This past Saturday evening, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing a legend in concert for the second time. I first saw Cyndi Lauper live a few years back when she toured in honor of the anniversary of She’s So Unusual. She performed that album cover to cover and it was amazing.
This time, under a gorgeous sky and a cool evening, I saw her doing a more varied set and confirmed that Cyndi is not to be missed.
First up, an incredible young artist, Cecile McLorin Salvant, opened the show. She is a powerhouse jazz vocalist and just absolutely set the stage for an evening of terrific music. A really wonderful talent that is very much worth your time and attention.
I was tremendously excited for Cyndi and when she came on stage and immediately dived into two of my favorite of her songs, the evening was set in motion. The show was backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and it was a wonderful experience to see these classic songs performed with that unique touch. So much so that I am hopeful that she releases an entire record this way.
Not only did she touch on songs throughout her career but she also had her sass and charm on full display. Always responding to shouts of “I love you!” with “I love you too, but rhetorically because we don’t know each other. Not really.” She talked to the crowd a lot and is just a charming delight. She’s funny, whip fast, and has a message she for sure wants to get out there. One of female empowerment and of people coming together in a time of uncertainty.
It was a message carried through the night via song via talking to the audience and via the set list. She clearly had something to say and she said it loud and clear.
She was also a little weary of bees considering she was stung by one the night before while performing She Bop. Luckily for us, no such drama occurred outside of what appeared to be some monitor issues. Throughout the night Cyndi moved and sang her heart out. She released her inner Elvis both in the gold suit she wore and the hip shaking dance moves she unleashed.
I was super stoked for the entire set list and was only disappointed later on when I realized a couple songs she skipped, including one of my favorites Change of Heart. Even now I thought she did far more songs than she actually did that’s how full the show felt.
As the night ended, Cyndi Lauper proved she is one of our most unique talents with a timeless song catalog and a voice that is just as captivating now as it was decades ago. She is for sure a legend and this fan is honored to have seen her again. I can’t wait for round three.
Check out the full setlist below:
Photo Credit: Dustin Downing
All Through the Night
(Jules Shear cover)
I Drove All Night
Unchained Melody
(Les Baxter, His Chorus and Orchestra cover)
She Bop
Hope
Shine
Sally’s Pigeons
I’m Gonna Be Strong
(Frankie Laine cover)
Time After Time
Money Changes Everything
(The Brains cover)
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
(Robert Hazard cover)
Encore:
A Part Hate
True Colors
Garon Cockrell is the Founder and Editor of Pop Culture Beast and host of The Pop Culture Beast Show. He founded the site over seven years ago to have a place on the internet to write about the things he loved. Since then, Garon has become a best-selling author (Demonic and Other Tales), an award winning screenwriter (Best Screenplay 2013 Motor City Nightmares Film Festival), and a cast member on the top rated podcast, Never Not Funny.