Stefani is the 'Real Thing'

Published on August 23, 2007

Gwen Stefani's concert at Impact Arena last Sunday wasn't a monster in terms of production, but in terms of performance, she certainly proved that she's the definition of cool. Touring Asia to promote her latest album, "The Sweet Escape", she literally swept fans off their feet and held them suspended from beginning to end.

The stage was smaller than expected, with few lighting effects. A small projector at the back screened some Japanese images and Stefani's evolution, but it contributed little to the show until almost the end.

Boredom was beginning to creep in when Stefani's dancers appeared and staged a chase scene with the security guards around the concert floor. Hoping that Gwen might be among them, everyone on the ground floor stood on their seats for a better look.

The singer finally appeared - onstage - performing what's already become one of her most popular songs, "Sweet Escape".

Stefani, 38, looked the same as she did back in her days with No Doubt, with her red lipstick and platinum blonde hair pulled up in a pony tail.

Dressed in a mix of Harujaku-style togs, with a striped corset micro-dress and cape, she nevertheless made her own personal fashion statement, and it was all glam.

The crowd stayed standing and kept on screaming, and she didn't let the energy level falter, moving through a string of hits in sequence, from "Rich Girl" and "Yummy" to the slow and heart-breaking "4 in the Morning" and "Luxurious", the last of which she dedicated to her fans.

Despite mixed press reviews of her album, which was inspired by Madonna and Prince tunes with an '80s disco feel, Stefani had no problem keeping the audience enraptured with her image.

She stopped to greet her fans with a strongly accented "Sawasdee kha", but that wasn't the only conversation she had with her fans.

When she dedicated "Early Winter", an '80s ballad written by Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley, she touched their hearts again.

"This is for all of you in the back," Stefani called out. "I can see you, feel you!" In her wide eyes was a genuine reflection of love for her fans.

"Do you know how happy I am to be here right now, to see all you delicious people?" She even engaged some in the crowd in a little chat, telling about her trip to a gold market and getting a dress custom-made here.

"Kaw siang soa soa noi!" she cried at another point, urging the female members of the audience to make some noise as she headed into "Hollaback Girl".

At mid-show she ran all the way to the back of the hall and, while security watched nervously, climbed up the second floor to touch fans' hands while singing "Cool".

Several people from the third level rushed down to get in on the fun. And when she took off her micro jacket during her yodel song "Wind It Up" to reveal her toned physique, everyone gasped in admiration.

Stefani dedicated "Real Thing" to Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who was in the audience. "I've never had a princess at my show before," she said. The tune was a duet with Gail Ann Dorsey, former bassist and back-up vocalist for David Bowie. By the end of the show, the fans still hadn't had enough. Stefani encored with "What You Waiting For?", a perfect song for the end of the concert, revealing that she's not just an "Orange County" girl.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

 The Nation