Stefani delivers 'Sweet' concert
By DONNIE MOORHOUSEMusic writer
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -
Gwen Stefani brought her "Sweet Escape" tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Monday night, performing a 90-minute set in front of a sold-out crowd.
Akon and Lady Sovereign opened the show.
The stage setup for Stefani's performance involved multiple video screens, conveyor belts and elaborate light rigging. Add in the eight dancers and there were a lot of moving parts.
Stefani, an electric performer with a flair for the dramatic, opened the show with a theatrical skit that involved her dancers being chased through the crowd by faux-police and dragged back to the stage to join Stefani and Akon on "Sweet Escape."
Confetti bills dropped from the ceiling as Stefani followed up with "Rich Girl."
Stefani has been playing the shed circuit, opening up a series of summer concerts at places like Jones Beach and other outdoor venues. She seemed genuinely relieved to be in the more intimate confines of Mohegan Sun Arena.
"It seems like I can see every person in here," she said. "You can't get away from me tonight."
As if to prove her point, Stefani took time during "Cool" to run through the crowd, dragging two band members back to the soundboard to deliver the song.
Stefani worked from her two solo albums, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.," and the more recent "Sweet Escape," offering the Devo-ish "Danger Zone" from the former and "Yummy" from the latter.
She hailed "Early Winter" as her favorite song from the latest release and delivered an anthemic version backed by her seven-piece band.
After a quick costume change, Stefani yodeled her way to the stage to perform "Wind It Up," and brought the crowd to its feet with the signature "Hollaback Girl."
She closed her set with "Orange County Girl," and was called back for an encore that included "The Real Thing" and "What You Waiting For."
Akon nearly stole the show with his infectious brand of hip hop. His set included "Shake Down," "Soul Survivor" and "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)."
Akon and Lady Sovereign opened the show.
The stage setup for Stefani's performance involved multiple video screens, conveyor belts and elaborate light rigging. Add in the eight dancers and there were a lot of moving parts.
Stefani, an electric performer with a flair for the dramatic, opened the show with a theatrical skit that involved her dancers being chased through the crowd by faux-police and dragged back to the stage to join Stefani and Akon on "Sweet Escape."
Confetti bills dropped from the ceiling as Stefani followed up with "Rich Girl."
Stefani has been playing the shed circuit, opening up a series of summer concerts at places like Jones Beach and other outdoor venues. She seemed genuinely relieved to be in the more intimate confines of Mohegan Sun Arena.
"It seems like I can see every person in here," she said. "You can't get away from me tonight."
As if to prove her point, Stefani took time during "Cool" to run through the crowd, dragging two band members back to the soundboard to deliver the song.
Stefani worked from her two solo albums, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.," and the more recent "Sweet Escape," offering the Devo-ish "Danger Zone" from the former and "Yummy" from the latter.
She hailed "Early Winter" as her favorite song from the latest release and delivered an anthemic version backed by her seven-piece band.
After a quick costume change, Stefani yodeled her way to the stage to perform "Wind It Up," and brought the crowd to its feet with the signature "Hollaback Girl."
She closed her set with "Orange County Girl," and was called back for an encore that included "The Real Thing" and "What You Waiting For."
Akon nearly stole the show with his infectious brand of hip hop. His set included "Shake Down," "Soul Survivor" and "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)."
(SOURCE)The Republican
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