The Xperience

Christina Aguilera: The Xperience

Residency by Christina Aguilera
File:Xperience concert.jpg
Location	Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Venue	Zappos Theater
Start date	May 31, 2019 (2019-05-31)
End date	March 7, 2020 (2020-03-07)
Legs	4
No. of shows	24
Attendance	75,675
Box office	$10.2 million
Christina Aguilera concert chronology

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Christina Aguilera: The Xperience (also simply titled as The Xperience) was the first concert residency by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera. Produced by Live Nation, it was held at the Zappos Theater in Las Vegas, it began on May 31, 2019, and concluded on March 7, 2020. The show featured music from six of Aguilera's English-language albums, the Burlesque soundtrack as well as several other singles. The planned fifth leg was planned to begin towards the end of 2020 and continue until November 21, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , the shows were postponed, and eventually canceled on September 30, 2020.

Described as a "multi sensory" experience, the show is divided into six acts plus an encore, with each act being marked by its own colors, textures, and scents pumped throughout the venue. The central theme of the show was outer space featuring galactic visuals and imagery. Inspirations of the X-shaped stage setup and costume design came from retrofuturism.

Background and development

Aguilera announced the residency during a surprise appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, stating, "I’ve been actually accumulating for years these ideas and concepts and, taking people on this amazing ride and trip and using the imagination […] mind-blowing theatrical experience, song, dance, visuals, and uninterrupted high energy. I cannot wait to bring you into the 'Xperience'". Later in a tweet, Aguilera described it further as "a multisensory escape to a world of magic & total freedom." "It represents the fact that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all have to wear a mask on some level, This is a place where, for one night, take your mask off, put a different one on, be whoever you want to be." she added.

Alluding that it is inspired by shows like Cirque du Soleil, Aguilera called the show a 'five-sensory experience', "There are certain things you can touch throughout the show and things that come from the ceiling. [...] not just a concert, but an opportunity for people to take off their masks." she said. Branding the show "dramatic and fun," Aguilera said she's going to use Vegas as her 'playground' to also tap into her own artistry. She also stated, "I'm inviting people on this gigantic carousel with me and giving people a safe space, providing a sense of freedom and a sense of themselves."

The concert has been described as an 'extravaganza and spectacle' included songs from her career. Each act was marked by its own visual imagery and scents pumped throughout the venue. The central theme of the show was outer space featuring galaxy-related illustrations. The show featured an elevated stage with an X-shaped runway and retrofuturistic-inspired costume design. "We're doing some interesting things with glowing and lights and lots of silvertones and angular shapes—it'll be quite a spectacle [...] interesting moments where each song reflects a monochromatic stylized color scheme." Aguilera said. She revealed the name of the designers working on the costumes for the show to Galore magazine; they include Gareth Pugh and Bobby Abley.

Although not being a part of the show's promo, on the ticket outlet information it was referred that $1 from each ticket sold will benefit The Shade Tree, a non-profit shelter in Southern Nevada for women and children.

Music

Christina Aguilera: The Xperience includes material from six of Aguilera's English-language albums: Christina Aguilera (1999), Stripped (2002), Back to Basics (2006), Bionic (2010), Lotus (2012), and Liberation (2018); as well as songs from the Burlesque soundtrack (2010), Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits (2008), and other stand alone singles. The musical production was handled to mirror the show's retrofuturistic theme, with many song having their remixes performed over the original version.

The show's video introduction plays to Donna Summer's 1977 single, "I Feel Love". The first number in the show is "Your Body". Aguilera opted to perform the song's futuristic Martin Garrix remix over the original version. It was followed by "Bionic", the opening track of her 2010 album of the same name. Bionic was heavily used in the show, due to the album's futuristic sound. Another song from the album "Vanity" was performed during a medley with "Express" from the Burlesque soundtrack (2010), and "Lady Marmalade" from the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack (2001). The song "Fall In Line" from Liberation was used as an interlude for the female empowerment act. It went into "Can't Hold Us Down" from Stripped (2002), which contained elements of "Boys Wanna Be Her" by Peaches, with whom Aguilera previously collaborated in "My Girls". Aguilera's 2007 single, "Candyman", from Back to Basics was performed with a sample of "I Want Candy" (originally released in 1965 by the Strangeloves). The final act of the show begins with an interlude of "Telepathy" from The Get Down soundtrack (2016). It was followed by an extended mix of Liberation's lead single, "Accelerate", which went into "Feel This Moment", which contained elements of "Desnudate".

