overall, their performance was fun, energetic, and nostalgic. They were the perfect primer for the headline act.

Keep up with Major Lazer on their official website: majorlazer.com

The Pop Princess

I didn’t know what to expect from Ms. Aguilera. I was a bit apprehensive about how her voice has held up, or if she would simply phone in her performance. The pop diva immediately put my apprehensions to rest, emerging on stage to perform her 2002 smash “Dirrty.” Her voice sounded powerful and incredible. She hit every belt and run, and looked marvelous, reminding the sea of fans of her immense talent. Christina went straight from one banger to another – “Can’t Hold Us Back,” an electronic remix of “Genie in a Bottle,” and (my favorite) “Fighter.”

After her onslaught of hits, she introduced herself, which went into a performance of “What a Girl Wants.” She dedicated the track to the fans. She wanted “to say thank you” to us for giving her “everything a girl could ever want.” She shared some background on her 2014 duet “Say Something” with the band A Great Big World. She said the song came to her during a time when she was searching for hope. She encouraged us to “lean on those closest to you,” and urged people to move on from those who aren’t supportive during hard times.

Her set ventured through her most iconic eras, which spanned her teenage debut to her “dirrty” phase and through her 1920s inspired “Back to Basics” and “Bionic.” She performed “Burlesque” from the 2010 film of the same name she starred in with Cher. Then an epic rendition of the smash hit “Lady Marmalade” from the film Moulin Rouge. She not only nailed every note of her verse, but she killed it on Mya’s and P!nk’s verses as well. 

She ended her show with the 2003 inspirational ballad “Beautiful,” which brought my mother to tears, and the hit “Feel This Moment” took me back to 2013 in the best way. She closed her performance on a track I had never heard, “Let There Be Love.” Aguilera said she wanted to leave Austin with the message “to let love in.” Rainbow flags and the “let love in” message were emblazoned on the big screens. Fireworks erupted to close out the explosive performance.

I’ve seen a fair share of pop divas live, such as Katy Perry, Charli XCX, Miley Cyrus, P!nk, Dua Lipa, Janet Jackson, Sabrina Carpenter, and my personal favorite Lady Gaga. But Christina Aguilera is hands down the best live vocals I have ever heard. She is a pop powerhouse, and I am delighted I had the pleasure to experience her live show – especially with my mom.

Christina has made her entire performance at Sips & Sounds available on her YouTube channel, @ChristinaAguileraTV01:

Get reacquainted with Christina on her official website: christinaaguilera.com