Now, if you're suddenly thinking to yourself that my writing, postulating, and waffling so far has not suggested that I am the pop music, massive arena gig, concert-type; then you would be right. However, I suppose occasional exceptions are made to most rules, and therefore I found myself yesterday evening at the MEN Arena (recently re-dubbed the Phones4U Arena but I prefer the latter) in Manchester, waiting for one of the biggest names in music today, and perhaps of all time, to appear.
As I say, I am not one for these types of things. Nor am I for avidly and/or obsessively following popular music, unlike the thousands upon thousands who were there with me (and who presumably are also in each venue around the world when it comes to this sort of thing). Nevertheless, music I do like (including some of Beyoncés) as well as the theatricality and spectacle that is pretty much expected nowadays with these musical mega-stars and their colossal tours. So, there I was with an open mind and an eager sense of anticipation.
Once it all got going it was fairly spectacular. Let me reiterate...once it got going. I don't know who's responsible for these things organisationally, but not having a specific time for the star to begin their act, just having a "doors opening" time (which incidentally was at least three hours before Beyoncé took to the stage) and having the audience guessing en mass as to when it will crack on is not ideal. What is also not ideal, is an apparently rather lame, egotistical and incredibly anti-climactic man/DJ, self-titled as 'Monsieur Adi' as a supporting act, who seemed only to be interested in the reaction of the first three rows of his audience (not good in an arena some 21,000 strong). But then, that's just me; I easily confess I'm not that attuned to what the modern generation aspire to and admire really.
When Beyoncé did arrive however, it was rather epic to say the least. Again, I found some of the Arena-style issues were present; as I was seated side-on from the stage, very high up, and did have to rely on the screens to get any detailed view of what was going on.
However, the atmosphere was there, the noise certainly was (my ears were ringing for hours after! Again, possibly the musings of an out-of-touch twit) and the spectacle created was great to behold. The effects, the dancers, the lighting, the video/movie interim pieces, and of course the music. Slightly overpowering, and possibly a tad distorted due to the volume and magnitude of the venue, but Beyoncé and her team certainly delivered nonetheless. New tracks teamed with well loved classics, teamed with a woman whose abundantly clear love for what she does and the fans who got her where she is today was great to see. Beyoncé is of course reputed to be a true entertainer in pretty much every sense of the word, and from what I saw of her Mrs Carter tour, I see no reason to dispute that reputation at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment