The artist known as Pink or sometimes P!nk named after her former hair color arrived at the United Center March 9 sporting a spiky blonde do. It took a while to get there, though; after strong openers The Hives rocked the place fans waited until almost 10 p.m. for her to beginand they lost an hour with the time change later.
Their patience paid off as "The Truth About Love" Tour sold out showing her loyal fan base and making it one of the hottest tickets in town. This was in support of her sixth studio album and tour.
The concert began with a video montage about her drinking; then she bounced up attached to a bungee to "Raise Your Glass."
She crawled on the stage for "Just Like a Pill" and had front-row fans grabbing onto her to which she exclaimed, "Seriously?"
Her latest single, "Try," was, as expected, powerful live. She then covered Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game," which is strange because she has enough material of her own to have an impressive set list.
There were many montages and interruptions throughout the evening, including clown and host Rubix Von Fuchenhurtzwho was never funny or entertaining. The audience was there for Pink to rock out to, and she did with an impressive backing band and black-clad back-up singers along for the ride.
The track "Just Give Me a Reason" was a highlight with fun.'s lead singer, Nate Ruess, beamed in by video; it contained the kind of vocals that make this a great choice as current single. Pink seemed a bit bored with "Trouble" right after, but picked things up a bit by playing some drums herself. She mentioned she wished could play piano like her keyboardist, Jason Chapman, then sang "Family Portrait" at his grand piano in a white flowing gown with pictures of her past in the background.
There was some light girl-on-girl action during another interlude; then Pink talked a bit about her daughter, Willow, who said, "I love you" for the first time that day and how she would never forget this special time in Chicago.
For "F**kin' Perfect" she said she was no longer comfortable dropping f-bombs with her younger audience members in attendance.
She performed a medley of early hits with "Most Girls" "There You Go" and "You Make Me Sick" showing how far she has come.
She must have forgotten her statement about children with edgy song "Slut Like You" and then "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" to close out things.
Pink returned with an encore of "So What" that might have been the most impressive stunts she has pulled yet. In sparkly gold heels she flew, Cirque du Soleil style, up to the third-tier balcony of the United Center, literally flying around to various pedestals and winking in the faces of fans. It was over-the-top and a true homage to her acrobatic prowess as she closed with the appropriate "Glitter in the Air."
There was something for everyone at this show, and it was obvious the crowd left satisfied despite the expensive ticket.
In some ways, this was similar to her last "Funhouse" tour with the volume turned up more. She was constantly in motion but seemed more comfortable and was fighting the pop image with rock ballads. At times she was out of breath and stated, "I haven't worked this hard since the drive-thru at McDonald's!"
Pink has stated in the past that she has turned down judging every reality-competition show and chose this tour instead to be with her fans. After these hundred performances are over next year maybe she can show some love to those programs. God knows they need her style and talent.
Follow more of the tour at www.pinkspage.com . Text and photos by Jerry Nunn