Live Review: Gwen Stefani in Phoenix

April 30, 2007 11:52 AM
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
LiveDaily Contributor
To cop a line from Gwen Stefani [ tickets ]'s song "Hollaback Girl," the pop and fashion icon's show Saturday (4/28) at Phoenix's Cricket Pavilion was b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
The 20,000-plus, sold-out crowd was enthusiastic straight through the show--from the opening numbers by Brit rapper Lady Sovereign [ tickets ] and uber-popular Senegalese reggae-rapper Akon [ tickets ] through Stefani's 90-minute set.

Fans' excitement exploded when pop's leading lady hit the stage close to 10:20 p.m. to the tune of Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives." The subtle taps of a tambourine hinted at opening number "The Sweet Escape."

The No Doubt frontwoman--who, along with her Harajuku Girls, was dressed as a convict (she'd make multiple costume changes throughout the night)--arrived on stage in a faux-gold-gilded cage that slid through an opening in the platform on which her band stood. A large, Las Vegas-like "G" lit up the top of the stage, and a nine-piece video screen provided the backdrop. At the end of "The Sweet Escape," the dancers were rustled into the cage, which retreated backstage.

"So this is what 20,000 people looks like," Stefani told the crowd before launching into "Rich Girl." Bubbling gold lit up the video screens as the audience sang along to the "na nas."

For the delicious "Yummy," Stefani walked on a moving walkway with two keyboard players--similar to Jamiroquai circa 1997.

"Early Winter," a song she dubbed as one of her favorites from the new album, was sweet and tender.

One of the night's highlights was "Wind It Up," during which she and her dancers dressed as schoolboys and girls and arrived via a moving staircase. The song's title flashed on the nine-piece video screen as she yodeled her way through the number.

A tribute to ex-boyfriend and No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal, "Cool," was sung from a small stage in the middle of the pavilion. During "Orange County Girl" she paid tribute to her family--husband/Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and baby Kingston--via videoscreens. Earlier in the night, Stefani said Kingston had played in a portable pool at the venue all day, and was asleep on the tour bus.

The show's pacing was impeccable. Instead of silence or banter between songs, Stefani's band played musical interludes, or breakdancers entertained.

Lady Sovereign, known for her acerbic attitude, softened her tough image to smile and laugh with the audience during "Hoodie." Vocally, however, she was hoarse, leaving her techno-flavored rap "Love Me or Hate Me" mediocre.

Many in the audience were clearly there to see Akon, who joined Stefani on her opening number, "The Sweet Escape." Applause and screams erupted when he sang "Smack That," but the set's momentum slowed down significantly when he introduced the latest addition to his Kon Live family, scantily clad Jamaican sisters Brick and Lace. Better use could have been made of the time he had during his set. When he returned to the stage after their two-song performance, Akon played the annoying "Lonely" after explaining that, pre-fame, he was unable to find a date. Now, the women are lining up to be with him.

While closing his set, he told the audience, "Thank you for making this a beautiful family event." Ironic, considering he let loose a few four-letter words during his 45 minutes.

Gwen Stefani's Set List:

"The Sweet Escape"
"Rich Girl"
"Yummy"
"4 in the Morning"
"Luxurious"
"Early Winter"
"Wind It Up"
"Danger Zone"
"Hollaback Girl"
"Now That You Got It"
"Don't Get It Twisted"
"Cool"
"Wonderful Life"
"Orange County Girl"

Encore:
"The Real Thing"
"What You Waiting For?"

source

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 30 - West Valley City, UT - The "E" Center

FAN POSTS ON THE NO DOUBT FORUM
utahnodoubtfan -Just Got Back From Utah Show

Hey folks last night was so much fun. I took four disposable camera's worth of film from the 3rd row.
I met the Harajuku Girl "Muisc" and the break dancer "Ramadie" from Virgina.
Plus I saw Donny Spada doing guitar tech work and yelled his name.
He looked at me and saw my ND shirt and gave me a thumbs up.
Plus Gwen talked about at the show how her and Gavin where in a Starbucks in Salt Lake and Gwen spilled coffee all down her chest into her shoes.
She asked "but where was the papparrzze when you need them?" (go to the forum toread more )

Gwen Stefani Impressed Crowd in Sold Out Performance Saturday Evening.

All eyes were on the reigning blonde pop princess when she performed for a sold-out crowd – which consisted of mothers and young daughters, couples and fashionable vixens in their teens, 20s and 30s – at Cricket Pavilion Saturdayphotos

And Stefani, who had a handful of costume changes throughout her 90-minute set, gave them an eyeful with flashy ensembles, showcasing her buff arms and amazing abs.

“It’s hard to believe she had a son,” Brie Peterson, 22, of Mesa, says referring to Stefani’s little boy with Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, Kingston. “She looks fabulous … I think Gwen is such a trendsetter. People are always curious what she’s going to do next.”

Peterson, who was wearing a black L.A.M.B. tank top and toting a first edition black-and-white L.A.M.B. bag, was one of many people in the audience wearing items from Stefani’s fashion line or carrying one of the singer’s coveted purses. Some even held up the singer’s dolls.

“Gwen has a great fashion sense,” Peterson says. “I love her clothes. They have so much personality. I think a lot of girls look up to her and want to be like her.”

The trendsetter Stefani launched her set at 10:30 p.m. with the title track from her sophomore solo album “The Sweet Escape,” released last December.

