The ease with which Gwen Stefani has made the transition from attitudinal front person with No Doubt to global pop superstar is quite remarkable. Although the singer has always exuded star quality, the huge success she has enjoyed as a solo artist was by no means a foregone conclusion. Wisely, she opted to hook up with A-list producers, such as The Neptunes, whose scintillating rhythms have given Stefani the perfect platform to showcase her formidable talents as a vocalist and performer.
She certainly puts on one hell of a show. From the off, this concert was an incredible spectacle, closer in scale and production value to a Broadway musical than a standard rock gig. Stefani enters via a portable jail cell and kicks into the first number in considerable style, surrounded by her highly energetic team of dancers. Behind her, on a second tier, the band (which includes David Bowie’s former bassist, Gail Ann Dorsey) provide a funky and danceable musical backdrop.
Every aspect of the show – from the lighting and visuals to the costumes and choreography – is pretty much flawless, and the material from both of Stefani’s solo albums sounds superb. If there is one complaint to be made, it’s that the between-song banter is decidedly hackneyed, with Stefani at point invoking her “Irish roots” and, later, encouraging the crowd to sing the dreaded ‘Ole Ole’. Still, in the context of such an excellent performance, such gimmickry is eminently forgivable.
Whilst the performance moves along at a brisk pace, the percussionist does at one point call a halt to proceedings, in order to lead the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Gwen, who turns 38 in a few hours. One member of the audience throws a card up to the singer, who responds by inviting the girl in question up on stage to pose for a photograph.
Unfortunately, the celebratory atmosphere is momentarily spoiled a couple of songs later when some idiot in the crowd hits the singer with a plastic bottle. Cleverly, Stefani defuses what could have been a very awkward moment by yelling “It didn’t fucking hurt!” at the offending individual.
Overall, this was a triumphant performance and, frankly, a damn sight better than anything Madonna has done in a long time. All hail the mighty Stef.