92 minutes. That is how long Rihanna left Calgary waiting after her scheduled 9:00 start time before finally gracing the Saddledome with her presence. It seems to be becoming par for the course with Rihanna, who was an hour late in Edmonton and nearly 2 hours late in Winnipeg. Winnipeg was due to her trucks being stopped at customs, but no such excuse was available in Alberta. A half-hearted apology early in the show didn't excuse it. If the people who paid as much as $162.50 per ticket – and even more for VIP packages – showed up an hour late consistently to their job they would be fired. It doesn't make her a bad girl, or cool. It makes her disrespectful to the people who paid to see her, many of which were kids (although why you would take a small child to Rihanna is a mystery) who left before she even took the stage.

It seems like many pop stars are taking over headlines for behaviour or other issues – Justin Bieber's recent UK tour and Lady Gaga canceling her tour are other examples. Rihanna has never claimed to be a role model, but recently her behaviour – from reuniting with Chris Brown to the disaster that was the 777 promotional tour – have taken away from her music. Which is a shame because beyond the drama and diva like behaviour is a very talented pop star.

The Diamonds World Tour, in support of Unapologetic, is Rihanna's third visit to Calgary in as many years. Since she last played the Dome in 2011 she has released 2 albums and the concert focused a great deal on tracks from Unapologetic (which is arguably her weakest album) and Talk That Talk. As a result, hits like S&M, Take a Bow and Only Girl in the World were relegated to medleys while Disturbia and S.O.S. didn't even make the set. Rihanna appeared bowed and solo for Mother Mary to start the show before the stage lit up for Phresh Out The Runway. Each segment of the show featured a brief musical interlude for a costume change and then on to a different set.

Part of the appeal of seeing a pop star on this scale, whether it is icons like Cher or Janet Jackson or current artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, is the spectacle of the show. Sets, costumes, and elaborate choreography are all part of what makes this type of concert a full experience. Her previous two tours – Last Girl on Earth in 2010 and Rated R in 2011 featured this in full – tanks, a giant glow in the dark cage, incredible staging... this tour had none of that. This was a stripped down show focusing almost solely on Rihanna on stage with some flash pots, a cool light show, and occasional dance sequences with her entirely female dancers. With backup vocalists and a backing track, Rihanna often let that do the work, or the audience, just adding vocals in. It had to be a bit shocking to younger concert-goers to see her singing, then dropping the microphone to her side and taking a sip of water while the vocals kept going.

Yet for all the criticisms of the show, Rihanna still had many moments that made you remember why she is one of the biggest pop stars in the world. A slowed down set featuring Rihanna in a stunning red dress with panels circling her, showcased her stunning voice on Loveeeeee song and a medley of Love The Way You Lie, Take A Bow and Cold Case Love. Stay, the first song in the encore, also showcased this side of her.

By the time the show concluded with Diamonds at 12:15am, almost all was forgiven. The crowd sang along and cheered as she thanked us for the energy, and despite the late hour the audience was very into the show. But in reflection, there was something missing. Perhaps Rihanna has set the bar so high previously that it would be impossible to measure up. She is just 25 years old, and when she is "on" she can captivate an audience. As a stand alone show it was good, some will even say amazing. But when the late start time, lack of singing, and comparisons to past shows come up, this show just isn't the Rihanna we've loved for the last several years. I hope things get back on track because I, like most of the 13'500 people that packed the arena, am a fan. Fans deserve their money's worth and to be respected. Hopefully she is reminded of that.

Setlist
Mother Mary
Phresh Out the Runway
Birthday Cake
Talk That Talk
Pour It Up
Cockiness (Love It)
Numb
You da One
Man Down
No Love Allowed
Rude Boy
What's My Name?
Jump
Umbrella
All of the Lights
Rockstar 101
What Now
Loveeeeeee Song
Love the Way You Lie (Part II) / Take a Bow / Cold Case Love
Hate That I Love You
We Found Love
S&M / Only Girl (In the World) / Don't Stop the Music
Where Have You Been

Encore
Stay
Diamonds