Dressed in a glittery black-and-white striped number, the singer exited a jail cell and was flocked by four Japanese dancers known as the Harajuku Girls. A large illuminated G hung above the stage as a giant video screen splashed colorful imagery behind her. Stefani was also backed by some male hip-hop dancers and a full band — included keyboards, bass and drums.

“It’s show No. 5,” Stefani told the crowd. “Look how beautiful you look. Wow, 20,000 people.”

Stefani performed the majority of tracks from her critically-panned latest disc – such as “Yummy,” “Now That You Got It” and the “Sound of Music”-esque “Wind It Up.” She also covered favorites like “Rich Girl,” “Hollaback Girl” and “Luxurious” from 2004’s “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.”

Stefani was at her best when she performed slower, stripped-down gems such as “Cool” — which she sang in the middle of the pavilion — and “Early Winter.”

Her set also included the random circus-themed “Don’t Get It Twisted” and the laughable “Orange County Girl.” A slideshow of photos from Stefani’s childhood and rise to fame with the Orange County, Calif., band No Doubt highlighted the latter, but Stefani has clearly proven she’s more than simply an O.C. girl in the last few years. The audience erupted into cheers when photos of Kingston or Rossdale appeared.

“He’s on the bus sleeping right now,” Stefani told the crowd earlier in the evening, referring to her son.

Stefani closed her set with a brief encore, which included “The Real Thing” and “What You Waiting For.”

“Gwen just rocked tonight,” Brandon Thorsati, 27, of Tempe, said. “I wish she would have played longer. I love watching her do her thing. She’s really talented. I can’t wait until she comes back to Phoenix.”

Pint-sized rapper Lady Sovereign and reggae/rapper Akon opened the show.

Set list

“The Sweet Escape”
“Rich Girl”
“Yummy”
“4 in the Morning”
“Luxurious”
“Early Winter”
“Wind It Up”
“Danger Zone”
“Hollaback Girl”
“Now That You Got It”
“Don’t Get It Twisted”
“Cool”
“Wonderful Life”
“Orange County Girl”

Encore:
“The Real Thing”
“What You Waiting For?”

Concert review: Gwen Stefani’s sold-out performance is B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Gwen Stefani performs to a sold-out crowd at Cricket Pavilion on Saturday, April 28.


Gwen Stefani has one heck of a commanding presence.

By Kelly Wilson,

Gwen Stefani's ear and eye candy

By Larry Rodgers
The Arizona Republic

The summer concert season is very young, but Phoenix may already have witnessed the tour that is packed with the most pure pop fun.

Gwen Stefani brought her Harajuku Girls dancers, a dialed-in band, her upbeat persona and enough costumes to make Cher jealous to Cricket Pavilion on Saturday night.

Despite iffy weather earlier in the day, Cricket was filled to capacity -- 20,000 fans. It's rare for the sprawling venue to have absolutely every seat and space on the lawn filled.

"Is this what 20,000 people looks like?" Stefani screamed after opening with the title track from her latest album, "The Sweet Escape."

She received a roar in reply, and the roars continued throughout her 90-minute set, which went nearly til midnight -- late for a show at Cricket, where sound bleeding into nearby neighborhoods can be a concern late at night.

No one was complaining inside Cricket as Stefani, her white-blond hair pulled back in a stylish ponytail, performed much of "The Sweet Escape," as well as some faves from her solo debut, 2004's "Love, Angel, Music, Baby."

After opener Akon played up the title of his latest CD, "Konvicted," with a large image of chained hands, Stefani continued that theme in her entrance, which was grand, as anticipated.

The huge platform holding her band parted and a large cage slid to center stage, with Stefani emerging in the kind of jail outfit only she could envision: a glittering black-and-silver-striped blouse and short-shorts showing off the longest legs in pop music (now that Tina Turner is pretty much retired).

For the second song, 2004's "Rich Girl," Stefani donned a glittering black cape, as her four Harajuku Girls and their male counterparts threw bags of money around.

Stefani, whose L.A.M.B. fashion line generates millions in sales per year, changed or modified her costume about 15 times during the evening.

She wore a mini-chef's hat and a mini-apron for "Yummy," a short dress with Japanese-style padding on the back for "Luxurious," a checkered skirt for "Wind It Up" and a workout-style outfit for "Now That You Got It" that showed off a midriff offering no clue that Stefani is a 37-year-old mommy. (She said her son, Kingston, was asleep out back in the tour bus.)

Stefani moved through all the songs with the precision, energy and professionalism reminiscent of a certain Material Girl who blazed the trail for hot female singer-dancers a few decades ago.

She yodeled and spun her way through "Wind It Up," got emotional on the bittersweet "Early Winter" and, along with her band, built "Orange County Girl" to a climax that ended the regular set with a wall of sound.

Stefani ran into the middle of the reserved-seating sections to drive the crowd crazy and perform "Cool" from "L.A.M.B." It unfolded into a fun moment after one of the night's only glitches, a weak wireless-microphone signal early in the song, was remedied.

Stefani's songwriting might not be the deepest in the world ("I'm feelin' yummy head to toe / Ain't got no patience so let's go") but she's a heavyweight when it comes to delivering ear and eye candy for the summer concert season.

Akon, who grew up in West Africa, did a great job of warming the crowd up for Stefani.

His deft rapping weaves in a strong element of melody that makes his hip-hop stand out from the crowd.

He had no trouble coaxing the audience into a loud call-and-response for "Shake Down," from the 2006 "Konvicted" album.

Two other high-profile tracks from that CD, "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You," became singalongs.

