The Black Eyed Peas rocked the Xcel Energy Center on March 22. They hit the St. Paul stage during one of the many stops on their The E-N-D world tour. I was lucky enough to get to hang out backstage before the concert and I had a blast! Backstage is no joke. You have to go through many security checks before you come anywhere near the musicians.
Once we finally made it through security, I sat down with Fergie, Apl.de.ap and Taboo for a little one-on-one time. Will.i.am was MIA and never showed up for the interview…maybe a diva moment.
They were very candid as they filled me in on what makes them click and not click as a group. Taboo expressed that the group is a family and that most of them have been working together for close to 20 years. Fergie talked about being the only girl and the sibling rivalry that occurs. They were extremely personable as they dished about life on the road, their outside projects, kicking off the World Cup in South Africa and performing for their fans.
It was very cool to see them interact with each other — harmless banter and all. I was not allowed to get very personal with them, but I did do a little investigating and saw that Josh Duhamel, Fergie’s husband, was on the do-not-let-backstage list. Before you jump to conclusions and assume that Fergie and Josh are on the outs, I was later filled in on the fact that it was all in good fun and Fergie and Josh are happy.
I must say that they are all very attractive and they radiate star quality. After we wrapped the interview, hugged and said our goodbyes, I was off to enjoy the show…or so I thought. On my way, I somehow stumbled into the dressing room of LMFAO. I saw a lot more of them than necessary because they were literally changing as I walked in. They were extremely goofy – I literally laughed from the moment I walked through the door until the moment I left.
THE SHOW: OMG, the show was incredible. It was nonstop hits, very cool futuristic costumes, and energy through the roof. I really liked that each member was spotlighted in their own segment. Obviously Fergie and WILL.i.am had a little more alone time on stage, with Fergie doing her solo hits and WILL.i.am showing off his DJ skills on the turntables. Taboo and Apl were amazing as well during their solo moments.
There were disco balls, flying motorcycles, acrobatics, break dancing, crazy lighting — needless to say, it was a party! My feet were killing me but I kept jumping and dancing because the music and energy were phenomenal.
I have to admit there were a few awkward moments. Someone definitely should have told WILL.i.am that he was in Minneapolis, not MINN-IEN-APOLIS. He said it twice. I know they travel a lot but someone backstage should have clued him in. He also spoke highly of his time at 7th Avenue and seeing Prince perform there. Minnesotans realized that he had 7th Avenue confused with First Avenue. Even the blunders didn’t take away from the experience.
I would fully recommend the BEP show! The live music is a whole different experience. It’s always cool when a group sounds just as good live as they do on their CD. WILL.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and Apl.de.ap are talented individually but when they come together they are an unstoppable, chart topping force known as the Black Eyed Peas.
I had a great time, but I’m pretty sure the girl in front of me, who took her bra off and twirled it over her head, had an even better time–and yes it actually happened. It was fun times for all!
I’m Danni and I love my job! See more photos of my crazy night below.