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#REDIRECT [[List of Christina Aguilera concerts#Stand-alone concerts]]
{{Infobox concert

| concert_name = Christina Aguilera with the LA Phil
{{Rcat shell|
| artist = [[Christina Aguilera]]
{{R to related topic}}
| type = Residency
| orchestra = [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]]
| conductor = [[Gustavo Dudamel]]
| venue = [[Hollywood Bowl]]
| start_date = July 16, 2021
| end_date = July 17, 2021
| number_of_shows = 2
| last_tour = [[The X Tour (Christina Aguilera)|The X Tour]]<br />(2019)
| next_tour = [[EU/UK Summer Series]]<br />(2022)
| this_tour = '''Christina Aguilera with the LA Phil'''<br />(2021)
| location = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| guests = [[Ian Axel]]
| attendance = 35,000 (total)
| duration = 70 minutes
| image = <!-- Insert poster here -->
}}
}}

'''Christina Aguilera with the LA Phil''' was the second concert residency by American singer-songwriter [[Christina Aguilera]], accompanied the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] and Venezuelan conductor [[Gustavo Dudamel]]. The residency was held at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] amphitheater in Los Angeles, California during two consecutive nights on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17, 2021. The residency was Aguilera's first performance in almost 18 months after the cancellation of [[Christina Aguilera: The Xperience]] in March and September 2020. During the show, Aguilera performed [[Christina Aguilera discography|her discography]] as well as several covers, with the LA Phil contributing to all but five numbers, as well as several interludes. Aside from the orchestra, Aguilera was also joined by her tour band. The show featured seven costume changes, as well as a mountain fixture, on top of which Aguilera opened the show as a reference to the opening scene in ''[[The Sound of Music (film)|The Sound of Music]]'' (1965).

The residency was a critical and commercial success, with both shows selling out and receiving praise from critics.

== Background ==
Following the conclusion of [[The X Tour (Christina Aguilera)|The X Tour]] in 2019, Aguilera continued her [[Las Vegas]] residency, [[Christina Aguilera: The Xperience]]. The residency was planned to continue until November 2020, but following the show on March 7, it was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] with the final leg getting cancelled in September.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Sam |date=2020-09-30 |title=Christina Aguilera calls off her November Xperience Las Vegas comeback |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/christina-aguilera-calls-november-xperience-22765449 |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> Aguilera wouldn't perform for almost 18 months following the cancellation of Christina Aguilera: The Xperience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2021-07-29 |title=My First Show Back: Christina Aguilera Joins LA Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/christina-aguilera-first-show-back-live-hollywood-bowl/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aguilera was invited to perform at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] for a two night residency by Dudamel on behalf of the LA Philharmonic. The shows were announced in early June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-04 |title=See Christina Aguilera with the LA Phil at The Hollywood Bowl 7/16 and 7/17/21 - |url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2021/06/04/los-angeles/see-christina-aguilera-with-the-la-phil-at-the-hollywood-bowl-7-16-and-7-17-21/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=mxdwn Music |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to [[COVID-19 prevention|COVID restrictions]], audience members were required to wear masks for the duration of the show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christina Aguilera with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil orchestra {{!}} Hollywood Bowl |url=https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/1251/2021-07-16/christina-aguilera-with-the-la-phil |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=Hollywood Bowl |language=en}}</ref> Musical inspiration for the show was taken from film and composers, such as [[Danny Elfman]]'s work with [[Tim Burton]], [[Philip Glass]] and [[Nicholas Britell]]. Another source of inspiration was the opening scene in ''[[The Sound of Music (film)|The Sound of Music]]'', where [[Julie Andrews]] is seen singing atop a mountain in Austria.

== About the show ==

=== Music ===
The set featured the contribution of [[Gustavo Dudamel]], conducting the orchestra of the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]], as well as Aguilera's own band.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2021-07-17 |title=Christina Aguilera Reimagines Her Biggest Hits With the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/christina-aguilera-philharmonic-hollywood-bowl-recap-9602622/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> The set list featured songs from four of Aguilera's English-language albums (excluding 2000's ''[[My Kind of Christmas]]'', 2010's ''[[Bionic (Christina Aguilera album)|Bionic]]'', and 2012's ''[[Lotus (Christina Aguilera album)|Lotus]]''), as well as her rendition of "[[Contigo en la Distancia]]", which is featured on her first Spanish-language album, ''[[Mi Reflejo]]'' (2000). In addition to songs from [[Christina Aguilera discography|her own discography]], Aguilera also performed two covers: the [[Etta James]] popularized "[[At Last]]", and [[James Brown]]'s "[[It's a Man's Man's Man's World]]", both songs she'd previously covered and received acclaim for.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=2021-07-18 |title=Christina Aguilera Meets Brass With Brass, Performing With L.A. Phil at Hollywood Bowl: Concert Review |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/christina-aguilera-la-philharmonic-hollywood-bowl-concert-review-1235022449/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

The show featured fifteen musical numbers, with the LA Phil contributing to ten of them, including the orchestral opening score. The rest of the numbers featured only Aguilera and her own band. During the song "[[Say Something (A Great Big World song)|Say Something]]", Aguilera is joined by [[Ian Axel]], singer of the American musical duo [[A Great Big World]], with who Aguilera duetted the song with.

