This week has flown by in a whirlwind of deadlines and footy fun. I’ve scarcely had a moment to stop and absorb seeing Cher last week. I see a lot of concerts, so I don’t often have those shows where I’m bouncing around in anticipation. This one though, this was a bucket list event. The chance to see a true icon, at my old stomping ground of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre no less!
I must admit, I was surprised to hear there was a support act. How on earth do you support Cher? Andrew McClelland pulled it off in his own sensational style. He was billed as a DJ, but really he was so much more than that. Watching him dance with such joy and abandon to hits from Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, and other retro-fabulous acts was everything. I wish I had a photo that properly showed you what he was all about, but he was moving so fast his performance was impossible to capture.
I was having so much fun I almost forgot what I was there for, until one name was beamed up on the back of the stage and the screens. Cher. When you’re an icon, you only need one name to identify you. Watching a montage of footage and photos from her history, my excitement was fever pitch. And there she was, suspended above the stage on some regal kind of platform, with a flaming red wig and disco ball sparkly outfit. I wish I could have shown you, but all those sparkles were dazzling my camera. You’ll just have to believe me: she looked fierce. Feminist anthems “Woman’s World” and “Strong Enough” were the perfect openers.
I must admit, my enthusiasm waned a little as Cher launched into a rambling anecdote about aging, David Letterman, and her enthusiasm for acting. I love moments when artists share part of themselves with us, but her story went on so long and doubled back on itself so many times she started to lose us. No mean feat for such a commanding presence. It was the only real misstep though, and soon enough she was perched on an elephant wearing robes and delivering “Gayatri Mantra” like some kind of Indian queen. Because of course she was.
It might have taken a little while to settle in, but once she did Cher was everything I hoped she’d be. The anecdotes were tight and impactful. Her vocals were note perfect. Her costumes were breathtaking, and with dancers, aerialists, and acrobats keeping us entertained we barely noticed her slip away, only to return in something more fabulous.
These shows were billed as Cher’s farewell to Australia. If this is the last time we see her on our shores, I can’t imagine too many people will be disappointed. She played for us all, from the baby boomers who watched Sonny and Cher to the young things who hadn’t heard of her before recent starring turns in Burlesque and Mamma Mia 2. I was especially moved to hear she hasn’t performed “I Got You Babe” in many years. Seeing her sing it “with” Sonny again, thanks to the magic of technology, was so special. I shared my mum’s excitement when Cher played her favourite song, “Half Breed,” and had my own moments of bliss when she sang “After All,” from the movie Chances Are. I’ve never really been an ABBA fan, but I couldn’t help but be swept up in the fun of her covers of “Waterloo,” “SOS,” and “Fernando.” By the time she launched into “If I Could Turn Back Time” and the closer “Believe,” we were all on our feet, singing and dancing our hearts out.
The words icon and legend get bandied around a little too freely for my liking. They should be reserved for the true creative forces of this world, people like Cher. I had such high expectations of this show, but she exceeded them. At 72, no less. What a privilege to bask in her aura for just a little while.
Image source: Stephen Katulka
