A Magical night with P!nk in Sacramento, CA
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What an enchanting evening of October 12, 2023, as Grouplove and P!nk graced Sacramento with their electrifying performances. The Golden One Center buzzed with an electric atmosphere as fans, donned in pink outfits, skirts, and dresses, eagerly lined up for the musical spectacle. The merchandise stalls were bustling, and everyone was filled with anticipation as the seats rapidly filled up.
At approximately 8:00 pm, the Los Angeles-based rock band, Grouplove, kick-started the show with a high-energy set of their own. Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper, the charismatic front duo of the band, seemed to enjoy more time on stage than their usual opening slot, and they made the most of it.
Zucconi, sporting two short braids, and Hooper, dressed in what resembled a swimsuit beneath a sheer leopard print catsuit, kicked things off with their lively opener, "Deleter." They shared an intimate moment, crouching down while singing to each other.
The band, featuring guitarist Andrew Wessen, bassist Daniel Gleason, and drummer Benjamin Homola, also treated the audience to a couple of their early hits, "Itchin' on a Photograph" and "Colours." Before launching into their smash hit, "Tongue Tied," Hooper shared how this song had left a lasting impact on fans who listened to it during significant moments like losing their virginity and summer parties. The live rendition was remarkable and even included a snippet of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." Grouplove showered the crowd with gratitude, expressing their appreciation throughout the performance.
Before P!nk's grand entrance, fans enjoyed drinks and dancing, keeping the excitement alive with hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Holiday."
At 9:10pm, the arena darkened, and a video played on the four screens surrounding the stage, providing a tantalizing introduction to what P!nk had in store. As the lights illuminated the stage, dancers and musicians emerged, ready to set the night on fire. Fans erupted in screams and cheers as P!nk descended from above in her aerial stunt gear, appearing in the mouth of her stage prop. She greeted the crowd with a smile, exuding a contagious energy.
P!nk commenced the show with a bungee jump from the rafters, later swinging upside down from a suspended swing. She concluded her remarkable aerial feats by flying around the entire arena on a rotating contraption, reminiscent of Tinker Bell. Three dancers joined her on stage, but P!nk rarely stayed grounded for long. Two other dancers, suspended from a lit-up contraption resembling two rings, hoisted her back up for some acrobatic flips, while fog cannons and sparklers turned the performance into a mesmerizing three-ring circus.
The night began with hits like "Get the Party Started" and "Raise Your Glass." However, P!nk and her crew were just getting started. During "Raise Your Glass," she was joined by two performers on flamingo-shaped Segways. "Who Knew" featured two pairs of dancers performing dramatic routines around her, followed by captivating renditions of "Just Like a Pill," "Try," and "What About Us."
Throughout the performance, each song maintained its infectious energy, keeping most of the audience on their feet. By "What About Us," P!nk had already changed into her third dazzling outfit of the night, perhaps gifted by an adoring fan. Fans showered her with gifts, from flowers to clothing and candy, reflecting their adoration.
The second act continued the jaw-dropping physical feats with "Turbulence." During this song, P!nk and a male dancer gracefully swung on an aerial-silk-like apparatus, spinning together and then showcasing P!nk's incredible vocal prowess as she sang upside down. Her ability to perform such stunts live was nothing short of impressive.
Following her aerial performance, P!nk enjoyed some Sour Patch Kids and Twizzlers she received from fans while chatting with the audience. She humorously confessed her inability to write traditional love songs, breaking into a rendition of "Baby Shark" and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" on a white grand piano. Her humility and playfulness shone through as she poked fun at her own performance.
"Just Give Me a Reason" initiated one of the night's most resonant singalongs, and she and her band infused energy back into the show with "Fuckin' Perfect," dancing and singing exuberantly. The combination of actual flames shooting up at the back of the stage with "Just Like Fire" and Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" added a fiery intensity, with P!nk and her three singers sharing powerful vocal exchanges. Her guitarist delivered a mesmerizing solo.
P!nk returned to the front of the stage, positioned in the center of the arena, to perform an acoustic version of "Please Don't Leave Me." The standout moment was the beautiful harmony with her backing vocalists towards the end. Her 12-year-old daughter, Willow Sage Hart, graced the stage during "Cover Me in Sunshine," singing a verse and chorus on her own, creating a heartwarming moment.
P!nk also delivered emotional performances of "Don't Let Me Get Me," sharing the stage with her guitarist and backup vocalists in the middle of the arena floor. She followed this with the poignant ballad "When I Get There," recounting her visit to her late father's gravesite for the first time. She narrated the experience with her signature humor, revealing her father's resting place next to someone named Fred Kruger.
P!nk's versatility shone as she briefly covered Sade's sensual tune "No Ordinary Love," singing it while being carried by dancers on her back. The night culminated with the title track from her new album, "TRUSTFALL," followed by "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)." During the latter, P!nk introduced her band, giving each member a moment to showcase their skills, a heartfelt gesture that resonated with the audience.
The stage was then filled with all the dancers, joining P!nk in a thrilling performance of her latest hit, "Never Gonna Not Dance Again." Some dancers also had their moments to showcase their dance moves. At the back of the stage, dancers climbed a two-sided staircase and gracefully fell like leaves onto trampolines, bouncing back into their original positions.
Amidst the mesmerizing dance spectacle, P!nk briefly disappeared from the spotlight, allowing the dancers to shine. She reappeared, donning her aerial gear, as "So What" began to play. P!nk soared through the air, landing on a tall platform to sing verses and then soaring and spinning around the arena during the chorus. The night's most impressive aerial stunt left fans captivated.
P!nk's Northern California performance was yet another awe-inspiring chapter in her impressive career. She proved once again that she is a true rockstar, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating her return.