Concert: Rihanna Brings New Album to Life at "Anti World Tour"
/Rihanna performing at her "Anti World Tour" stop in Boston on April 10th, 2016 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).
Rihanna brought her much-anticipated “Anti World Tour” to Boston’s TD Garden Sunday night. In the three years since her return with her “Diamonds World Tour,” Rih has been hard at work, pumping out hit after hit, including this year’s platinum album “Anti,” and #1 Billboard Hit “Work” featuring Drake. Sunday night’s show was a showcase of all those hits.
With a setlist heavy on tracks from her new album, the singer opened the show on a slower note, walking into the arena opposite the stage, singing her ballads “Stay,” “Love The Way You Lie,” and “Woo.” Following the slow tracks, a small platform descended from above, allowing the Barbadian singer to strut over the audience while singing “Sex With Me.” From there, it was time for throwbacks, with hits like “Cake,” “Pour It Up,” and more, before the arena went all-white for “Bitch Better Have My Money.” The stage and color scheming throughout the night was notable, since it was, to say the least, very simple and minimalistic. The costumes donned by the singer were of all natural colors, while for the most part, lighting on the stage was entirely white (even the tech crew wore all white).
The highlight of the night obviously was Rih’s vocal talent. While there were some interesting production choices (for example, a plastic sheet backdrop rising up right before “Diamonds,” spewing soap and foam), there was no need for the “Anti World Tour” to rely on an expensive production budget to put it over the top. With “Diamonds” and “FourFiveSeconds,” her raw vocals were on full display as the star of the show.
There was no shortage of staples for Rih’s fans, with classics such as “We Found Love,” “Where Have You Been,” and “Umbrella.” Regardless of what Rih sang, though, one thing was evident above all else: she has one of the most devoted fan bases out there. From the second she entered the arena in the beginning to the second she left, she soaked up the love that all 15,000+ people gave her. Every track she sings becomes an instant hit, whether it be on the radio or in the club— and Sunday’s “Anti World Tour” stop in Boston was a showcase of why.