ROXETTE LIVE IN TORONTO AT MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE

Roxette in Toronto - August 2012

Swedish Pop Outfit Roxette performed their first Toronto Show in over 20 years tonight at Molson Amphitheatre, their last Show here being March 1992 as part of their Joyride! World Tour. The Duo, which consists of Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson, have sold over 60 million albums worldwide and are known of their international smash Hits: The Look, Joyride, Dangerous, Dressed for Success, Listen to Your Heart and It Must've Been Love; the latter known best as the Theme Song from Pretty Woman.

 

With three stops on their Canadian Tour including Ottawa last night, Toronto tonight and another in Montreal tomorrow, the Duo are touring in support of their latest Disc from EMI Music, Travelling.

 

Although a little shaky to start, with Fredriksson marked by having lost a few steps in that powerful upper-register of hers, Gessle kept things energectic on-stage, rocking-out with his Guitar and riling-up the Crowd.  As this was my first time ever witnessing Roxette perform live, I actually was surprised to see him front and center considering that a majority of their North American Hits featured Fredriksson's Vocals. I always assumed that she in fact was the Lead Singer. 

 

By the second-half of the Show, the Crowd was on its feet - the in-house Camera panning on Swedish flags waving and ecstatic Gay Men screaming - as their up-tempo numbers were emphasized.  The entire Show culminated in an Encore, which included a high-octane seven-minute-long version of their first Hit, The Look. Truly epic.

 

Witness some of the magic of Roxette tonight below:

ONE DIRECTION & BIG TIME RUSH IN TORONTO AT AIR CANADA CENTRE

One Direction at Air Canada Centre - February 2012

The Girls went crazy tonight at Air Canada Centre with the merging of two super-hot Boy Bands in one compact Show.  British Boy Band One Direction whose rise to fame has been meteoric since 2010 when they first surfaced on The X Factor in the U.K., originally were meant only to be an Opening Act for Big Time Rush.  The latter, comprised of four Actor/Singers who based on the success of their Nickelodeon TV Series of the same name, have gone on to achieve major success south of the Border also as Recording Artists, wound-up sharing headlining responsibilities with their British mates.  By the Show's start time, it was clear which Band had won the hearts of young Toronto Women with One Direction Tour Merchandise cleared off-the-racks completely and screams heard at a deafening pitch when the Quintet arrived punctually on-stage at 7:30 PM.

Hot off the success of their BRIT Awards win last week in the category of Best British Single with What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction celebrated their Victory to happy cheers from the crowd, who for the first time tonight, were graced by the Band's presence in Toronto.  Performing a fantastic version of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody and zipping through hits like One Thing and Album Title Track, Up All Night, their energy was absolutely infectious despite performing only to Backing Tracks - no bells and whistles.  The only complaint that could be heard among the sold-out crowd was that their 30-minute Set was far too short.  Forgivable I suppose, considering that their stateside Debut Up All Night won't be in-stores till March 13, 2012 via Sony Music Canada.

"THE CHERRYTREE POP ALTERNATIVE TOUR" HITS TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE

LMFAO in Toronto - November 2011

The ten-date Canadian leg of The Cherrytree Pop Alternative Tour kicked-off last night in Quebec City and made its way to Toronto tonight, ambitiously staged at Air Canada Centre. Cherrytree Records launched in 2005, has over the years brought America celebrated Pop Acts like La Roux, Feist, Far East Movement, LMFAO, Robyn and of course, Lady Gaga.  This is the first self-headlined Tour for the Label, giving Canadians a taste of its major Acts LMFAO and Far East Movement, in addition to newer Talent like Natalia Kills, Rye Rye, Frankmusik, Colette Carr and Nova Scotia's KAY.

Despite many vacant seats spotted earlier in the evening at the Venue, those spots soon would fill-up throughout the night with the Stage brought-in close to the Audience for an intimate vibe.  Working with the constraints of a limited budget and minimalist Production for much of the three-and-a-half-hour Show, our attentions were placed front and center on the Talent, building a rapport with them.  Lovable KAY, an edgy Natalia Kills, a spirited Rye Rye, a commanding Colette Carr and a honey-voiced Frankmusik each took turns supporting each other as a Family.  

