Post by Susanelizabeth28 on Jan 19, 2005 21:41:34 GMT -5
Live Review: Cher in Glendale, AZ
by Christina Fuoco
liveDaily Contributor
January 19, 2005 02:21 PM - Cher's long-running "Never Can Say Goodbye Tour" continued Tuesday (1/18) in Glendale, AZ, with a dazzling career retrospective--and a few words for women following in her footsteps, like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears.
"I have one thing to say to you girls coming up: follow this, you b**ches!" she joked.
Based on this show, the gaggle of female followers have big shoes to fill. Arriving on stage after descending from a giant chandelier, Cher opened with a version of U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," one of a handful of covers sprinkled throughout the set. Dancers dressed as monks stripped the singer of her white-and-silver robe to reveal a sexier outfit.
It was one of a dozen costume changes for Cher, who received the most enthusiastic response when she wore elaborate headpieces. To keep the audience occupied during the wardrobe breaks, video retrospectives of Cher's career were beamed onto video screens, and Cirque du Soleil-inspired dancers incorporated long streams of fabric into their routines.
Cher touched on most of her hits during her performance--which she said was the 287th show of her farewell tour--including the ballad "After All," as well as "Strong Enough," "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" and "All or Nothing."
After wrapping up a decidedly metal take of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," she performed a medley of hits ranging from "Half Breed" and "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" to "Dark Lady." Her show ended in a storm of confetti as she sang "Believe."
During the two-hour performance, she tackled a few covers as well, notably "Love Hurts" and Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis."
Perhaps one of the audience's favorites, however, was "If I Could Turn Back Time." For the song, Cher donned a black peek-a-boo number similar to the one she wears in the video. In honor of the U.S. Navy, which appears in the video, fans threw sailors hats on stage. She grabbed one that said "I love Cher" and plopped it on her head.
Although the near sold-out crowd indulged in Cher's show, the performer was booed once--when she announced that the "Never Can Say Goodbye Tour" will, in fact, end.
"This last time is the last time. ... I have to go where old drag queens go--to Madonna's house," she said, as boos dissolved into laughs.
Adding to the campy flavor of the evening, the Village People opened the show. The announcer dubbed the group as the "original" Village People, however, according to its website, one of the members joined in the mid 1990s.
The group performed its hits, such as "In the Navy," "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man." Taking a nod from Cher's self-deprecating humor, the Village People poked fun at "Y.M.C.A."'s popularity and then taught the audience the "correct" way of doing the song's accompanying dance.
While introducing "In the Navy," the Village People's "soldier," Alexander Briley, asked the audience to applaud in support of the troops serving overseas. He received an overwhelming response.
Overall, however, the Village People's performance was disappointing. Choreographed dance numbers did not seem to come together as planned, and the group performed to a musical track.
by Christina Fuoco
liveDaily Contributor
January 19, 2005 02:21 PM - Cher's long-running "Never Can Say Goodbye Tour" continued Tuesday (1/18) in Glendale, AZ, with a dazzling career retrospective--and a few words for women following in her footsteps, like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears.
"I have one thing to say to you girls coming up: follow this, you b**ches!" she joked.
Based on this show, the gaggle of female followers have big shoes to fill. Arriving on stage after descending from a giant chandelier, Cher opened with a version of U2's "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," one of a handful of covers sprinkled throughout the set. Dancers dressed as monks stripped the singer of her white-and-silver robe to reveal a sexier outfit.
It was one of a dozen costume changes for Cher, who received the most enthusiastic response when she wore elaborate headpieces. To keep the audience occupied during the wardrobe breaks, video retrospectives of Cher's career were beamed onto video screens, and Cirque du Soleil-inspired dancers incorporated long streams of fabric into their routines.
Cher touched on most of her hits during her performance--which she said was the 287th show of her farewell tour--including the ballad "After All," as well as "Strong Enough," "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" and "All or Nothing."
After wrapping up a decidedly metal take of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," she performed a medley of hits ranging from "Half Breed" and "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" to "Dark Lady." Her show ended in a storm of confetti as she sang "Believe."
During the two-hour performance, she tackled a few covers as well, notably "Love Hurts" and Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis."
Perhaps one of the audience's favorites, however, was "If I Could Turn Back Time." For the song, Cher donned a black peek-a-boo number similar to the one she wears in the video. In honor of the U.S. Navy, which appears in the video, fans threw sailors hats on stage. She grabbed one that said "I love Cher" and plopped it on her head.
Although the near sold-out crowd indulged in Cher's show, the performer was booed once--when she announced that the "Never Can Say Goodbye Tour" will, in fact, end.
"This last time is the last time. ... I have to go where old drag queens go--to Madonna's house," she said, as boos dissolved into laughs.
Adding to the campy flavor of the evening, the Village People opened the show. The announcer dubbed the group as the "original" Village People, however, according to its website, one of the members joined in the mid 1990s.
The group performed its hits, such as "In the Navy," "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man." Taking a nod from Cher's self-deprecating humor, the Village People poked fun at "Y.M.C.A."'s popularity and then taught the audience the "correct" way of doing the song's accompanying dance.
While introducing "In the Navy," the Village People's "soldier," Alexander Briley, asked the audience to applaud in support of the troops serving overseas. He received an overwhelming response.
Overall, however, the Village People's performance was disappointing. Choreographed dance numbers did not seem to come together as planned, and the group performed to a musical track.
