Big times with Beyoncé

Published on November 5, 2007

 More than 9,000 people packed Impact Arena last Wednesday to watch the bootylicious Beyoncé Knowles sing, dance, act and flaunt the night away. It was "The Beyoncé Experience Live in Bangkok 2007", and it was a perfect performance for fans who'd waited a long time to see her.

A lot of the fans were of the third sex, dressed like Beyoncé in silver micro-dresses and wavy curls. Makeup artist Arphasiri Nilkaeo was as excited as anyone, having missed Beyoncé's concert in Phuket, and this show met all her expectations.

"The time went by so quickly! It was really fulfilling but I wanted to see more!" she said, wishing she could travel to China to catch her again on the tour.

Flight attendant Tuk Artitaya admitted she wasn't a major fan but came to watch Beyoncé dance, and Vasinee Israsena Na Ayuthaya, an assistant professor, had just returned from the United States and was curious to see the American's performance here.

The concert began with Beyoncé appearing alone onstage, like a glittering goddess in a revealing outfit.

"Her legs are so big!" was one overheard reaction.

"If you look at her waist, her legs and her arms they look big, but overall they balance each other so that her body looks perfect!" die-hard fan Arphasiri insisted later."

It was just a surprise in Thailand, where slim builds are the norm. Her backup vocalists are even rounder, so Beyoncé is making a big statement - you don't have to be thin to look good.

"Crazy", from Beyoncé's debut solo album, opened the proceedings, followed by tunes from "Freakum" and "Greenlight", every new song met with cheers and screams, though most of the offstage dancing was in the upper decks.

The real clincher, though, came when she started singing her slower songs, like "Listen" and "Dangerously in Love". That's when the "wow" factor hit the audience. At one point the ex-Destiny's Child gave herself up to the spirit, showcasing her singing talent by hitting notes impossibly high and low.

Beyoncé's dancing involves a lot of shaking, bouncing and belly dancing, mixed with hip-hop. It was all incredibly sexy, though some in the crowd may have suspected her of copying Shakira's style.

Sexy Shakira even showed up, albeit on the big screen, for a "duet" on "Beautiful Liar".

Beyoncé surprised her fans by singing several Destiny's Child hits, including "Independent Women", "Bootylicious" and "No No No".

At one point the diva directed a few words to the audience in a voice that cut through the air like an emergency siren.

"You know why I came to Thailand? Because I think you know how to party! But it's getting a little quiet here!"

Her 13-piece band was introduced - all of them women, an extra treat for fans who appreciate musicianship.

Another enjoyable moment was a re-enactment of a scene from the film "Chicago", with her dancers giving a humorous rendition of women scorned by men who have betrayed them.

Beyoncé didn't forget to bring along her Hollywood-actress side, either, singing the theme song and "Listen" from her hit movie "Dream Girls".

Right at the end came the moment all the fans were waiting for: "Irreplaceable". Beyoncé told everyone to sing along as though they were alone in front of the mirror with no one watching. It was a suggestion the whole arena took to heart.

One final surprise arrived when Beyoncé announced that she had to sing "Happy Birthday" to one of her stage crew and extended her best wishes to anyone in the audience who was born on that day.

There was thunderous demand for an encore but, in one of life's classic disappointments, Beyoncé declined to reappear.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

 The Nation