For many girls and gays in attendance it was about the entire experience. Many worked hard on homemade posters and T-shirts while one even wore a fake snake around her neck to get attention. Many bought merchandise including pink wigs and program books to get a piece of Britney that night.
Two opening acts, spunky female Australian songwriter/producer/DJ duo Nervo and Jessie and the Toy Boys, started the show—and then hip-hopper Nicki Minaj showed that she is more than just an opening act. Minaj’s CD, Pink Friday, showcased her skills and gave her material to spotlight. With a second masterpiece Minaj should be ready to fly solo in no time.
Spears arrived to feature her album Femme Fatale, beginning with “Hold It Against Me” and then “Up n’ Down.” Both girls happen to have songs produced by Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am, with Minaj’s “Check it Out” and Brit’s “Big Fat Bass.”
Spears rode swings, strutted up and down stairs and whipped her hair all night. She covered Madonna’s “Burning Up” while dancers did flips for the screaming audience. “If U Seek Amy” and “Toxic” came with fresh versions taking a cue from the Material Girl’s past concerts along with a Marilyn Monroe moment. The video montages were heavy and distracting, killing some of the energy of the show, but the headliner bounced back with a new outfit every time. The show had the feel of Vegas, where Spears will have a future if she’s ever down on her luck.
She tended to sing live on the slow tracks such as “Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know” and gyrated to a back track on speedier singles like “Gimme More.”
If you come prepared that Britney will not be singing live then there is not a lot to hold against her. Like her song says that’s “How I Roll,” if you don’t like then “It’s Britney, bitch.”
For more upcoming Chicago shows visit www.livenation.com. Text and photos by Jerry Nunn