So a week ago Miley Cyrus came to town and I had the amazing opportunity to see her live on the Bangerz Tour. Let me just point out that Miley Cyrus was my first idol and I have stayed faithful to her through all the drama. I hadn't seen her live before this, so naturally I was psyched.
I got to the arena late due to the traffic. I had to walk about half an hour to the O2 (wearing a crop top), and let me tell you, my level of anxiety was considerably high. After queuing for about an hour, I got inside and was standing in the mosh pit. The first thing I noticed was that the inside of the arena was decorated, which made me really giddy! I tried to weave through the crowd, but I couldn't get through to the front despite my best efforts. I was just glad I could see the stage and that there was a huge screen to my right.
Sky Ferreira was the support act, and I liked her. A lot. I mean, I was one of the few people who actually knew who she was and knew her songs (everybody else was excited for Icona Pop, who weren't even in the country as it turned out). Sky opened with 24 Hours and finished with You're Not the One (which is probably my favourite of her songs). Personally, I thought the crowd didn't really work with her, so the performance was a bit dull to anyone who didn't know Sky previously, but I also understand that grunge isn't for everyone. I would definitely see Sky on a headlining tour.
Half an hour later, the stage was all set up for Miley. The atmosphere was electric when her face, enlarged by a hundred, appeared on the huge screen (I wish my close ups were that good looking!) and the beat dropped for Bangerz. Then the face winked and the mouth started to open, a lot of smoke came out, followed by a tongue-shaped slide and before you knew it, there she was. Miley Cyrus herself, welcoming the Dublin crowd with some delicious curse words and wearing a costume only she could pull off. It was a very emotional moment for me.
The next two hours were some of the best in my life. I was pushed, shoved, elbowed in the face, had to witness some ostentatious public displays of affection and smell a lot of alcohol, but I didn't care. It was all worth it.
Miley didn't disappoint for even a second. Her voice, her costumes, her jokes...pure fabulousness. She has such a country accent, it's unreal. Her acoustic set was probably my favourite part of the show. Apart from singing soulful ballads of her own writing, she covered The Smiths and Lana del Rey's Summertime Sadness.
It's hard to say which song was my favourite - was it FU, possibly my favourite one from the album? Drive, which featured thousands of lights in the audience and during which Miley wore a sparkly jumpsuit that I wouldn't mind having myself? Or Someone Else, during which she came over to my side of the stage and I kid you not, looked me straight in the eye?
Even the intervals were amazing, with awesome electronic props and professional twerkers (who sure knew what they were doing).
Honestly, I loved the whole show. My inner 10-year-old squealed during Can't Be Tamed (which also featured a GIANT inflatable husky, a tribute to Miley's dog Floyd, who passed away recently) and Party In The USA, which was the final song.
I also loved the acceptance and equality in the show, with dancers of all races, shapes and sizes, including Freakabritt. There was a kiss cam during Adore You, and the people who were featured represented many sexualities. The message was clearly that love is love, and I think everybody welcomed that.
Of course, the show was a little, hmm, tongue-in-cheek. See what I did there? Tongue...Miley...geddit? No? I'll let myself out then.
The most, cough cough, daring performances were Love, Money, Party and #GETITRIGHT. There was also an inflatable doll and an inflatable banana involved at the start of the show, but I don't think it was too obscene. However, I do not think children should be going to the show. Parents, it's your responsibility to do your research before you take your kids to see Miley. That's all I'm saying.
There were also some cutesy moments with the audience that I loved. A fan threw a handmade shirt on stage and Miley put it on while singing My Darlin'. It said 'Dirty Hippie.' She later put it in her purse. 'Nuff said.
Sweets were also thrown at her, and she picked one up and ate it, mentioning that it was pineapple flavoured. She then made a 'that's what she said' joke about swallowing, which made me realise that yes, celebrities really are just like us.
Overall, I had a great time. It was a hell of a party, probably the best party I've ever been to. If I could go back right now and experience Bangerz again, I would do it in a heartbeat. In fact, please take me back!
