Published: May 31, 2006 11:19 AM
Modified: May 31, 2006 11:19 AM
The Black Eyed Peas opened Koka Booth Amphitheatre's season in style Tuesday night as they delivered a hit list of funk-infused tunes to a crowd of about 6,000.
From their opening number, "Hey Mama," through their extended encore, including fan favorites "My Humps" and "Don't Phunk With My Heart," the Peas kept fans out of their seats and dancing in the aisles.
Solos and interludes were scattered throughout the evening's set, giving each member of the group a chance to show off. The crowd screamed wildly as the band's guitarist, George Pajon, played the oh-so-familiar guitar riff and Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson belted out the first verse and chorus to the Guns N' Roses classic "Sweet Child O' Mine."
Doing her best Axl Rose impression, Ferguson swung her black glitter-adorned baseball cap backwards and hugged her microphone close, bobbing and weaving to the beat.
Jaime "Taboo" Gomez danced to a medley of 50 Cent and Kanye West before fellow Peas William "will.i.am" Adams and Allen "apl.de.ap" Pineda came out to rap and entertain the crowd.
With their tongue-in-cheek lyrics ("If it smells like funk it must be us") and outgoing showmanship on stage, the Peas brought a tight, energetic and overall fun show to the amphitheater.
The show even turned theatrical at times with Ferguson and Adams acting out the lyrics to the group's song "Shut Up."
Near the end of the song, Ferguson showed off her gymnastic side by cartwheeling across the stage — while singing — and never missing a note.
But if you think that sounds schticky, check out the Pussycat Dolls. The sexed-up sextet opened for the Peas, bringing their brand of overproduced hook-driven R&B with lingerie-as-clothing outfits and overtly obvious lip syncing to the amphitheater.
Whatever sells, right?
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