kenneth in the (!1!): Reviewing Kylie's 'Aphrodite' Revue

Received a surprise invite to Kylie Minogue's third show at Hammerstein Ballroom last night - more around the jackass security team there in a minute - so dragged my aching ass out to see what she's got. On the road promoting her fun "Aphrodite" album, the Aussie princess was in tip-top Greek goddess form, exuding all the essential elements of love, beauty and sexuality.

Having seen her on her first-ever North American tour in 2009 - along with my not feel great - my agitation was substantially more dull than last time, but after changing spots a few times to get out from the requisite annoying neighbors (and apparently wherever we stand BECOMES the aisle way), Michael and I did end up having a fun night.

The appearance was billed a music concert, but what it actually was was a Vegas revue, with crazy sets and naked boys dangling from the ceiling ("angels") plus countless costume changes. But despite all the distractions, Kylie certainly didn't skimp on music - something so many artists seem to do these days - performing some 24 songs, including a rapturous cover of Eurythmics' "There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart)" (in answer to her "Looking for an Angel") plus Prefab Sprout's "If You Don't Love Me." (Girl has also covered Saint Etienne - it's like she flips through my CD collection before winning the stage!)

She again skipped "I Should Be So Lucky" - aka the strain that put her on the U.S. map and the call the only 1 of hers I ever bought - and evening passed on "Locomotion" (she evidently had through it the other nights, but opted for an "impromptu" version of "Your Disco Needs You," which certainly didn't own many people complaining). That said, while I loved hearing "In My Arms," "Love at First Sight" and "All the Lovers" (the show's closer), I'd have to say my favorite song of the dark was unquestionably the "oldie" "Better the Devil You Know." We bumped into Ben Widdicombe as we were going and he seemed underwhelmed, saying he was "old," so preferred vintage Kylie. I concurred. All in all, though, a fun night. A big thank-you to Ryan for inviting us!

The canonical set list, except for the "Disco" swapout, is HERE.

As for the Hammerstein Ballroom security staff, I give to say these TSA wannabeesare the worst hacks I get always encountered. (Last time they made me "see" my camera, as 2,499 other people took photos and videos all night. Afterinexplicably making the Will Call people waiting in a branch line outsidewhile ticket holders walked right in, they then proceeded to call at usevery 10 minutes for "blocking" the handicapped ramp - the veryhandicapped ramp that THEY made us stand on to hold in business for noreason. (I had no trouble getting out of the way for people withdisabilities, my problem was WHY they put us in people withdisabilities' way in the foremost place. We repeatedly had to all get offthe ramp, and so all get back on it.What was still more ridiculous was thaton this rainy New York night they randomly decided there was a strict"No Umbrellas" policy in place, so everyone had to give their umbrellason the sidewalk. (Huh?) Ididn't even get one with me, but I was completely disgusted - it's all about control with these fools - andhonestly will void the grade at all costs unless I absolutely MUST seean artist performing there. Complete idiots.