This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.
In one two-hour show we got Barbarella-style sci-fi airline hostess (“Come into my World”), Stephen Sprouse-inspired ’80s acid-house flashback (“Shocked”), buff guys showering in a gym/bathhouse while Kylie sings on a pommel horse (“Spinning Around”), cheerleaders with marching-band horns (“Wow”), military chic (“Like a Drug”), Hollywood starlet on chaise lounge flanked by rococo gold hounds (“I’m a Diamond for YouWhite Diamond”), New Orleans brothel with Kylie in lingerie (a reworking of “Locomotion”) and occasional “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore” and video wall interludes—the whole night opened with echoes of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Kylie might be something of an unknown in American pop circles—and she’s never played here, so she was extra thankful and warm—even inviting a superfan on stage for a photo opp. Later, she and her leggy back-up singers joined together for an impromptu acapella by request.
She’s not above referencing the competition—or a Madonna video—the harlequins with eyepatches and vaguely S&Mish outfits struck a pose for a whispery vamp on “Vogue.” Truthfully, I found myself comparing the Kylie show to the last Mad-stravaganza I saw live and finding Kylie a helluva lot more fun—way more spontaneous for sure. Kylie can go campy or over-the-top without embarrassing herself or us—there’s a wink and a nudge in there somewhere—which makes the theatrical stuff work so well in small chunks. But all would have been for naught if Kylie couldn’t sing—which, up until last night, I wouldn’t have put much money on. The 41-year-old bounced back from breast cancer surgery and chemo to tour more than 21 countries last year—and has honed her vox, stage show, banter and occasional dancing and punched things up with live horns (prominently on the devastating “Two 2 Hearts”) and what sounded to my ears like a live set with some sequencing filling out the mix—there were no less than ten LCD screens in the sound booth, so someone was controlling sequenced rhythms.
Her enthusiastic gay Chicago fanbase was in full effect (one can only assume Boystown was quiet at 9pm) if a bit subdued—I spied only one full sailor costume, but otherwise it was couples of various ages, Euro, U.K., Aussie and Kiwi expats with a smattering of indie-pop types—plus glamour girls of all ages sating their curiosity.
Kylie knows when she’s got a good thing—in addition to her surefire hits like “In My Arms,” she dropped a tune from her upcoming album called, I think, “Better than Today,” which, oddly enough, was my favorite song of the night—its slow-motion, not-quite-funky disco came to an abrupt end with Kylie nonchalantly dropping the microphone stand on cue.
Kylie and band wrapped up her set with a funked-up “Kids” (originally sung with Robbie Williams but tonight with her two sidekick divas), “Your Disco Needs You” and “In My Arms,” before coming back for “Better the Devil You Know”—a slice of Eurovision cheese, then a big thank you—finally ending with a confetti shower and “Love At First Sight.” For most of us, it was literally first sight—and Kylie, as small as she is, made it count.
Photos: Amy Mokris
*Thanks to David Humphrey for song title corrections.
I liked Madonna’s show, but Kylie’s takes the cake. Madonna had a planned “audience request” moment, and couldn’t remember the lyrics to “Beautiful Stranger” when asked to sing it at the United Center last year. Kylie, totally put on the spot, not only remembered all the lyrics to “Your Disco Needs You,” but sounded great without any back up. It was a classic moment, probably making this the best show of the US tour…
Just a little fact checking for you-there is a Eurovision entry called “Better the Devil You Know” but it’s not the Kylie song, it’s a totally different tune by Sonia!
Otherwise a great summary of a fabulous concert experience!
I would definitely catch this show if you can while she is still in the U.S. It was fantastic! Her vocals were great and her genuine audience interaction was something you don’t see often. It was two hours of nonstop top rate entertainment. Great!
Saw her in Vegas- I cried!!! Truly amazing show-amazing woman-AMAZING PERIOD. She did ‘Got To Be Certain’- impromtu with the audience-truly fab- although ‘Your Disco Needs You” is one of my favs- that- I would have loved to have seen.
Show was amazing - she totally is a true performer and it’s no wonder that she’s won the rest of the world over. Not sure why America never jumped on board - but perhaps it’s the wink and nudge we never really understand…
all this is well and good but $75 a ticket ($90+ when you factor in service fees)? I don’t think so. Exploitation of the gays desperate for a diva.
That was Red Blooded Woman not spinning around for the shower scene. ugh, were you even there?
KYLIE WAS AMAZING
This Canadian has long loved this petite chanteuse from Melbourne Australia and was always jealous of my brethren around the world able to see her. I have both her Showgirl and Live in Sydney DVDs in addition to her CDs. I was unable to obtain available( non scalper) tickets in London nor Frankfurt last year. I googled Kylie in Sydney and nabbed a Dec 14th ticket & headed down.“Wow wow wow wow!!”. I’d seen Madonna & George Michael the previous months, but nothing compared to Kylie! Magnificent! So Oct 9, I get to see her on my home turf instead of her’s
I saw both Madonna and Kylie this year and Kylie had the better show hands down. Madonna can seem cold and the concert is far more calculated. Never once does Madonna stray from the exact concert plan, you know you’re getting the exact same thing that 20 other cities got. Kylie kept it warm and personal and you felt like you were really getting something special and for far less money than Madonna.
Chaz, correct on Red Blooded Woman, but she also did Spinning Around and an excerpt from Where the Wild Roses Grow with the pommel horse set-up. I couldn’t make that up.
this is a fantastic show, if you can get to this show then it will be such an amazing experience, the stage, backdrops, video screens, lazors, dancers, clothes, songs, I loved ‘like a drug’ it was so great, please stop this Lady GaGa thing, there is a massive difference here, 20 year career and a 20 minute 1 cd career, likewise with Madonna, KYLIE is Kylie, we love her for that, hope this show gets put on dvd, it was confirmed that she is getting a show in Vagas, so start saving people
Traveled from the Twin Cities to see the show and was very impressed with the show! Lights, Sound and Kylie were just awesome. Change in venue was somewhat of a hassle, however thanks to a local who allowed us to follow him to UIC We got there no problem THANKS!
Warm and personal, that is exactly right. I have seen Madonna, Britney and a few others this year, Kylie is by far the best. Aside from the fact that she actually sings her own show, the stage production is flawless, fun and engaging, her personality just shines thru every time she talks and addresses the audience. After seen so many over-staged, over-rehearsed, over-faked shows, Kylie’s show was truly refreshing. I really feel that she has put together this show for her fans.