Kylie's back with Fever--Live in Manchester and both the budget and the bangles are bigger than 2001's Live in Sydney. This is very much a new-wave pop concert, combining the best in visual imaging, storytelling and costume design. We are offered a range of stunning Kylie-personas, from Metropolis Queen (an ingenious mechanical silver costume) for the opening "Come into My World", to Clockwork Orange-style aggression for "Spinning Around" and a hip hop-infused policewoman for "Confide in Me". Most impressive are "GBI", a stunning piece of avant-garde Japanese pop, and the electro-clash section for "Light Years". (Unfortunately there's little she can do with "Lucky", since the original is imprinted on our brains forever!) Take note, all pop star wannabes: part of Kylie's success can be attributed to her refusal to mime, and her concerts are all the better for it. The other part can be seen in the canny way she has surrounded herself with the best in the business, from her stylist to her choreographer to her stage director. If that's not enough, her stage persona is a knockout too. She easily commands the audience's attention and, despite her diminutive size, dominates the hugely elaborate set that combines stairs and movable video projections. This is as much a piece of performance art as it is a big-budget pop concert. It appears that audiences are now ready for the grown-up Kylie she wanted to give the world nearly 10 years ago.
On the DVD: Kylie: Fever's special feature on the stage projections is a little dull out of context but hypnotic nonetheless: it's ideal for playing on a loop at a party! The digital programme presents the story behind each look and chapter of the concert and the documentary doesn't just focus on the lady herself, but diverts to look at the logistics and problems in creating such a visually stunning show. As you would expect from such a mixed-media production, the sound and visuals are pristine. --Nikki Disney
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