Review by Danielle Boise Photography by Chuck Holloway
Christmas came early to Atlanta Saturday, Dec. 14 night, as P!nk inundated Philips Arena with the return of The Truth About Love Tour. As P!nk brought the tour back to Atlanta for the second time this year for another sold out show on Dec. 14 with The Hives in support.
“Repeat after me, The Hives are a Swedish rock ‘n’ roll band.” – declared Howlin’ Pelle Almqvis, lead singer of The Hives, as the band rocked out for a solid 40 min. of antics reminiscent of The Stones with songs like “Come On!,” “Main Offender” and the radio friendly “Tick Tick Boom.”
With the return of The Truth About Love Tour, P!nk tells her adoring fans the truth about love – with the pain, hurt and sexual redemption that can be found in the folds in between the shades of amour.
What can I say? Other than this was a spectacular feat of theatrics, acrobatics, dance and of course song; set to a no-nonsense attitude of retro pinup punk, bent in a cheeky manner that is all P!nk. With no apologies, P!nk was fierce and evanescent as she took to the stage, rather descended upon Philips Arena with a grand entrance.
P!nk dropped from the top of the stage and bungee jumped while singing athematic “Raise Your Glass” then transitioned into saucy “Walk of Shame,” followed by “Just Like a Pill,” “U +Ur Hand,” “Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)” and even recreated parts of the visceral video for her song “Try.”
One of the most awe inspired moments of the evening was P!nk’s stripped down, raw cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” It was both sexually tantalizing and intimately exposed in a vulnerable way that translated as touching. Even lost inside a maximum capacity arena, you felt like you were the only there.
P!nk rounded out the set with “Just Give Me a Reason,” “Trouble,” “Are We All We Are,” “Sober,” “The Great Escape” and “Who Knew.” When it came time for “F**kin’ Perfect,” P!nk mentioned her daughter Willow. “I’ve been told by a 3-year-old that this song is filled with mom words.” It was sweet to see her lighten up in a completely different way when she gave a glimpse of her personal life. P!nk finished the evening with “Most Girls/There You Go/You Make Me Sick,” “Slut Like You,” “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” and ended the show on a perfect note as P!nk flew over the crowd with “So What.”
Seeing P!nk perform live – and yes, it is very much live – alternating from silk work, to dance, then back up in the rafters she went to repeat the process all over again with gymnastic feats in mid-air. Each number was a refreshing mix of energy and movement. This show was nonstop dance and singing the entire time. Seeing a show of P!nk’s is more than just a concert, more than just series of choreographed moves, it’s very much Cirque du P!nk – giving you everything you didn’t even know you wanted and more.
The Truth About Love Tour will return in Jan. 7 at Target Center in Minneapolis with New Politics opening. This is more than a show, this is an experience and what an experience it is to behold P!nk up on stage, doing what she does best – entertaining with no apologizes.
Full Photo Gallery of P!nk
Full Photo Gallery of The Hives
