She may have sworn off touring long ago, but when Miley steps on stage, she reminds everyone she still has it.
Back on stage before thousands for the first time since 2022, the 33-year-old "Flowers" singer reasserted her dominance as a vocal powerhouse with an electric performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Oct. 16.
The Disney Channel alum brought rock 'n' roll to the first of two shows at the historic venue, which seats about 17,500, with a vigorous, cinematic and emotional 18-track set that included several hat changes. Like a model on a runway, Miley strutted across the stage several times as she commanded the outdoor amphitheater.
Miley treated longtime fans to an array of music from staples like 2009's "The Climb" and "Party in
the U.S.A." to cult favorites like 2015's "Karen Don't Be Sad," which she dueted alongside Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne. The set largely featured tracks from her last three albums, including six from her Sept. 18 release, "Bass Persuades."
When she wasn't showing off her tantalizing vocals, she got vulnerable on stage, talking about her love for her fans, fiancé Maxx Morando and her late godmother, country music legend Dolly Parton. She shared that it's almost been 19 years since her first headlining tour as her former alter ego, "Hannah Montana," but she still struggles to take it all in.
"Before I was walking out here, I was asking myself the tough questions. I was asking myself, 'Can nights at the Hollywood Bowl give me a bridge between the two worlds that I love the same but that just feed me in a different way?'' she told the crowd. "When I was walking out here, it doesn't feel as natural as it did [before]."
She said that someone who likes to keep life fun and "jump out of airplanes" like her can lose the shine of doing the same thing for your entire life "if you don't keep giving yourself that pressure and polish to create something beautiful."
Miley tears up while discussing 'eternal' Dolly Parton
Miley said she wouldn't be performing at the Hollywood Bowl if it wasn't her beloved godmother, who died on Aug. 25 after battling cancer. The first and only time she actually watched a show from the "9 to 5" singer, without being on stage beside her, was at the venue.
Parton invited her goddaughter to join her, but young Miley declined, wanting to enjoy the concert unnoticed in the crowd. To her surprise, though, Parton kicked off the show singing "Best of Both Worlds," the theme song to Miley's classic sitcom.
"She comes out, and she goes, like a proud aunt. 'I don't know if y'all know this, but my goddaughter is Hannah Montana. And she's actually here tonight; she's sitting down in her seat. She didn't want anyone to bug her,'" Miley shared. "Which defeated the entire purpose of the conversation."
Miley was frustrated that Parton drew an "obnoxious" amount of attention to her but now finds that memory "gold."
"Me and Dolly, we are eternal. Nothing in his life could ever tear us apart. And I'm gonna see her again. And I can't wait 'cause I miss her," she continued before sobbing.
After covering "Jolene," Miley sang "Wrecking Ball" while clutching a picture of Parton, since the 2013 hit was her favorite. Miley said an expletive on stage during her tribute, which she said Parton would've criticized.
Miley kisses fiancé Maxx Morando, sings 'Let's Get Married'
During the show's encore, Miley returned to the stage to sing her new song "Let's Get Married" alongside her soon-to-be husband Morando, 27.
Miley talked about her love throughout the show while Morando played drums in a white tank top, but during the encore they walked side by side, with her holding tight to his arm. The two packed on PDA during the duet as she laid her head on his shoulder and by the song's end they kissed.
The Grammy winner revealed her engagement to the Liily drummer in December after reportedly dating for over four years. In an interview with British Vogue published in June 2023, Miley shared that they met on a blind date, quipping, "Well, it was blind for me and not really for him. I thought, 'The worst that can happen is I leave.'"
Miley returns to the Hollywood Bowl for another sold-out show on Sunday, Oct. 18.
In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe posted on Sept. 17, she hinted at a possible residency after Lowe said she "would have to do a residency of 80 shows at the Bowl to satisfy the level of demand."
"That’s kind of what my idea was," she replied. "This is the ultimate dress rehearsal. I’ve learned now through the queue that my calculations are correct and people will come to me. I don’t need to drive to you."
Contributing: Allison Moses, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miley Cyrus returns to stage with Maxx Morando kiss, tearful Dolly Parton tribute
