Concert review: Justin Bieber at Amway Center
On the Internet, Justin Bieber is a god.
Thanks to his 33 million Twitter followers, the YouTube-generated teen star is more influential online than President Obama and the Dalai Lama, according to Klout, a company that compiles such rankings.
On a concert stage, Bieber looks only slightly closer to mortal.
In a fast-paced two-hour show on Friday at Amway Center, the Biebs stylishly rolled out the customary assortment of boy-band-inspired choreography and catchy pop songs, the latter facing considerable competition from the adolescent screams of the sold-out crowd.
And the kid knows how to make an entrance:
Indoor fireworks ignited an evocative video introduction for the opening All Around the World, a multi-media extravaganza that featured Biebers arrival by air, courtesy of giant silver wings that turned him into a combination bird/pop-star.
That song, like most of the material, was augmented by a dazzling array of lasers, confetti, spotlights, videos, trap doors and other diversions on the massive, three-level stage. It was one of the most spectacular visual displays youre likely to see in an arena.
Breathtaking effects, such as the rainy-day setting for Love Me Like You Do, elevated even the ballads into something captivating for kids who really came to scream.
She Dont Like the Lights was framed by a video that showed Bieber as a victim of media overkill followed by additional images of roving paparazzi. Occasionally, songs were allowed to stand without too many bells and whistles, such as a short acoustic set and the irresistible pop of Die In Your Arms.
Opening act Cody Simpson provided his own reliable 20 minutes of pop songs, powered by plenty of dance moves. Wish U Were Here had enough arm-waving to qualify ! as mime you know, except for the singing.
He couldve played longer, since Bieber made his young fans wait over an hour for his arrival.
Nobody minded, especially when Bieber tore into Never Say Never, Beauty and a Beat (capped by Biebers drum solo), As Long As You Love Me (done shirtless atop a tower in the middle of the audience) and encores of Boyfriend and Baby.
By that time, he looked invincible. The Dalai Lama wouldnt stand a chance.