By Carla Meyer
cmeyer@sacbee.com
Of course the Black Eyed Peas started their sold-out show Wednesday night at Arco Arena with "Let's Get It Started."
The people-pleasingest, least-alienating act in music today wasn't about to throw a curve ball by opening with a song not about getting started.
That isn't the way of the Pea. The group that began with socially conscious hip hop 15 years ago now crafts pop songs incorporating electronica, surf guitar or just plain silliness - whatever's catchiest.
Staying constant throughout are the Peas' positivity and humility.
"Here we are, at the lowest point for the record industry, and it's the highest point for the Black Eyed Peas," will.i.am, the Peas' co-founder and primary songwriter, said in thanking an Arco Arena crowd that ranged in age from about 7 to 60. "We are headlining now - that's because of you."
Having toured constantly as an opening or festival act since singer Fergie (left) joined the group in 2003, the Peas celebrated their arena-sellout status with an elaborate stage show. Aerial stunts, laser lights and space-age costumes seemed designed to reward fans who turned the 2009 album "The E.N.D." and its singles "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow" into monster hits.
The Peas moved in unison with backup dancers costumed, variously, as stereo-speaker adorned robots and Keith Haring paintings come to life. Will.i.am and Fergie wore sparkly outfits suggesting, respectively, a military officer and a bullet-proof Barbarella.
The clear stars of the group, will.i.am and Fergie dominated the show. Rappers apl.de.ap and Taboo, highly energetic and likable performers, were given moments to shine. But they also, tellingly, introduced themselves to the audience. Fergie and will.i.am's solo turns were introduced by lights spelling out their names.
Fergie displayed great vocal power whether performing Peas songs or solo hits such as "Big Girls Don't Cry." Indeed, sometimes her rock 'n' roll wail overwhelmed the material. It was as if her inner Robert Plant was seeking out Jimmy Page and instead found a Jazzercise class.
But when she sang "Fergalicious," people could only nod in agreement. Obviously in great shape, Fergie even worked a visor with her cat suit, as if ready to exit the stage at any moment for the red-eye to the Masters.
Will.i.am offered the most extemporaneous moments in a highly choreographed show. During a rapid-fire freestyle rap, he name-checked "Sacramento," "escargot," "Karma Chameleon" and a million other things in a five-minute span.
Will.i.am later played DJ for the Arco crowd - while on a platform elevated 30 feet above the crowd and wearing a robot suit and mask.
As he spun Michael Jackson, Nirvana and Journey, will.i.am turned the Peas' concert into the most elaborate house party in history. The crowd went wild, throwing their hands in the air at will.i.am's behest.
They didn't care if the music wasn't original. It was fun, and fun is what counts with a group that lends undeniable enthusiasm to whatever it does.
Opener Ludacris is still a hitmaker himself ("How Low Can You Go") 10 years into his career. But his set seemed almost rote compared with the Peas'. Though he oozes talent, his performance was impersonal. He mentioned Sacramento a few times, but he could have been anywhere.
Call The Bee's Carla Meyer, (916) 321-1118.
For a photo gallery of the Black Eyed Peas' show at Arco Arena, click here.
Previous coverage:
It's the world -- and whirl -- of the Black Eyed Peas - April 8, 2010
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