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We were there: Britney Spears at AAC

1:59 AM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 |  | 
Dawn Burkes/Editor    Bio |  E-mail  |  News tips

Special Contributor Preston Jones was at American Airlines Center for Britney Spears' Dallas stop. Here's what he had to say:

Spears 001.JPGDALLAS -- The textbook definition of a star certainly applies to the earthly Britney Spears, a literal embodiment of heat and light if ever there was one.

That description -- blinding, scorching evanescence -- could also apply to her first tour in five years, which stopped at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday night. "The Circus Starring Britney Spears," according to the ticket, featured plenty of flash, flesh and pyrotechnic razzle-dazzle but precious little at its center. Not that the full house minded, necessarily, shrieking as though a deity were in its midst.

A lot has changed for the 27-year-old Spears since she last appeared in north Texas. Now a mother of two, twice divorced and a battle-scarred veteran of tabloid wars, Spears stepped into a three-ring circus of her own making Tuesday, a bruised but unbowed artist on the comeback trail.

(Photo by Rachel Parker/Special Contributor)

Armed with a variety of moods (sexy, futuristic, street) and myriad costume changes, Spears spent about 90 minutes strutting, lip-synching and slinking across the stage, leaning most heavily on her pair of comeback albums, Blackout and Circus and relegating staples like "... Baby One More Time," "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Me Against the Music" to blink-and-miss-'em remixes.

Surely no one attended expecting Spears to belt out any hits or make small talk -- matter of fact, her interaction with the paying customers was limited to "What's up, Dallas?" -- but for those who plunked down more than $125 (including those pesky service charges), the amount of time the ex-Mouseketeer spent with her adoring public was skimpy. She frequently ducked out for extended stretches of time, leaving the stage to her admittedly talented troupe of lithe, lascivious back-up dancers and the circus folk brought along for shock-'n-awe spectacle.

As high-caliber eye candy goes, Spears delivered in spades: The stage allowed a full 360 degree view of the production and was split into three rings, often cluttered with acrobats, smoke or other props. LED video screens circled the main stage, projecting everything from song lyrics to bizarre video interludes (the opening clip, which features gossip blogger Perez Hilton being felled by a crossbow-wielding Brit, is a peculiar bit of grisly wish fulfillment).

Textbooks could be (and probably are being) written about the roiling sexual subject matter and hardly-concealed subtexts of Spears' work; that barely contained lust was on proud display. Apparently a fan of the late director Stanley Kubrick, Spears swiped inspiration from Eyes Wide Shut and 2001: A Space Odyssey, mashing up a cinematic master's clammy, sterile style with her own abrasive sensuality.

As the night's final tune, "Womanizer," wound down, it became clear that Spears' Circus is little more than an expensive night of voyeurism. Cell phones and cameras remained outstretched for the duration of her performance, straining to capture just one more shot of one of pop's most elusive and defiant stars; paradoxically trapped like a caged animal, yet finally in the warm glare of the spotlight on her own terms.



Comments

Did anyone else notice there were no TV screens with LIVE footage of her on the stage so she was hard to see?


It was incredible! I enjoyed every second of the show. I screamed. I sang. I cried. Britney is awesome!


I paid quite a bit and was not disappointed as this was my first Britney concert. I would have liked to see more of her on the big screen since we were higher up but other than that it was amazing and yes - we were in the presence of a diety considering she is this generations Elvis. I loved it and I am over 40!


We saw her in Houston on Monday and were very entertained. No, there weren't big screens to see "up close" but frankly it did not diminish what we did see - the video screen was used as part of the "stage" instead. Britney was on the stage almost constantly - the breaks were solely for costume changes and I would think water. Every number (with the exception of the one where she was suspended above the stage on the umbrella) was choreographed - she danced almost two hours. I'm disappointed in the review - there was not one person that we talked with after the show that was not happy with what they had seen. The reporter is writing this to be a reporter. Worth every penny of the high priced tickets - it was a SHOW - not a concert. And, that is meant in the most positive way.


I wasn't impressed at all. I was expecting more. We all know that Britney isn't a artist she is an entertainer and she didn't entertain me at all last night. No big screen just screams don't look at me and as for her dancing, I have seen middle girls dance better than that. What happen to Britney. It looked more like a dress rehearsal. I will still enjoy her music but will think twice before purchasing a ticket to see her in concert.