Far East Movement - 
Prohgress & Kev Nish

The Show truly ignited with Far East Movement delivering an electrifying Set consisting mostly of Material from their latest Disc Free Wired, plus a new Track titled Jello.  Energetic and engaging, their Show is still a work-in-progress which could be even more spectacular with some added Dancers and crafty Set Design.  The Crowd was ecstatic as they played an Interlude of Barbra Streisand (Duck Sauce), before leading into their massive Hit Like a G6, in which they were joined on-stage by Natalia Kills.

LMFAO quickly delivered what the Crowd came for ...a Party!  The Duo's LED-Screen Blocks provided the Backdrop to a lo-fi Multicolour Flashback to the '80s.  Their Aerobics-inspired Choreography not only was funny but v. fun, as they zipped though their Catalog of Rock/Hip-Hop/Dance Pop.  Their on-stage Machismo brought out a few chuckles with RedFoo accusing a young Woman of staring at his Manhood.  "I'm staring into your eyeballs as you stare into my balls!", he said.  Doing a quick tally of the Male vs. Female proportion, he proclaimed "Now that's a good Fellatio Ratio!".  Although the most-anticipated number in their Set would have been number one-Hit Party Rock Anthem, the Audience was given a huge treat with the Cherrytree Artists reuniting on-stage for a huge Spectacle during Shots.

See it all below:

BRITNEY SPEARS AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE FOR "FEMME FATALE" TOUR

Britney Spears at Air Canada Centre - August 2011

Pop Legend Britney Spears performed the first of two Toronto shows this evening as part of her Femme Fatale Tour, bringing along a Camera Crew record footage for her upcoming Concert DVD, which also will be aired in the near future on Epix HD.  Kicking off in Sacramento, California in June, the Tour is set to wrap December 10, 2011 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Joining her tonight was Hip-Hop's hottest Female Rapper right now, Nicki Minaj who surprisingly prior had not visited the City to promote her Platinum-selling debut on Universal Music Canada, Pink Friday.  Minaj wowed the crowd with her colourful delivery and outfits, bringing along our v. own Drake on-stage for a Lap Dance during their performance of Collaboration, Moment 4 Life.  See more of Minaj in Toronto here.

TAYLOR SWIFT AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE FOR "SPEAK NOW" TOUR

Taylor Swift in Toronto - July 2011

Performing for the first of two nights at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on the Toronto leg of her Speak Now Tour, Grammy winner Taylor Swift managed to overcome illness and wow a sold-out crowd after a show just last night at Montreal's Bell Centre. With the audience consisting mostly of early twenty-something Females, Swift focused mostly on newer material from her 4.8 million copy-selling third Disc Speak Now, released last October.

Arriving on-stage at exactly 8:30 PM, Swift delivered her "A-Game", dazzling the audience in one shiny outfit after the other with Beyoncé-like swagger and confidence, delivering tracks like Mine and The Story of Us. It wouldn't be long before the audience would chime-in with Swift singing together in unison on Mean, an ode to her harshest Critics and the price of Karma.

One highlight in particular this evening was a Mash-up of her Ballad Back to December, along with OneRepublic's Apologize and You're not Sorry, also appearing on her latest effort.  Complete with a String section and lights resembling falling snow, the moment was magical indeed.

Into the second half of the show, Swift took the party to a secondary stage set-up behind the  Soundboards, serenading the charmed audience with some Acoustic bliss on her track Fearless, which was merged together with Train's Hey, Soul Sister and Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. The Show hit a high note, as she took the festivities back to the  main stage once again with her Grammy-nominated tune You Belong With Me, clocking in at over six minutes.

"GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!" AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE - REVIEW, PICS & VIDEO

Glee Live! In Concert! at Toronto's Air Canada Centre

At last, Torontonians have had a chance to witness the greatness that is the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour tonight at Air Canada Centre and it is everything I hoped it would be ...and more!  The 90-minute Show is a high-energy spectacle without a lull to be found. Taking the stage at 9:00 PM to roaring cheers, the Set began with The New Directions appearing on-stage performing what is now known as one of the Cast's signature tunes, Don't Stop Believin' (Journey).

