Eminem [ tickets ] turned Ford Field into a carnival on Saturday (7/12) for the more than 45,000 fans who packed the home of the Detroit Lions during the first of the rap superstar's only two U.S. headlining shows this year.

For those who saw last year's Anger Management Tour at the nearby Palace of Auburn Hills, this show was basically a repeat--save for songs from the "8 Mile" soundtrack and a few tricks. Eminem's production once again included a Ferris wheel, a master of ceremonies, tents and a giant video screen bordered by an advertisement for psychic readings for five cents. Neon lights above the stage blared "The Eminem Show"--with a flickering "n."

The twitchy light wasn't the only technical glitch. Eminem arrived on stage at 10 p.m., shortly after the production team battled problems with a two-part video introduction. Detroit Mayor/hip-hop fan Kwame Kilpatrick appeared on screen in the first skit telephoning Eminem, who was "overseas," asking him to perform in Detroit this summer. Eminem told Kilpatrick to hold for a moment, and the screens showed footage of the rapper imitating Michael Jackson by standing on a balcony and tossing a baby doll in the air. The footage, which made the TV rounds a month ago, was followed by Kilpatrick's repeated plea to perform.

"What about Detroit? What about the city that put you on the map?" Kilpatrick said.

Eminem responded, "For you and the city? I'll do two [shows]."

However, the video screens went green at the beginning of a second skit, much to the chagrin of a booing crowd. After five to 10 minutes, the video resumed showing Eminem and D12's Proof leaving a plane and getting into a Hummer--erratically driven by a liquor-drinking Kid Rock. After breezing through Eight Mile Road and downtown Detroit, the Hummer pulled into Ford Field and Eminem and D-12 exited and arrived on stage.

The Hummer also served as Eminem and D-12 member Proof's transport to a second stage midshow. A neon sign for "8 Mile Mobile Court" lowered above them as they did "Lose Yourself" and "Run Rabbit Run."

The glitches didn't stop with the intro. Appropriately, during the song "When the Music Stops," pre-recorded vocals and music hit a snag. Apparently lip-synching, Eminem looked momentarily confused and irritated before falling a sentence behind.

Still, Eminem quickly took command of the crowd, which seemed to thrive on every word he spoke or rapped. Ford Field was a sea of waving arms during "Sing for the Moment"--which samples Aerosmith's "Dream On"--and "Stan."

"Cleanin' Out My Closet" was one of the highlights of the 90-minute set. Eminem yelled to the crowd, "How many people have ever had a beef with their mothers?" Proof responded by encouraging fans to chant "F--- you Debbie" repeatedly, a reference to Eminem's mother.

Opener 50 Cent [ tickets ] used his time to promote Reebok G Unit Clothing, a line he runs with fellow rapper Jay-Z. After an intro video that featured the shooting of a Las Vegas crooner (who was singing "New York, New York) and scenes of explicit drug use, 50 Cent--wearing a No. 34 James Stewart Detroit Lions jersey-- opened with "What Up Gangsta," from his Shady Records' debut "Get Rich or Die Tryin'". He performed in front of a Manhattan skyline backdrop.

With a diamond-encrusted cross swinging across his chest, 50 Cent used one hand to hold up his baggy denim shorts and the other to rock the mic. Blowers filled Ford Field with red, white and blue confetti during 50 Cent's hit "In Da Club."

"I've been all around the world, right? I've been on tour with Eminem. I've been to Japan, Tokyo, did the U.K., Germany, Amsterdam, Swiss [sic]. Now I'm back in front of y'all in Detroit. No place like home means no place like home," 50 Cent said about his adopted hometown.

He returned to the stage to join Eminem and Obie Trice [ tickets ] for "Love Me" from "8 Mile."

Missy Elliott [ tickets ] opened the show at 7:30 p.m. bringing R&B singer Monica on stage for "So Gone." Elliott, who was originally slated to perform after 50 Cent, later offered a tribute to Detroit R&B singer Aaliyah, and wrapped up her set with her hit "Work It."