P!nk’s Summer Carnival feat. The Script and Sheryl Crow Packs the Dome to Capacity | 08.10.24 (with photo gallery)

Photo of P!nk by Laura Tucker

The Dome at America’s Center was packed to the rafters on Saturday night. Many of those filing in likely had this date circled in bold on their calendar months ago, counting down the days in anticipation. There was something in the air; possibly invisible glitter.

As we find our seats and wait for the first of three performances, DJ KidCutUp spins a few records to pass the time. Also filling the fifteen-minute intermissions between artists was a nice touch.

First up, a band that has a stealth-like presence in the industry. They have at least four hits but sort of fly under the radar until you hear them and remember just how good they are. I’m referring to the Irish band The Script.They played “Breakeven,” “For the First Time,” and “Hall of Fame.” My fingers were crossed for “Nothing” but they didn’t get to it. They put on an excellent show with a solid sound. Frontman Danny O’Donoghue wore a cape-like jacket that seemed tailor-made for the song “Superheroes.” We were off to a nice start.

Tonight, we have a special guest in the house: Sheryl Crow. A Missouri native with a laid-back Southern Rock vibe who feels like an old friend, she played hit after hit like “Soak Up The Sun,” “All I Wanna Do,” and “If It Makes You Happy,” reminding us of her impressive discography. Rocking a black leather vest and short set with long fringe, she still looks like she did years ago.

While this has been great so far, the mostly female audience adorned in a certain color fills the last of the open seats in the Dome just in time. At 8:50, the lights go down. The larger-than-life Summer Carnival scene comprised of massive blow-up decorations and brightly colored graphics is revealed. A Max Headroom-style intro (kids, look it up) appears and welcomes us with kind words.

Suddenly, large red lips open above the stage like they’re waiting for a Twizzler. She appears inside them before dropping from the ceiling like a scene straight out of Mission: Impossible. And it would be impossible for any other artist, but this one is extraordinary. The cirque-like acrobatic performance would be entertaining enough on its own but combining that with the powerhouse vocals that make her one of the best in the business, can only be described with one word…. P!NK.

Raise your glasses and buckle your seatbelts, this is going to be a wild ride! Beginning with that famous party anthem, she got the party started! Spinning around in a black leotard and high-heeled boots until finding her way onto the solid ground of the stage, she has arrived.

The night would have been great if she just performed her long list of hits that now span 24 years, but she also took the time to talk to fans, tell stories, and connect with an audience of thousands. Her laugh is contagious and her charisma is genuine.

She performed with spunk and vocal perfection—at times, singing softly on songs like “My Own Worst Enemy” (acoustic) and “Beautiful Trauma” making us want to cry, while on others hitting impossible notes with songs like “Just Like Fire” mashed up with “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar, making us want to scream.

She also paid tribute to Four Non-Blondes with a striking rendition of “What’s Up” with the entire audience singing along while waving their phone lights. Yeah, it was that kind of moment.

She finished out the set with “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” while introducing her band family and “So What” while performing one last aerial stunt, proving she is in fact, still a rock star! | Laura Tucker

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