Bridged by brief Video Montages of Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) hilariously expressing her distaste for the New Directions, an endless array of spirited Covers were delivered like Dog Days are Over (Florence & The Machine) by Jenna Ushkowitz & Amber Riley; a sultry delivery of I'm a Slave 4 U (Britney Spears) by Heather Morris; a soulful Ain't No Way (Aretha Franklin) by Riley; a Katy Perry one-two of Firework and Teenage Dream - the former sung by Lea Michele and the latter by Darren Criss & The Warblers; River Deep, Mountain High (Tina Turner) by Naya Rivera and Riley; Kevin McHale's wheelchair-free performance of Safety Dance (Men Without Hats); and group deliveries of songs like Born this Way (Lady Gaga) and Somebody to Love (Queen).

The Synergy felt from this extremely-talented Cast simply was magical. Although this evening's Setlist stuck mostly to Pop, steering away from some of the more Showtunesque moments found in the Musical Sitcom itself, this choice in Musical Direction was a right one considering the young demographic of the Audience.  Everything from the Singing to Choreography to Stage Production was tight and I contemplate myself wanting to see it allover again.  

NKOTBSB TOUR HITS TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE - PICS, REVIEW & VIDEO

NKOTBSB at Air Canada Centre

Although many of you - primarily Men - have your reservations about the concept of an NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys) Tour, I'll have you know that your approval isn't needed as the wildly-entertaining spectacle is everything it's touted to be for Female Fans. Over two hours of gyrating, shirt-tearing, genital rubbing, surprise audience pop-ups and on-stage serenading from two of the most successful Boy Bands in the history of Pop Music, are exactly what the Ladies paid top dollar for.

Walking into the first of two Air Canada Centre Shows tonight, I had pretty much thought that both Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block were on-par with one another in my books.  I did grow-up witnessing the rise of both entities and in their respective eras, they were something v. special indeed; they still are. After seeing both Bands zip through an array of Hits from their respective Catalogs, I am certain now that I am indeed a bigger Backstreet Boys fan.  Totally.

The evening began with a Mash-up of Coldplay's Viva La Vida beneath New Kids' Single and Backstreet's The One, which had all nine Performers on-stage together at once.  In addition, the two joined forces again later on Backstreet's Larger Than Life and new collaboration Don't Turn Out the Lights.  Donnie Wahlberg brought-up the energy on tracks from New Kids with a bit of rapping, unafraid of flaunting his body, while Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre proved to be the true heart and soul of the Group with their solid soaring vocals.  Surprisingly, tracks like Please Don't Go Girl, Tonight and I'll Be Loving You Forever didn't really stand the test of time live, especially when paired alongside the Backstreet repertoire.

Backstreet's Mid-tempo Ballads still deliver an impact especially with some of the younger Ladies in the audience, including I'll Never Break Your Heart, Quit Playing Games with my Heart and I Want It That Way - all which had the audience singing along in unison.  Their Choreography and Vocals show a level of refinement which only comes with constant Touring and the Backstreet Boys haven't lost a step at all.

BRITNEY SPEARS "FEMME FATALE" TOUR TICKET PRE-SALES ANNOUNCED

Britney Spears VIP Package

Pre-sale Tickets have been announced today for Britney Spears' upcoming Femme Fatale Tour and if I may, I will express my discontent at her appalling Ticket Prices.  Tickets range from $193 to $368 CAN and Specialty Packages also are available. Peruse here.

Particularly shocking is a Britney Spears VIP Package which gives Fans among other things, a Front Row Ticket and an Autographed Tour Book at $999 CAN.  Yes you read that right, a thousand dollars - a Paycheque for many of her Fans - which doesn't even give them a chance to meet her.

As you might recall, Spears took to Twitter in February confirming for Fans that she will be offering Meet & Greets on this Tour, a promise which doesn't look to have been fulfilled.  Come on, Britney - you're an Icon, not God.

Pre-sale Tickets will be available for American Express Cardholders this Thursday, before Tickets are available to the Public on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM EST.

UPDATE: JustJared has just announced that Britney Spears in fact will be doing Meet & Greets with those Fans who purchase the VIP Package after all.  Now that's more like it!  

JESSIE J AT PRIVATE SHOWCASE IN TORONTO

Jessie J in Toronto - April 2011

In a stunning display of Showmanship, Soulful British Siren Jessie J wowed a lucky invite-only Crowd at The Mod Club. Despite canceling various Radio appearances due to a Migraine, Jessie J would not let her Fans (known also as her Heartbeats) down, resting-up and powering her way through a four-song performance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live and an electrifying six-song at the Club in Little Italy.

