Surprisingly it only took my friends and I about a 1/2 hour to reach The Palace Of Auburn Hills from the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel, we had initially heard over an hour. Traffic was great. So obviously we got there quite early. We parked and walked towards the North Entrance and walked in the open door. Ok, noone's around, I guess we're just early. Whats that loud music? Oh its "Man, I Feel Like A Woman!"... but thats not form the CD?? No way, so I walk towards one of the entrances to the arena and poke my head though the tarp thats kindof in the way to see noone in the arena except Shania, the band, and the sound guys.... ah! I walked in on the sound check! I turn around to see my friends, but they were quite a ways away calling me back, we were getting kicked out kinda, we werent supposed to be in here yet. ARGH. So I guess I got a 5 second personal concert : ) Though I was clear across the arena, and I wonder how long I could've stayed or close I could've gotten if I stayed. Well we left and sat in the lounge untill about 6:30 when they opened the doors.
We went to our seats, that of course were not as close as I would've liked. But this happens when you attempt to get Shania tickets the conventional way {standing in line} around here in Windsor. I was watching 2 17th row tickets going for $380 US at EBAY.com, just a little expensive in my mind. Actually the Palace wasnt that big and even though we were straight back from the stage, almost as far as possible, they were still decent seats.
Right about 8pm Leahy came onstage to start the show. So no, Shane Minor didnt open that night. I dont really know his music so I dont have an opinion, but I was happy to see Leahy open. They are an extremly talented family, and a fun way to start the night off. They finished their show just after 8:30, and then there was a 1/2 hour break to rearrange the stage for Shania. Then just after 9pm, the ominous/getcha-anxious music comes on and Shania yells "Are you ready Detroit" {first few notes to "Man, I Feel Like A Woaman" start}, and again "I said, are you ready Detroit!". The song starts and after the first 20 seconds the pyrotechniques go off along with the sheets covering mostly everything and Shania strolls onto the middle of the stage.
Wearing a snug, fully covering black&white striped shirt, and the infamous "sprayed on" plastic pants, she begins the show. Although its been awhile since her last Detroit concert, I'm pretty sure she was just as energetic, if not more-so. She uses the "T" shaped stage extension alot and its great. It gets her very close to the first 5 rows, as its mixed in with them. She touches outreached hands, and takes many flowers from alot of the closer audience. She even manages to sign autographs one-handed while belting out a song! There was only one real costume change in this show as opposed to 2 in the last one. For the most of the show she stayed with the initial outfit, but changes into the beautifull leopard outif she wears to talk-show performances {just like in the video, but the top goes up to her neck}. Also this 2nd outfit has a sort of see-through cape thing on the back. Ok I'm not a fashion person, bear with me : ) Just think the Winter Break special, the purple see-though cape she wore at the end, but this time black. She sang "From This Moment On" after the outfit change.
Okay I'm still kicking myself at this one. I knew from Terry at EverythingShania.com that when she picks a few people out of the audience to come on stage, she usually picks someone that catches her eye. Specifically when Terry and his friend got called up, they had used a 3 foot long Star Wars Lightsaber. Well sure enough I saw a green lightsaber in the crowd, and sure enough they were picked. ARGH, and I knew!!! The ones picked were 2 teenage girls that were obvioulsy big fans, which is always nice to see. They brought her a VHS tape of them singing kereoke to her music which she happily accepted, and she said "Since the audience won't be able to watch this tape...." and they sang "Any Man Of Mine" in, well, their own special key. They belted it out and the audience went nuts and cheered them on because they were having a blast and didnt care what they sounded like... they were singing on stage with Shania!! It was pretty cool. They both got there pics taken with Shania and got hugs too.... I'm jealous. : ) While the girls got off stage Shania jokingly said "Well, I'm gonna enjoy that tape". Also, Shania brought up a very young girls with a sign that read: Shania, kick it! So she asked if she knew what song that line was from, and offered an onstage pic to anyone who answered. Several people got it wrong and then one guy finally said "Holding On To Love" and got brought up on stage for a pic and another hug from Shania, to which most of the guys in the audience gave the jealous/you-lucky-fool moan. Im now even more jealous : )
There were a few "not perfect" parts, but not because of her. A young boy gave her a Detroit Red Wings jersey {Ok I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, these teams arent friendly}, and I was really hoping she wasnt gonna put it on, and she didnt thankfully. Later on while talking about a crew members birthday, she mentioned another crew member who you could see setting up before the show wearing a Leafs jersey : ) The fans heartedly boo'd that, though of course I cheered him. They broke into the "Lets Go Red Wings" chant which I thought was quite funny since they're currently golfing due to being eliminated from the playoffs : ) Hmmm, and the Leafs are still playing : ) Anyways Shania said "hey give me a break I'm from Ontario",and "Thats great team spirit though, I like it" and broke into a song.
Shania got to what used to be the "last song" before the encore. After she left the stage, the crowd went nuts, and she came back for more including "If You're Not In It For Love". During the pause she has taken off the see-through cape thing. She of course dissapeared into the big drum at the end of the song, which now actually catches fire after the pyrotechniques, and is brought out on that platform carried by staff amongst the fans and went back in front of the stage and jumped on for more songs! She finishes with "Rock This Country". The Shania part of the show ends up being about 1hour 45mins. She was fabulous, and makes you want to see her again, of course with better seats. And how do you get backstage passes??? : ) During the ride home, both Detoit Country radio stations play Shania, one of them until 12am. It kinda helps you hold on to the moment and helps you realise you watched one of the most exciting, fun, and talented people in the business. She never ceases to amaze me.