Photos and review by Ilya Mirman
Boston show Photos HERE
New York City show photos HERE
Pink’s The Truth About Love Tour is a magnificent show – a mesmerizing spectacle that explores the many facets of love. In an amazingly crafted, fabulously choreographed two hour journey, Pink is storytelling at its best – soulful, heartfelt, upbeat, graceful. Featuring hit after hit, the show is an over-the-top production.
With acrobatics, dancers, pyrotechnics and blazing guitar work that rivals Vegas (and Motley Crue shows!), the new bar for the greatest show on earth is part carnival, part religious revival, family gathering, part therapy session.
Our New England Concert Reviews crew had the fortune to spend two nights with the tour – first in Boston’s TD Garden on 12/5, and then in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on 12/8. In Boston, we were a couple dozen rows back, so could take the entire show without turning our heads; in Brooklyn, we were right in the pit, and given how part of the stage’s walkway curved into the audience, we often found ourselves in the middle of – or even behind – the action. Together, the two vantage points gave us a real appreciation for the show’s intricacies – and though there was no bad seat in the house, it was a particularly cool experience to be in the pit, much of the time just feet away from the performers.
The show’s dramatic opening was Raise Your Glass – performed as Pink fearlessly soared above the stage, flawlessly performing breathtaking gymnastics moves. In fact, the acrobatics were woven throughout the entire set, executed flawlessly, with elegance and grace that belied the intense physical challenges they clearly presented.
Next came Walk of Shame, Just Like a Pill, and a string of other favorites, prompting everyone from four year olds to their parents (and occasionally grandparents!) to sing along. Between songs, Pink took time to chat with the audience, engage fans, even sign autographs. She took souvenirs they brought (a drawing; a hat; a “Pink is Boston Strong” tee shirt, a ballerina outfit), showed them off, and generously incorporated them in the stage set.
Though I usually find myself at hard rock or metal shows, this was clearly a highlight, and not just because of guitarist Justin Derrico’s fret board work. The rhythms, melodies, musicianship and lyrics were spectacular – infectious and memorable. The band and backup singers are world-class, and there’s clearly great chemistry and camaraderie amongst the entire crew.
Even without the acrobatics and gymnastics, the show would be an 11 out of 10. But incorporating these was, simply put, insanely cool. With no safety nets and often just holding on, Pink floated from corner to corner of the giant stadiums, soaring for hundreds of feet, often hanging upside down – all the while performing hit after hit.
Pink is that rare artist that – aside from raw musical abilities – has depth, self-awareness, athleticism, conviction and a core; she is genuine, and reveals her vulnerabilities. If you haven’t seen her shows (and on second thought, even if you have!), spend an evening watching and participating in a stunning, awe-inspiring event.
Boston
New York City
Set List
The set lists for the two nights were identical:
- Raise Your Glass
- Walk of Shame
- Just Like a Pill
- U + Ur Hand
- Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)
- Try
- Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)
- Just Give Me a Reason
- Trouble
- Are We All We Are
- Sober
- The Great Escape
- Who Knew (Acoustic)
- F**kin’ Perfect
- Most Girls / There You Go / You Make Me Sick
- Slut Like You
- Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
- So What