From the crotch-grabbing bravado of Do it Like a Dude to an all-out tour-de-force rendition of third Single Nobody's Perfect and finally a sunny six-minute version of her biggest Hit yet Price Tag, Jessie J had the Crowd begging for more of those flawless Vocals. Many onlookers were shocked to see Universal Music Canada label mates Far East Movement also in-town for a Show, in the audience supporting their Girl Jessie.

Taking breaks to sign Autographs between Songs on-stage, she also passed the Microphone into the Audience, allowing Fans to ask questions. One Fan asked, "When are you coming back to Toronto?", to which she replied "That depends on the label Big Wigs!", adding "the same serious ones who just stand and never dance!".  During her performance of Nobody's Perfect, she snatched a Fan's Camera and recorded herself singing right into it, drawing cheers from the audience.

Watch Jessie J perform Price Tag in full below:

FAR EAST MOVEMENT IN TORONTO

Kev Nish (Far East Movement) & Mr. Will-W.

The first-ever Asian-American Act to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with massive Hit Like a G6, will forever and always be Far East Movement. The Electropop/Hip-Hop Quartet rolled into town on Sunday after having only recently replaced their faulty Tour Bus. All is well now and the Boys are ready to roll again and I learned they are actually in-town for a Private Show organized by Ryerson University at Kool Haus on Tuesday night, plus some Press.

I crossed paths with Frontman Kev Nish (né Kevin Nishimura) twice actually - once at  a private Showcase for Jessie J. who also is in town and another time out grabbing some Middle Eastern fare on-the-go. Humbled with one hand by offering a handshake ( ...and holding Hummus in the other), he told me how much it meant that I was a Fan of Far East Movement, their Free Wired easily one of my favourite Albums of 2010.

JESSIE J ARRIVES IN TORONTO | SIGNED CD CONTEST

Jessie J in Toronto - April 2011

The absolutely gorgeous and immensely-talented Jessie J arrived in Toronto this Easter Sunday morning to embark on a Media Blitz for her debut Disc from Universal Music Canada, Who You Are. Already a Pop sensation overseas, Jessie J is in-town to do Radio Press and also an appearance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live is slated. She will be capping it all off with an invite-only appearance at The Mod Club, performing a six-song Set.

The Singer/Songwriter has already been awarded the distinction of winning the 2011 BRIT Awards Critics  Choice Award, an honour in prior years bestowed upon the likes of Adele. Above this, her promise has translated to actual commercial success, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart, also a respectable number six on the Canadian Albums Chart and number eleven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart.

Jessie J was all smiles today as she head out to grab some Groceries with her Manager. Most stores however were closed today due to the Holiday but that didn't stop her in her determination to prepare a delicious meal for her Band and Management.  Even with light Makeup, the 23 year-old Firecracker looked stunning in her Toque.

Despite it being rather chilly, she made some time to hang-out with her Toronto Heartbeats (her term for her Fans), signing Autographs and offering to take Photos too. It appears after a bit of a search, she was able locate a nearby Convenience Store to do her Groceries, resolving her problem of what to eat for Easter Dinner.  Earlier in the day she had pondered the matter for a while on Twitter, able to locate only a package of McVities HobNobs in her grasp.

More Photos and Video will come from Jessie J's The Mod Club Show, so remember to check back. And yes, I'm giddy like a School Girl.  Huge Fan.

TIFFANY & DEBBIE GIBSON TO TOUR TOGETHER

Although I’m totally dating myself here, 80’s Teen Idols Debbie (now known as Deborah) Gibson and Tiffany have announced that they will be touring together soon. No dates or cities have been confirmed yet, but the two former Rivals are joining forces on a Tour which will have them performing their biggest Hits, original Tracks and also Covers. Yes, please! I want the VIP Meet & Greet Package, thank you.

The only thing that could possibly make this better is the inclusion of Rick Astley, just like that Nostalgie 80 Concert held back in Quebec City in 2009.

The New York Post broke the story today on Page Six. Read more here.

DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY BRING "COMING HOME" TOUR TO TORONTO

Diddy in Toronto - April 2011

Although it took him 14 years to do it, Sean Combs aka Diddy finally held his first self-headlining Tour in Toronto at Kool Haus. Here with his latest project Diddy-Dirty Money, which features two Co-writers and Vocalists Kalenna Harper and Dawn Richard, the Trio performed highlights from their debut Disc, Last Train to Paris released last December.  

