US supergroup Destiny's Child thrilled a sell-out crowd at Melbourne's Rod Laver
Arena last night with a booming set that mirrored their stage costumes - tight,
sexy and covered in sparkle. From beginning to end, the Texan trio energetically
pumped up the fans, opening with the scat-pop of their breakthrough track Say
My Name."Melbourne," the group's leading light, Beyonce Knowles, roared, "do we have any independent women out there?"
To screams of approval, the call-and-response of Independent Women, Part 1 kicked off a medley of hits from their earlier albums. The R&B empowerment anthems Bug-A-Boo and Bills, Bills, Bills led in to short versions of Bootylicious and Jumpin' Jumpin'.
Songs from each member's solo career featured briefly. Kelly Rowland displayed amazing vocal technique in a reworking of her hit duet Dilemma and Michelle Williams impressed with gospel stylings on Do You Know.
But while Destiny's Child are a supreme group - selling 40 million records - Beyonce is their Diana Ross. The steamy Baby Boy and Naughty Girl mixed funky moves and vocal acrobatics. Support act Mario made a strong impression on the largely female crowd, winning hearts with his Australian chart-topper Let Me Love You.
Costume changes interrupted the show but couldn't detract from an a cappella version of If and their multi-platinum hit Crazy in Love, which brought the house down.
This is the band's first concert in Australia in three years. They are welcome back any time.