The legacy artist kicked off her final tour in Montreal.
Even at 71 years old, Cyndi Lauper continues to prove that “girls just want to have fun.” Lauper took the Bell Centre stage in Montreal on Oct. 18 for the first show of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, complete with fantastic musical performances, extravagant costume changes, and contemporary performance art.
The opening act was Montreal singer and songwriter Rêve, who wore a red jumpsuit and was accompanied by two backup dancers. Despite having laryngitis, she put on an elegant performance of original songs and covers.
Lauper’s setup included two sets of long screens behind and above the stage. Just before her entrance, they flashed bright colours and static, with images of Lauper over the years.
The show started with a bang as confetti shot up from cannons at the front of the stage, shooting different colours to form a rainbow. Lauper later apologized for the theatrics, saying she knew it was a little over the top: “But I wanted you to know you were at the right show!”
Midway through her first song, “She Bop,” she began playing the recorder. Twirling on one foot, she marched across the stage and sang at the top of her lungs, not just for the first songs but throughout the entire show. The singer’s energy was infectious and could be felt all the way to the last seats in the Bell Centre.
“I fought to have all different colour wigs and merch for cheap so that we could all have coloured hair tonight,” announced Lauper, explaining that “all the proceeds of those wigs go to the Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights Foundation, giving women access to safe and legal abortions.”
Unsurprisingly, the “True Colors” singer created an inviting and inclusive atmosphere of rainbows, love, and acceptance for her fans.
Artist and Concordia student Lauren McCarthy first heard Lauper’s music in the car with her mom. In one word, she described Lauper’s music as “unifying.”
“I didn’t think that so many young people listened to her music, so it was really cool to see how many people were at the concert with their moms,” she said.
Lauper’s costume changes were exciting, with reveals and funky touches reminiscent of a drag show. She had fun, crazy, and glamorous costumes that pushed gender binaries in fashion.
Some notable outfits included a silver and black V-shaped top with matching pants and a wild light turquoise wig, giving cyberpunk vibes. For “Iko Iko,” she wore a red jacket with a metal washboard vest, playing it like an instrument. She proclaimed in her Brooklyn accent: “People want ‘glamma!’” and she sure gave it.
During “Sally’s Pigeons,” a white sheet was intended to float above the square stage in the crowd by having air blown up at it. Unfortunately, this was the sole major setback of the night, as it often floated off the platform, entrapping the security and staff like fish in a net. Those same air cannons were later used on a long translucent rainbow fabric, which she held and waved around during “True Colors” for a touching and impressive performance.
Lauper’s Montreal performance was a testament to good showmanship. All she needs to have fun is a mic and an audience. The confetti, fancy screens, elaborate costume changes, and performance art were all for her fans, because she wants them to have just as much fun.
