The last time Bruno Mars played in Los Angeles was in 2016, to promote the release of his then-recent “24K Magic.”

Six years later — and without a new album — the pop-soul superstar made his long-awaited return to the city, christening the newly opened Intuit Dome on Thursday night for the first of two sold-out performances at the 17,700-capacity arena. In his time away from California, the Hawaii-born showman has performed back-to-back sprawling sets in Las Vegas — both solo and as part of Soul Sonic, his Grammy-winning project with Anderson .Paak — as part of a multi-year partnership with MGM Resorts, leaving only occasionally to perform international shows.

And he didn't hold back for his big return: The audience included Jennifer Lopez, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Angela Bassett and Kelsea Ballerini, among countless other A-listers, and the night closed out with a rumored-but-surprised duet with Lady Gaga on their duet single "Die With a Smile," which premiered just minutes before Mars' 9:40 p.m. kickoff time earlier that night.

Unfortunately for the large number of concertgoers who left early to beat the crowds — though it was a surprisingly smooth exit from the West Garage across the street — Mars saved the night’s best surprise for last. He welcomed Gaga, who appeared onstage behind a red piano, and introduced her as “the icon” and “pop royalty.” She was dressed in the same country-inspired outfit she wears in the song’s ‘70s-themed music video, while Mars wore a cowboy hat.