Rihanna and Ke$ha performed Tuesday at Pengrowth Saddledome. Attendance 12,000.
A bleeding heart on the big screen, being squeezed in a clenched fist with painted black nails, talon-like. That was but one image flashed Tuesday night at Saddledome as Barbadian R&B sensation Rihanna sang her opening song Russian Roulette on an elevated platform. It was the first of many dramatic, angry images seen throughout her concert.
During the aggressive, electronic R&B of Hard a troupe of backup dancers sported glowing pink rifles. At the song's conclusion Rihanna straddled a similarly coloured canon.
For the pounding pop of Shut Up and Drive she climbed up on the wreckage of a car while a guy dressed as a crash test dummy breakdanced in the background. For the tune's finale other dancers took baseball bats to the vehicle.
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This was a darker and altogether tougher Rihanna than the pop sexpot in pretty dresses who we've come to know over the years. The sexy factor was still present to be sure. During Rude Boy, Rihanna was dressed in a black S&M style getup that accentuated every curve. The difference is, the 22-year-old's image has taken on a real edge. | |||
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Of course, the radical shift has occurred in the last year following Rihanna's violent, highly publicized breakup with her former boyfriend, R&B star Chris Brown. Brown was charged with assault after an altercation between the two on the eve of the 2009 Grammys.
Rihanna's latest album, Rated R, reflects her harsh new reality and the same is true of her Last Girl On Earth Tour.
It has to be said though that behind all the theatrics, Rihanna's soulful voice stood up as a formidable weapon in its own right at the 'Dome. That was particularly clear at press time during the ballad heavy section of her set.
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