Shania Twain, Bastian Baker @ Botanic Park, Adelaide 2/12/2018
Is been awhile since I’ve heard a Shania Twain song and had forgotten how much fun her songs were from back in the day. I didn’t get to reminisce those good ‘ole songs before her concert and it was a great feeling to have that anticipation of going back down memory lane. But before it was Shania’s time to hit the stage we were graced by the presence of Swiss singer, songwriter, and performer Bastian Baker. It was my first time seeing this young and handsome (can I even say that in 2018?) artist. His acoustic set was sweet and soulful with the only song I knew being Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. It was his first time in Adelaide and let’s hope it’s not his last!
When it was time for Shania Twain’s entrance, I could hear a loud thunderous drum beat but had to look around to see what was going on and where she was. She was behind me and made her grand entrance to the stage via the crowd all smiley and happy gladly high fiving those lucky enough to be in the path. If I only knew that she was a mere five metres away I could’ve had my phone ready for a few cheeky snaps!
The stage was filled with large visual screens beaming lots of colour and lots of Twain’s trademark leopard print in all colours and once she arrived, she belted out her first song of Life’s About To Get Good form her latest album Now. From then on it was pretty much a party. A fun party that you were glad to be invited to!
Twain often bantered with the crowd and at one point telling us how she thought it was summer here in Australia but tonight being a bit colder than expected. Well the weather didn’t come to the party for the Adelaide crowd, but it was Twain telling us that the best way to keep warm is to rock on!
Giving the crowd a mix of hits, such as Come On Over, Don’t Be Stupid, crowd favourite’s That Don’t Impress Me Much and Still The One as well as From This Moment On and I’m Gonna Getcha Good. Then showcasing new songs off the Now album such as the song to remind us to stay positive and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel; I’m Alright, More Fun and then bringing back on-stage Bastian Baker to help with the summer reggae feel song Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed and Party for Two.
A funny and light moment was when Twain brought up on stage a few people from the crowd. A young couple of cousins and a more mature aged married couple. She offered them to take selfies with her and while that was an easy request for the young cousins it took married couple Brian and Lynn a bit of time to get the mobile phone set to selfie mode. Twain had to take over and take the snap herself giving the crowd a light-hearted funny moment to chuckle over.
It’s not Shania Twain without a bit of country to get us going. Singing her upbeat and boot scootin’ tunes of Any Man of Mine, Whose Bed have Your Boots Been Under? and Honey I’m Home she kept the crowd happy and hungry for more.
With no less that six costume changes Shania Twain is as stunning as ever. The colourful and dynamic visuals and graphic on the big screens suited the vibe of the performance and her music video journey reminded us of the early days as well as the Now (her new album title and pun intended!) Special mention goes to drummer Elijah Wood who was spectacular throughout the show including the solo drum performance banging away with precision and lots of heart and soul.
Ending the night on a high we were asked to put our fists in the air while we chanted to a punchier and sexier version of (If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here before another costume change during the interlude of Blue Storm we were then rewarded with the most fun song of the evening Man! I Feel Like A Woman. So, I’m going to be cheesy and say that yes Shania “impressed me that much” and “she’s still the one!”
Live Review by Anastasia Lambis