BOSTON – Justin Bieber should seriously consider chugging a 5-Hour Energy or a large iced Dunkie’s turbo before taking the stage tonight for the second of two sold-out shows at TD Garden. Because on opening night Tuesday, the 22-year-old Canadian popstar was as uninspired as a teenager forced to endure a family vacation. Vocals were definitely piped in (how else do you chew gum and sing?), but Bieber “sang” most of the songs off his new album, “Purpose,” and some older hits like “Boyfriend” (which shook the Garden rafters).
Welcome to the psychodrama that is Justin Bieber. Last night’s TD Garden show was packed with hits and full of spectacle, but it was also partly about his own struggles with the spotlight. At times during the 90-minute show, Bieber seemed to be the only one in the sold-out house that wasn’t having any fun.
Purists might tut that Bieber sometimes let prerecorded vocals take over while he stalked the stage or high-fived fans – but then, he wasn’t there to put on a master class in singing. Tracks like the gossamer “What Do You Mean?” showcase his voice’s wounded sweetness, and any nuances added when he did take over the mike were drowned by the crowd’s lusty screams.
who cares about reviews when you're having sold-out shows?
A person who cares about their craft? A person who cares about giving their fans a good show when they've spent a lot of their hard earned money to see them?
