An Extraordinary Night with P!nk in Sacramento
In an era when celebrities frequently face criticism on social media, there are only a handful of icons who remain entirely unafraid to express their true thoughts. P!nk is one such superstar, consistently demonstrating fearlessness in voicing her opinions. Throughout her nearly two-decade solo career, P!nk has maintained an unapologetic honesty about her identity, principles, and thoughts. This unfiltered authenticity was vividly on display during her "Beautiful Trauma Tour" stop at the Golden One Center on Wednesday night. P!nk entertained, moved, and most importantly, ignited a non-stop party.
The evening began with a performance by pop artist Julia Michaels, who took the stage around 7:30 p.m. The Grammy-nominated artist and her band demonstrated their talent for having a great time as they danced energetically throughout their set. Michaels treated the audience to a diverse selection of songs, including some from her early career and a few from her latest album, "Inner Monologue Part 1." She also delivered renditions of well-known tracks she had written for prominent artists like Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, allowing those in the crowd who might not have been familiar with her music to sing along. Whether the songs were widely recognized hits from other artists or hidden gems from her own catalog, they all shared a common thread: raw and candid exploration of emotions. Michaels laid it all on the line for her fans, while still managing to infuse fun into her performance—making her an ideal companion for P!nk on the tour.
Michaels energetically grooved her way across the stage, ensuring she engaged with every section of the audience. A handful of fans were even on their feet, enthusiastically singing along during her set. However, the real party didn't kick into high gear until P!nk made her grand entrance. A solo performer dressed in a tuxedo took the stage, meticulously straightened his tie, and proceeded to play the iconic 20th Century Fox opening theme on a recorder. In hindsight, this should have been a foreshadowing of the extraordinary show that was about to unfold, but honestly, no one could have anticipated the spectacle that awaited.
Black curtains veiled the stage while Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" turned into an audience-wide sing-along. Then, in a thrilling twist, the song abruptly ceased, the curtains dramatically dropped, and the show commenced. It truly felt like a scene out of a movie, and after such a dramatic introduction, we should have been prepared for anything. As the curtains descended, they unveiled P!nk, clad in a black sequined jumper, suspended from a colossal pink chandelier, swinging into action.
If the dazzling theatrics weren't a clear indication of the wild night awaiting us, P!nk made sure to set the tone right from the beginning with one of her early career hits, "Get the Party Started." She had promised us a party, and she undeniably delivered. The stage was an intricate work of art, transforming with each new song, much like the scenes in a movie. Accompanied by a remarkable troupe of backup dancers, P!nk seized control of the stage, urging all of us to let go and join in on the festivities.
"Feel free to lose yourself for the next four minutes," she exclaimed to the audience before diving into a spirited cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." While I can't speak for everyone present, I certainly heeded her advice. However, the night wasn't all about entertainment. As a true role model, P!nk took a moment to address politics through a thought-provoking video montage. She also shared a heartwarming story about a conversation she had with her daughter, Willow, encouraging all of us to embrace self-love and see the beauty in every individual.
After an evening of gracefully soaring above the Golden One Center in a harness and participating in aerial dances alongside her backup dancers, P!nk concluded the night on a deeply moving note with a stunning performance of "Glitter In The Air." She expressed her sincere gratitude to the audience before taking her leave from the stage, leaving us all hopeful for a potential encore. Unfortunately, the screen behind the stage began to roll credits, signaling the inevitable conclusion of the show.
The performance extended for nearly three hours, during which P!nk stirred a range of emotions within us. We shared laughter at the delightful whimsy of the props, including the oversized puppet that humorously embodied Eminem's role in "Revenge." Her message about the significance of self-love and embracing our individuality struck a profound chord with all of us. We raised our glasses and celebrated alongside one of the most remarkable women in the music industry.
We can’t wait till’ she visits Sacramento again.