With two albums now under his belt, Akon has found quick success, but he's still only getting started.

Young British rapper Lady Sovereign played a short set to start the evening.

source

Adrian Young attends-'A Concert For Lili Claire' 2007 Red Carpet Arrivals at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Resort

Magni Asgeirsson, Dilana Robichaux, Adrian Young and Nick Radovanovic

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 28 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 27 - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre

WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT THE FANS HAD

Thanks to Mike (gwenabee831 on the forum) we have some great pics
Gwen Stefani and Siirley Mason performing "Wonderful Life" together at gibson



More great pics HERE
Gwen Stefani and Siirley Mason performing "Wonderful Life"




more pics and
news at nodoubtweb where you can also download an HQ version!


Gwen's Husband Gavin Rossdale in the audience

picture Thanks to xgirl45 on the ND forum-go HEREto see more of her pics and read her review and how she spotted Gavin

a nice picture of Tony thanks to ~Sum~Sum~ on the ND forum

check out how ~Sum~Sum~ got to see Tony-here

another great pic taken by ~Sum~Sum~ from the ND forum

SassyBoyForSure-Here are my pics from the Gibson show!!!!

heres one of SassyBoyForSures pics-check out the others on the forum

HERES MORE FROM MARI(NoDoubtfulLamb on the forum)

We handed her a dozen pink & white roses..."

"you can see the ndweb written on the flowers hahaha"

Check out the other pictures Maricela (Mari)(NoDoubtfulLamb on the forum) has postedHERE
and what else she has to tell of the amazing time she had!
orange county girl and Gwen taking the Roses off Julio:)

video thanks to tbolmedo (TickTockTiff on the forum)
and here are a few more of her videos
Luxurious

Early Winter

The Real Thing

to see some of TickTockTiffs pictures go HERE
and her great video clips goHERE

find out the story behind this picture see more pics at justnodoubt

Gwen Rocks the Ultimate Fashion Accessory

Gwen Stefani is lookin' "hella good!" Looks like G has whipped herself into fant-AB-ulous shape since the birth of her super-cute son Kingston, who will celebrate his first birthday May 26.



The 37-year-old mom looked smashing in a ripped crop top, jeans, a simple ponytail, a necklace, aviator specs and a swipe of red lipstick. Stefani's "The Sweet Escape" world tour will keep the pop mom busy through October ... and she looks ready!

10 on the MILE scale! Perhaps she can talk to Britney?
TMZ.com

Maricela (Mari)(NoDoubtfulLamb on the forum)has written a great review of her meeting with Gwen

Where should I start?

Ok let me begin by thanking the 3 girls who were with me during this wonderful experience and joined me in the OC Hospital Charity Auction.... Dana, Jen & Christie Thanks so much I couldn't have done this without you guys <3 RUCAS

We all met at my house @ 1:00pm to take off on our road trip, by almost 2:00pm we were on the road to Bakersfield which is approx. 119 miles from Los Angeles. We arrived @ almost 5:00pm after some traffic we encounter on the 405 fwy. We drove directly to the venue "Robocop Arena" lol to scope things out, there was no one waiting around so we decided to get some grub. Our first stop was Jack In The Box we all needed to freshen up and use the ladies room after a long drive. We order some food but we didn't eat much because the nerves where pretty much high at this point and we didn't want the food to come back and hunt us when we met Gwen. After a few bites we got all ready and headed back to the venue.

We arrived at 6:00pm and bought some merch in the stands outside the venue, we didn't want to carry our mrch around so we took it back to the car. On our way to the car I met a My Space friend... Nice meeting you I love your necklace :)

Anyhow we went to the front of the line and heard a lady asking for the auction winners so we flagged her down and told her it was us (with big cheesy smiles on our faces) ha ha she told us to wait for a bit while she called Gwen's tour manager. So we got all ready and started writing some thoughts on a Thank You card we bought for Gwen along with a Gwen drawing (poster size) that I bought and had been wanting to give to her. After about 15 minutes she told us to come in and wait a little more for the tour manager and she handed us our tickets and a package that included our Premium Concert T-Shirts, 4 Autographed "The Sweet Escape" Cd's and our meet and greet passes. We got into the venue and we put on our passes and we stayed to the side waiting for the tour manager.

He finally came and introduced himself to us and was really nice. He explained to us what will be happening and took us on a tour of the whole behind the scenes where the Gwen Crew works really hard to make this shit happen. We were pretty amazed to see how many people it takes for one show. We got to see the control room, dressing rooms, dinner, security office (where Curtis was making sure everything was set and secure), wardrobe personnel and we even got to see little Kingston in the hallways being taken care of by his babysitter... he's adorable and smiled and giggled with us when he saw us hehe. After the backstage tour he took us to show us where we would be seated during the entire show, we got 4 front row seats right in the center. He told us that we had to wait about 10 more minutes because there was some drama going on, so he left us with the venue security on the side while he returned... at this point we were all pretty nervous and planning on what we would say to Gwen and who would take pictures lol. He returned as he said and took us backstage once more he said we would be meeting Gwen on a more private setting not with the other meet in greets that where waiting in another room... we loved that idea! it was more relaxing and personal that way.

continued

Finally Gwen walks out of her dressing room she was wearing a white L.A.M.B knuckle ring track suit and some rasta wedge heels super high and was standing with her back to us, while she was holding Kingston, the harajuku girls started playing and talking to Kingston in Japanese. Then she turned around after a few and was like Oh Hi Guys while walking towards us. She was like wow you guys are too cute sportin' your L.A.M.B... she also said she she felt like dyeing her hair black when she saw all of us, I was like you should try it lol
She was holding Kingston and told us he had just had his bath and she was rubbing his wet hair dry with a towel. He was all giggly. None of us touched him. That would have been weird but we did smile and he smiled and did the cutes little noises ever. He was wearing a little shirt that said "Gaa Gaa" so adorable... now we know why she always describes him as being "delicious". That baby is soooooooooo CUTE & he was all giggly with us! After a bit she handed him to her personal helper Mikey and bye bye went Kingston.

