Calvin Harris and Rihanna 29/11/11

Calvin Harris and Rihanna are two of the biggest names in the music industry at the moment. After their collaboration song ‘We Found Love’ reached number one, it was the perfect line up for an amazing night of dance and pop music.

Calvin Harris arrived on stage with an amazing lightshow in the background. He entered the DJ box and despite only being able to see his silhouette it was apparent it was him from his amazing music abilities and voice. As well as playing his own songs, he mixed in popular chart songs such as ‘Party Rock Anthem’ by LMFAO to engage the crowd and to give them fresh new music to listen to. Through the use of his musical skills he was able to make the whole sold-out NIA Arena move around and become extremely excited for Rihanna. When he asked the crowd to scream so loud that Rihanna could hear them back stage the sound was almost deafening! Calvin Harris is an incredible versatile DJ and amazing to watch live.

As soon as the lights dimmed and a video of Rihanna started playing the tension was unbearable. When she appeared on stage it was amazing, she opened with her single ‘Only Girl (In the World)’, which sold over a million copies. Her voice was astounding, and proved that despite her sex-symbol status, she was still an incredible singer. She used many different props and pyrotechnics, including a car and dancing crash-test dummies for ‘Shut Up and Drive’, pole dancers for her incredibly unique cover of Prince’s ‘Darling Nikki’ and chains and whips for the provocative ‘S&M’. She even had a tank that shot out smoke for ‘Hard’. One incredibly lucky female was brought onto stage with Rihanna for ‘Skin’. Despite using so many props on stage she was still able to dance and sing incredibly, much more than most ‘pop stars’ around at the moment. She had many different costume changes including a leather corset, a beautiful yellow dress and sparkly underwear. ‘Unfaithful’ proved her voice was extremely versatile and has shown how much she has progressed in the past few years.

Rihanna is an incredible music icon and puts on a fantastic stage show. Anyone who has the chance to see her live should definitely take it up as no matter what genre of music you are into, you will be amazed by her stage presence and beautiful voice. 

An Evening With Dimmu Borgir 26/11/11

Dimmu Borgir are one of the most highly regarded Norwegian black metal bands, and have been since their formation in 1993. There was no support band; this night was all about Dimmu Borgir, and in particular their 1997 album ‘Enthrone Darkness Triumphant’. The first set was Dimmu Borgir playing the album in its entirety, and for many in the audience it brought the feeling of nostalgia from the first time they heard the amazing album. Shagrath has an incredible stage presence; it was almost impossible not to watch his every move. Even fourteen years after then album was released, he still sounded as incredible live as he does on the recording. Opening with ‘Mourning Palace’, the crowd was mesmerised by the band and they proved they are still going strong. Shagrath dedicated ‘A Succubus in Rapture’ to the females in the audience and it was definitely a crowd favourite. After the last track on the album, ‘Raabjørn Speiler Draugheimens Skodde’, the band left the stage.

After a short break the band, in which Daray played an incredible drum solo, the band appeared back on stage and still looking raring to go. Their stage outfits were amazing; their world-renowned face paint, black leather clothes, boots and spikes everywhere. They played such classics as the metal anthem ‘Dimmu Borgir’, ‘Gateways’ and ‘Puritania’. Their performance of ‘The Serpentine Offering’ was perfect and a great example of Norwegian black metal at its finest.

 All in all, Dimmu Borgir put on an intense live show and proved that they will still be going strong in years to come.