On October 10, 2023, Aguilera announced her second residency concert in a statement to Billboard. Described as "a seductively intimate show", it was also reported to take place at Voltaire at The Venetian Las Vegas.[10] Later that month, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! talk show to promote the dates of the new residency; during the interview, she also stated, "It's such a creative experience for me, unlike anything I've ever done because it's such a very special, exclusive [show], like only 1000 seats per night and I'm not on until midnight".[11]
Concept
According to Aguilera, the concept of the residency was "bringing a show that fuses music, sophistication and art in ways [she] never performed before".[12] In an interview with Vogue, she stated that she was "drawn to doing the show from the ground up [...] building it around this moody, intricate, intimate space", while she revealed inspirations from the belle de nuit flower and diamonds to produce the show themes. Aguilera also cited Marilyn Monroe's classic musical number "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) as an alter ego, defining the message as "living out [the] fantasies on stage and deserving nothing but the best".[13] Aguilera's outfits in the show were designed by fashion house Mugler, as well custom pieces designed by Yogie Pratama and Asher Levine.[13]
Critical response
Tomás Mier from Rolling Stone described the concert residency show as "sexier, Burlesqueier, and more intimate", while pointing out "Aguilera's ever-so-stunning vocals and Vegas show(wo)manship". Mier also highlighted dancers, live sax and trumpet players, as well as her transition from a shimmering silver minidress into a dominatrix-style outfit to perform "You Don't Own Me" from atop a bed.[14]Las Vegas Review-Journal author John Katsilometes said that "Aguilera's superb voice alone sets her apart", citing her "soaring performance" during "Beautiful" as one of the night's highlights alongside the dance troupe and full backing band.[15] Em Jurbala of Las Vegas Magazine praised the residency, writing: "Almost as stunning as Aguilera's vocals and personality, the wardrobe for this show is chic, dynamic and fashionable".[16]Setlist.fm applauded the show, noting that "Voltaire is [...] Xtina at her most creative, both visually and musically".[17]
Commercial performance
Aguilera's residency has been met with an overwhelming demand for tickets.[18] In an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal, Voltaire's creator Michael Gruber stated, "[Her] shows were oversold [...] With the amount of interest and reviews, demand has increased substantially".[19] On March 6, 2024, Aguilera added an additional 300 tickets for each date of the second leg of the residency due to high demand.[20] Journalist John Katsilometes, who covers the Las Vegas entertainment scene, called it a "hit residency",[21] and in August 2024, Glamour noted that it was "successful".[22] According to Ringier Axel Springer, almost every Aguilera's show at Voltaire was sold out.[18]
Set list
The set list is from the December 30, 2023 concert:[23][24]
