The concert was amazing. I’m still in shock; I didn’t expect such a big, beautiful production! Neither did I expect to hear Marilyn Manson in the middle of the show…

Here’s the low-down: this tour’s theme is Circus. In fact, it’s called Circus: starring Britney Spears. Stage is made to look like an arena with circus props – rolling cages, bikes, ropes, clowns, jugglers. The show is very inspired by Cirque du Soleil – Britney even performed several magic tricks like appearing and disappearing from inside a box, unexpected costume changes, etc. Speaking of costumes – it’s the part that I loved the most. I’m such a show girl at heart and loved all the glittery hats, pants, body suits, umbrellas! When the lights hit those sequins, it all comes to life and oh, the sparkle!

Britney looks great by the way – healthy, happy, in fantastic shape. Her hair grew out down to the base of her neck since the shaving incident (I noticed the extensions). She looked a little sun-burned – I think she just returned from a vacation. But most importantly, she has the most infectious, disarming, radiant smile in the world! My only complaint was the lip-syncing. I don’t have a problem with a performer lip-syncing per se – when you dance like Britney and can’t hear yourself very well, you sound like this. However, Britney plays the same old album versions you hear on the radio, and that bored me. Madonna and Michael Jackson, for instance, record special “live” versions for when they lip-sync. Maybe I’m used to the rock shows, but to me part of the appeal of a live performance is the interpretation of studio tracks. Don’t expect a heart-felt live performance from Brit – it’s a well-oiled machine of a show where every move is choreographed, every gesture rehearsed and perfected.

Oh, and Marilyn Manson? There was a video segment on the screens where Britney is walking through a dark, sexy party a-la Eyes Wide Shut, lip-syncing to Marilyn’s cover of Sweet Dreams. This girl’s wearing out my S, E, X, and Y keys on the keyboard.

More pix from the Circus tour here!