It’s been more than a decade since Britney Jean Spears first strode to the center of the big-top ring and became a pop superstar. Does she still have what it takes to hold that title in 2009 — and make fans forget the tabloid shark-chum of her personal struggles? Her tour, which kicked off March 3 in New Orleans, has already had its share of NSFW scandal and video leaks, but at a stop March 13 in Newark, New Jersey, the 27-year-old star proved she is still, as she coos on the title track of her sixth No. 1 album, December ’08’s Circus, "a put-on-a-show type of girl."
Openers the Pussycat Dolls provided a maniacally energetic set with hits like "Buttons," "When I Grow Up," and "Stickwitchu," set to much bendy, knee-cap-to-ear choreography; leader Nicole Scherzinger can actually sing live, which is admirable, though when she referred to Britney gamely as "the original Pussycat Doll," PCD founder Robin Antin must have spit out her garter belt. And the near-capacity crowd seemed happy to see them, responding uproariously to Scherzinger’s destination-tailored Jersey shoutouts.
After a lengthy set-up time filled by various circus-y sideshow acts — you’ve got at least 45 minutes to take a snack- and pee-break, promise — and a high-camp video intro starring gossipeure Perez Hilton as a sort of deranged, baby-head-chomping Queen Elizabeth, Brit finally hit the stage to near-hysterical applause. And you know what? She looked good. Granted, the mother of two is no longer the wriggling Lolita of yesteryear; she moves a little slower, and sometimes seemed to need a rest — hence her frequent sit-downs on various stage props. In fact, the show often felt more like a Vegas revue in which Spears appears as the special guest star, disappearing frequently beneath the stage for extended periods (costume changes? Mani-pedi touch-ups? Time-outs for Jayden and Sean Preston? We know not!) while the circus carried on without its ringmistress.
Still, the 90-minute spectacle was tightly choreographed and loaded with sensory effects: dancers dropping from the ceiling like spandexed spiders, elaborate Moulin Rouge-style sets, and flashy, flesh-baring costumes, including a Bollywood-ized take on "Me Against the Music." The symbolism of placing the singer inside a golden cage for the press-excoriating "Piece of Me" was not lost on the audience, though frequent forays into S&M style theatrics a la Sex-era Madonna seemed a little dark for a largely young, female crowd (cue the extended video clip of La Spears, seemingly in the midst of an Eyes Wide Shut-style orgy, writhing to Marilyn Manson’s dark-side cover of the Eurythmics’ "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"). The material itself drew heavily from her last two albums ("Radar," "Womanizer," "Freakshow") with a few forays into olden times ("Everytime," "…Baby One More Time") and the JumboTron pulsed out a constant stream of visuals in place of a closeup on the singer herself, likely because she appeared to be lip-synching to a pre-recorded "live" track throughout. Still, is anyone genuinely shocked and dismayed at that revelation? Apparently not; as one satisfied young show-goer put it, "You don’t go to hear her sing. You go to see Britney, period."
You’ve got until May 2 to catch her on tour in the U.S., Music Mixers. Will you go see her? Have you already? Or does the whole idea just sound toxic?
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Saw it. Loved it.
I only pay good money to see real singers. If I want to go to a Circus or a magic show I’ll go see one of those. She’s turned into a class A BORE!!!!
Was in Newark Friday night and absolutely LOVED the show. There is def. something about Britney that makes people WANT to watch her, whether she’s 17 and dancing like a rockstar or 27 and dancing like a rock star who has had two babies! If I could, I’d go see her again (or at least buy the DVD) ha
AMAZING concert! Everyone was HYPED! ChantinG BRITNEY, BRITNEY,BRITNEY until sheaappeared to deafening applause! She’s back! Hot as a firecracker and still making it HOT after all these years! People love Britney!
A glorified dance recital, that’s all it is. This shouldn’t be called a “concert” because it’s got nothing whatsoever to do with singing, musicianship, or anything remotely related to those things. Spears could be replaced by any mediocre dancer who can lip-sync, and you’d still have THE EXACT SAME SHOW.
90 minutes and you don’t even get to see her until 45 minutes into the show? Are you fricken kidding me? This girl is only able to perform because she needed her da-da to be with her so she can get the insurance. She is a sick little girl. All that this is doing is encouraging her to put anything above her own welfare, or that of her children.
oi brit quero pernta se vc ta melhor ? porque vc saiu ontem do meu caro ?mkliga vc sabe meu numero 88174174bjuuuu
I saw her concert in NY. IT was AMAZZING! she look so great and really knows how to put on a show, whether she is singing or not Britney is extremely talented and is a legend
She’s on FIRE!!!
