Cyndi Lauper Offers Motivating Show during her Farewell Tour's Conclusion
"What's up, folks in Chicago? I trust you're having a blast tonight. I've got something special for you all! I hope you're feeling lively and positive. This is a checkmark on my bucket list," stated Cyndi Lauper early in the evening as her "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" farewell tour concluded at the United Center. "If I'm leaving, I'm going out with a bang. This is the last night on this grand stage for now so I hope you enjoy the show."
In Chicago, Lauper, 71, expressed that this run marked her return to arenas for the first time since 1986, when she toured in support of her multi-platinum sophomore studio album, True Colors.
To this day, Lauper has moved over 50 million units, with her groundbreaking debut, 1983's She’s So Unusual, selling seven million copies in the USA and sixteen million globally thanks to the success of an impressive six singles, significantly impacting American culture in the mid-1980s.
After reported vocal issues the night prior in Minneapolis, Lauper delivered an outstanding performance in Chicago, filled with captivating storytelling and compelling music, occasionally poking fun at herself while delivering sharp observations on the world throughout the two-hour set.
In 2022, Lauper established the "Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights" fund, in collaboration with Tides Foundation. The fund was raising money for women's health and supporting women's rights through the sale of wigs and t-shirts. Lauper encouraged fan donations prior to the show by displaying QR codes on the screen.
"Look how fortunate I was! I got to write with these incredible women," said Lauper following "Sally’s Pigeons," a 1993 co-write with Mary Chapin Carpenter. "During that time, we still had autonomy. That means you could do what you wanted with your own body," she explained, addressing an America where women's rights had been under attack. "A woman couldn't have a credit card in her own name until 1974!" said Lauper, shedding light on how the Equal Credit Opportunity Act would start to confront discrimination in American credit transactions just half a century ago.
Lauper kicked off her set by revisiting She’s So Unusual with colorful confetti falling as she performed "She Bop" and contributed on flute alongside a strong backing band. She dedicated the song to "Goonies who never say die!" before moving on to "The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough" from the soundtrack of the 1985 Richard Donner-directed family crime comedy, The Goonies.
Lauper paid tribute to '80s pro wrestlers like Wendy Richter, the Fabulous Moolah, the Iron Sheik, and manager Captain Lou Albano, all of whom appeared in her music videos and on screen in Chicago, celebrating the connection between rock and wrestling that propelled her to MTV stardom four decades ago.
The visuals relied heavily on strobes as Lauper and her band put their spin on Prince's "When You Were Mine," with the percussionists harmoniously striking the balance between cymbals and chimes throughout the song.
Lauper expressed her affection for Chicago, choking up as the rowdy Windy City crowd erupted once more. She responded to a fan's shout with a humorous comment, "But in a very rhetorical kind of way. I don't really know you, and you don't know me. Plus, I have a lot of cosmetics that take up space."
Throughout the night, Lauper was charming and engaging, effortlessly blending both whimsical and touching moments.
"This next song I selected because it was the first I wrote for an album where I decided to start over. Things were going poorly, so why not?" asked the singer vivaciously, highlighting the impact of a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend-manager. "There were no songs in the '80s about women driving a car. And it's about power," she noted, setting the stage for "I Drove all Night."
As the band ventured into "Iko Iko," Lauper returned with a washboard after changing costumes, joking about smuggling it past the arena's metal detectors.
"This next song is a cover, but it's from one of my favorite women rockers," said Lauper, putting her unique spin on Wanda Jackson's "Funnel of Love." "She sang it first."
Lauper delivered an astounding lead vocal on "I'm Gonna be Strong," nearly bringing the Chicago show to a close, before strapping on an acoustic guitar for "Sisters of Avalon."
"You know how everyone says turn off your phones and be in the moment?" asked Lauper, playfully teasing the enthusiastic Chicago crowd as she prepared for "Time After Time." "No. Turn them on. I want to see them. And if you're worried about your battery life, put it in airplane mode," she continued, urging her audience. "Look how pretty. You're all a part of this song," said Lauper as phones lit up the arena expanse. "Stay positive. Things will get better."
"Era's Peak," one of the prominent pop tunes of the '80s, was brought to life in Chicago, fueled by an unpolished yet emotional lead performance that gradually transformed into a collective chant by the audience.
Meandering through the crowd after her rendition, Lauper chose the scenic route, exchanging greetings and performing songs as she made her journey towards a large stage positioned in the middle of the seated area during "Radiate."
Waving a vibrant patchwork of colors overhead, fans actively helped propel the cloth skyward, with Lauper's creative dance moves contributing to a visually captivating ambiance that seamlessly wove throughout the performance, connecting each act.
Addressing the audience, Lauper expressed her gratitude towards Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, now 95 years old, and paid tribute by adopting a red and white aesthetic, which was further emphasized on a series of vertical screens flanking Lauper as Gayle joined her for the catchy anthem, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
"Chicago! Everyone is entitled to their basic rights. And girls deserve their basic rights!" Lauper asserted in the show's closing remarks.
For a half hour in Chicago, up-and-coming Texas artist Gayle presided over a skillful three-piece band, covering selections from a quartet of EPs before concluding with the smash hit "ABCDEFU," which reached the charts in six countries upon its release in 2021, securing support slots alongside artists such as My Chemical Romance, Taylor Swift, and Pink since.
"Hey there. I'm Gayle. You've given me thirty minutes of your time, and I really appreciate it," announced the opening act on stage at United Center, kicking things off with "Desert Me" before switching to an electric guitar for "Snow Angels."
"ALEX" served as a tribute to an ex, with Gayle breathing fresh life into Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets," injecting energy and a playful twist into the timeless track by utilizing her electric guitar instead of the piano.
Gayle took a leftward turn across the stage, assuming a kneeling position as she expertly shredded during "I Can't Sleep as Well as I Used to," delivering the song's closing line with a soulful a capella performance.
"This is amazing. It means a lot to me that you're offering your time and focus - and haven't kicked us off the stage," acknowledged Gayle, adding a wink to the appreciative Chicago audience. "Thank you, Cyndi Lauper, for inviting us on this tour. You're truly legendary!"
- Lauper also mentioned her collaboration with Yayoi Kusama during the concert, expressing her gratitude towards the Japanese artist and incorporating a red and white aesthetic into her performance.
- Before performing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Lauper reminded the audience about her "Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights" fund, encouraging fan donations to support women's rights.
- Referencing a song from her '80s era, Lauper mentioned the lack of representation of women driving cars in music at the time, noting how her song "I Drove all Night" was about power and women's freedom.
- During the farewell tour, Lauper paid tribute to '80s pro wrestlers like Wendy Richter, the Fabulous Moolah, the Iron Sheik, and Captain Lou Albano, acknowledging their significant impact on her MTV stardom.
