Photos by Andy Argyrakis

When Pink got back to touring after a lengthy hiatus last fall, Chicagoland earned the only stand-alone show on Pink’s “What About Us- Live” festival run with a sold out stop at the enormous Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. On the exact date six months later, the airborne superstar returned to a capacity United Center to serve up an even heartier slice of her newest project “Beautiful Trauma” (plus all the prior favorites), and after catching the opening of a two-night stand that continues on Saturday, March 10, she could easily come again to stadium-sized ticket sales.

By “So What,” Pink was back to flipping her way up, down and all around the arena, sending nearly every smartphone darting towards her flight pattern, which ensured there wasn’t a bad seat in the house.

That’s because Pink is by far one of the most dynamic entertainers of today, no, make that of all-time, and from the moment the curtain dropped, she was either flying through the air or bungee-jumping into the arms of her dancers from the top of a swinging chandelier. It sure was an attention-grabbing way to “Get The Party Started,” and though she remained planted on the multi-level stage come “Beautiful Trauma,” her grand band and extensive supporting cast made it feel just as exhilarating.

The smashes kept coming throughout roughly 100 minutes, as did the astounding production, starting with the older catwalk stroll “Just Like A Pill” right on up to “Revenge,” her current collaboration with Eminem (represented by a massive blow-up figure who wound up getting a sock in the jaw). Pink also playfully combined her own “Funhouse” with No Doubt’s “Just A Girl,” offered an arty body part tangle with a fellow aerialist throughout “Secrets,” transformed the stage into a gothic forest for “Try” and levitated on a bed during “Just Give Me A Reason” as virtual duet partner Nate Ruess appeared on a nearby TV.

The musical and actual sparks kept right on blazing come “Just Like Fire,” followed by the recent “What About Us” with a sizeable desert scene and message of absolutely everyone’s equal importance on this earth. Pink’s ability to empower reached greater heights with the gospel-flavored “I Am Here” and the acoustically-framed “Perfect,” though the fun kept climbing too courtesy of “Raise Your Glass” and “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).”

By “So What,” the approachable diva was back to flipping her way up, down and all around the arena, sending nearly every smartphone darting towards her flight pattern, which ensured there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. The ballad “Glitter In The Air” was a much calmer conclusion, but put the emphasis on what’s probably the strongest voice in all of pop or rock right now, which alongside a spectacle like no other, puts Pink entirely in a league of her own.

Click here for more photos of Pink at the United Center.

For additional information on Pink, visit PinksPage.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation shows, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Pink (Mar. 10); Eagles (Mar. 14); Kid Rock (Mar. 16); Justin Timberlake (Mar. 27-28) and Bon Jovi (Apr. 26). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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