As Kylie’s North American Tour 2009 reaches its midpoint – both chronologically and geographically – in Chicago, it was perhaps times for things to be shaken up a bit. Who knew the windy city would be where Kylie showed this hemisphere how Showgirls really do go on?
When we last saw Kylie, she was at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday. She arrived Tuesday evening from Los Angeles, was spotted eating dinner in the Loop, giving backstage passes to restaurant staff. On Monday it had been announced that the venue for Wednesday night’s show would change from the charming but decaying Congress Theater to a sports pavilion on the UIC campus. The venue hardly knew what to do with itself. From a major “miscommunication” about where the crew could park to an elaborate line-waiting and wrist-band situation for ticket holders, it was a hustle just to get things started. Once they did, the crowd was exuberant – delighted that one of the few stops on this tour would be spent in their city, cheering loudly and singing along louder. Kylie even pulled one eager audience member on stage to grant the wish of a photo a carefully crafted sign was requesting.
Of course, the acoustics of the sometimes-basketball court amplified all those cheers, but if you were facing the stage, you wouldn’t easily believe this production was a permanent fixture. Nothing was skimped on. In fact, a few slow scene-changes aside, it wasn’t until nearly the end – after “Kids” – that Kylie announced a “bass issue” would need to be sorted out. The crowd started chanting “DISCO! DISCO!” – a request for “Your Disco Needs You.” The song was not in the set, but not wanting to disappoint, Ms. Minogue began: “Desperately seeking someone / willing to travel.” The crowd joined her, turning the performance into a group effort, actually providing the male chorus so noted on the original recording. Despite not having rehearsed, her two backup vocalists were ready with their parts and Kylie herself busted out into the operatic, practically coloratura end of the tune before the crowd burst into cheers of veritable ecstasy, so pleased at the collective accomplishment and for having experienced such a unique event.
The evening concluded as it had on previous nights: “In My Arms” followed by a finale of “Better the Devil You Know,” “The One” (as performed in the first three shows), and “Love At First Sight.” At this point in the tour, Kylie is more at home than ever with her American fans, and her band and dancers are relaxed to the point where they are getting a little frisky. Kylie kidded her brass players while the dancers did some spontaneous back flips. Why not? The crowd was down for anything. For what Chicago lacked in panache or technical prowess, its fans made up for in fervor and gusto, an experience worthy of Kylie and this fantastic sparkly tour.
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