We all kinda said stuff to her and she mentioned how important it was for her to do this for charity and how much she appreciated us doing this for those kids. Then Gwen was like, "Well what do you guys want to do?" LOL

We should've said, let's go have cocktails or maybe go into your dressing room and play makeup hahaha she's so cute I swear!

She's like "I know let me sign all your stuff and then we can all take pictures." We got all our stuff ready and she started to her right with Christie first. She got her stuff signed and continued with Jen.
Quoted from Christie:
Then and then she asked me what my name was!! I can still hear her asking me that... *giggles*
Quoted from Jen:
I ask her what her favorite red lipstick was...she said that she had many favorites so I asked her which one would be her favorite favorite and she said it is a MAC color but couldn't remember the name, lol.
She was so awesome!

I first handed her the thank you card and she was like "Awww your guys that's sweet you want me to open it now or later?" I was like well it's up to you. She opened it and read it briefly and said "Thank you at this point I handed her the Gwen drawing that we had brought for her and she asked me if i had drawn it? I was like no I wish but i think it's an amazing drawing of you and she's like "Yeah it is wow thanks again it's wonderful... I'm sure Gavin won't let me put this up in our living room" haha we all laughed. I gave her my TK CD cover and my Entertainment Weekly magazine for her to sign since it was the only autograph I been missing, yay now it's complete. She asked me where had I met the guys before? and proceeded to tell me how she had seen them in Vegas on Saturday for the Tour opening show and how she had such a blast and was looking forward to working with the guys on the next No Doubt album... FUCK YEAH! :)
Next it was Dana's turn she handed her this old school newspaper clipping to sign and Gwen's reaction was 'I"m sad now" I guess the clipping brought back memories. Then she noticed Dana's tattoo she like "Woah my brother Eric would love that, he's so picky about his art." She was like "We were just talking about that since he did the print for my new Harajuku Lover bags Circus Stefani print" (Jen had that bag so she's like yeah that one) she also called her assistant because she wanted her to see Dana's tattoo.
Quoted from Dana:
When Gwen saw my tats, she was like WHOA look at all those tats. Then she saw my Ska Parade and Big City Train tat. She got a better look and said something to the extend like, my brother should see these, I told her I had sent him a photo and his reaction was positive. She said, my brother is so sensitive and artistic. She said that she had just been talking about Eric and his art right before she walked out to meet us. OOO Cosmic Eric experience. Then she pointed out my tats to one of her peeps and how they had just been talking about it.
After she was done with Dana I had to take the opportunity to show her my tattoos since it was a topic of conversation. She was like "Wow those are amazing... I'm so scared of needles, it's insane how some people have my portrait on their body" hehe
Then we all got ready Gwen called the harajuku girls who had been standing to the side the entire time and we pretty much took pictures. :)
I wanted on one with my camera and I guess she noticed so she's like "I'll hand him your camera don't worry" (I can still hear her voice when she said that in my ear lol) I still can't believe she had her arm around me and I had my arm around her waist OMG!
So then after all that she's like "Thank you so much for coming and for your support, I must go because I have about 50 other meet & greets waiting for me in the other room." She waved bye and she walked down the hallway. :)

*I had the time of my life playing in the background*
We all looked at each other in total disbelief it was all so surreal. We proceeded to gather our stuff and her assistant escorted us to our seats. We got to our seats and we all have the biggest smiles ever. Before Akon's performance started we went to the restroom and we bought some cocktails.. Yummy Vodka & Cranberry! I only had two because I was driving back. We enjoyed the show so much sitting front row dead center in my opinion it was one of her best show thus far. She sang and smiled at us during some of her songs... SIMPLY AMAZING!!!

For people who have been asking: How is she in person? OMG you guys she's so down to earth and just like I always imagined she would be to her fans very nice and friendly.
She made us feel like we were friends from along time (I'm not a pretzel) ago and that really helped calm our nerves down haha. I'm glad she didn't disappoint me. I had always been scared of this day and of the "what would happen when I met her?" I didn't even overreact, cry, or freak out as I thought I would.. lmao!

Thanks again to Queen Ruca Gwen and my Rucas... Love you girls!




pictures and more from the girls HERE

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 25 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena

vdeos thamks to sandycheex409
The Real Thing

Now That You Got It

Rich Girl

Yummy


video thanks to -girlybabe86-wind it up-side view

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 24 - Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center

thanks to m3sm0r1ze04 for this video
When Gwen got off stage and ran through the audience$ to the center to sing


Gwen shows love to Fresno
only small clips of the songs
4in the morning


Now That You Got It Remix

Don't Get It Twisted

vids thanks to ajnrudy

Gwen Stefani Hearts L.A.M.B.

