LOS ANGELES: Britney Spears is back and, the good news is, she’s stronger than yesterday.

The Circus starring Britney Spears kicked off on March 3 at New Orleans Arena, where her adoring hometown fans and members of the media-lined up for hours beforehand to get their hands on tour memorabilia and otherwise prove their loyalty to the pop star on come back trail.

And the 27-year-old songstress didn’t seem to disappoint, as evidenced by the concertgoers who Twittered away every moment of the show.

Spears’ desire to do well and make up for lost time was palpable, and that alone would have made for a thrilling experience.

Opening act the Pussycat Dolls got things rolling, whetting the audience’s appetite for the spectacle that followed.

A little more than an hour later, Spears descended from the ceiling and dove into Circus and then Piece of Me. The night’s 16-song set list included Radar, Boys, Gimme More remix, Everytime, Me Against the Music backed by Bollywood-inspired dancers. And, as promised, earlier in the evening Britney was cut in half. (Though the question remains: Is she whole again?)

The greatest hits came toward the end, when Brit and her dancers polished of I’m a Slave 4 U, Toxic and ..Baby One More Time to close the show. Womaniser was the night’s encore selection.

Amid a shower of sparks, Britney then thanked the audience and wished them a good night.