Kylie Minogue
RMB 280-2,580.
8pm. Workers' Gymnasium (6501 6655)

I had never even heard of Kylie Minogue before buzz starting swirling around the city that the world's finest derriere was coming to town, and it belonged to a forty-year-old woman, who, by the way, could sing too. I could find no one, man or woman, who contested the fact that Kylie was hot as hell, and I also could find no one who could give me a better explanation than, “Kylie…she’s just…hot. Mmmmm.”  Who was this infamous she-temptress, and how had she cast the world under her spell?

I walked into the Workers' Gymnasium at 8:02, and Kylie was already halfway though her first song, opening for herself. A group of about ten dancers, all dressed head to toe in bondage tight black leather, slithered around her as she crooned into the mic, sashaying up and down the stage with the sexy soulful strut of a true diva.

The show was incredible. The audience, a good mix of Chinese and foreigners, ranged from young children with their parents to groups of young people decked out in glow sticks and devil horns. The crowd remained coolly detached for the first few songs, with the entire auditorium seated and the applause so scattered it was almost silent between songs. The dancing was limited to almost imperceptible head bobs and the odd hand clap.

But the vibe of the crowd did nothing to dissuade Kylie - Ms. Minogue is a true performer if there ever was one. Her incredible energy radiated through the auditorium, backed by a pulse of fiery dancers and musicians, who held the beat and the feel of the music balanced solidly between them. When Kylie appeared onstage in a tiny pink cheerleader top, tight white short shorts and sky high heels, finally, we cheered.

And didn’t stop. Every song was a performance of its own, a beautifully crafted example of classic entertainment. A gorgeous, charming woman with an amazing voice, an electric stage presence, and an arsenal of hit songs was putting on a show for us, and Beijing was smitten.

Next came a rendition of "Copa Cabana" prefaced by a giant slide show of men in tight speedos and sailor caps. “Mm mm mm,” I heard a man behind me say. “That is so bitch.” Kylie strode about in an elegant, glittery pant suit as one of her very sexy dancers took the part of Lola the showgirl, cha-cha-ing across the stage amidst a sea of men in very skimpy sailor suits. “I am so glad I’m gay,” said the man behind me.

By the end of the show the entire auditorium was on its feet, waving its hands in unison and dancing like we'd been transported to the 80’s. “Jintian, wo hen gaoxing!” Kylie said, and the crowd roared in agreement. At the end of her first encore, Kylie sat down on the stage and looked out at the audience. We just stared back, entranced. “Well, I’m just looking around and I’m noticing, it doesn’t really look like any of you are going anywhere,” she said, before launching into another song. When the show ended, the crowd trickled out, starry eyed and blown away by one of the best live performances, not to mention one of the best behinds, to have ever graced the Workers’ Gymnasium. 

Links and Sources
ABC: Kylie wows Beijing fans Reuters: Kylie wows fans at first Beijing concert
QQ: Images from Kylie Concert
Baidu: images from Kylie Concert
ITN: Kylie Minogue Takes on China (Video)