Gwen Stefani is definitely her own biggest fan…the girl always takes one of her own L.A.M.B. handbags everywhere she goes. I guess that’s one of the many perks of being a fashion designer. In this photo she’s got the Carlisle Convertible Clutch, which steals the show away from her funky-collared coat. The clutch is quite large, so it’s a smart choice when you’ve got lots to carry.
Get the L.A.M.B. Carlisle Convertible Clutch here
Photo from People.com.
source

FABULOUS BAKER GIRLS-April 22 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre

After kicking off her Sweet Escape tour in Las Vegas on Saturday, Gwen Stefani cooks up a costume-themed performance at the Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, Calif., on Sunday.

source

The Real Thing

Gwen Stefani and Gail Ann Dorsey singing The Real Thing at the April 22nd 2007 Chula Vista Show.

Thanks to Stricken Lamb and her husband for this great vid

Coors Ampitheater Videos

The Real Thing



Cool



Danger Zone

Stefani plays like one of the girls

The singer's show in Chula Vista traces her humble roots to becoming Madonna's heir apparent.

By Mikael Wood, Special to The Times

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — In the delicious title track of last year's "The Sweet Escape," Gwen Stefani sings about wanting to create a place as her own world, and that's exactly what she did Sunday at the Coors Amphitheatre, the first official date of a new world tour that will keep the No Doubt frontwoman on the road through mid-October.

Since striking out on her own with 2004's "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.," Stefani has established herself as the preeminent heir to Madonna's patented pop pastiche. The singer's material doesn't adhere to a distinct form, or even several distinct forms. In her studio collaborations with top-flight producers such as the Neptunes, Dallas Austin and Dr. Dre, Stefani switches up countless styles — from slow-jam R&B to booming Eurotechno to swinging, '60s-inspired soul — as quickly and effortlessly as a model changing clothes during a fashion show.

As even a cursory listen to Top 40 radio makes clear, that's now the norm in pop. But where other mix-and-match magpies can get lost in the sonic shuffle, Stefani — like the Material Girl before her — always seems in control of her music. There's a sense of authorship to her two albums that differentiates Stefani's stuff from similarly situated work by acts such as Fergie and Nelly Furtado.

Stefani benefits from the talents of her carefully selected sidemen, to be sure, but the creative gestalt is all her own.

On Sunday, the singer funneled her albums' kaleidoscopic pleasures into an action-packed audiovisual spectacle that featured eight dancers, six musicians and more costumes than a Broadway musical. For 75 tightly choreographed minutes, the Coors was ablaze with color and texture and sound; no modern arena-show trick was left unperformed.

In "Rich Girl," Stefani broke into an enormous vault with the help of a crew of dancing ninjas. During "Yummy," she did steps on a moving treadmill while flanked by a pair of dueling keytar players. "Luxurious" brought to the stage lap-dancing geishas and fedora-topped film-noir gangsters. "Hollaback Girl" could have been a scene from a PG-13 version of "High School Musical."

Yet despite the willful aesthetic overload, Stefani never seemed overpowered by these antics. As on her records, she commanded the disparate elements swirling around her rather than allowing herself to be smothered by them.

That was partly a product of her voice, a relatively modest instrument that she has learned to amp up over years of touring large venues. Thanks to the difficulty of creating a rich sound in a space with room for 14,000, ballads usually serve as bathroom breaks in shows like this. Yet Stefani sang "Early Winter" and "Cool" (the latter from a miniature stage in the middle of the audience) with unexpected power.

But more than any technical abilities, Stefani's presence is about charisma, that invaluable pop-star must-have. On Sunday, she succeeded in telling the audience something about herself. It wasn't necessarily a consistent message: Half the songs boasted of Stefani's extravagant lifestyle while the other half insisted that she's "just an Orange Country girl living in an extraordinary world."

But the singer made her bundle of contradictions feel lifelike (or at least larger-than-lifelike). During "Orange County Girl," Stefani performed in front of a video montage that told the Story of Gwen, from her adolescent days as a crazy-haired punk chick to the glamorous life she now lives in L.A. and London.

More often than not, this kind of demonstration of a star's just-folks humility hits an icky, self-congratulatory note. Yet at the Coors it rang true — all the more so because it came after "Wonderful Life," one of the many songs Stefani has written in which she looks back on simpler days with a heavy-hearted nostalgia. In the middle of this full-tilt pop circus, Stefani gave the audience a surprisingly intimate look at Gwennie from the block.

Then she changed into a pair of glittery leopard-print hot pants and led four platinum-wigged Harajuku girls in a round of Jazzercise. Just like you and me, right?
source

Stefani kicks off 'Sweet Escape' world tour at Coors Amphitheatre

By T. Michael Crowell
It was a show that was hard not to like, and boy, did this crowd love it.
Gwen Stefani, pop's reigning princess, drew 14,000-plus mostly young fans to Coors Amphitheatre Sunday night and gave the crowd exactly what it wanted – an hour and half of high-energy pop music, a glitzy stage show and a dozen tunes nearly all taken from Stefani's two solo albums.

Stefani kicked off her massive “The Sweet Escape” world tour at Coors after nearly two weeks of rehearsals at the Chula Vista amphitheater. “This is the first one, and the one we'll remember most,” Stefani told the crowd that braved a cold night and the threat of rain to catch a glimpse of the Orange County-born pop star.

Clearly she was a hit. Some fans, mostly female and young, held Gwen Stefani dolls; others wore tour T-shirts. Some dressed as wannabe Gwens, and others simply screamed their appreciation and approval whenever Stefani and her thumping six-piece band launched into a tune.

And luckily enough, the rain held off until the last of two encores was played and the crowd was headed for home.

