Live Nation Presents the F.A.M.E. Tour with TYGA, Kelly Rowland, T-Pain, and Chris Brown
On the first night of fall in Chicago, we were given a treat of high energy performance and talent. The FMB Amphitheatre was packed in the pavilion area and a few people risked the lawn seats with rain in the air and the cold temps for the second to last show for this outdoor venue.
Up first was TYGA who went through a quick 15 minute set of raps from some of his guest spots on other artists. Within a short time frame, he did well enough to warm up the crowd of screaming fans as he went into his rap on Roger That and for Coconut juice; would love to see him next time at least 30 minutes.
Up next was Kelly Rowland, the only female on this all-male tour and she held her own. Opening with a medley of Like This, Dilemma, and I’m Dat Chick, which all received huge roars of approval that moved Rowland. She thanked the crowd and tears rolled down her face as she told the Chicago crowd Michelle Williams was in the house. She went into a medley of Destiny’s Child’s hits. Her voice sounded great and she put on a great 25 minute set that ended with a great version of Motivation.
With the weather not letting up, many fans upgraded tickets to be under the pavilion as T-Pain came on. From the start, T-Pain had the place jumping and dancing. When he went into All I Do is Win, the crowds hands went up - was like a club came into town and everyone was getting down. T-Pain did not let up and was a great time; at times had to concentrate on covering the show because you could feel the music grab you and make you want to dance. The place was so loud with the screaming, it was as loud as I can remember since I saw Justin Bieber, but this crowd was much more diverse and mature.
Chris Brown was next up. We all know of the issues Brown has had in the past but it seems they are now past him and he is ready to take over the spot he left vacated for a few years. As the lights dimmed, the shrieks coming from the crowd were deafening and no one knew where Brown would appear. As the curtain fell, Brown was on top of the stage that had three levels for him to perform on and he took full advantage of the stage.
Dressed in Army fatigues and a backpack Brown worked his way down to the floor, showing off the amazing dance skills he has and gave the crowd all they wanted. Playing hits like Say it With Me, Wall to Wall, I Can Transform You, he showed off his krumping, popping-n-locking skills. With several clothe changes throughout the 90 minute set, he showed several sides of himself. Being in the hometown of R.Kelly, he tried his best to give a lady in the crowd a lap dance during Wet the Bed/Take You Down.
While a lot of the show was lip synched, you could understand with all the dancing and performing Brown does; it would be hard to do both, so he gets a pass this time but would like in the future to hear more of his singing voice. As he ended the show with Beautiful People, off his newest album, “F.A.M.E.,” he left the crowd in awe with his suit lit up and the dancers all lit up.
Coming into this, I had my doubts about the show but as I left I have to admit, it was one of the better concerts I have been to this year and would for sure check Mr. Brown out next time he is in town.
A big thanks goes to Lora and Ashley for setting this up for me on short notice.
All Photos Provided by Peter Lizano
