A recurring theme here at PanObs is me realizing how cool a particular movie/show/song/actor/artist actually is long after their popularity has been established in the main stream. I can often be so turned off by the acceptance by the masses of some aspect of pop culture that it ends up biting me in the ass. "This is lame," I decree, scoffing at whatever is sweeping the nation at the moment. Then years pass, I rediscover it, find out it's in fact awesome (just like everyone thought) and proceed to annoy everyone I know by asking if they've heard of this Britney Spears character.I never liked Britney Spears. I tolerated her jaunty singles when she first debuted, repeatedly denying that I knew all the words. Then she grew up in the public eye, popped out some kids, went crazy, shaved her head, and bounced around the streets of LA like a drunk ping pong ball. And I laughed at her apparent misfortune. Now's she's back...again. And I'm finally on board.
My roommate had an extra ticket for Britney's Circus tour at Madison Square Garden. Not being much of a concert goer, nor a big fan of Brit's, I originally declined. But when said ticket was still available a few days before the concert, I suddenly came to terms with the fact that it would undoubtedly be a lot of fun. So I jumped at the chance.
Britney blew me away.
My roommate had an extra ticket for Britney's Circus tour at Madison Square Garden. Not being much of a concert goer, nor a big fan of Brit's, I originally declined. But when said ticket was still available a few days before the concert, I suddenly came to terms with the fact that it would undoubtedly be a lot of fun. So I jumped at the chance.
Britney blew me away.
The last time I was at Madison Square Garden, it was for the Harlem Globe Trotters. Talented though they may be, they did not draw a crowd like Britney. As a group of twenty-something girls, we neither stood out or fit in. There were plenty of more mature fans, as well as girls who weren't even born when Brit first donned that short plaid skirt. But the common ground we all shared was a growing excitement for the exhibition that was about to commence.
Energy flowed through the arena like electricity as we waited for the pop princess to take the stage. The anticipation was palpable. Once the digital red curtain began to ripple, the crowd erupted into shrill cheers of delight. She emerged on a swing suspended from the ceiling, removed her hooded robe, and let the circus begin.
Having never been to a legit circus (they're inherently creepy, no?), I certainly got my fill at this show. The acrobatics and pyrotechnics were stellar and a surprise appearance by Ed Alonzo (Saved By the Bell's MAX!!), who orchestrated the illusions, left me nostalgic for the nineties.
Energy flowed through the arena like electricity as we waited for the pop princess to take the stage. The anticipation was palpable. Once the digital red curtain began to ripple, the crowd erupted into shrill cheers of delight. She emerged on a swing suspended from the ceiling, removed her hooded robe, and let the circus begin.
The back-up dancers hypnotize you with their synchronized movements while Britney struts across the stage; a blur sometimes only identifiable by her mane of yellow hair. There was no shortage of sparkles, tight outfits, or spiked heels (how have women survived this long without owning a diamond-studded bra?).
The most surprising factor: she really looked like she was having a great time. Not only can she own a stage like nobody's business, she can do it with a genuine smile on her face and eyes that sparkle like she's in on a secret. Either she's a grade A bullshitter, or she truly was enjoying herself on stage. And, as my roommate pointed out, it has to be the latter because Britney's not that good of an actress.
When the first beats of "Baby One More Time" began to play, a smile spread across my face. At 15, I was too cool to like this song when it dominated the radiowaves in my high school days. But now, at 25, it hit all the right notes. This number was the most lowkey of the whole show. She sported some crazy tight red pants, knee-high black boots, and a simple black midriff-baring top (it is Britney after all) -- her long hair piled up and out of the way. She was giving the crowd something she knew they wanted, and their reaction seemed to please her. She'd done this a thousand times, and she'd do it a thousand more.
I never truly appreciated or respected Britney Spears and I never thought I would. Maybe it was just the lights and smoke that did their job by creating a spectacle, or maybe it's just Britney, bitch.
The most surprising factor: she really looked like she was having a great time. Not only can she own a stage like nobody's business, she can do it with a genuine smile on her face and eyes that sparkle like she's in on a secret. Either she's a grade A bullshitter, or she truly was enjoying herself on stage. And, as my roommate pointed out, it has to be the latter because Britney's not that good of an actress.
When the first beats of "Baby One More Time" began to play, a smile spread across my face. At 15, I was too cool to like this song when it dominated the radiowaves in my high school days. But now, at 25, it hit all the right notes. This number was the most lowkey of the whole show. She sported some crazy tight red pants, knee-high black boots, and a simple black midriff-baring top (it is Britney after all) -- her long hair piled up and out of the way. She was giving the crowd something she knew they wanted, and their reaction seemed to please her. She'd done this a thousand times, and she'd do it a thousand more.
I never truly appreciated or respected Britney Spears and I never thought I would. Maybe it was just the lights and smoke that did their job by creating a spectacle, or maybe it's just Britney, bitch.
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