I was disappointed that there were no big screens. We were high up also and I could not honestly say it was Britney Spears who was on the stage. It was a great show but I just wish the screens were on.


I don't know what the reporter is talking about! everyone was so excited dancing & screaming during the WHOLE concert, It was awesome!!
I paid 500dlls and not dissapointed at all! the best concert i've been to honestly!! love her!


Seriously, any person that pays money to see Britney perform "live" is a fool and you know what they say about fools and their money.

The woman does not sing one note live during the 90 minute show. I can understand lyp-synching during the up-tempo songs but at some point she could try to sing a few notes.

Oops! Forgot it's Britney. She can't sing without electronic help.


LEAVE BRITTNEY ALONE! She is NUTZ! Leave her ALONE! Seriously, if I want to see lip synch in person, I will do it myself and save money. I wouldn't pay to see Brit walk across the street, myself. Non-talent, Milli Vanilli wannabe.


Biggest waste of $285.00 i have EVER spent.If it were not for my 12 year old daughters birthday wish to go I WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN CONSIDERED IT!!! Not one word was sung by her the whole night.


Lyp-synching at a live show. I really do not understand why an artist would do this. Paying that much money to see an artist live and then not singing one note..... RIP OFF!!!!

It should be considered FRAUD!


Like many of you, I read most of the online reviews of her pre-Dallas shows. I believe this one is a mere rip-off of those. In fact, the review is so similar one might think it was taken from bits and pieces of those earlier comments. I agree with an earlier poster that this review was written by a REPORTER...not someone who had any interest in the performer being covered. Anyone who paid any dollar amount to see Britney should have known that the girl's concert tracks are recorded. It has been well documented for ten years now. What you get for your money is a SHOW, not a concert. And it was a great show...my group paid $125 each and left very satisfied. Anyone who went expecting to see her sing is, like the reviewer, not a fan.


I enjoyed the show very much. I went to see a show and that is what I got. Entertaining from beginning to end. The opening act Pussycat Dolls were awesome too. YOu know for those of you who don't go to concerts often, believe me, they all lip synch. And what she is doing is nothing new. Why don't you try dancing around all over the place and sing 'live" and see how it comes out. It just sometimes can't be done. Get over it, it's a SHOW!


I'm Kristen, and I'm 14.
I liked the concert a lot!
I'm glad however I was close to the bottom,
because there were no live big sceeens of her.
Sorry, for whoever was way up high.
I didn't like that everywhere I walked I
could smell beer, and etc. Though I guess
you can't control that.
My opinion: She did great!
I loved the crazy outfits, music, dancing, etc.


What I wrote was that she spent relatively little time on the stage, considering the show's length.

And I quote: "Surely no one attended expecting Spears to belt out any hits or make small talk ... but for those who plunked down more than $125 (including those pesky service charges), the amount of time the ex-Mouseketeer spent with her adoring public was skimpy."

Nowhere in my review did I say anything about attending and expecting her to sing live - I knew full well before going in that she'd be lip-synching.

@Michael - I resent the "rip-off" comment and its implications. I think the similarity of all the concert reviews has everything to do with Spears delivering the exact same show in each city and nothing to do with the reviewers.


I agree with DFW area Mom! Britney is amazing! Honestly who do you know that can sing at the same time as dancing and circus acts and it all sound perfect?? It was a great show and I would pay to see it all over again! I was disappointed when the show ended... I could have stayed all night! Britney is the bomb!


I thought the PCD were VERY entertaining and Britney was pretty lame. I did enjoy the "Cirque" aspect and overall had a good time. We were row E, Section 108 - great seats. But we got them free. It's nothing I would ever spend my money on. And Perez Hilton to open it all up? REALLY?


I have always been a Britney Fan and like every other star in hollywood, there real life drama and mistakes follow them world wide for the public view and criticise. Who are we to judge? Who do the critics think they are to judge how she perfomes and what she does. It's easy for them to point fingers, especially if they are not fans and view based on what the tabloids have to say..

When we become famous and filthy rich like them, then we can do all the talking, but until then, her concert ROCKED!! I have been to several concerts in my life and I have never seen one like that. It was by far entertaining and I had so much fun. I was singing, dancing and flashing my camera just like everyone else in a fully packed American Airlines Center. Not a empty seat int he house.. I'm sure all the fans will agree as there are more of us then the critics. Job Well Done Brit!!!


