>> The Britney Spears’ gig in Manchester last weekend was a really curious experience. Armed with a notebook – she plays in Abu Dhabi in Friday so I was writing a primer for The National – I was sure that the assembled crowd (and there weren’t many kids) would feel cheated by the fact Britney was clearly miming. But no, it appeared not to matter in the slightest. In fact, Manchester, to borrow a phrase, were mad for her – even though she barely acknowledged their existence.
I think it must have been the relentless pace of the music – nearly all high bpm europop – or maybe people really do like the sight of a pop star wearing virtually nothing cavorting around stage. Maybe it was the sheer excitement about being so close to a slightly messed up celebrity. But it was difficult not to get swept along by it. I’m not about to be a Britney Spears convert, but one thing’s for sure, she still knows how to push the buttons of her fans.
“There appears to be very little live singing occurring – in fact, the notion of a live concert is stretched to its very limits here: there are two blokes in the heavens prodding at keyboards and, well, that’s it.”
Click here for the full Britney Spears review in The National
