I enjoy Rihanna.  I don’t sit on my computer waiting for her latest single to drop, but I really enjoy what she does and how she presents herself.  Also, her music is pretty amazing.  And while I can’t rattle-off the names of her albums, I’m familiar enough with her oeuvre to have said to some friends, earlier this year, “Hey!  Rihanna’s coming to town.  Should we go see her?”

Naturally, I forgot about it; and then had plans to see Billy Joel on the 30th.  But then, on the morning of the 30th, two things happened.  At a little past 11am, I found-out that the friend with whom I’d planned to see the Piano Man wasn’t able to fly-in from New York; and just before noon, my friends Phil and Victor texted to invite me to join them at Rihanna’s ANTI World Tour, that night, at Mandalay Bay.  That’s just the way my life works.  I’m Even Steven!

Anyhoo, the reviews for Rihanna’s tour have been really mixed.  But since I’d never seen her live, I can only tell you how I felt she did that night; so here it is.

The first sensory note that I recall was the blast of ganja funk that palpably knocked into me, upon crossing the metal detectors, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.  Now, it’s safe to assume that, as a cardholding MMJ patient, I’m fairly acclimated to such things; but I can only imagine the contact high with which my companions were hit.  I mean, there was no need to pass the dutchie, seeing as it was omnipresent.

The concert started promptly, but I was dismayed to see that instead of being on the stage, she was performing from atop a shell she'd had magically materialize over the sound booth, at the far end of the floor.  But I needn’t have worried, as she traversed the arena, via a Plexiglas catwalk, upon which she posed (and trust - girlfriend knows how to pose), in a comely manner, as it whisked her across the expanse. (#Drama)

Having shed her hooded robe, she grooved (now on the main stage) in hip-high leather boots; and lurked, worked, and twerked her way through her first act.  What’d she sing?  I have no idea.  I seem to recall “Stay” and “Bitch Better Have My Money,” as well as some other songs that I have to assume were off of her latest album.

After a quick wardrobe change, she emerged in a fierce catsuit, of form-fitting suede.  (#Yowza)  In this act, there were more songs I didn’t know (but enjoyed), as well as “Umbrella” and “Rude Boy” (and I think a snippet of “Pon de Replay” – but don’t quote me on that…). 

Another quick interlude – this time with some bedazzled dancers who vogued and death-dropped and thoroughly entertained all and sundry – and then Rihanna emerged, in a very dramatic hooded cloak in what appeared to be a raisin-hued organza, that she then shed, to reveal a similarly-colored fringed sleeveless-jumpsuit that she showed-off to its utmost potential.  She shimmied this way, popped her booty that way, and work, work, work, work, worked - every bit the good girl gone bad.

Finally, she left and returned in her last costume change (not a lot for a high-octane performer such as she), a caramel-colored oversized suit and sunglasses.  This last act included “Where Have You Gone” and “Diamonds” – which was wonderful as far as I was concerned, because (as I’d told Phil and Victor any number of times) so long as she shined bright like a diamond, I was gonna leave delighted.  She did, and I was.

Did I have a good time?  Indubitably.  (Thanks, Phil and Victor!)  Will it go down, in my memory, as one of the most incredible concerts I’ve ever seen?  No.  Was I thoroughly caught-up, in the sheer Rihanna-ness of it all?  Abs-and-pecs-o-lutely!    

Rihanna: ANTI World Tour
Mandalay Bay Event Center
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#RiRi