There is a moment of immense pleasure at every concert before a single note is played or a word sung. It happens when the house lights are shut off, the room is dark and all that can be heard is thousands of voices screaming. It is as exciting as the first drop of a rollercoaster.
Monday night's Gwen Stefani show was no different, of course. The near-capacity crowd (many of whom are young enough to know No Doubt only as an expression meaning "without question") was clearly excited to see one of hip-hop's top artists do her stuff, heating The E Center with their bodies and motion to the point where even dragged-along boyfriends, munching on popcorn and pretzels, perspired.
As did Stefani shortly after taking the stage alongside dancers and in front of a full band and electronic display, though she'd certainly prefer (and warrant) the term glow. She's that kind of lady. Her first song set the evening's briefly held theme - "The Sweet Escape," prancing around in a prison-inspired costume. But soon after the second song, the hit single "Rich Girl," Stefani pulled a costume change - her first of several.
When sticking to her hits, Stefani was successful in connecting with the audience. "Luxurious," "Cool" and "Hollaback Girl" (itself responsible for a national lingual phenomenon) had everyone on their feet, fists pumping and hips swaying.
Lesser known tracks, mostly off her second album, were met lukewarmly at best. Part of the problem is the dichotic effect those songs have. Mostly, Stefani sounds like she wants to be Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. You can hear it in her voice in hauntingly shallow numbers like "Yummy" and "Wind it Up." Stefani, for all her apparent love of bling and California love, maintains a far classier demeanor than Fergie. Why go slumming, musically speaking?
Not that channeling other artists/personalities doesn't work for Stefani. A number of her songs would have been hits 20 years ago, such "Danger Zone," and "Early Winter" certainly bears the morose marks of its co-writer, Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane. Detractors will say her frequent collaborations and samplings show Stefani has no personality of her own; defenders will say it shows she cannot be pinned down.
When not singing, Stefani spent her stage time strutting about, flattering the appreciative crowd: "You are the loudest, most enthusiastic audience ever," she enthused. Sorry to say her words should be taken with a grain of salt, and not only for the obvious reason - she also said "4 in the Morning" was one her favorite songs, and it was one of the night's failures. She also shared a story about spilling Starbucks coffee down the front of her shirt while out and about in Salt Lake with husband Gavin Rossdale (of Bush) and son Kingston. OK, that is something Fergie would do, but she might not have Stefani's sense of humor about it.
Who: Gwen Stefani When: Monday Where: The E Center Bottom Line: Mediocre new material notwithstanding, Stefani managed to make a hot spring night even hotter.
