Pink: the Fly Girl at the X/ Star Tribune photo by Jeff Wheeler

Tuesday was Pink's first arena headline concert in the Twin Cities. That may have heightened the wow factor for many of the more than 16,000 fans.

Having seen her terrific 2009 tour at Madison Square Garden, I knew about her aerial obsessions but I was still bedazzled by her performance at Xcel Center, as my review indicated.

OK, the show wasn't flawless. The conceit of the concert -- a TV game show called The Truth About Love Show -- seemed hokey and unnecessary. Pink could have pulled off her 10 or so costume changes without the irritating Rubix, the game-show host, appearing onstage. (Of course, the outfits showed off her amazingly fit and athletic body. Ab fab abs on that woman.)

For some, there may have been too much choreography and acrobatics. (I'd think her insurance people and her manager – who has worked with Cher, Tina Turner and Janet Jackson – freak out when she flies in the air without a harness or safety net on one number.) But Pink proved that when she played it straightforward, she's a winner, as well.

(For the record, Pink last played in the Twin Cities in 2007, opening for Justin Timberlake at the X and introducing some of her Cirque du Soleil-inspired moves. Prior to that, she headlined at First Avenue in 2006. So she was overdue in the Twin Cities.)

Performing five minutes short of two hours, Pink focused on material from last year's "The Truth About Love," her sixth album. She eschewed one of her biggest hits, "Get the Party Started," which might sound dated.

If you haven't heard, Pink will return Nov. 2 at Target Center. Tickets will go on sale on March 30 but there is a pre-sale for American Express cardholders, starting March 25. For details, go to http://www.pinkspage.com/us/home

Here is Pink's set list:
Raise Your Glass/ Walk of Shame/ Just Like a Pill/ U + Ur Hand/ Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)/ Try/ Wicked Game (Chris Isaak)/ Just Give Me a Reason/ Trouble/ Are We All We Are/ How Come You're Not Here/ Sober/ Family Portrait/ Who Knew/ bleeping Perfect/ Most Girls .There You Go > You Make Me Sick/ Slut Like You/ Blow Me (One Last Kiss) ENCORE So What/ Glitter in the Air