Throughout the previous year, I have noticed a distinct expression on people’s faces when they begin to realize that Miley Cyrus is more than just a provocative, smirking figure. This look became apparent on my dad’s face a few months ago when we watched her perform a surprisingly talented rendition of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” on SNL 40, dressed in a relatively modest outfit. I also witnessed it on the faces of some friends last week as we discussed Miley’s cover of The Replacements’ “Androgynous,” grappling with our past perceptions of her as a shallow Hannah Montana character, now confronted with her progressive views on gender and sexuality. Lastly, I saw this look on the faces of some companions last night while attending the Adult Swim upfront party at Terminal 5, where Miley delivered a bold and brilliantly insane performance.

I attended Miley Cyrus’s concert out of sheer curiosity – what kind of music would she play now that it’s been two years since “We Can’t Stop”? To my surprise, she played a diverse range of songs including Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” a new collaboration with the Flaming Lips, “A Boy Named Sue,” “A Day in the Life,” a stripped-down piano version of her song “Drive,” and even reimagined her hit single “We Can’t Stop” as a reggae song while passing around a cigar-size blunt. Despite the unexpected setlist, Miley’s vocal versatility made it work. Her performance felt like a defiant message to those who expected a polished and conventionally sexy pop star. As Miley stated in a recent Time interview, she is dedicated to being true to herself and constantly evolving.