Tonight:
4°c
John Aizlewood's rating
, What an experience... a night with bold Beyoncé
By
John Aizlewood
4 Jun 2007
Billed as The Beyoncé Experience rather than a mere concert by Beyoncé Knowles, last night's second of two Wembley dates proved the point in majestic fashion.
Backed by a 13-piece, all-female band, including a heavily tattooed guitarist, a drummer who ate a banana during her solo and three unashamedly tubby backing singers, Knowles offered a high-energy spectacle from the moment she ascended on stage in a puff of white smoke to belt her way through Crazy In Love (which briefly morphed into Gnarls Barkley's Crazy) to a head-spinning Deja Vu, two hours later.
Big, brave and bold, the Beyoncé Experience is how pop music would work if it were choreographed by Busby Berkeley.
Knowles was at the centre of everything, bar a few brief costume changes and whatever her four male and four female dancers did, she did better and for longer.
Hair extensions billowing in what appeared to be a permanent onstage gale, she was a superfit force of nature whose energy level remained never dipped whether she was throwing herself around stage to Ring The Alarm or wrapping her vocals around the ballad Flaws And All, during which she began to cry seemingly real tears, although when it ended with a sheepish dancer dressed as a giant, pantomime angel, enveloping her in his wings as if taking part in some misguided school nativity play, the audience's tears were somewhat more laughter-based.
The angel, though, was a brief and rare misstep. For all her astounding work-rate, Knowles kept her distance, bar a few thank yous and, oh dear, a mystique-shattering competition where someone won a T-shirt for knowing that the Beyoncé Experience began in Tokyo. As the Queen Mother understood so well, silence breeds mystique. There will, you suspect, be no tacky competitions next time.
The hits of Knowles's group, Destiny's Child, were dismissed in a medley. However, as medleys go, it was a treat, with each song granted separate, stunning choreography (especially Bills, Bills, Bills) until the finale, a gripping, fists-clenched Survivor. Celebrating her past, yet consigning it to history was cynical but brave: it worked marvellously.
If anyone had the temerity to doubt Beyoncé's star quality and her place in the diva pantheon, they would doubt no more after last night. She's the real deal and there is surely much more to come from one who is not 26 until September. An Experience to savour.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (6)
She is the ultimate entertainer, Amazing singer, amazing dancer... she has a presence like no other, she is a legend in the making.
- Matt Bickle, London, UK, 07/06/2007 00:12
Report abuse
In one word - amazing!
- Kseniya, Plymouth, UK, 06/06/2007 23:54
Report abuse
Beyonce put the funk and soul back into R 'n 'B. The performance at the cavernous Wembley arena was glitzy, intelligent and most importantly entertaining. Crazy in Love made a powerful opening statement.There was a nod to her first solo album "Dangerousy in love" with a couple of tracks played and an abridged medley of older and more recent Destiny's Child hits that had the majority female crowd up on their feet. But the night was mainly devoted to tracks from the musically diverse but unfortunately titled "B'day" album. Beyonce exquisite rendering of "Flaws and All" was particularly memorable as was the soulful "Irreplacable "and funky "Deja Vu" which sent the audience home happy. The set was replete with scene, lighting and costume changes including shimmery curtains and glitter ball. During costume changes, the all female backing band showcased their considerable talents one by one and energetic modern dancers lent a Broadway feel to the show. However, for me it was the quality of the music that shone through on the night. This was no typical R 'n' B concert and Beyonce is no ordinary R 'n' B singer. Elements of classic soul and funk were also thrown into the mix which, together with Beyonce range, delivery and personality made for a very special evening.
- Darren Lewis, London, UK, 05/06/2007 20:02
Report abuse
Fittingly for a show celebrating the Beyonce experience, it was in every word an amazing experience leaving the crowd in awe of her vocal prowess. The all female band was enpowering and there was no denying the star power of Ms Knowles, her every move was captivating occasionaly flashing her million-dollar smile and wiggling her butt across the stage. All in all in classic Beyonce style, the dancing was as important as the singing and yes she holds it down!
- Vanessa Ibuakah, London, UK, 05/06/2007 15:42
Report abuse
Beyonce was amazing on Sunday! The best show I have ever been to - she really kept the crowd going and her voice and dancing is beyond words - WOW!
- Sophie Reeves, UK, 05/06/2007 11:31
Report abuse
Beyonce was amazing, she has such a fantastic voice! The concert was so good, she even waved at me in the audience!
- Taylor Hayston, Bournemouth, UK, 04/06/2007 22:03
Report abuse
