Two air guitars blast “dun-dun-dun-danana” as the curtains open to flurry of black leather and biker boots. It’s so loud I can feel the rhythm pulsing through my body like a heartbeat, and I would have thought about putting in the neon pink earplugs they gave us before the show if I hadn’t been stuck in a trance. I felt like I was in an underground club, or at least a Lady Gaga music video.
But it was even better then a music video. I was at Miley Cyrus’ “Can’t Be Tamed” concert at the House of Blues on June 21. The song lineup, a mix of old rock-and-roll, pop and heartfelt ballads, had me singing, dancing and wishing I had a lighter to wave in the air.
It was standing room only, but that didn’t matter: I wouldn’t have been able to sit during this electric, passionate concert. There’s something captivating about standing squished in a crowd of strangers and singing along while someone pours her heart out onstage. It’s what made “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” so powerful. A slow but energetic remake of Poison’s song from 1988, it has a rock-and-roll vibe and familiar lyrics. Miley borrowed lyrics from Joan Jett as well, singing “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Bad Reputation,” neither of which are on the new album.
“Can’t Be Tamed” took the concert in the opposite direction, taking inspiration from 2010. The singing and dance moves were reminiscent of Rihanna’s “Disturbia” music video, flirting with the line between artistic and creepy. While the genre is pop, it’s nothing like the sugar-sweet pop from the 90’s. Edgier and scarier with crazy-eyes and hair flips, and complete with a fake kiss with a female dancer, it was entertaining but a bit shocking to see in person.
On a different note was “My Heart Beats For Love.” Dedicated to the fight for gay marriage, the song is cool and mellow but Cyrus sang it with passion. It’s the type of song you want to close your eyes and sway too, and by the end the crowd was waving peace signs in the air.
Between songs, Miley spoke to fans, discussing what she had intended when she wrote a certain song or good-naturedly asking fans to listen to her music in any form — even downloaded illegally off the internet. It added a relaxed tone to the night.
Overall, I was impressed. Miley Cyrus herself had written some powerful lyrics, and performed with much energy. She skillfully mixed a dance-party-pop vibe with the strong but calm atmosphere of the ‘70’s and 80’s. It was a step in a mature direction, away from Hannah Montana. This new album is a Miley Cyrus you’ve never seen before.
