Rebecca Jozwiak | multimedia editor

As the sun set over a cold, autumn-struck Pittsburgh skyline, young women and men littered the streets surrounding Fifth and Forbes Avenue with glittery dresses, white go-go boots and corset tops.

Attendees lined up eagerly waiting to enter PPG Paints Arena — all thanks to the “Sabrina Carpenter effect”.

After five long years, Carpenter made her long-awaited return to Pittsburgh Thursday and Friday, selling out both nights with a whopping 19,000 in attendance for her Short n’ Sweet tour.

Thursday’s tour stop marked the first performance in the second act of the Short n’ Sweet tour, after Carpenter took five months off the road.

After two stellar performances from opening acts Amber Mark and Olivia Dean, Carpenter came out with a pre-rehearsed skit in her first act as a retro advertisement about her and her album played on the main stage screens. Carpenter enthusiastically rushed onto the stage, running down steps in order to make it to her microphone on time to perform.

Within seconds, Carpenter’s energy oozed with charisma. Unveiling a bedazzled cheetah corset leotard underneath the bath towel she came out in, Carpenter mesmerized the crowd by opening with one of her many hit songs — “Taste.”

Shortly after a visual interlude advertising “Spray Away,” Carpenter brought her summer single, “Manchild” to the stage. Performed at music festivals during her tour hiatus, the Pittsburgh Night One show marked the first time that Carpenter played it at a concert venue.

“Manchild” certainly did not disappoint the crowd. Thousands of attendees shouted along to the song — especially the fan-favorite lyric, “Stupid/Or is it slow?/Maybe it’s useless?/But there’s a cuter word for it, I know …”

After songs from the “Short n’ Sweet” and “emails I can’t send” albums, Carpenter concluded her first act — set in the morning time — with “Bed Chem,” a summery song laced with flirtatious and sexually charged lyrics. Carpenter’s ability to perform really shined in this song, singing while laying down on the circular bed on her stage.

Wherever the camera went, so did she. Carpenter opted for a more one-on-one performance, singing directly to the camera. Carpenter got ready for act two (the evening) as the crowd saw her silhouette dive onto the bed with a male figure.

Toward the middle of the act, Carpenter was finally able to interact with the audience before singing “Coincidence.”

Although the 26-year-old has performed at major events such as The Grammys or Coachella, Carpenter seemed blown away by the continuous applause and hollers from the crowd. She thanked them for attending her concert and moving around plans to be at PPG, Carpenter’s ability to still relate with fans is obvious. While she juggles interviews, hosting “Saturday Night Live” or headlining music festivals like Austin City Limits, the singer’s authenticity and humility has seemingly not changed whatsoever.

Though many artists use background dancers too, Carpenter’s dancers effortlessly combine the feeling of a musical fantasy with emotional, ballroom-esque dancing, adding a secondary layer and meaning to Carpenter’s performances, all while not overpowering her as the main act.

After excitedly conversing with the audience, Carpenter spun a bottle, which would reveal what song she would either cover or sing for the evening. Carpenter debuted a fan-favorite off of her new album — “Nobody’s Son.”

With a painfully relatable chorus with lyrics like “That boy is corrupt/Could you raise him to love me maybe,” it was clear that Carpenter was absolutely in the drivers seat, dictating the vibe and energy that the crowd gave back to her.

The third and final act — midnight — effortlessly focused on Carpenter’s happy and upbeat songs. The most well-known part of Carpenter’s show — her “Juno,” performance — came in the final act.

Leading up to the song, Carpenter charmingly flirts with the audience — specifically one member, who she playfully “arrests” and leaves with a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs. In a surprising and unexpected move, the arrestee of the evening was super model Gigi Hadid. Myself and others were happily confused as to what Hadid would be doing in Pittsburgh.

As the show wrapped up, Carpenter pleasantly surprised the audience by adding the second lead single off of “Man’s Best Friend” onto the set list: “Tears.”

Witnessing the live performance of “Tears” was the cherry on top. Carpenter’s show brilliantly tied together visual, musical and physical storytelling without each of these concepts out shining the others.

As Carpenter finished the evening up with her iconic song “Espresso,” it was clear that she was made for the stage. With a magnetic personality that overflowed with grace, it’s clear that Carpenter is a current pop visionary that understands not only the weight of her artistry but the influence her music has on young adults and popular culture.

Rebecca Jozwiak can be reached at jozwiakr@duq.edu