Review: Miley Cyrus, 02 Dublin
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Friday December 18 2009
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, has had more than its fair share of stars over the years, but none burns as brightly in the celebrity firmament than the modern-day phenomenon that is Destiny Hope Cyrus.
Cyrus's Irish debut attracts an unprecedented amount of hype and stringent anti-touting measures not seen since Tom Waits's Phoenix Park gig.
When the house lights go down, the O2 audience transforms into a sea of glowsticks and roof-raising screams.
Pop's latest princess has already grasped the fundamental lesson that thou shalt always put on a dazzling show. The stage and screens are so big, this eye-boggling production makes the O2 feel far more intimate than usual. Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas even appears on screen.
For a 17-year-old, Cyrus possesses a remarkable stage presence. She interacts well with the predominantly tweenaged crowd. Indeed, it's difficult for anyone over the age of 15 to fully understand her appeal and exactly why she is such an uber-star.
'Party in the USA' and 'The Climb' induce much glowstick-waving singalong mayhem. Cyrus tells her delirious fanbase that they're the best crowd of the whole tour. Routine stage patter perhaps, but Cyrus certainly works hard for their devotion, packing in several costume changes and what seems like more choreographed set pieces than Broadway and the West End put together. Cyrus even flies through the air and exploding streamer cannons accentuate the major-event feeling.
Before performing 'When I Look At You', a trailer for her forthcoming movie, 'The Last Song', is relayed over the big screens. It's a revealing moment of how successful Cyrus has made the transition from teen actress to global superstar. No plugging stone is left unturned.
Thanks to his daughter's success, there certainly won't be any recession in Billy Ray Cyrus' house this Christmas. Her parents christened her Destiny Hope because they believed she'd achieve great things. At the tender age of 17, she certainly already has.
- Miley Cyrus O2, Dublin Eamon Sweeney
Irish Independent
