Fun time at the Taylor Swift Concert in Singapore

Last night my husband and I went to see Taylor Swift's Red Tour.  She had to cancel her date in Bangkok, and as a result she was able to add an additional date in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.  Music to my ears, since I was chasing down concert tickets and seeing prices close to 1000 SGD (i.e. Singapore dollars) on the secondary market.  Once the new concert date was added, I made sure I didn't miss the opportunity to purchase tickets at face value.  Incidentally, I hope those people who are trying to extort her fans by charging crazy prices take a bath on their tickets... 

At any rate, my husband agreed to come along and check out her the concert with me.  I'll admit right now that we'd never refer to ourselves as Taylor Swift fans.  I went through my iTunes and found an album on there of hers, but I maybe know 10 songs max.  I looked at her set list and figured there'd be 6 songs out of 13 that I'd enjoy.

As the show started, I noticed a woman walking along the outside of the floor seats.  She had security around her.  It was Taylor Swift's mom.  How do I know?  I watch too much TV --- that's how I know.  Turns out her mom grew up in Singapore.  Small world!!!

As the show started, I was impressed that someone so young was able to hold her audience's interest without challenging choreography and walking around half-naked.  This bodes well for someone like me, who's more than tired of people selling sex in order to be relevant.

I caught myself singing along with 10 year old boys and girls.  I got caught up with the excitement and couldn't help but snap some pics, while the kids next to me filmed on their smart phones.  My husband and I shared some laughs and have to admit that we enjoyed the show. 

Are my husband and I Taylor Swift fans now?  Just maybe... 


THE WIRK

Lionel Richie in Singapore - Oh Yes

It's no secret that I'm a Lionel Richie fan, so imagine how THRILLED I was to learn that Lionel Richie was coming to Singapore!  Lionel Richie performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and sure enough I booked the tickets in the taxi, the minute I heard the announcement on the radio. 

For the show my husband and I sat on the floor maybe 10 or so rows from the stage.  Before the show I tweeted Lionel Richie that I was excited for the concert and he actually tweeted me back! 

Being the fan that I am, I lost my mind...  I was elated and even more excited that I ordered a "Penny Lover" pink baseball shirt for the show.


I've seen Lionel Richie perform many times and he has never disappointed.  This time around he sang, "We are the World".  If my memory serves me correctly, that was a unique experience.  I'm not a true funk fan and the Commodores were a bit too early for me, but I do appreciate that he still sings, "Oh No".  That song is truly one of my favorites.

Thank you for coming to Singapore, Lionel.  You made my night!


THE WIRK

Rescheduled Rihanna concert or full refund? I'll take the refund.

I decided to skip Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour on April 24 in Baltimore.  It was a rescheduled date, since she had laryngitis earlier.  Originally I looked forward to the concert, but as the date approached I had a change of heart.

I'd seen/heard Rihanna perform before.  I heard her when she opened for Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008.  She also performed (i.e. a year or so ago) during an NBA All-Star weekend, and I thought it was great.

However, last week I just couldn't motivate myself to go and see her again.  Maybe it is/was all the entertainment news about her and Chris Brown.  With their make ups and break ups on display for everyone with internet access and entertainment television, all that on and off and on and off again, turned me off.  When given the opportunity to receive a full refund from Ticketmaster, I pounced.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm just not a Rihanna fan anymore.  I enjoyed her early material (e.g. "If it's Lovin' That You Want", "Umbrella") but in hindsight I had buyer's remorse and wasn't willing to pay approximately $140 to see and hear her newer material.  Yes, there are are couple of her newer songs I enjoy, but there aren't ten.  There may not even be 5.

Further, with all the Chris Brown nonsense, Rihanna just seems so "emotionally heavy" and drama filled that I didn't think I would've enjoyed the show.  Different strokes for different folks, but personally I think all of that mess sends a bad, mixed message to girls.

I'm sure if you're true Rihanna fan, you enjoyed the concert.  You may have even had the time of your life.  I was happy I was able to stay home, and I can't wait to see the full refund appear on my credit card statement.  I can watch the light-hearted, happy Rihanna anytime I want on youtube.




THE WIRK

Tevin Campbell in Concert ~ COME BACK TO THE WORLD

Tevin Campbell.  I know...  It's been ages since you've even thought about him, but (i.e. if you're like me) hearing a few bars of the intros to "Can We Talk" and "I'm Ready" on a radio station that plays the (a'hem) "older" hits, can take you back to your youth!

I'm a 90s R&B aficionado.  My addiction is serious.  Something about the romance, melody, and soul of that time appeals more to me than the complete lack of subtlety dripping in today's lyrics.  "Dripping", you ask?  Yes.  "Dripping" can be gross, and I think some of today's music is gross --- but that's not the point of this post.

