August 14, 2001
R&B's Independent Women strut their stuff in gold lame

TORONTO -- Glamorous costumes, vocal drama and, unfortunately, bad sound figured prominently last night as R&B-pop trio Destiny's Child performed for 13,500 fans at the Air Canada Centre as part of their first headlining tour of North America.

Group members Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams launched their 65-minute show with Independent Women Part I, one of last year's biggest hits that was featured on the Charlie's Angels soundtrack.

Destiny's Child rose out of the floor on their enormous stage in the classic pose from the '70s TV female detective series, then climbed down a set of stairs -- one of three -- that dwarfed them and their five-piece band. Backed up by eight dancers, the three women then strutted their formidable stuff in gold lame and jewel-encrusted halter tops, short shorts and matching boots.

But given the loud, muddy sound, what should have been a showcase for the group's trademark soaring vocal harmonies became a lesson in the value of eye candy.

After crowd favourites Bills, Bills, Bills and Say My Name were trotted out, a video of the threesome being interviewed led to a costume change into sparkling silver gowns and bare feet for a cover of the Bee Gees' Emotion from their latest album, Survivor, with Rowland taking over lead vocals from Knowles.

Williams did likewise on a cover of Oooh Child, but it was clear during most of the songs that Knowles was the Chosen Child, particularly when she broke into some vocal acrobatics -- aided by a moving staircase and shooting steam -- during the new ballad Dangerously In Love.

However, it was an a cappella gospel medley that best showed off the trio's combined vocal strength, which made you wonder just how good the concert might have been with the proper sound.

Another crowd pleaser was Destiny's Child's latest single, Bootylicious, featuring the girls in jewel-encrusted halter tops, pink satin pants, black fedoras and ankle boots.

I thought they worked their outfits best when decked out in jewelled mini-skirts with fringe for their brief Tina Turner homage leading up to Jumpin', Jumpin' and, later, grass skirts for their megahit Survivor.

Even tennis star Serena Williams -- in town for the Rogers AT&T Cup at York University -- was on stage by the end of the final song of the night, Happy Face. She was smiling and dancing alongside other audience members while hundreds of yellow balloons with happy faces and silver confetti were released into the air.

Opening for Destiny's Child last night were pop acts Sugar Jones, 3LW and Dream, plus one-named rappers Eve and Nelly with his crew St. Lunatics.

Pretty much all I could hear from the sixth-floor media gondola during Eve and Nelly's half-hour and 50-minute sets, respectively, was pounding bass and drums and very little vocals.

Given the strength of singles by both artists -- in particular Nelly -- that was unfortunate for those in the nosebleed section who actually wanted to hear what was going on.

Otherwise, the audience was on its feet and dancing regardless. And with the obligatory flashing and neon lights, pyrotechnics and confetti -- not to mention all-terrain bikes, plenty of smoke and sheer enthusiasm during Nelly's set -- maybe that's all they really needed.

It certainly didn't hurt that Eve was sporting a cropped Toronto Raptors tank top with Vince Carter's No. 15 on it, or that members of St. Lunatics were waving Canadian flags. They even sang a snippet of our national anthem. (More on Destiny's Child)

SET LIST

Independent Women Part I

No, No, No

Bug-A-Boo

Bills, Bills, Bills

Say My Name

Emotion

The Story Of Beauty

Oooh Child

Dangerously In Love

Gospel Medley

Bootylicious

Nasty Girl

Proud Mary/Jumpin', Jumpin'

ENCORES:

Survivor

Happy Face

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5