Member Review: Rihanna

Longtime BPD member Stefaneee checks in:

 Rihanna is touring the world in support of her recently released album, Unapologetic.

“It’s been so amazing and it’s just getting started,” she told me, as she knocked back a few shots minutes before the show.

When RiRi finally took the stage about an hour and 20 minutes after the scheduled 8 p.m. start with her six piece band, the audience went nuts as she immediately broke out her trademark sensual undulating dance moves emphasized by her exposed midriff.

And if her intimate set — highlighted by hit after hit song including Man Down, Only Girl In The World, Please Don’t Stop The Music, What’s My Name, Live Your Life, etc. — is any indication of the larger production to come, then fans are in for a real treat.

Of the two new songs off Unapologetic — Phresh Off The Runway and Diamonds — the latter stood out as the show drew to a big, strong, noisy close with that one, Love The Way You Lie, Umbrella and her huge dance floor hit with Calvin Harris, We Found Love.

RiRi also offered up a tasteful acoustic set mid-show with the trio of Unfaithful, Take a Bow and Hate That I Love You.

Unplugged or plugged in, Rihanna’s clearly got it going on.

SET LIST:

Cockiness
Birthday Cake
Talk That Talk
Wait is Over
Man Down
Only Girl in the World
Please Don’t Stop The Music
Phresh Off The Runway
Unfaithful
Take a Bow
Hate That I Love You
Where Have You Been
What’s My Name?
Run This Town
Live Your Life
All of the Lights
Diamonds
Love The Way Your Lie
Umbrella
We Found Love

Thanks so much Stefaneee. Sounds like a good time was had by all. For those who haven't seen Rihanna live, here's her recent show in gay Paree.

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Member Review: Rihanna

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.

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.

Thanks, Sista52. We always appreciate when members can share their experiences.

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