Tevin Campbell hit the scene when about 25 years ago.  ****  Did I just type "25 years ago"?!!?  I'm getting old...  People of the R&B era, familiar with New Jack Swing artists (e.g. Tony, Toni, Tone and of course every artist who Teddy Riley ever produced) probably remember Tevin hitting the scene with "Round and Round".  Round and Round was produced, in 1990, by Prince and on Prince's Graffiti Bridge CD.  Remember the music video?  I do.

Tevin Campbell followed that track up with other memorable hits.  "Can We Talk", "I'm Ready", and "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do" are on a playlist with other tracks that I'll listen to over and over, when trying to wind down after a long day (i.e. on a plane and/or when I just have time to myself).  Those songs remind me of high school, when relationships were soooooooo dramatic --- and in hindsight overly romantic, completely stupid, and overly encompassing.  HA!  Yeah, that about sums it up...

Anyway, for those of you wondering, Tevin can still sing.  He performed last night at The Howard Theatre.  The Howard Theatre is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to see a show.  It's an intimate venue where you can enjoy top talent and a "comforting" menu.  Music to your ears and food for your soul ---  that's The Howard Theatre.

Dressed in dark suit pants and a black shirt (i.e. with a white T-shirt peaking through), Tevin performed for over an hour and belted out his hits.  He also covered Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

Towards the end of the show, he asked the crowd whether there was anyone out there who thought he wouldn't be able to sing anymore.  A few members of the audience were honest enough to raise their hands.  He just laughed, smiled, and said he loves to prove them wrong.

I was one person away from the stage.  I could actually touch the stage, if I wanted to.  I can tell you that Tevin Campbell's smile is big.  He genuinely seemed happy and surprised to see a packed house.  People showed up to see him sing.  People sang their hearts out along with him.  Yes, we all have Google and may/not have heard about his issues in the past, but last night no one cared.  It was a friendly crowd.

Tevin said he's working on new material, and the crowd cheered at the news.  I look forward to new hits from a very talented man.

Come Back to the World, Tevin!  Your fans miss you.


THE WIRK

Rihanna concert tonight at 1st Mariner Arena POSTPONED

If you were like me (i.e. looking out your window), you were thinking that you'd need an umbrella-ella-ella-ay-ay-ay for tonight's Rihanna concert in Baltimore. Well, as it turns out, you can stay dry at home.

Tonight's concert at the 1st Mariner Arena has been postponed, since Rihanna is sick. Hold onto your tickets and wait for news as to the reschedule date.


THE WIRK

Sade in Concert ~ No Ordinary Show, Washington DC

Whoever said that you have to dance half-naked on a stage and master tricky choreography in order to hold the attention of an audience was LYING.  Sade proved that last night.  I'm not discounting the talent behind other performers that I enjoy watching in concert, but Sade's performance was a unique, quiet storm that made you take notice of her for all the right reasons.  In a time where people are on game shows and handed out awards for having "talent", Sade proves that true talent is still appreciated by a more discerning audience.

I'll admit right now, that I'm not the biggest Sade fan.  I like her music.  I'm a huge fan of her Lovers Rock cd.  ****  Notice I wrote "cd" and not "album".  When she came out with Sweetest Taboo, I remember my dad liking the song.  I thought it was boring many years ago, but I found myself singing along last night.

The visuals of her stage set up were subtle yet striking and yet there were times when the nature backdrops were so serene that you felt as if you were in a spa just relaxing.  There's no question that the woman can sing.  There was no doubt that she has been missed by her audience.  Towards the end of her show, she alluded to this by saying that she wasn't sure when she'd see everyone again (i.e. alluding to no current plans to come out and tour again).  People only showed their love more as a way to persuade her to reconsider. 

As I was debating yesterday on whether to go to the show (i.e. at the Verizon Center in Washington DC), I was chuckling to myself that seeing Sade perform is similar to seeing Halley's comet.  You don't have many chances to see it/her so when given the opportunity you MUST.

John Legend opened up for her and ended with Green Light.  The crowd at that point was definitely "Ready to go..." 

Sade sang for about 2 hours.  I wasn't keeping time officially, but I looked at my watch periodically to "time check" her.  She performed the hits I liked, "Smooth Operator", "All About Our Love", "By Your Side", etc.  She didn't perform "Slave Song", which was slightly disappointing since that song gives me chills and I would've loved to have seen her perform it live.

During the show, I couldn't help but notice that Sade resembles Gloria Estefan.  I can't be alone in seeing the similarity, can I?

Enough about the show.  Go and see her for yourself.  As I mentioned, who knows when you'll have this opportunity again?

As usual, I took the pictures that I'm using in this post.  Enjoy!


THE WIRK

Prince ~ Welcome 2 America is a MUST SEE... If you can go, GO!

To all of you Prince fans that acted like I was asking you for bone marrow, when I offered to sell you the extra tickets for last's night concert, I'd just like to let you know that you messed up BIG :-P

Last night Prince et al performed his 2nd show for the Welcome 2 America tour at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands.  The no camera and no recording policy wasn't enforced and everyone had a cell phone or camera out recording the action. 

