Pink rocks at Boondall to sold out crowd

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,25629113-5012980,00.html



Anna Caldwell
June 13, 2009 12:00am

ROLL up, roll up - last night the Queensland love affair with US rock goddess Pink began in spectacular fashion at the at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

With a record-breaking 10 shows still to come, and an unprecedented one in 37 Queenslanders expected to see one of the circus-inspired Funhouse gigs, it needed to be dazzling.

Her enamoured fans, the Pink army, had assembled early dripping in Pink merchandise, glitter and heavy mascara – their hopes were high.

And when she soared in above the packed crowd, hoisted in a high-ropes extravaganza, the 29-year-old rocker didn't disappoint.

The stage, a fairground/Moulin Rouge hybrid, set the scene for jaw-dropping ballet, burlesque and bungee stunts.

Having trained with Cirque du Soleil trapeze artist Sebastien Stella for two months, Pink was more than up to the task of impressing the crowd – an eclectic mix ranging from wide-eyed pre-teens to awestruck pensioners.

The set included many of the big hits that have seen the star this week rack up all six of her albums dating back to 2001 in the Aria charts.

The crowd laughed when she belted out her break-up anthem So What that had been an unreserved dig at her husband after their now-repaired split in 2008.

The big hits were peppered by a variety of covers including AC/DC and Queen, rewarding the music-savvy in the crowd.

With Brisbane the fifth stop on this 58-gig tour, the element of surprise was dwindling. But as Pink might say, So What?

The screams were deafening, her laugh was infectious and the show is set to continue.

Tickets go on sale next week for concerts on August 25 and 26.