=== Fashion and style ===
The show's fashion was characterized by several costume changes, which were done over a base outfit, which Aguilera wore the entire show. Aguilera's makeup was done by Etienne Ortega and her hair by Iggy Rosales, while the styling was handled by [[Mel Ottenberg]]. Ottenberg wrote an article for ''Interview Magazine'', who he is the Editor-in-chief of, documenting the design and styling process.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Ottenberg |first=Mel |date=2021-07-21 |title=Mel Ottenberg on Styling Christina Aguilera's Hollywood Bowl Looks |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/mel-ottenberg-styling-christina-aguilera-hollywood-bowl-looks |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

The show fetured seven outfit changes. The first outfit of the set was a black [[catsuit]], designed by LA Roxx and a pair of Gianvito Rossi black ankle-height boots. Underneath the catsuit, Aguilera wore [[Wolford]] undergarments. Aside from being used as the show's opening outfit, it was used as the base for the rest of the show's costumes, with different pieces being draped over it. For the opening look, it was styled with a pair of Nickho Rey [[earring]]s, a [[Swarovski]] [[Ring (jewellery)|ring]] and [[choker]] and a vintage diamond [[necklace]] from Kentshire, as well as a custom black ruched belt by Anthony Canney. Following the performance of "[[Ain't No Other Man]]", a metallic M'Lynn Hass skirt was draped over the catsuit and was styled with a Laurel DeWitt neckpiece and archive Swarovski [[cuff]]s. The third styling of the base outfit featured white sparkling [[Versace]] [[sunglasses]], custom white leather Gaspar [[evening gloves]] and an archive Swarovski necklace. It is customary of Aguilera to wear [[chaps]] when performing "[[Dirrty]]", as they have become synonymous with the song. Ottenberg contacted American fashion designer [[Zaldy]] to design a pair for the set. The final product was a bedazzled [[thong]] and a studded pair of chaps which would be layered on top of the catsuit. It was styled with a Dena Kemp ring and a pair of Briony Raymond earrings. The styling was then replaced by [[bangle]]s and a [[Medusa]] ring from Versace, a diamond necklace, a chain necklace with two crosses, and a David Webb gold and diamond ring from Broken English jewellery. For the performances of "[[It's a Man's Man's Man's World]]" and "[[Fighter (Christina Aguilera song)|Fighter]]", the simple base outfit was styled with an [[old Hollywood]] style feathered [[robe]] by [[Catherine D'lish]] and a pair of diamond hoop earrings. The encore performance outfit involved stripping away the styling and draping on a black sheer [[ball gown]] skirt over the catsuit, made by Anthony Canney.

Iggy Rosales styled Aguilera's hair in an intricate bun for the July 16 show. The second show on the following night featured Aguilera's hair in a long ponytail braid. Her makeup, by Etienne Ortega, remained similar in nature between both nights.

=== Set design ===
Set design for the show was handled by Kristen Vallow.<ref name=":2" /> The show's setting was mostly similar in nature to the regular stage, with the addition of a large white mountain-shaped setpiece. The mountain served as a [[projection screen]], used to project visual effects onto it. Aguilera could also climb to the top through a staircase in the back, as she did during her performances of "[[At Last]]" and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". The mountain was a reference to the 1965 film ''[[The Sound of Music (film)|The Sound of Music]]''. During the show, Aguilera addressed the mountain, saying:<blockquote>I was originally, of course, inspired by the great [[Rodgers and Hammerstein]] and ''The Sound of Music'' being the first thing that ever spoke to me musically. I wanted to be [[Julie Andrews]] on the hills and tonight is that moment for me. I’m just constantly inspired by composers and the way they create worlds and take you to other places and have new perspectives hearing things, it’s just incredible.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

== Reception ==
The show received critical acclaim. Ranita Aniftos of ''Billboard'' complimented Aguilera's "mind blowing vocal runs" and called her rendition of "[[At Last]]" an "intoxicating cover of [[Etta James]]' classic".<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''<nowiki/>'s Chris William complimented the 70-minute set's fashion and ability to incorporate the orchestra into songs like "[[Dirrty]]".<ref name=":1" />

The residency was held for two consecutive nights at the [[Hollywood Bowl]]. The 17,500 seat [[Amphitheatre|amphitheater]] was sold out for both nights, totaling an audience of 35,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christina Aguilera Blazes Sold-Out Hollywood Bowl Shows / Dazzles With 'Dirrty,' 'Fighter,' & More - That Grape Juice |url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/2021/07/christina-aguilera-blazes-sold-out-hollywood-bowl-shows-dazzles-with-dirrty-fighter-more/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=thatgrapejuice.net}}</ref>

== Set list ==
{{div col}}
# "[[At Last]]"
#"[[Ain't No Other Man]]"
# "[[Genie in a Bottle]]"
# "[[The Voice Within]]"
# "Peaches"
#"[[Can't Hold Us Down]]"
# "Maria"
# "[[Twice (Christina Aguilera song)|Twice]]"
# "[[Say Something (A Great Big World song)|Say Something]]" {{Small|(with [[Ian Axel]])}}
# "[[Dirrty]]"
# "[[Express (Christina Aguilera song)|Express]]
#"[[Lady Marmalade]]"
# "[[Contigo en la Distancia]]"
# "[[What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song)|What a Girl Wants]]"
# "[[It's a Man's Man's Man's World]]"
# "[[Fighter (Christina Aguilera song)|Fighter]]"
;Encore
#<li value="17">"[[Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)|Beautiful]]"
{{div col end}}

== Personnel ==

* [[Christina Aguilera]]: lead performer
* [[Gustavo Dudamel]]: conductor
* Philipa Price: Creative director
* Sarah Francus: Creative director
* [[Mel Ottenberg]]: Styling for Christina Aguilera
* [[Stephen Galloway]]: Choreographer & clothing designer for the dancers
* Kristen Vallow: Set designer
* Etienne Ortega: Makeup artist for Christina Aguilera
* Iggy Rosales: Hair styling for Christina Aguilera

== References ==
<references />{{Christina Aguilera}}

[[Category:2021 concert residencies]]
[[Category:Christina Aguilera concert residencies]]
[[Category:Hollywood Bowl]]

Latest revision as of 01:26, 10 May 2023