BPD member Sista52 posted this report:
The help of a live backing band, an entourage of dancers, plus extensive production and pageantry made Rihanna's Loud tour seem more like a variety show than merely a concert.Thanks, Sista52. We always appreciate when members can share their experiences.
She's currently benefiting from a red hot record and has grown more comfortable in her entertainer's skin than when I saw her 3 years ago. Granted, her vocals are modest at best and her personality lacks the immediate charisma of others like Beyonce or Lady Gaga, but the infectious songs spoke for themselves, while the endless barrage of action prevented even the harshest of skeptics from being bored.
After opening with the shiny synth popper "Only Girl (In the World)," Rihanna dove straight into the instant dance party "Disturbia" and brought a car on stage for her older, attitude-strewn R&B romp "Shut Up and Drive." Speaking of oldies, the 23-year-old gave the mostly youthful audience an education in classic soul with a naughty rendition of Prince's "Darling Nikki," and later, a mash-up of her own "Breakin' Dishes" with Sheila E.'s "The Glamorous Life."
Though it was impossible for her ultra-famous duet partners to appear in person (like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, T.I., Ne-Yo and Drake, to name a few), Rihanna performed her parts of "Run This Town," "Live Your Life" and "Hate That I Love You" to rapt applause and audience participation. Despite their enormous popularity, some of her own songs lacked similar magnetism, including the whiny "Unfaithful" and the downright annoying "Rude Boy."
Yet Rihanna's final stretch of solo songs was virtually unstoppable, starting with the throbbing "Don't Stop the Music," which made creative use of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and instantly filled the aisles. From there, she ducked out of the limelight with the ever so appropriate ballad "Take a Bow," returning for the piano accompanied contemplation "Love The Way You Lie (Part II)" and her ultimate anthem "Umbrella" to keep the party going well into the night.
After the show, we sat and talked for 10 minutes or so. I really appreciated the act that she took time to be with me.
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