THE FEMME FATALE

July 1, 2011

This summer belongs to Britney. And Nicki. The reigning princess of pop teamed up with the latest It-girl to take Vancouver by storm, thrilling fans that celebrated Canada Day in style at Rogers Arena Friday night.

Nicki Minaj, the charismatic rapper from Queens, owned the stage as an opening act, following Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo. Sassy, sweet, and vulgar all rolled into one, she has been taking over the music industry and tonight she kicked off the show with the perfect rhythm, doling out "Monster" and "Did It On 'Em".

The stage was set and the crowd amped. When the lights fell, a video splashed across the screen, and finally the music of "Hold It Against Me" started to blare, the packed house couldn't contain themselves anymore.

Emerging from the back of the stage in a white sparkling body suit, standing on a steel throne that lowered to the main stage, Britney Spears appeared in all the extravagance you would expect from the former teen idol.

One of the most successful pop sensations of her generation and looking every bit the part, she was greeted by cheers worthy of her pop status.

Dancing in a white trench with a fedora and sunglasses, Britney made use of the second part of the stage in the middle of the stadium, strutting the catwalk and thrilling fans with "3", before rising above the stage suspended on a little platform for "Piece of Me".

There were laser lights, smoke, cages, swings, countless screens, props, and an enormous stage that stretched out through the floor crowd. However, you got the impression that her fans would have been cheering just as loud without all the extras. They were there for Britney and Britney alone.

Video interludes covered the breaks and continued the quest of a villain in pursuit of Britney, tracking her every move, flicking through music videos. But the star turned spy is ever elusive.

Her dancers rolled out giant speakers for "Big Fat Bass" off her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale, released in March. And Britney flaunted her first costume change, a red blazer that she later shed to reveal a black lace number.

Lying on a purple Cleopatra-style couch, spinning in the middle of the stage Britney performed "He About To Lose Me", while the backup dancers climbed, danced, and balanced on metal frames that bordered the pop star. The crowd bopped along energetically.

Taking a seat on a swing Britney pulled it all back and reminded the crowd—not that it was necessary—of the sweet, young star that wooed them back in 2000 with "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know" off Oops!... I Did It Again.

Following up the rush of nostalgia she lay out her original bread and butter, the song that sparked it all. Emerging after another video segment dressed in jean shorts and a sparkly bra, the star treated fans to a minute of "Hit Me Baby One More Time", igniting a singalong. A definite highlight for fans.

The tone changed quickly, as the song transitioned into Rihanna's "S&M" which doesn't bother with the subtlety of Britney's earlier hits. But the crowd didn't miss a beat; evidently she could do no wrong.

The production value of the show was off the charts, but it was Britney’s smile after every song that sent fans over the edge. After several years of living her personal life in the public eye through ups and downs, it seems she’s back where she belongs.

And her fans who were rooting for her all along, revelled in all her pop star glitz and glamour.