By Alexander Allen
8/3 – Today has finally arrived. After seeing all of the cool Instagram posts, Pink’s Summer Carnival 2023 is here at the iconic Citi Field. The home of the NY Mets.
I have such fond memories of Citi Field and Flushing, Queens. In 2017, I had the pleasure of working at the stadium for a scene in the HBO film “Paterno,” starring the legendary Al Pacino, where I was a part of the wardrobe team, as a costumer.
Since around 2013, when I first began working at the US Open, coming to Flushing, Queens has been a fun jaunt and experience. Especially so, when there is a baseball game and a tennis match happening, simultaneously. The 7 train Mets-Willets Point station becomes super packed with sports fans.
Once I entered the ballpark, I immediately felt as if I was at an awesome carnival. Pink’s pink and blue imagery showcased all around the venue set the tone, as did, the various hues of pink sported by the concert attendees, and the pink cotton candy that was being sold.
For tonight’s concert, GroupLove and Brandi Carlile were Pink’s opening acts. One of the many aspects that I love about attending a headliner’s concert is sometimes being introduced to their opening act(s) for the first time. That was the case for GroupLove and I tonight. Brandi Carlile, I was familiar with from fairly recent award show performances. Great voice and style. Tonight, however, I became even more acclimated with her talent. Especially, when she reappeared, this time for a duet with Pink to tribute the late, great Sinead O’Connor, with their beautiful rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which was written by my all-time favorite artist, Prince.
Before and in between the opening acts, DJ Kid Cut Up, who I was also introduced to tonight for the first time, was spinning aughts pop (Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl”) and old school hip hop songs (Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It”) that kept the vibes light, nostalgic, and most importantly, fun.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for; the lights went out and an AI simulation of Pink welcomed us to the show and encouraged us to “Get The Party Started.” Cue a pair of tilted red rockstar lips, high above center stage, that opened up to reveal Pink. I mean!!! How cool is that?! It’s one of the coolest concert entrances that I’ve seen to date. After greeting the crowd, acts one of four commenced with the first set of acrobatic visuals. Pink’s astonishing entrances and exits are seriously unparalleled. More on the exits later. “Raise Your Glass” kept the high energy first act rolling, followed by more fan favorites before closing out the act with the dance remix to “What About Us.”
“Turbulence,” one of several new, fantastic tracks off Pink’s latest album, “Trustfall,” was beautifully performed as an aerial stunt, with a fellow male dancer without a safety net underneath them. This added to the allure of the stunning, poetic choreography. Unequivocally, Pink has created, dominated, and owns this space.
I consider myself a twenty-six year Pink fan; as in 1999, I had the opportunity to work as a fashion stylist assistant for an editorial shoot of hers, when she was virtually unknown. On set, I saw her authentic and raw personality, and talent, when she sang impromptu for the crew. I knew right then and there, that she was a star and that she was going to go far. Throughout those two and half plus decades, I wasn’t aware that Pink knew how to play the piano, until this tour. She played and sang, “Make You Feel My Love,” a Bob Dylan cover. Prior to doing so, Pink stated that she fell in love with the song when Adele sang it and that she likes her a lot.
In act three, the highlight for me was when Pink performed, what is her favorite live song to sing, presently, “I Am Here,” from her “Beautiful Trauma” album. The soulful rendition took me back to Pink’s R&B debut album, “Can’t Take Me Home.” I love the music she is creating now, but I do miss the urban Pink, as well. Who else can completely switch genres on their second album? ROCKSTAR.
When attending concerts, I like to not know everything about the concert beforehand to keep an element of surprise in play. With that said, know that I’ve shared only key highlights. There are other very cool moments, that I will not spoil for you. In act four, my two highlights that I’ll share are the following: 1. “Trustfall,” the title track from Pink’s latest album, showcases one of her newest tricks, which she displayed at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she received the Icon Award. During the award show opening performance, Pink’s acrobatic dancers repeatedly ricocheted themselves up and down the stage onto staircases and a tall, slender, center stage. Very cool sneak peek to what her tour would look like. A first!
2. To close out the show, Pink chose to do so the way she did her last tour, to her smash hit single, “So What,” where she is propelled all around the stadium, including to the very back and nose bleed sections, while twirling, toppling, flipping, and most importantly, singing live! Another first that I, personally, never get tired of witnessing live.
Don’t walk, but run to see Pink’s Summer Carnival 2023 now and Trustfall tour in the fall.
