‘I’m Experiencing Everything I’ve Ever Wanted’: Recapping Miley’s Live Return, On Her Own Terms

Given that Miley has released three albums since her last full performance, there was a lot of catching up to do. But, given that these two Bowl shows were branded and marketed in promotion of Bass Persuades – her latest album that topped the Billboard 200 for one week — it was only natural to start there.

Following a black and white spoken-word video interlude of Miley — the first of a few that were sprinkled throughout the show — she opts to open with Bass standouts “Orbit,” “Different Religion” (for which she plays electric guitar and welcomes collaborator and opener Model/Actriz back on stage) and “Bass Persuades” into its remix. Hearing the new material live helps it snap into place within her catalog, cementing the album overall as a grungier, bassier big sister of Plastic Hearts.

Miley followed the trio of Bass selects with “Handstand” off Endless Summer Vacation, saying: “You didn’t expect this one, did you?” But we should have — as the song, which she shares was the very first she ever wrote with her partner Maxx Morando, was basically breadcrumbing the more experimental sound she’s continued to explore.

As a photo of a young Dolly Parton fills the venues’ screens, the crowd softly chants “Miley, Miley” while her back remains to the crowd. Once she finally turns around, compact mirror in hand, she says, “She told me to check my make up,” before sitting on the edge of the stage.

“So many reasons that I wanted to perform at the Hollywood Bowl,” she says with a shaky voice and her head down. “Above every single one of them is that I only got to see Dolly Parton live in concert one time in my entire life — and it was here.” Miley continues to share a story of how she wanted to go and enjoy, only to have the experience ruined by Dolly informing the crowd that she was seated among them (Dolly also insisted on entering her own show to the Hannah Montana hit “Best Of Both Worlds”).

Despite the funny memory, Miley can’t help but tear up again as she says, “Me and Dolly are eternal,” adding that she feels her presence now more than ever. “I’m going to see her again and I can’t wait,” she continues, “because I fucking miss her.” Miley then performs “Jolene” as she has before. And to begin her next song ,“Walk Of Fame,” she fittingly flashes an image of Dolly’s Hollywood star. The song’s outro says it best: “You’ll live forever.” Just another thing Miley and her Aunt Dolly have in common.

Following another video interlude in which Miley talks about Woodstock as a reminder that “you can be lost and exactly where you need to be,” heads quickly turn toward a B-Stage in the center of the crowd where the one and only Wayne Coyne (of The Flaming Lips) is standing. He begins to sing the band’s hit “Do You Realize??” before being joined by Miley, who welcomes him with a big, long hug and then joins in on the final chorus. After it wraps, she says Coyne is “family” and shouts out Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, which she calls “my favorite album that I’ve ever made.” Coyne sticks around for one more song, as the two dive into “Karen Don’t Be Sad” off that project. “I’m having so much fun,” says Miley as Coyne exits. “I didn’t know if I was gonna… you never know.”

Dipping into her catalog got Miley feeling reflective again — she had already acknowledged early on how grateful she was to her fans for understanding her need for a balanced life that doesn’t include endless touring. Still speaking from the B-Stage, she shares that she has a new fish that Maxx named: “I have to have those things that give myself balance, she says. “Yeah, I was really excited to perform for you all at the Hollywood Bowl, but to be honest, I’m equally as excited about the new fish. And that’s what I love about my life, is I get both…I’m experiencing everything I’ve ever wanted.”

She then says that “it’s been a long ride,” noting her near-20-years-long career “of this metamorphosis – and you have not skipped a beat. It’s been steadfast and deeply felt.” Then, surely and only as a gift to fans, Miley sang the first verse of “We Can’t Stop” before letting it play out — and even attempts to twerk along, saying “let’s see if I can still do it.” She still can, even in pants and blazer.

Instead of stealthily returning to the main stage, Miley instead takes an emotional walk through the crowd to get back. Once she does, she dives right into her emotional banger “Wrecking Ball,” which she sings while clutching a heart-shaped frame of Dolly. “That was Dolly’s favorite song of mine, so I had to bring her with me,” Miley says. Then, clearly still reeling from the up-close experience she just had with the crowd while walking through it, she offers insight into the emotional toll of such a seemingly simple act. “I’m ok, I don’t want my mom to worry,” she says, glancing side stage. “I do want to say, it is a lot for me… feeling how much passion and love you radiate to me, and I appreciate you so much.”

By this point, it’s clear we have reached the “Best Of” section of the set. Having heard “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” Miley fittingly throws in the newer but heavily reflective “Used To Be Young” followed by “The Climb” and then “Party In the U.S.A.” During “Party,” the stage more or less becomes one with confetti and streamers and a final appearance from Coyne, who returns with a giant silver balloon sign that reads: “F–K YEAH HOLLYWOOD BOWL.” As Miley quips: “Some of my old ways.”

For her two-song encore, Miley leads with “Let’s Get Married,” walking onstage holding hands with Morando. A portable drum kit has been moved center stage, at which he sits and plays while Miley lovingly sings beside him. After the song, as he returns to his proper kit a bit behind him, Miley declares: “This song is one of my personal favorites,” and delivers her mega hit “Flowers.” (The juxtaposition of the two back-to-back is especially representative of how much of Miley’s life has and continues to play out in public, from a messy divorce to finding love again.)

“Flowers” live ad-libs have become a playful and expected bit, with the best to date having been at the 2024 Grammys when she sang through a wide smile: “Started to cry but then remembered… I just won my first Grammy!” Tonight, she updates the lyric to her latest achievement, beaming as she sings: “Started to cry but then remembered… I sold out the Hollywood Bowl!” And not just once, but twice. And not just because she wanted to, but because she crafted a show and its parameters around her own comfort and happiness.

Not only can Miley buy her own flowers, but she can make her own rules, too. Just as she always has. And sure enough, the people will come. Just as we always have.

SETLIST

“Orbit”

“Different Religion” with Model/Actriz 

Bass Persuades into Remixx 

“Handstand”

“Something Beautiful”

“Jolene”

“Walk of Fame”

“Redlights”

“Do You Realize??” with Wayne Coyne

“Karen Don’t Be Sad” with Wayne Coyne

“We Can’t Stop”

“Wrecking Ball”

“Snow”

“Used To Be Young”

“The Climb”

“Party In the U.S.A”

“Let’s Get Married”

“Flowers”