Eminem - The 'Anger Management' Tour Review

Guess whos back?

These three little words commenced Eminem's Anger Management Tour in Detroit (Eminem's hometown) dubbed over the intro portion of the song 'Square Dance'. The crowd begin to erupt as Eminem is seen riding an on-stage Ferris Wheel down to the stage he is about to perform on. The stage is set up like a carnival and appears to have taken its inspiration from 'The Eminem Show' to which a number of songs performed are accredited to.

The late Proof (a member of d12) takes to the stage in order to aide in performing a number of hit songs such as "Business" and "White America" with Em giving a mind blowing experience to the thousands of fans in the crowd. Through-out the songs, carnival type acts are going on in the background for e.g. Fire-twirlers; jugglers; sword eaters; midgits on rollerblades etc which I think personifies the full experience. Fireworks are also used at the end of selected songs for extra effect which further exemplifies the high production value of this concert, quite literally giving you more bang for your buck.

After dishing out other hit songs such as "Kill You" (the intensely vicious song about Eminem's ex-wife) and "When The Music Stops", D12 takes to the stage to contribute a few songs of their own. The five piece (Bizarre; Kon Artis; Proof; Kuniva and Swift) shred up the stage with three of their biggest hits (Pimp Like Me; Fight Music and Purple Pills). The crowd goes wild as they sing lyrics such as "I don't spit game, no longer than my name // then when my chain hang, my nuts do the same" with audience members hanging on their every word often singing along during the chrous. A number of hit songs follow further establishing Eminem's place within the subculture, (Stan; The Way I Am; Soldier; Cleanin' out my Closet; and Forgot About Dre) songs lyrically impressive which hold true to this day before more fireworks go off and a darkness surrounds the arena.

Eminem takes to the stage with Obie Trice to perform probably my least favourite song throughout the tour "Drips", a song about sexually transmitted diseases. After Drips he takes the time to thank his fans before a voice comes from down stage. He climbs down a firepole to a Dina Rae (a female singer) shouting "Please save me, Superman" which starts off another one of Eminem's hit singles "Superman". Which leads to an explosive performance with Dina Rae singing the chorus. As "Superman" ends "Drug Ballad" starts with Dina Rae still aiding in the chorus. For some reason the crowd gets real excited during this section of the concert. Acrobats are in the background during this song doing all songs of tricks. As the song finishes, Eminem still has the full attention of the audience, Proof revs the crowd up even more by praising Detroit before Eminem breaks into one of his older songs "Just Dont Give A F***" before getting the crowd to spark up glowsticks as they transistion into "Sing For The Moment". Which is one of my favourite parts of the show and further exemplifies Eminem's influence within the subculture.

A brief skit follows showing Moby someone to which Eminem has had beef with in the past getting shot by Obie Trice before breaking into "Without Me". During this set, fat women wearing skimpy clothes take the stage and dance - I felt a little sick watching the fat jiggle before my eyes but found the humour in it. Eminem says goodnight to the audience and all the lights go off.

The crowd roars before a man comes out on stage dressed as a carnival runner dressed in a suit aided by a purple hat and bow-tie. He gets the crowd revved up one again before Eminem comes out for an encore performance of "My Dad's Gone Crazy". The lights are going mental and so is the crowd. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this concert and I think the majority of songs were evidence of his pure talent and rapping abilities.

I would rate his performance in this show as 9/10. The show was taped just after his career peaked following The Marshall Mathers LP and just before it dropped on his album Encore. I think this concert will stand in time as one of the best performances he has given and I think his true fans will acknowledge that. The ambience was spectacular and displayed the cult following his songs and lyrics truly have. Eminem, I take my hat off to you.