Beyonce Knowles wows Perth fans at Burswood concert
September 25, 2009
LOOKING like a goddess in gold, Beyonce masterfully bewitched the 18,000 strong crowd with an amazing performance at Burswood Dome last night.
"Perth, wow. So many of you people out here tonight. It's amazing," she yelled to the cheers of the heaving crowd on the last night of her national I Am.... Australian tour.
"Tonight is special for all of us because it is the last night in Australia for our tour. We've had some great memories in Australia, but it's not over yet."
Wearing an array of spectacular outfits designed by Thierry Mugler, the bootylicious diva lived up to her larger than life reputation looking even more stunning in the flesh.
The majority of her outfits were gold, but she donned a billowing white dress for Smash Into You and a Wonder Woman style corset for Diva.
At one stage in her fired up performance she rose high into the air, a trail of gold flowing behind her, as if she were a phoenix rising from the ashes. She came to land on a smaller stage further into the crowd shaking her plentiful hips in a tiny gold dress.
All the while her long curly locks billowed in the breeze of many strategically placed wind machines.
It might be easier to look a million dollars when you have it, but Beyonce is above and beyond. It was clear from the incessant screaming that she is not just a pop star of the Christina, Britney and Gwen ilk, but a true idol.
Her brilliant performance, which was only let down by weaker, less melodic songs such as Get Me Bodied or Upgrade U, was matched by spectacular production and audio visuals.
A highlight was during the song Radio when clips of Beyonce as a youngster played on the screen. It was clear that even as a tot little miss Knowles had star quality.
Backed by a 10-piece all- female band and with three backing singers and eight dancers, the stage was often buzzing.
"I'm here to empower all you ladies," she said. "That's why every musician on stage tonight is a woman."
To the delight of fans she included two Destiny's Child medleys which incorporated Bootylicious, Jumpin' Jumpin', Independent Woman, Bills, Bills, Bills and Survivor. She also performed Say My Name.
When dancing or cavorting her body into mind boggling poses, Beyonce performed to the accompaniment of a backing track, but when she did sing her voice filled the Dome. Its power was reminiscent of that of Dionne Warwick's.
A stunning performance of Ave Maria was an early highlight as was If I Were A Boy which segued into a powered up performance of the Alanis Morrisette hit You Oughta Know.
Her rendition of Etta James's classic At Last was truly inspired. Dressed in a stunning floor length gown, Beyonce simply stood and delivered as the screens behind flashed scenes from the biopic film Cadillac Records in which Knowles portrays James.
The end of the segment featured President Obama's inauguration and the inauguration ball at which Beyonce was asked to perform the song.
Listen from the movie Dreamgirls was another showstopper and wonderfully showcased Beyonce's soaring vocals.
However it was Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) that everyone had been waiting for.
Introduced by a series of hilarious videos of fans mimicking Beyonce's elaborate dance moves, the song had the crowd on its feet waving their left hands in the air. Beyonce looked dazzling in a crystal encrusted black corset as she showed off her enviable dancing skills.
But it was her heartfelt performance of Halo that shone as the most memorable moment of the night.
Towards the end of the song an image of Michael Jackson appeared on the screen and Beyonce talked of how she was first inspired to become a performer after seeing him. Altering the lyrics she sang: "Michael I can see your halo, I pray it won't fade away."
After a rendition of Happy Birthday she stood at the front of the stage and told the crowd: "I Am.... Perth. I Am....Perth. Perth Australia. I Am Yours."
If only.
Source: www.news.com.au