Stefani holds a distinctive position in pop music. Although certainly one of the pop tarts whose music is more imagery than art, Stefani does not play the raunchy sex card the way others of her club do. You won't see Stefani bumping and grinding her way through carefully choreographed dance routines. Nor do her lyrics suggest a panting sexuality the way Fergie's or even Britney Spears' do.

Stefani's music is all bright-red lipstick and platinum hair, garish colors and flashing lights. She doesn't really dance as much as skips across the stage, jumping up stairs, running through the crowd. It's as if your best friend's tomboy sister had grown up and traded in her pedal pushers and T-shirt for high heels and ball gowns.

Beneath all the glitz, Stefani remains the same tomboy who took the Orange County band No Doubt to the top of the pops. She just dresses a little better these days.

Since going out on her own in 2004, Stefani has released two huge solo albums, toured behind both and had a baby with her husband, Gavin Rossdale, frontman for the now nearly invisible rock band Bush.

She has expanded her brand into films (Jean Harlow to Leonardo DiCaprio's Howard Hughes in Martin Scorsese's “The Aviator”) and jumped fully clothed into the fashion world with her L.A.M.B. line of clothing.

But the engine that drives Stefani is her music, catchy pop songs based in ska, hip-hop and, unique to Stefani, Japanese pop culture. It may be kitschy, but it's all Stefani, and her fans do love what she does.

Sunday night was no exception.

Launching her set at straight up 9 p.m., Stefani kicked off with the title track from her most recent solo effort, “The Sweet Escape.” Dressed in the black-and-white stripes of a jailbird making her escape from prison, Stefani danced across the stripped down set accompanied by her quartet of Japanese dancers known as the Harajuka Girls.

Her set design was unusually laid-back for a typical Stefani gig. Backed by a giant video screen that splashed brightly colored images behind her, Stefani made several costume changes throughout the evening. Her routine was fairly predictable, bouncing between her four Harajuka Girls and several other hip-hop dancers, never getting in the way, but never really leading the dance charge either.

She blasted through 12 tracks from her solo work, and never approached one No Doubt song, which didn't seem to bother the crowd. Most of the tunes were up-tempo, with a couple of slower ballads tossed in for good measure.

Stefani is not the best singer in the biz. Her vocal range is narrow, and her pitch is not always dead-on. But that misses the point of her performance. Her art is the imagery she brings to the stage, the Stefani style, her personal fashion statement, her brand.

After an hour and a half, she was gone, off to perform more than 80 shows across the world between now and the middle of October. It's likely to be one of the biggest tours of the summer.

Not bad for the skater-girl next door, now all grown-up and ready for a little fun.



source

GWEN STEFANI TOUR KICKS OFF-April 22 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre

pic source popbytescheck that site out for more info on the night


Mari (NoDoubtfulLamb on the forum) came back with something for us fans :)
check out her post on the forumHERE
her pictures on nodoubtweb
and this great vid she posted on Youtube

Thank you Mari xoxo

Stefani peddles sweet escapism- April 22 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre

By CHRIS NIXON
Special to the Register

Remember when Gwen Stefani railed against feminine stereotypes, singing "I'm just a girl in this world" on No Doubt's breakthrough album, "Tragic Kingdom"? It's almost ancient history now: 11-plus years, to be exact.

Besides the drug-addled rants of Courtney Love, the '90s were extremely thin on strong feminine voices in rock. So girls connected with Stefani's clear voice and strong message: She was the essence of the anti-diva.

No longer wrapped in the safe confines of No Doubt, Stefani has stepped out in her quest for iconoclastic pop stardom. Since her 2004 solo album "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." Stefani has been just another pop diva backed by soul singers and an MC.

From the opening moments of Stefani's 79-date world tour, the vibe was way more Magic Kingdom than "Tragic Kingdom." Her concert was like a ride through a theme park: pretty to look at but lacking substance. The hour-and-a-half show felt a bit like eating cotton candy while taking a turn on the Mad Tea Party ride.

Moments before Stefani took the stage on a cool Sunday night at Coors Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, a scuffle seemed to break out in the first 20 rows of the open-air venue. Police escorted two beautiful troublemakers to the stage. Stefani emerged from a cage as the backup band launched into the opening notes of "The Sweet Escape," the title track from her 2006 platinum album. Stefani, the police and the troublemakers all busted into a synchronized dance. This little bit of scripted theatrics served as a safe form of drama, but the kids loved it.

Through her 17-song set and six costume changes, Stefani stuck with the criminal theme, complete with pinstripe outfits and props such as a huge safe. With a set devoid of No Doubt tunes, Stefani is clearly trying to separate herself from her past incarnation, trading ska-inflected rock for hip-hop and modern R&B bravado.

Those in the near-sellout crowd waved their arms in the air in unison when prompted, and generally squealed with joy at the show's pomp and pageantry. Stefani is clearly a star demanding attention on stage. To her credit, she seemed to enjoy every second as the crowd showered her with adoration.

If you're a fan of Stefani's solo material, you'll love this show, which comes to Irvine in two months. If not, you might be well served to wait another few years until Stefani hits her stride, as Madonna did with her later material.

One thing stands true after the Coors show: Stefani knows how to pick a backing band. For her second straight tour, she enlisted a couple of David Bowie vets (bassist Gail Ann Dorsey and drummer Zachary Alford), a couple of No Doubt players (Gabrial McNair on trombone/keyboards and Stephen Bradley on trumpet/percussion), a punk rock pro (ex-Vandals guitarist Warren Fitzgerald) and a skilled musical director (keyboardist Kristopher Pooley, who has also toured with Jane's Addiction and Liz Phair). Bassist Dorsey deftly sang verses on "Early Winter" and a stripped-down version of "The Real Thing," the first song of the encore.

