Rihanna – The Anti World Tour – Air Canada Center, Toronto – April 13-14, 2016

By Natalie Paterson
Photos by Katie Stein

Rihanna is a presence that brings incredible life to an already pumped audience, as was proven on Wednesday night at the Air Canada Center. The show had 14,000 fans on their feet from start to finish and was a non-stop dance party.

Opening the show was the official tour DJ, KnowleDJ, who started the night with high energy music and dance-inducing bass. He stayed on stage while the opening act, Travis Scott, captivated the audience with even higher energy rap and hip-hop jams.  The venue was sold out, and with the flashing lights and everyone on their feet, you would easily mistake the ACC for a club on Wednesday night.

Rihanna took over the show shortly after, commanding the sub-stage near the back half of the venue with heartfelt renditions of “Stay” and “Love the Way You Lie (Part 2)”, refocusing everyone’s attention onto the main highlight of the night. She easily kept the energy high as she headed back to the stage, stopping to dance with fans on the floor and snap a couple of selfies.

There were bits and pieces of new songs and old, reminding us why we loved Rihanna, and why we continue to love the music she makes. Among the highlights of the night were “Bitch Better Have My Money”, “All of the Lights”, and my personal favourite, “FourFiveSeconds”, which turned the stage into a giant foam party.

All in all, it was a wicked night, and rumour has it that fans were treated to something even more special on night #2 of the back to back performances, with a special appearance by Drake. Rihanna’s is a show that you definitely need to experience at least once in a lifetime, and I would strongly consider going to see her again. It was an amazing performance from start to finish and one of the wildest parties that downtown Toronto has ever seen.

The Anti World Tour continues until August 21, and the next stop is in Chicago at the United Center.