Fashion Icon, Designer, Rapper, Producer, Entrepreneur, Television Personality, Actor - whatever you know him as, Diddy's influence on our generation can be felt deeply, transcending multiple mediums.

Diddy-Dirty Money in an abnormally late start time for a Sunday night, took to the Stage at 11:30 PM, zipping through an energetic first-half which featured mostly new material.  Ass on the Floor, Angels, Loving You No More although more Euro-Disco than what we are accustomed to from Diddy, were the brightest moments - stylized and atmospheric.  Last Night from 2006, also had the Audience in good spirits,  but the biggest treat of all was a surprise Sade Mash-up of No Ordinary Love/Soldier of Love, plus a Cover of Prince's Something in the Water.  

Watch Diddy-Dirty Money perform a their Sade Mash-up below:

RICKY MARTIN SIZZLES WITH "MÚSICA + ALMA + SEXO" TOUR AT CASINO RAMA

Ricky Martin at Casino Rama - April 2011

The perfect physical specimen that is Ricky Martin sizzled the Stage at Casino Rama in Orillia this evening before a packed House, which thankfully was more genuine Fans than High Rollers.   Marketed as a Toronto stop-off in his Música + Alma + Sexo World Tour, it was a bit of a pity that Fans had to go to great lengths on a weeknight to see their favourite Latin Sexy Symbol.  And I'll tell you, the most frustrating thing about having to venture two hours Northwest of the City for a Concert  is seeing unappreciative Casino VIP Members get preferred seating and then wind-up leaving part-way through the Show.

Taking the stage shortly after 8:15 and delivering just-over 90 minutes of hip-shaking energy.  Hits like Vuelve, Livin' la Vida Loca, She Bangs, Shake Your Bon-Bon and Más were delivered to an enthused crowd which by the end of the Set, was on their feet.

Catering to the hearts of his Spanish-speaking Fans, much of the Show's second-half was performed in Martin's Mother Tongue, paying homage to his native Puerto Ricko Rico at one point.  "If you want a beautiful place to vacation, go to Puerto Rico!", he recommended to the crowd.

Cohesive, with a tightly-arranged eight-piece Band and always sexy, the Scandal factor was upped a few notches with Martin engaging in a series of suggestive Tableaus with both his Male and Female Dancers.  At one point he had handcuffed some of them, while letting others place their hands allover that ripped Torso of his.  Lucky Putas.

BRITNEY SPEARS ANNOUNCES "FEMME FATALE" TOUR DATES

Britney Spears in Toronto - March 2009

Although it seemed to take forever to confirm, Britney Spears has announced that she will be kicking off her Femme Fatale Tour on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Sacramento, California. The Tour tentatively is set to wrap on Saturday, August 13, 2011 in Toronto at Air Canada Centre.  

Beginning Saturday, April 30, 2011 you get Tickets for the Show in select cities. With gaps between Tour Dates, surely they are anticipating the great demand leading to additional shows being added?

Joining Spears on tour will be one of the hottest names in Hip-Hop Nicki Minaj in her first Toronto performance, as well as up-and-coming Electropop Act Jessie and the Toy Boys, plus Australian Duo Nervo.

Personally, I’ve seen Spears twice in-concert including her 2009 Circus Tour and she always delivers a spectacle. I do wish she’d interact more with the Audience, so hopefully this time!

A list of dates has been announced below:

MATTHEW MORRISON TO HIT TORONTO ON TOUR

Matthew Morrison

Glee Fans rejoice!  Not only will the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour be rolling through North American this Summer, but Mr. Schuester himself will also be going on Tour and included on the agenda is a Toronto date at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on June 25, 2011.  Morrison is touring in support of his eponymous debut Disc, due May 10, 2011 through Mercury Records.

The 20-date Tour kicks off June 18, 2011 in Minneapolis and ends in Los Angeles at Nokia Theatre on July 23, 2011.  Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM.  

For more details, visit Morrison's official website.  There will indeed be Meet & Greets on this Tour.  This is your big chance to meet him!

