True Colors Tour @ Target Center
Posted on June 10th, 2008 – 12:51 AMBy Jon Bream
The WNBA-sized crowd (an announced 3,200) was a disappointment. But the performances didn’t disappoint. And the message came through loud and clear: Be yourself and be tolerant of others.
Cyndi Lauper is a terrific entertainer who truly knows how to work a crowd. Wearing the straightest hairdo (for her) of all time (short of a Dorothy Hamill bob), she roamed through the audience, imploring people to stand and have fun with her. She was very inspiring — from the new disco number “Set Your Heart” to the all-cast encores of Sly Stone’s “Everyday People” and her kumbaya “True Colors.”
The B-52s lived up to their reputation as a fun party band. Drummer Sterling Campbell and guitarist Keith Strickland drove the party. Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson provided the girly harmonies and Fred Schneider was, well, Fred. He is the eternal kitschy cheerleader. The crowd loved the classics, including “Roam,” “Love Shack” and the excellent oldies “Rock Lobster” and “Private Idaho.”
The Cliks offered generic radio-friendly rock, and Tegan & Sara, who have distinguished themselves on the radio, are much more effective in a smaller venue.
Of course, Rosie O’Donnell had the ego to fill Target Center with her standup routine. She covered lots of familiar territory. She was positively beaming later when she got to sing during Lauper’s set. Emcee Carson Kressley’s camp comedy was fresher than Rosie’s, as he even ad libbed stuff about the Gay 90s, the Timberwolves (he should have chosen the Lynx) and his flight being placed in a holding pattern because Vice President Cheney’s plane needed the airspace.
What did you think of the show? Who was your favorite? Who, if any act, disappointed you? Please post your comments here:
5 Responses to "True Colors Tour @ Target Center"
The night’s True Colors tour began with Cyndi Lauper addressing the audience before the curtain went up, walking into the audience and urging everyone in her high-pitched thick Bronx accent to get out and vote. She looked gorgeous and much younger than her stated 52.
Carson Kressley, of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fame, was the master of ceremonies. He either had a lot of make-up on or a thick spray tan since he had rather orange glow about him. Nonetheless, he was funny and kept things rolling as each band set up their equipment between sets.
The show started at 6:30 on the dot with The Cliks. I hadn’t heard of them before and although what they did, they did well; I wasn’t particularly into their music and it didn’t look like many others were either.
Next was Tegan and Sara, another group I hadn’t heard of. They consist of talented twin sisters and had a small following of excited fans. I really liked them and even bought their CD. Loved their songs and their voices. I was impressed.
After a break, Rosie O’Donnell came out and did stand-up. Just so you know, she’s not nearly as big as Trump would have you believe. She spoke mostly of her kids, telling funny, insightful stories that can only originate from the minds of children and she spoke a lot of her mother, who died when she was 11-years old. Her humor was heart-felt and poignant and brought a tear to my eye.
Soon the B-52’s took the stage. How much fun are they? They are the ultimate get-the-party-started band, lemme tell you! Their 20+ years together showed, as they were tight and well-oiled and got the audience dancing. If you love meaningful, soulful songs with words that pierce your heart this band is NOT the band for you! They are, quite simply, fun…with funny songs.
From there Cyndi Lauper once again took the stage as the main attraction. I have always liked her but I have a whole new appreciation for her as an artist and performer. Her vocals were spot-on and she not only played to the audience but became a part of the audience, numerously walking into the crowd. And that voice! This cute little woman with energy to spare had the most spectacular sound resonating from her lips. I love being affected by someone and her voice gave me goosebumps. She sang her new stuff and I surprisingly loved everything (gotta get that CD) and rejuvenated her older hits (She Bop, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Money Changes Everything, etc). The surprise of the night (for me, at least) was when she broke into one of my favorite old Prince songs, When You Were Mine, which fit her voice perfectly.
The finale consisted of everyone taking the stage and singing True Colors.
Truly an amazing night filled with lots of fun, no matter your orientation.
Highlights: Cyndi’s voice is in great shape after all these years of high notes. She should be doing a nightly show in Vegas instead of Celine.
Her version of Time After Time was incredibly passionate despite the fact that she’s probably sang it 300 times a year since 1985. Good for her. It was moving.
The duet between her and the androgynous lead singer of The Cliks on “Money Changes Everything” kicked some serious butt. It made me regret missing The Clik’s set.
Rosie O’Donnell did a drum solo on a small kit during “Girls” that was actually pretty sweet. Her monologue was charming, funny and not at all annoying. Seriously.
Lowlights:
Fred was having trouble with his earpiece for much of the B-52’s set. What was more annoying was the doofy sound guy kept coming on to the stage and making adjustments to Fred and his equipment during the songs. It couldn’t have waited til after the song? Fred was trying to start a party.
The B-52’s sounded great. The gal’s harmonies still thrill. Unfortunately the Target Center (even in the small set-up) wasn’t the right venue for them. I imagine if they played First Avenue, it’d be a sweaty, unforgettable party even at their age.
I saw R.E.M. at the Xcel last week (also the half set-up) and I could be stating the obvious, but the sound in St. Paul was a lot less echoey. The drum beats seemed to be bouncing off the upper deck of the cavernous Target Center rather loudly.
Couple notes on Paige’s review:
–I didn’t particularly care for the B52s aside from their hits. I thought the blond woman was just about to fall asleep, while Kate & Fred were busting their humps trying to keep everyone entertained.
–Carson Kressley was positively charming and hilarious!
–Cyndi Lauper did When U Were Mine on her album “She’s So Unusual”. It was written by Prince but it’s not so unusual that she performed it. Paige’s review of her performance is “spot-on”. Whenever Cyndi’s anywhere near the Twin Cities, I try to see her (I’m probably making up for lost time as she’s been one of my all-time favorite artists since I was 8). That meant a visit to Chicago last summer for the True Colors tour there. She’s anything but a relic–everything is fresh and fun and she never disappoints… until she decides her set is up.
Hydrangeanouns lead signer for Clikcs wases charmastic and fun. b52 wases boredom but Cindi Leopard was in musical tone and has no missed a beet since 1985. ROSE Odonnal,
This is the 2nd True Colors Concert we’ve been to and we really like the setup at the Target Center when compared to the Theater in Chicago we went to last year. If Cyndi brings her tour for a 3rd time next year, I strongly urge everyone in Minneasota to attend the concert - its well worth it. The amount of heart she puts into her performance as well as from her fellow performers far exceeds the price of the ticket. So to all of you who missed it this year, you’ve really missed something special. To Cyndi and all of her fellow performers and not forgetting the crew that help put together such a massive show for this entire tour - bravo, bravo, bravo!
By the way, we traveled all the way from Des Moines to see this show and we’d do it again, no question!
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