DNCE Shines At Bridgestone On Selena Gomez's Revival Tour

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Bahari

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Bahari

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

DNCE

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

DNCE

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Joe Jonas of DNCE

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Selena Gomez

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Selena Gomez

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Selena Gomez

photo by Carmen O'Hagan

Selena Gomez brought her Revival 2016 tour to Nashville's Bridgestone Arena Tuesday night. Two opening acts warmed up the crowd to get things heated up.

All girl pop group Bahari opened the night. While they are an unheard of group, it was a nice exposure opportunity. The band is comprised of Ruby Carr, Sidney Sartini, and Natalia Panzarella. The girls came out in flowing white outfits and played a short set of light pop songs.

The prominence of their Californian influence was evident in many of the fun- and sun-inspired songs. At times Bahari was a tad bit gimmicky with their tambourine-shaking dances that seemed forced at times. Musically they stayed on pitch most of the night and put forth a decent display.

DNCE, the night's second headliner, is a relative new comer to pop radio stations. Even so they already are enjoying great radio success with their single "Cake by the Ocean." Some of the group's allure is probably at least in part attributed to their lead singer's, Joe Jonas, previous musical popularity as a member of the Jonas Brothers.

With an epic intro that rumbled Bridgestone, DNCE made an energetic entrance that made a statement all by itself. I expected a light-hitting mostly electronica performance. But that wasn't the case. DNCE electrified the arena. They felt like the headlining group.

The party continued throughout the set with a surprise appearance from country duo Big & Rich. If Selena Gomez brought DNCE on the road to warm up the crowd, mission accomplished. She might want to watch out though; she may have to open for them next time around.

Despite a full army of choreographed dancers, stage props, and synchonized lights, Gomez's vocals just couldn't pack a punch hard enough to fill Bridgestone.

She played a long list of radio hits that had the crowd singing along. Even her vocals were true. But there was certainly something missing to lend the performance that star quality that should be expected.

Selena Gomez's Revival Tour is only her second solo tour. The first of five legs of the tour kicked off on Las Vegas in May. The tour will conclude in Guadalajara, Mexico in December after running through Asia, Europe, and North America.