Gwen Stefani blew away the audience at the Save Mart Center Saturday night on her “This Is What The Truth Feels Like” tour.
When she came on the stage, followed by four dancers and the full band, the crowd went wild. As her last show until October, Stefani promised to make this a stop to remember.
“Fresno, I guess we’re saving the best for last!” she said.
The 46-year-old alt-pop star had no trouble keeping the crowd dancing from beginning to end. Mothers, daughters, men and women joined in unison to sing along to her best hits like “Hollaback Girl.”
Nineties hip-hop star Eve joined Stefani on her tour as the opening act. Eve did a great job hyping the crowd up for Stefani’s arrival. However, her time to shine didn’t come until Stefani invited her on stage to perform the duo’s hit “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” that they recorded in 2001.
The crowd erupted in applause at the sight of the two stars on stage. Stefani reiterated how much she loved Eve and how crazy it is that they were back together.
“You better still be my friend when this is over,” Stefani said.
Stefani kept engaging the crowd, saying how unforgettable Fresno always is, labeling the city as part of her top five favorite stops on her tour thus far.
Stefani said, “Fresno, you guys have got such a good reputation. I always remember you guys.”
At one point, she even invited a member of the crowd onto the stage because his poster said that it was his birthday. She grabbed his phone and took a selfie with him and gave him a warm embrace.
Stefani’s gratitude for her fans exuded each time she thanked the crowd for following her throughout her career.
“Honestly, I have no idea where I would be without you guys,” Stefani said.
Stefani stayed true to her former band No Doubt’s roots. She asked the crowd, “Fresno are you guys ready to take it up a notch? I’m talking some serious rocking out,” and proceeded to perform the former group’s hit “Hella Good.”
For the duration of that song the crowd was jumping on it’s feet, heads were banging and the risers were shaking.
Even her opening outfit was an ode to her No Doubt era, and Stefani came out wearing a two- piece outfit consisting of ripped, red plaid pants with a red blinged-out top that accentuated the star’s flawless abs. She changed looks three times throughout the night, each look sparklier than the last. Even the dancers had outfit changes that co-ordinated with each look’s theme.
Her softer side shone through toward the end when she played “Used to Love You” from her new album. The song references the split of her 14-year marriage with Gavin Rossdale earlier this year. Behind Stefani, a video played of the star staring at the camera fighting back tears.
Stefani closed out the night with “Sweet Escape.” The crowd helped sing the hit’s chorus as Stefani pointed the mic into the audience. She and the arena echoed together.
Before exiting the stage for good, Stefani took the time to thank her dancers and each member of the band. They all joined hands in a line, broadway style and bowed together as a team.