Live Review – Rihanna at The O2

BBM’s resident homosexual hit the 02 arena last Thursday to check out Rihanna’s marathon ‘LOUD’ show.

Rumours were rife of backstage breakdowns, diva like behavior and exhaustion however this was put to the back of our heads as we waited for the show to begin.

Calvin Harris was the show’s support act, with most of the crowd wired on alcopops his setlist consisted of generic pop tracks interspersed with an occasional track and remix of his own. Disappointing, yes, but he did the job of getting the party started, only to have the party become tired and restless with the hour long wait for Rihanna to grace the stage. It didn’t help that the singer herself tweeted about her long day of filming for her ‘You Da One’ video, and lack of sleep.

Imagine the whole O2 boo-ing one girl, scary times. The singer was so late, young girls were getting led away before the show started, and then I was getting worried about missing my last train home. I text BBM’s very own editor to express disgust and anger, along with the fact you might not have this wonderful review you are now reading:

David : “So, worst night ever, she’s not on and I have officially got to leave early, so I’m gonna miss like a quarter of the show! Fucking piss take”.
Editor: “Why do you have to leave early?”
D: “Trains! If she’s any later and I’ll miss my last train! So will my friend”.
Editor: “See this is why I don’t like Rihanna. She’s an unthoughtful knob.”
D:”Ok the cunt is here”.

Rihanna opened with ‘Only Girl (In The World)’ before heading into fan favourite ‘Shut Up and Drive’. The stage was a multi-coloured camp extravaganza, with hunky dancers parading around shirtless. Rihanna was on point with her vocals…when she remembered her words. The star appeared drunk and not really caring about her long awaiting audience, even deciding to flick the V’s at us. The show felt uncomfortable to watch, the girl seemed tired and a little out of it.

Belting out some of her biggest hits, the show was fun once it started, but over long video pieces during outfit changes, felt like a poor cop out. Obviously the show was dirty, including some kinky playing with her female dancers during ‘Darling Nikki’ and ‘S&M’, before giving a dowdy mum a lapdance during sex song ‘Skin’.

The show was fun, but after the long ass wait, it felt a bit disappointing, though Rihanna’s little drum solo was super cute. However three quarters of the way in after a dance-hall section of ‘What’s My Name’ and ‘Rude Boy’, we had to leave.

Rihanna may have called her newest album ‘Talk That Talk’, but after tonight’s performance, she needs to appreciate her loyal fans and has got a bit of work to do before she can walk that walk.

By David Mahoney
Twitter.com/davidmahoney1