The Honda Center in Anaheim pulsed with color, sound, and high-concept theatrics on July 13 as Katy Perry brought The Lifetimes Tour to Southern California. Before Perry took the Honda Center stage for her arcade-inspired pop odyssey, Rebecca Black delivered an opening set that made a strong case for her artistic rebirth.

Far removed from the viral spotlight that first thrust her into fame, Black has reinvented herself as a daring, emotionally resonant pop performer. Her eight-song set opened with the haunting “American Doll” and pushed through a tight run of edgy, electro-pop tracks like “Crumbs” and “Sugar Water Cyanide.” Her voice carried weight and precision, and her stage presence reflected years of quiet evolution behind the scenes. While the crowd couldn’t help but cheer for the darkly reimagined “Friday” remix, it was originals like “Do You Even Think About Me?” and “TRUST!” that left a lasting impression.

Black’s closing number, “Salvation,” felt like a thesis statement. This is an artist who has taken control of her narrative. Her performance wasn’t just redemption. It was a declaration. Rebecca Black is no longer anyone’s punchline.

Katy Perry’s arrival launched the night into another dimension. The Lifetimes Tour is an immersive experience built like a video game, with each act titled and structured as ascending levels through themes of identity, love, fame, and empowerment. The opening “ARTIFICIAL” level set the tone with dystopian digital aesthetics and a powerful trio: “Chained to the Rhythm,” “Teary Eyes,” and a thunderous “Dark Horse.”

In “WOMAN’S WORLD,” Perry leaned into empowerment anthems with a nostalgic wink, rolling out fan favorites like “Teenage Dream,” “Hot n Cold,” and a cheeky mashup of “Last Friday Night” with “Peacock.” The transitions between levels were seamless, peppered with glitchy cutscenes and pixelated commentary that turned the pop spectacle into something more layered and self-aware.

The emotional core of the show arrived with “NIRVANA” and the introspective “Choose Your Own Adventure” sequence, where quieter tracks like “Save as Draft” and “The One That Got Away” slowed the pace and allowed space for reflection. Perry returned in full force for “MAINFRAME” and “ENDGAME,” building momentum through “E.T.,” “Roar,” and the cathartic new single “LIFETIMES.”

She closed the night with “Firework,” a familiar anthem of self-acceptance that still manages to soar. Backed by a sky of dazzling pyrotechnics and a stadium full of voices singing along, it was a fitting finale to an evening rooted in evolution, emotion, and spectacle. The Lifetimes Tour is not just a celebration of Katy Perry’s past. It is a vibrant, multi-level journey that proves she’s still finding new ways to level up.