(Photo credit: NBC)

FANS PICK NKOTBSB ALBUM TRACKS

NKOTBSB

The Fans have spoken. During the period of March 14 through March 24, 2011, Fans of both New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, collectively known as NKOTBSB, were given an opportunity to vote online for songs which they wanted to be included on the Supergroup’s upcoming collaborative Album. To be released on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 via Sony Music, the Disc promises five Fan-picked Classics from each Group, plus new Music like first Single, Don’t Turn out the Lights - not to be confused with Enrique Iglesias’ Don’t Turn off the Lights.

I already have my Ticket to their Toronto Show on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 (bringing my Nieces) and surely will be there to deliver the scoop! On their itinerary is a rare show at Fenway Park in Boston, scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011. The Tour begins Thursday, May 26, 2011 in Rosemont, Illinois.

Follow NKOTBSB on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

ELLIE GOULDING AT THE PHOENIX IN TORONTO | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Ellie Goulding at The Phoenix - Toronto, March 2011

British sensation Ellie Goulding finally made her Toronto debut this evening at The Phoenix Concert Hall.  Despite a conflicting schedule with the 2011 Juno Awards, I still made it out to enjoy this refreshing talent after having sung her praises last year when first discovering her debut Disc, Lights.  Since then, the Album has been re-packaged and re-released earlier in the month and now she is touring Theatres in North America finally.  

Playing to a packed House, Fans wanted more clearly after the hour-long Set had ended.  Goulding had performed a selection from Lights including Under the Sheets, Every Time You Go, The Writer and an encore which included my favourite, Starry Eyed.  She even threw-in a minimalistic rendition of Elton John's Your Song, which kept the crowd under her control - not an easy feat for an Artist performing at this venue.

A multi-Instrumentalist, the Audience witnessed Goulding alternating between Drums, Guitar and Keyboards as she delivered a genuine performance with her stellar vocal range.

DIDDY BRINGS DIRTY MONEY TO TORONTO

Diddy-Dirty Money

Toronto, can you handle it? Diddy and his latest endeavour, Diddy-Dirty Money will be hitting-up Toronto for a stop-off on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Kool Haus. The Hip-Hop Trio consists of Diddy (Sean Combs), Dawn Richard (formerly of Danity Kane) and Kalenna Harper who currently are achieving some success with their Single, Coming Home which peaked at number nine in on the Billboard Hot 100 in Canada and number twelve in the U.S.

Diddy notes that this Tour will be "historical" in the Video below, marking his first time ever performing live in Toronto. He claims this Tour will be "affordable" and that he will be "doing all the Classics". "It's gonna be crazy", he assures us.  V. well then.

Check out his Video below to promote the Show:

LADY GAGA AND MARIA ARAGON DUET AT TORONTO "THE MONSTER BALL" SHOW

Maria Aragon & Lady Gaga - Air Canada Centre (March 2011)

Instead of repeating a Review of the same show I saw last July, I will point out a few key differences at  Lady Gaga's The Monster Ball Show at Air Canada Centre.  In what is now my sixth time seeing Lady Gaga perform live since her rise to Fame began in 2008 (and third time attending this Tour), I can say with confidence that she vocally is at the top of her game right now.  What is even more impressive is that she did this after a long flight directt from Paris this afternoon, as she had made her Runway debut at a Thierry Mugler Fashion Show last night there.  Congratulating her tired self, she told the audience: "If I can do it, you have no fucking excuse!".

Lady Gaga chats with Fan on Phone

Aside from a few subtle Costume changes and song omissions like Speechless and So Happy I Could Die, a couple exciting bits were infused into tonight's Show.  During Alejandro from her The Fame Monster Disc, she dived right into the audience without warning, giving Fans a giant thrill.  Lady Gaga also called one Fan randomly on his Cell Phone to chat, to which he thanked her for helping inspire him to "out" himself as a young Gay Man.  Aiding Gay Youth is a cause which the Mega-Star believes in strongly, donating proceeds from her Shows to a Charity named Green Chimneys which assists homeless Youth in the LGBT Community.

The ultimate highlight of the evening though was a much-hyped Duet between ten year-old Winnipeg singing sensation Maria Aragon and Lady Gaga, performed not once but twice on stage of U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topper, Born this Way;  one Piano Version, one it is original glory in the encore of the Show.  Gaga visibly was moved by the talent of this young Girl whom she inspired.  

Watch Lady Gaga and Maria Aragon duet on Born This Way (Piano Version):