My friend, Yonathan and I got there close to 8:30PM and the security guy said that Prince would go on at 9:30.  Wrong.  Prince was on stage at 9.

He opened up with "Let's Go Crazy".  I had chills when I heard him repeat, "Dearly Beloved" twice over the mic because I knew we were in for a treat.  As he ascended onto the stage from underneath (i.e. the stage was shaped like the symbol he used to go by), the crowd went nuts.

Armed with my camera, cell phone, and my 2 eyes and ears I was ready to experience Prince.  If you haven't seen Prince I have no idea what you spend your money on or where you live, but you've made some really poor decisions in your life.  ****  Just thought you should know...

Let's go Crazy, Little Red Corvette, Controversy, Take Me With You, If I Was Your Girlfriend, Purple Rain, Until the End of Time, etc. are some of the songs he sang.  I didn't keep track of the set list.  If you want it, I'm sure you can Google it.  Someone had to have written it down.

Prince can still move.  I've heard that he has hip issues, but based on what I saw ~ he's still smooth and fluid.  The man doesn't look like he's aged, and he's 52 years old.

Sheila E came out and rocked it.  I absolutely love "Glamorous Life" and wow did she knock it out.  She looks fantastic.

Prince and Sheila E performed "A Love Bizarre", and I was taken "back".  It looked like they were having so much fun.

Ask me how annoyed I am that I have the Miami Heat v Washington Wizards game tonight...  If it wasn't for the game, I'd be at Madison Square Garden, watching Prince perform tonight.

Like I said in the title of this post, "If you can go, GO!"  And if you go, don't leave early!  It's not over til it's over and Prince came out more than once at the "end" of last night's show (i.e. and sometimes he took a while to come back out).  Don't be one of the fools who missed out because they wanted to beat traffic.  This is Prince.  Show some respect.

THE WIRK

Lady GaGa concert at the Verizon Center ~ September 7, 2010

Yesterday, I returned from vacation and realized that Lady GaGa was in Washington DC to perform her Monster Ball Tour.  I skipped the shows in Minneapolis last week, but I took it as a sign that I was actually in town to see her so I scrambled and went to the show last night.

I didn't have a ticket, but got to the arena close to 7:30 to scope out the scene.  All of the little monsters were dressed up and out in full effect.  Men, women, old, young, etc.  Everyone was out to see GaGa perform.  General admission floor seats were going for $150 with the scalpers.  I debated in my head whether I wanted to stand or sit, but the "lazy" in me won, and I decided I wanted a seat.  Knowing what the prices were on the street, I ran to the box office.  ****  Usually on the day of the show, promoters release tickets.  Sure enough, after waiting behind 3 old ladies that wanted to trade/upgrade their seats at the window (i.e. or refinance their home loans --- who really knows what was taking them soooooo long?!?!) I was up at bat.  I asked for the best ticket they had and I was offered, section 112, row C.  It took me all of 1 second to get my ticket and I was off to my seat.

I was seated in front of the folks that bought the VIP ticket packages.  How did I know?  They were wearing GaGa lanyards and telling me about the food they ate.  They said they paid upwards of $300 and would do it again.  Umm, ok...  I had a lobster dinner with my friend Erika for $25 before the show and I'd do THAT again...

Semi Precious Weapons opened up for GaGa and I found them to be entertaining.  I'd see them again, but I'd price a ticket to that show to no more than $30.  They were very appreciative of the fan support and were signing autographs and taking pictures with fans post-show.

Now for the reason, everyone was at the Verizon Center...  Lady GaGa.  First of all, I want you to know that I was skeptical about the show and had reasonable expectations.  I was very pleasantly surprised with what I saw and heard.  She sang.  She sang well.  She danced.  She delivered her social message and she was entertaining as she went from costume to costume and stage to stage.  I liken her show to Madonna in concert, and after looking at her on the screens for a few minutes ~ I think she resembles Dana Plato.  Yeah, I said it.  Dana Plato (i.e. now deceased, but from Diff'rent Strokes) and Lady GaGa resemble each other!

She played some songs that I'd never heard, and if I remember correctly, I enjoyed "You and I" the best.  Of course she played all of her hits ~ Just Dance, Poker Face, Paparazzi, etc.  I can even say I like the song Paparazzi now...  She ended with Bad Romance, and I can still hear the opening notes in my head.  It was a really good and I might just check her our again when she comes back in 2011!

Here's some video of her performing "You and I" that I found on Youtube.



Here is the video that I shot of her Lady GaGa performing part of Bad Romance.



Here are the pictures I took from Lady GaGa concert at the Verizon Center ~ September 7, 2010

I have to admit, I only knew the GaGa songs that are played on the radio ~ but after this show, even I need to buy her CD or at least download the entire album!


THE WIRK