Hot Pink
Yep, pop pugilist Pink is definitely this generation's Billy Idol.... ....For opening number 'Cuz I Can, from her new album I'm Not Dead, she took to the stage in long leather boots, a frilly cocktail dress and a long riding crop, which she licked in between delivering defiant lyrics in her growly, soulful wail. Followup song Trouble, a metallic burner from 2003's Try This, featured the singer flashing her blue panties as she courted only the men who were tough enough to woo her.... ....But woe be the hater who thinks Pink is only in it for the flirting. "I wanna do a song for you tonight 'cause I think it's AWESOME," she chirped in a mock airhead coo, flipping her hair and batting her lashes. "I want you guys to pay attention, 'cause I'm easily distracted." And with that she launched into the vitriolic fun of new song Stupid Girls, which deliciously rips into the Jessica Simpsons of pop culture and features a pleading chorus of "Where, oh where, have the smart people gone?".... In a rousing nod to frequent collaborator Linda Perry, Pink led the crowd in an all-together-now version of What's Up, a hit for Perry's former band 4 Non Blondes. Most pop stars would be irked that the biggest crowd reaction was for someone else's song. But not Pink: She smiled and laughed and, with a rebel yell, cried for more, more, more.
Despite the woman in front of me inadvertently whacking my bathing-suit area with her water bottle -- and despite a thick heat that punished the sold-out crowd -- I had a pretty swell time at Pink's show in St. Pete last night.
The 26-year-old star born Alecia Moore is a lot more graceful in person. Don't get me wrong: She's still wicked when dutifully eviscerating the Paris Hiltons of the world, and that riding crop she brandished sure wasn't for taming horses. But as opposed to the constant tough tom-girl pose she struts in videos, as a live performer, Pink is likably polished with a soulful voice that needs little pitch tuning.
Anyway, here are some choice bits from my live review that ran in today's St. Petersburg Times:
ST. PETERSBURG -- Snarly top lip, cool bleach-blond 'do, fist-pumping rebellion packaged in radio-ready hits:
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Hey, it's Pink concert photos!
Posted by: Adrian Phillips | July 26, 2006 at 03:16 PM
But more importantly, how was Matt Nathanson??
Posted by: Anonymous | July 26, 2006 at 10:11 PM
Alas, I didn't see Matt Nathanson. Had something to write at the paper, so I scampered over just in time for Pink.HOWEVER, please tell Matt that an older lady called me yesterday saying she met him at Starbucks before the show and that he was a charmer. So Matt's red hot with the senior crowd.Next time, folks, how about a little head's up about the opening act?
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 27, 2006 at 10:04 AM
I saw Matt back when he was here with Tori Amos (she always has the best openers). He is a charmer and so great with all his fans. He literally stood around, no autograph table for him, and signed every little thing that people brought to get signed, took pictures, didn't matter how many or what. He jotted little individual notes down and joked with every one. His music is great but I think he wins fans just as much with his personality.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 29, 2006 at 11:00 PM
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Posted by: kir | June 30, 2007 at 07:22 PM