~
and I LIKE her!!
Go Britney!!!!
I don’t get how people can pay their hard earned money to see this girl walk around stage, shaking her ass, and not even singing live. I’m a gay boy and sure I love a popstar here and there, but only ones with real vocal talent. Thanks but um, no this is just trash.
I’m going in a week and I’m so excited….I’m tired of all the haters and ready to be in the moment and surrounded by people ready to let loose, have fun, and love a good show.
I love Britney!!!
Saw her in Jersey. Girl could not be more detached from both her haters’ criticism and her fans’ deafening screams of adoration. Britney floats somewhere above her own celebrity. It’s like she doesn’t fully get it and never will. She performs. She kills it. We love her. The end.
I was at the March 13 show and had a blast. This is the third Britney tour I’ve attended, and while it is a little different than it used to be, the spectacle is still there, and that’s what we go to see.
Beyonce is not in the same level ad Britney Spears…. Britney Spears is AMAZING!!!
she used to try harder I think to make the lipsynching look real. now…she doesn’t even care.
Likxy: The 90 minutes does not include the 45 minute set-up. You are an idiot. From the time the Pussycat Dolls took the stage until Britney finished her encore was more than 3 hours.
The show is amazing and Britney is FANTASTIC — it was worth every penny and I had a great time. Get Naked and I’m A Slave 4 U were my favorite parts but the whole show is awesome.
The applause really is deafening when she makes her entrance… it’s great to see how many people still love her and are rooting for her. It’ll do her good to be surrounded by that for a couple of months.
Welcome back, Brit! Thanks for such a great show!!! xoxo
I’m literally just walking in the door from seeing her perform in Boston. I’m obviously a fan, but i went into this expecting it to be “pretty good”. I can’t say i’ve ever seen such a HUGE production… it was SUPER fun, we had a bunch of laughs, the theatrics were amazing, and the show was very very VERY entertaining (which is what Britney is.. an entertainer.. period). All i can say is that i believe it was worth every penny i spent, and i’d even go see it again. I think if you have a chance to see it, you should totally do it. who knows how long this upswing is going to last..
(i’m hoping it lasts a long while)
hey, you go Britney. 10 years is a LONG career in pop stardom. Good for her. She’s still only the age Madge was when she put out True Blue.
Saw it in New Orleans – the show was just amazing and how can people not have fun with it! There’s enough room for many singers in this world, so why rag on lip synchers – pretend she’s an actress and get over it (she pretty much is throughout the tour!).
I’m still debating on whether to see it. Don’t care about the singing, but I actually care about whether Britney is trying to dance or not. Videos seem to suggest…not really.
So is she actually trying to bust a move? Or is she just walking about?
Oh, and I’d wish the set list would actually feature some damn “Circus” songs! Where the hell are Kill the Lights, Mannequin, and Shattered Glass???
This show is AMAZING. britney is back! saw it in atl on march 5 and seeing it again in dc next tuesday
This show is AMAZING. britney is back! saw it in atl on march 5 and seeing it again in dc next tuesday .
She is my favorite.
But she wrote that she felt lonely on her bolg on ……….seekamillionaire com…………, which is for wealthy singles and celebs.
Also she posted many her hot videos on her blog.
It’s amazing to see so many people idolizing someone who lacks real talent. Why pay so much money to see a “stripper” lipsynching for almost 2 hours? I pay to see PINK any time! Britney Spears is an overpaid no-talent blow up doll.
hi britney
i love you songs since i was little and i love your one circus
i love it????
love chloe xoxo
saw it loved it!!
She KILLED in NJ ! The Sweet Dreams are Made of This bit was unbelievable ! And when the first note of Womanizer came on – I have to say, the place went INSANE. The teen next to me was crying !! What a show.
I don’t think Britney looks like she really wants to dance anymore. Its more about strutting on stage and lip synching. I can’t see myself paying money to see someone lip synch. I like Britney but she’s all style and no substance and I need substance.
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PLEASE , BEYONCE WILL WHIP THE FLOOR WITH BRITNEY ANY DAY !!!!!!!!!