Britney Spears Arrives in Australia for Circus Tour

Britney Spears arrived at Sydney International Airport today and immediately boarding a private jet for the trans-Australia flight to Perth, WA where her Circus Tour kicks off tomorrow night.

"Longest flight ever but we had a great time. Really cool plane and the V staff took great care of us. So excited to be here! -Britney," the pop superstar posted on Twitter.

Dressed in black, Britney can be forgiven for not greeting fans and signing autographs after the long haul across the Pacific Ocean. Her first concert date is 6 November, so she will have limited time to get over jet-lag.

Britney is giving Australian fans what they've been waiting for - a national tour. Her latest album, Circus, has seen Britney back on top of the charts and away from any front-page scandals. Led by the Womanizer single, the LP's international success has meant a US tour has now snowballed into an international expedition.

As Britney explained on her website: "I've wanted to tour Australia for quite some time and now it's finally happening. My Circus tour is the best show I have ever created and I can't wait to perform it for all of my Australian fans".

The Circus tour has brought 225 crew members, 45 band members and dancers and 15 circus performers to Australia. An additional 150 local crew will be hired in each city to keep the show rolling. Shows will be held in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The lip-sync debate

Much has been said about Britney and her lip sync performances as opposed to actually singing the lyrics for some of her show songs. Australian fans seem unperturbed about this as evidenced by her almost sold out shows. The Circus show highlights Britney's dancing and the theatrics of herself and her troupe.

Australian promoter Paul Dainty recently defended Spears' lip-syncing during the physically demanding dance routines, citing Kylie Minogue and Madonna as other mimers. "I did go to the show in America with a degree of cynicism, as anyone would because of (what) we've read and heard, but she was absolutely fantastic," he said.

Others have cited that Pink, in her Funhouse show, can hang upside down from a trapeze and still belt out perfectly in tune vocals, without missing a beat. There were bound to be comparisons between Funhouse and Circus.

Britney certainly has turned her life around since her well-publicized meltdown. She is a great example of "getting back on the horse". Her real fans never deserted her in her time of need and I'm sure those in Australia will all enjoy her performances.

Britney's Circus Tour dates in Australia - most concerts "sold out"

Perth - Burswood Dome
Friday, 6 November 2000
Saturday, 7 November 2009

Melbourne - Rod Laver Arena
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
Friday, 27 November 2009

Sydney - Acer Arena
Monday, 16 November 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Friday, 20 November 2009

Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Sunday, 29 November 2009

14 shows in just under a month is quite a grueling schedule. It is hoped Britney will get a chance to see some of Australia while she is here.

Sources:
http://www.britneyspears.com/
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26306731-5012980,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25447903-5003421,00.html