Rihanna Shines Bright Like A Diamond In Toronto

CONCERT REVIEW

Two of Canadian Music Week’s biggest headliners, ASAP Rocky and Rihanna, took over the Air Canada Centre in March for back-to-back sold out shows, as part of Rihanna’s Diamonds World Tour.

Opening act ASAP Rocky walked onto the stage illuminated by purple lights, to sing a 12-track string of his rap hits including “Goldie” and “Problems.”

The pumped up crowd was then left to wait in anticipation for Rihanna as a line-up of radio-friendly hits played, including the “Harlem Shake” which saw all
60, 000 people in the stadium break out into crazy dance moves.

Soon the pop queen everyone has come to love appeared as a black curtain dropped to reveal Rihanna alone on the stage kneeling in a long black dress and cape. She started off the show with a ballad of “Mother Mary” showing the audience just how powerful her vocals are.

The fun, upbeat and energetic vibe that was constant during the rest of the show was introduced during her next song “Phresh Out the Runway” where Rihanna reappeared wearing an all black ensemble consisting of thigh-high boots, black shorts and a Givenchy mesh top. Big screens rose and large white pillars were revealed as the backdrop on the huge circular stage.

“Hey Toronto!” Rihanna greeted the crowd, later asking who in the building has latest her album.

With a group of singers, dancers and several live musicians to back her up, Rihanna’s songs came to life during the show.

She sang a 100-minute long set list, sure to satisfy any fan, which included songs both new and old such as “Talk That Talk,” “Rude Boy,” “Umbrella” and “All of the Lights.”

The popstar’s inner rocker came out during “Rockstar 101” when dazzling pyrotechnics took over the stage, with fire shooting up from the sides and clips from horror movies played on the screens behind her.

Of course with over a dozen number one singles, it was almost impossible to not recognize and know the lyrics to the songs she sang. While Rihanna’s vocals proved powerful and her stage presence extraordinary, what really stood out during her show were her six costume changes.

The chart-topping singer finished the concert with two encore songs, “Stay” and “Diamonds,” performing to a captivated crowd whose cell phones and camera lights lit up the stadium to resemble a starry night sky.