If you squint, you'll see that Stefani – under all the caked makeup, the choreographed dance moves, the thin live sound and the watered-down soul-pop tunes – is just an Orange County girl trying to make a living. Gauging from the reaction of the throngs of young girls taking their cue from her, Stefani is a master at capturing the hearts and minds of young people.

ocregister

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 22 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre

picture thanks to DUDEMASTER99. go here to see more DUDEMASTER99 pics

------------------------------------------------
nbaby -San Diego show pics finally uploaded

Gwen Stefani : Organic-Loving-Diva!

Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape tour starts tonight in Las Vegas ... What might some of Gwen's artist demands be? Every celebrity has some!
Well, it turns out that Gwen is a freak for Organic stuff! All natural, All good! Cool!
Here's some of the stuff she asked for:
Water is most important, it comes in first place & it has to be iced!
Vitamin water - 3 colors of it; Red - Yellow - Purple , also iced!
Fruit Water - Lemon or Lemon Cucumber, also iced!
Vanilla Soy Milk & loads of tea like English Breakfast, Peppermint & Chamomile ... All organic!
A large selection of Organic nuts, Organic vegetables & Organic fruits ... With Organic Ranch dressing dip! ... Yummy! ...

She also asks for a huge bunch of white towels & a bunch of aromatherapy candles.

Well, that isn't so bad! They are all normal things & not too extravagant!
You know other 'Diva's' ask for gold taps & new toilets & pink carpets & purple curtains! BLLAA!!

Gwen Stefani after party at Moon Nightclub at The Palms Casino Resort

Brent Bolthouse and Tony Kanal


Perez Hilton and Nina Young with other guests

Grand Opening of The Pearl at The Palms with Gwen Stefani In Concert - Red Carpet Arrivals

Gwen Stefani kicked off her “Sweet Escape” North American Tour last night at the grand opening of The Pearl at The Palms:





fellow No Doubt band mates and their loved ones also attended-
Adrian and Nina Young,Erin Lokitz and Tony Kanal


Gwen arrived at the opening with hubby Gavin Rossdale - who has a great new single out called “Can’t Stop The World” which is the theme to the new FOX show “Drive.”

short clip of red carpet arrivals and Gwen interview thanks to -palmstv

Gwen Stefan Sweet Escape Tour April 21 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl Concert Theater @ The Palms Casino Resort

lalopezita
wonderful life

forum fan NoDoubtBandaide attends The Sweet Escape "Friends and Family show"

Check out what NoDoubtBandaide has to say about the night Here

Here is the Set List:

The Sweet Escape
Rich Girl
Yummy
4 in the morning
luxurious
Early Winter
Wind It Up
Fluorescent
Danger Zone
HBG
Now that you got it
Dont get it twisted
Cool
Wonderful Life
OC Girl

Encore:
The Real Thing
U started it
What You Waiting For


The Sweet Escape Tour, friends and family final dress rehearsal in San Diego
WIND IT UP



link in the forum thanks to ShyGirl

Orange County Girl

Hollaback Girl


The Sweet Escape

Gwen Stefani- 4 In The Morning video

This is yet another hot team effort from Gwen Stefani and No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal.

“4 in the Morning” is the third single off Gwen’s The Sweet Escape.

Oh So Lux on the ND forum has posted some HQ 4ITM Screen Caps check them out
HERE

Tony Kanal and Erin Lokitz attend Kenna's private party/mini-show at L.A.'s Element

Pic of Tony Kanal and Kenna


you can watch a small clip of Tony and Erin leaving the party
at TMZ

Adrian drumming with Mo Bigsley @ The Blue Cafe in Huntington Beach.

Maricela (NoDoubtfulLamb) on the forum went to the show check out her thoughts and pictures HERE

Sov out to steal Gwen fans

Gwen Stefani had better watch out - Lady Sovereign has vowed to pinch her fans when the pair go on tour together in the US later this month.

The petite rapper, who is signed to Jay-Z's label Def Jam and is making waves stateside, said she can't wait to play to huge crowds around America when she supports Gwen from April 27.

"I'm looking forward to them huge venues, it's like 20,000 plus, so I'm going to steal her fans - they're mine! I'm just looking forward to the crowds. The bigger the better really," she said.

The 21-year-old added that she respects Gwen for making the transition from the lead singer of No Doubt to a successful solo artist.

"I like her stuff. I loved the No Doubt stuff. But she's done the transition really well, so I respect her for that. She seems like a nice person as well," she added.

And Sov, whose single Those Were The Days is released on Monday, said Gwen has made a "good choice" asking her to come on tour.

"She didn't personally ask me myself, but she wanted me to do it. So good on her - she made a good choice!"

source

CATCH LADY SOV ON TOUR WITH GWEN STEFANI ON THE FOLLOWING DATES!