Concert synopsis

The show began with a video showing outer space and galaxy-related visuals. Then Aguilera opened the show coming out of a crystal lotus flower dressed in a white bodysuit with structured fabric around her hips and shoulders to sing "Your Body". The show continued with "Not Myself Tonight" and "Genie in a Bottle". It was followed by an acoustic version of "Reflection". Aguilera then donned a gold bodysuit with chaps to perform "Dirrty". Later the singer was seen in a plain black one-piece and a long, matching leather jacket as she continued the show with a performance of "Can't Hold Us Down". For "Maria" Aguilera was seen on top of the stairs of the stage in a demure royal blue hooded gown; snowflakes fell from the ceiling during "Twice". A pink and black bodysuit with light-up hearts across her chest and crotch was chosen for the performance of "Woohoo", "Elastic Love" and "Bionic". She later sang "Beautiful", Fighter her dancers wear Boxing trunks which showed Thai language letters มวยไทย, Aguilera in a red dress with chain detailing.

Critical response

John Katsilometes of Las Vegas Review-Journal reacted positively saying, "This isn't a concert as much as it is a Disney blockbuster playing out in real time. Aguilera kicks out a series of acts seemingly unrelated, but all delivering a forceful message of individuality and empowerment." Melinda Sheckells of Billboard called the show, "A celebration of range, power and pride." Evan Real of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Aguilera's show served as a prism reflecting just a sample of her varying identities: sex-positive seductress, fierce feminist, soulful chanteuse and committed ally of the LGBTQ community. The pop superstar served up impressive vocals, visuals and couture costumes." Logo TV's Lamar Dawson provided a positive review, praising the "empowering" set and the way Aguilera tributed other pop divas: Cher, Whitney Houston, and Donna Summer. He went on to declare that the singer's "gay icon status is still in excellent standing".

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Result
2020	Best of Las Vegas Awards	Best Resident Performer/Headliner	Nominated
		Best Production	Nominated
		Bachelorette Party	Nominated

Set list

1. "I Feel Love" (Video Introduction)
2. "Your Body" (Martin Garrix Remix)
3. "Bionic"
4. "Genie in a Bottle"
5. "Reflection"
6. "Golden Queen" (Video Interlude)
7. "Dirrty"
8. "Vanity" / "Express" / "Lady Marmalade"
9. "Fall in Line" (Video Interlude)
10. "Can't Hold Us Down" ("with excerpts of "Boys Wanna Be Her")
11. "Sick of Sittin'"
12. "Maria"
13. "Twice"
14. "What a Girl Wants" / "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)"
15. "Ain't No Other Man"
16. "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)" (Video Interlude)
17. "Say Something"
18. "Glam" (Video Interlude)
19. "Candyman" (contains excerpts from "I Want Candy")
20. "Woohoo"
21. Telepathy (Video Interlude)
22. "Accelerate" ("Pink Panda Extended Mix")
23. "Feel This Moment" (contains excerpts from "Desnudate")
24. "Beautiful"
25. "Fighter"

Encore

26. "Let There Be Love"

Shows

Date	Attendance	Gross
Leg 1
May 31, 2019	24,988 / 32,042 (78%)	$3,978,466
June 1, 2019
June 5, 2019
June 7, 2019
June 8, 2019
June 13, 2019
June 15, 2019
June 16, 2019
Leg 2
September 20, 2019	27,756 / 32,308 (86%)	$3,702,768
September 21, 2019
September 24, 2019
September 27, 2019
September 28, 2019
October 2, 2019
October 4, 2019
October 5, 2019
Leg 3
December 28, 2019	8,720 / 10,894 (80%)	$1,050,939
December 30, 2019
December 31, 2019
Leg 4
February 26, 2020	14,211 / 16,683 (85%)	$1,511,851
February 29, 2020
March 4, 2020
March 6, 2020
March 7, 2020
Total	75,675 / 91,927 (82%)	$10,244,024

Cancelled shows

Date	Reason
December 27, 2019	Health reasons
February 28, 2020	Technical difficulties
November 11, 2020	COVID-19 pandemic
November 13, 2020
November 14, 2020
November 18, 2020
November 20, 2020
November 21, 2020

References

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