Concert Review
Cher
Here We Go Again Tour
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Friday April 26, 2019
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It’s all in a name. There are many artist’s known by simply one name. Long before such names as JoJo, Adele, Kesha and Madonna there was Cher. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian she has taken the music and acting world by storm. Gaining Popularity with her then husband Sonny Bono was where it all began in 1965 as they skyrocketed to #1 with their very first single “I Got You Babe”. From there a solo career, an acting career, numerous awards and recognitions. Friday night Cher played before a packed KeyBank Center for what she claims really is the last time although the current tour name Here We Go Again Tour may say otherwise.
Cher entered the stage on a suspended platform through the air wearing an orange wig in a Viking costume for the first song “Woman’s World”, “Strong Enough” followed by a fifteen-minute chat with the audience which she ends asking “What is your granny doing tonight?”. Not sure if her crew needed that much time to change the set for the next song or not but I was surprised to see it happen so early in the set. Many fans were yelling for her to sing halfway through.
The first real highlight took place as a video montage started to show clips from the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. This was the segment where she talked about Sonny and played “The Beat Goes On” and “I Got You Babe”. Glad she kept this in from her last tour. She also mentioned since this will be her last time, she wanted to include them.
The rest of the highlights were spread throughout the show. Those songs included “After All”, “If I could Turn Back Time” and show closer “Believe”.
While this show marks Cher’s 4th appearance at the arena she has now played the venue under all four of its names dating back to 1999. While she says this is it as far as touring, the last time she was suspended high in the air floating throughout the arena waving goodbye to her faithful. This time she simply exited the stage as her band closed out playing “Believe”. Surprisingly she never came back out for a curtain call.
Cher last had played the Arena in 2014 and I must say that show seemed to be far superior to the performance Friday night. Perhaps it was the non-inclusion of her 70’s Medley which many fans seemed disappointed for its disappearance. While the addition of the ABBA songs sounded good many fans would have been happier with Cher sticking to her own legacy and play the songs which helped mold her into the Superstar she is today.
If this really is it for Cher It was surprising on how the show ended without much fanfare. Still I would not be surprised at all if we see her again down the road. Considering her age, she moved around very well, was still making numerous costume changes and still looks as good as she ever has. She must have her own private fountain of youth tucked away somewhere.
The Set List
Woman’s World
Strong Enough
Gayatri Mantra
All Or Nothing
The Beat Goes On
I Got You Babe
Welcome to Burlesque
Waterloo
SOS
Fernando
After All
Walking in Memphis
The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)
Guitar Solo
I Found Someone
If I Could Turn Back Time
Encore
Believe