APR. 27TH- GIBSON AMPHITHEATRE: UNIVERSAL CITY, CA
APR. 28- CRICKET PAVILION: PHOENIX, AZ
APR. 30- THE "E" CENTER: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
MAY 2- PESPI CENTER: DEVNER, CO
MAY 3- JOURNAL PAVILION: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
MAY 5- SMIRNOFF MUSIC CENTER: DALLAS, TX
MAY 6- CYTHIA WOODS MITCHELL: THE WOODLANDS, TX
MAY 8- FORD AMPHITHEATRE: TAMPA, FL
MAY 9- SOUND ADVICE AMPHITHEATRE: WEST PALM BEACH, FL
MAY 11- HIFI BUYS AMPHITHEATRE: ATLANTA, GA
MAY 12- VERIZON WIRELESS: CHARLOTTE, NC
MAY 14- ALLTELL PAVLION: RALEIGH, NC
MAY 15- VERIZON WIRELESS VIRGINIA BEACH: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
MAY 17- NISSAN PAVILION: BRISTOW,VA
MAY 18- PNC BANK ARTS CENTER: HOLMDEL, NJ
MAY 20- NIKON AT JONES BEACH THEATRE: WANTGH, NY
MAY 21- MOHEGAN SUN AREA: UNEASVILLE, CT
MAY 23- TWEETER CENTER: MANSFIELD, MA
MAY 24- TWEETER CENTER WATERFRONT: CAMDEN, NJ
MAY 27- THE BORGATA HOTEL: ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
MAY 29- BELL CENTRE: MONTREAL, QC
MAY 30- AIR CANADA CENTRE: TORONTO, ON
JUN 1- PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS: AUBURN HILLS, MI
JUN 2- VERIZON WIRELESS MUSIC CENTER: NOBLESVILLE, IN
JUN 4- QWEST CENTER: OMAHA, NE
JUN 5- XCEL ENERGY CENTER: SAINT PAUL, MN
JUN 7- JOHN LABATT CENTRE: LONDON, ONT (MILWAUKEE CANCELLED)
JUN 8- FIRST MIDWEST BANK: TINLEY PARK, IL
JUN 10- MTS CENTRE: WINNIPEG, MB
JUN 12- REXALL PLACE: EDMONTON, AB
JUN 13- PENGROWTH SADDLEDOME: CALGARY, AB
JUN 15- GENERAL MOTORS PLACE: VANCOUVER, BC
JUN 16- WHITE RIVER AMPHITHEATRE: AUBURN, WA
JUN 18- SLEEP TRAIN AMPHITHEATRE: MARYSVILLE, CA
JUN 19- SHORELINE AMPHITHEATRE: MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
JUN 22- VERIZON WIRELESS: IRVINE, CA
JUN 23- VERIZON WIRELESS: IRVINE, CA
JUN 26- SANTA BARBARA BOWL: SANTA BARBARA, CA
JUN 27- SANTA BARBARA BOWL: SANTA BARBARA, CA
JUN 29- RENO EVENTS CENTRE: RENO, NV

NEW SHOW!!!...MO BIGSLEY AT THE BLUE CAFE (H.B.) APRIL THE 14TH....COME SEE WHAT ALL THE HIPE IS ABOUT!

Thanks to all of you who showed up to the slidebar...If you are not one of our friends already please do us the liberty of your friendship...Peace from operation MoBigsley
Mo Bigsley myspace


Brandon Caldarella-Vocals,Guitar..... Tim Fetta-Guitar,Vocals.... Damian Van Channels-Bass,Vocals...Adrian Young-Drums

NO DOUBT STILL WAITING ON GWEN, DRUMMER POLISHES GOLF GAME

While Gwen Stefani continues to plant herself at the forefront of the music industry with her two immensely successful solo albums 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby' and 'The Sweet Escape', No Doubt continue to wait in limbo with plans of recording their first album of new material since 2001's 'Rock Steady.' So while Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal and Adrian Young await Gwen's rigorous world tour to end, each member has some free time to spend away from the studio while the band is writing new material. Drummer Adrian Young for instance has been playing a lot of golf and working on his game enough to compete in a few mini tours in California.

We caught up with Adrian recently to discuss the competitiveness of golf.

"I'd say it's all about you on the golf course. It's not like a team sport and it's not like a band. It's you and if you F-up it's on you. So, it's way more competitive when you're in a match than it is playing a gig."

Adrian has been getting proficient enough with his golf game that he even admitted he's entered a few mini events in California.

"I'm not good enough to play professional golf but I have entered a couple of mini tour events here in California. I participated in those because I like to compete and I'm constantly working on my game."

Gwen Stefani's solo tour in support of her latest release 'The Sweet Escape' will extend until October 17th in Vienna, Austria. Although No Doubt have begun pre production and the initial song writing steps they aren't expected to get back into the studio until the end of 2007. Hopefully if all goes well it, No Doubt would then look to finally have a completed album of new material released by the end of 2008.

watch Video clip of Adrian here

Maricela (NoDoubtfulLamb on the forum)with Tom and Tony at No Duh -No Doubt tribute band show

read all about it here

Adrian Young takes part in 'Hootie's Monday After Masters' Golf Tournament, April 9th

photos thanks to justnodoubt

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACE DUMONT!

Tony Kanal attends 'Entourage' Third Season Premiere in Los Angeles - After Party with his girlfriend Actress Erin Lokitz

photo thanks to justnodoubt

Gwen Stefani and stylish son Kingston in Hollywood,

more photos at justnodoubt

Gwen Goes Bazaar!-Check out a sneek peak at Gwen Stefani’s three upcoming covers for Harper’s Bazaar!

Thanks to nodoubtweb

Gwen Stefani back to her roots

STILL ROCK 'N' ROLL
After dressing up for son Kingston's baptism,

Gwen Stefani gets back to her rock roots during

an outing in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

Gwen Stefani Parts Ways With Head Designer

see nodoubtweb for full story