Chris Brown stormed the M.E.N Arena on Saturday 10 January 2009. Check out the reviews of the R&B hip hop sensation with the men-arena.com's top posts:

citylife.co.uk > posted Monday 12 January 2009 >

"DESPITE the blinding fireworks, the team of pliant dancers and thousands of screaming fans, there are many moments tonight when Chris Brown still looks like the boy next door from Tappahannock, Virginia.

Though not many boys-next-door have the voice, the moves and, it has to be said, the well-defined pecs Brown has.

Throughout his visual spectacular he frequently turns to the audience to treat them to a warm smile; in between songs he's chatty - proving a gracious host, ultimately pleased with his capacity crowd at the arena.

Still only 19 and with two albums under his proverbial belt, he's built up an enviable reputation on the R&B scene in the time that most kids spend doing their A levels.

Frequently compared to Michael Jackson (when he was good rather than just plain disturbed) and the more contemporary Usher, Brown's is a straightforward brand of R&B; his catalogue consisting mainly of love songs and by all accounts written himself.

One thing is certain, Brown knows how to put on a show so when he does appear after some considerable build up (the opening DJ builds him up so well that when the support - the talented Zarif - appears there's palpable disappointment) he delivers.

He kicks off dropping in on wires from high above all decked out in black (with matching dancers) against an urban setting backdrop that features a British red phone box just for us.

He moves through a selection of his hits, the lively Gimme That and heavy Kiss Kiss, showcases his slower ballads in the likes of Say Goodbye plus there's an explosive rendition of his first single Run It.

He fleshes out the show with extra bits and pieces; the costume changes are covered by small sets from his MC plus there's a bit of audience interaction and Brown even pops up at other end of the arena to appear on a circular stage that lifts up from the floor.

It's hard to pick out the highlights, he could have finale-d on any one of the numbers. Overall, you couldn't ask for much better company for a couple of hours on a Saturday night."

You must be logged in to submit a review

Enter your review below