Um........I think I found Amy.


I was dissapointed. I knew there would be no singing so I expected lots of high energy dance moves like she used to do. There was none of that. She just looked so lifeless. Look at Janet Jackson, Rythem Nation has had the same choreography since it came out and Janet still does it just like she did then. Britney half assed it! The no screens thing was a big issue we were in the 300 section at the top!


I have been to approx 200 concerts in my time and not ONE of them lyp-synched.

Of course the concerts i have been to were not "POP" shows as i would never waste my money on that. I guess that is just the trend for POP stars.

I have a feeling that the Jonas Bro's won't lyp-synch as they actually have some talent from what i have heard.

But i could be wrong. They are POP stars just like Britney. It seems to be a slap in the face when you go see someone live and they dont sing. I dont care if that is how they have always done it. it has always been a rip off if that is their excuse.

It shows that britney does not have the level of talent that the big guys have that actually sing and perform at their shows.
Sorry, but not matter how you look at it, it is a rip off to pay that much for nothing.



I loved the show! Notice I said "show" and not "concert". I knew from the time I bought the tickets she wouldn't be singing live. We all know that a majority of singers don't sing at high energy concerts. If you are a true Britney fan, you went to support her and to see the "show", not to hear her sing horrible tracks while dancing huffing and puffing. It was awesome from the time she came on stage to the moment she left. Whomever is complaining about how much they paid, well you shouldnt have went in the first place. the PCD, nicole did great! She did all her vocals live, not having many dance moves, while the rest of the PCD danced and rarely added a few words....see the difference? Britney is having a great comeback, don't be so quick to judge and say she wasn't ready yet, it was great choregraphy. A Fan in Dallas...Angela


Britney was absolutely amazing. Her Good Morning America performance last year, she didn't dance. But last night, she danced! She put on a show, just like all of her other concerts.

For those who think she was "lifeless" obviously, you didn't get as close enough seats as I did (Row A, lower level): I could see her facial expressions, she was there. She even waved and looked directly at one of her fans ringside.

After watching her MTV special, I don't think she wanted to go on tour. I really have a feeling her dad made her go on tour because she has two little boys and dead beat ex-husband to support. So she went on tour and she did a wonderful job. Britney isn't the same, that's why I don't like to say Britney is back. She is 27; she has changed. I can say I have changed a lot in the past couple of years and I'm the same age. This is the new Britney and I really think it's the new Britney for the better.


I LOVED THIS SHOW.

I've been a Britney fan since the beginning and it was very entertaining and I had a great time! I was so excited to see her and I thought the show was very entertaining!


I had front row. Don't care she didn't sing live she's a PERFORMER. Sry to those who couldn't see cuz there weren't screens. If you wanna see a living legend open up your wallets and sit back for the most high energy amazing performance you've ever seen. My boyfriend doesn't like her and is still talking about the show. It was awesome!!!!


i love the show.. it was amazing.. from the beginning til the end... my husband is over 40 and he loved it too.. best concert ever.. All i wish that night was the show not to end lol.. We were on Row E 119.. took a lot of pictures.. we're so near.. PCD and esp BRITNEY did a very great job..


I paid quiet a bit for my britney ticket, and honestly, i would have paid more even if she just sat on a chair the whole time. It was a great show, and all of you can vouch that it was a high like no other knowing you're breathing the same air as britney. she was awesome. people are always gonna hate her, but why would she care? she's selling out arenas.


i was in complete aww and amazement BRITNEY SPEARS no one will ever match her.... the energy and the emotions when she came out on stage... Indescribable!!! and i went alone!!!! lol


I loved every second of the show and am already trying to go to another show. She was amazing, I did not care that she was lyp-syncing at all. She looked amazing and she is the BEST artist there is!!!


It's was the first time i saw Britney.She did a
FANTASTIC job,i'd go see her again in a heartbeat!
It was a great experience and i'll never forget
it.I still can't stop talking about it almost a week later lol.I REALLY enjoyed every minute of it.It was a GREAT show and i was NOT disappointed
at all.


It was the first time i've seen Britney and was NOTdisappointed at all.She did such a FANTASTIC
job!!!It was a great experience and i'll never forget it.I still talk about it,almost a week later lol.That's how good of a show it was.I
plan on seeing her again when she comes back to
Texas.



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