Christina Aguilera at the SSE Arena Wembley

Christina Aguilera
SSE Arena, Wembley
9 November 2019

It was one of the most eagerly anticipated gigs of the year - and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The SSE Wembley Arena (virtually next door to the stadium, which was hosting the England vs Germany international football match on the same evening).

This was a major event rather than just a gig. The theatrical element was reminiscent of Shania Twain’s gig of last year, although Aguilera’s is, of course, deeper and darker.

Finland's ALMA warmed up the audience nicely and then the arena really started to fill up rapidly in anticipation of the main event. The stated schedule slipped into a half-hour delay and the natives were becoming a shade on the restless side. From just behind me, a voice bellowed: ‘I’ve bought me ticket, now where the **** are yer?’

All of the impatient angst is brushed aside once the house lights snap off and the stage comes alive: dancers, lights, music, action. Smoke and mirrors are traditionally used to cover up deficiencies in other departments but absolutely nothing was lacking here. Aguilera’s voice has on top form; strong, powerful, intense.

The tour was promoting hr latest album, the deep Liberation, although there were more songs from Stripped than anything else.

The costume changes were fast and frequent (other artistes could certainly learn a thing or two) and the hits came thick and fast. Beautiful was saved almost till the end and it was the most stripped-back song of the set. Overt theatrics were put aside in favour of an ecstatic stadium sing-a-long.

This was an extraordinary show and the gallery below can only offer a glimpse of the impressive experience.