RIHANNA @ O2 - so much to say.....

Photograph: Neil Lupin/Redferns

The first thing that struck me about Rihanna's show at the O2, was the 'demographic'.
The stands were almost entirely filled with 16 - 18 year old blonde, white girls. Even up here in the VIP BOX that was owned/catered to for STANDARD CHARTERED saw my industry film friend and I together with some 8-10 hugely anticipating teenagers most of whom were of the aforementioned demographic.

Rihanna slinks on stage having replaced her now almost signature red tresses for the bouncy curls of the younger Ri-Ri that bounded onto the scene and into our lives many years ago. Perhaps it was the channelling of this younger version of self that left us 
'excited but not moved' throughout almost 2/3 of the show. Maybe, it had to do with what was a obviously mucked up sound system that left us wanting more but not in a good way. It wasn't till her rendition of SO HARD followed by the remaking of 'prince' pieces like 'glamourous life' which found her not just Banging away on drums but almost banging some life back into the performances.  
Photograph: unknown






Either way the earlier part of the show saw quite a few people leaving early to avoid the rush and crush of exiting the 02 later or making rather frequent trips to the bar.  

BUT BOY DID THEY MISS OUT....

Up till then - I love you Ri-Ri - but I was steadfastly unswayed. Both emotionally and physically. Like so many fans loving the music, but not quite getting the energy that we could see flowing off  her and eight '8' energetic dancers. It flowed..., but just didn't reach over to us.

By the time she started crooning 'I don't want do this anymore' one of my own personal favourites I was actually glad that fans on the tarmac had taken to singing loudly along.  The sound system was lacking enough for me to sit and almost write this entire blog throughout her performance. 



But the seated in a flowing yellow dress at stage right 'hate how much I love u' was easily the best rendition delivered. Followed later by 'California King Bed' and the stands EXPLODED and by the time the show was winding down on and the song 'Take a Bow' started to play..... well let's just say fans sang the entire first verse instead of her while the cameras panned a close up on her face, blushing and mouthing the words WOW over and over. She explained that we were all part of history that night, she had just scored a number 1 hit in the UK and as the Golden thunderstorm of 'Umbrella' closed the show it was easy to feel like you truly were part of history.


Still I have to say for myself, Like so many of the fans that left a little bit early, I felt a tiny bit let down. The show was GREAT!! But it was not spectacular. Blame it on the sound system or on it being the first show of the gig. But on the way home talk was not about what a 'WOW' show people had been too, but centred firmly on let's not miss that tube to get home people. 

Photograph: unknown

check out RiHANNA in ARMANI ad after the jump below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4aPEnxSnc&feature=share