ARTIST: Gwen Stefani
VENUE: Manchester Evening News Arena
REVIEW BY: Tom Bailey.
ARENA gigs are always difficult. The challenge of playing to thousands while trying to create a unique experience for the individual often gets the better of even the most talented acts.
Added to fact that my attendance was more down to big brother duty than personal choice, it was always going to be an interesting experience to say the least.
However, before the night’s main attraction, Brazilian sextet Cansei de Ser Sexy – or CSS to you and me – got things off to a spirited start. Although their nu rave electronic madness washed over the relatively young audience, the band received a welcome reception.
Proving why they have had so many successful festival outings over the summer season, sequined jumpsuit clad singer Lovefoxxx is nothing short of mesmerising, barely standing still for a minute and clearly happy to take centre stage. Alongside mega hit ‘Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above’, album tracks ‘Off The Hook’ and ‘Meeting Paris Hilton’ provided the highlights from a short but sweet set.
From the moment the lights dimmed and a giant gold G was lowered, along with matching gold prison bars the arena erupted into mass hysteria. Not to sound old, but already I was beginning to feel out of place as Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku girls took to the stage for opener The Sweet Escape.
Although I’ll be the first to admit the sugary pop of previous singles Rich Girl and Luxurious were at times too sickly for my own personal taste, they were lapped up by the rest of sold out audience.
All the hits followed, mixing tracks from both solo albums, ranging from the chants of Hollaback Girl to the yodels of Wind It Up, all accompanied with enough costume changes, stage props and choreographed dances for a travelling circus.
Regardless of the fancy stage show, more impressive to me was the sense that this was not just another gig in another city, but this did mean as much to Gwen as it did to her most devoted. A point emphasised when the singer decided to run into the back of the crowd and into the side seating to serenade a stunned audience with Cool.
She ended the night with an encore of What You Waiting For.
Although musically not to my taste, the ever-stylish singer certainly earned my approval for her genuine love, admiration and respect for the people that put her where she is.
An impressive and rewarding outing for Gwen ahead of her long awaited return to No Doubt.
