Live Review and Gallery: P!nk at United Center

Brassneck | March 10, 2018

In today’s world of instant gratification, Pink gave her fans precisely what they wanted. A light show worthy of a U.F.O. landing, music played at deafening decibels, a gaggle of backup dancers and a headlining artist who flies through the air. Oh, and all of this occurred during the evening’s first song, “Get The Party Started,” which just happens to be one of the biggest hits of her career.

One might be quick to accuse her of emptying the tank too early during the first of two shows on the Beautiful Trauma tour this weekend at Chicago’s United Center, but over the course of two hours, Pink would prove she had plenty left to give. Backed by a six-piece band that cracked like an oak tree snapping in half, the aforementioned dancers choreographed to military perfection, and a pop radio ready catalog at her disposal, the 38-year-old former Alecia Beth Moore proved over and over that she is a hurricane force of a performer.

Multiple costumes and set changes gave the evening a Broadway blockbuster vibe, but music and message always remained at the forefront of the songs “I’m Not Dead,” “Beautiful Trama,” and “Just Like Fire” reminded everyone that, at its core, this show simply wants to rock. Covers of No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” kept the tone celebratory.

But the evening also had a surprisingly heavy undertone. With the recent acceleration of the #metoo movement, songs like “Fucking Perfect,” “Barbies” and “What About Us” took on added poignancy as the stage backdrop displayed images of trailblazing women throughout history.

Strangely enough, some of the evenings most moving moments weren’t found onstage. Throughout the arena, women of all ages embraced, danced and waved cellphones in the air. A young girl, maybe seven years old or so, held aloft on her mother’s shoulders swayed left and right to the music. Safe to say, the evening’s deeper messages were probably lost on her, but the look on her face inferred she would leave no less empowered than others in attendance.

– Curt Baran