Music Editor Hannah Gadd reviews MIKA’s cosmic performance at The Halls in Wolverhampton
MIKA is back on tour, throwing parties all around the nation with his latest live show. Fans were dressed for the occasion, decked out in sequins, body glitter and bold colours preparing to enter the vivacious world of the Apocalypse Calypso tour.
The pop icon burst onto stage in a bright red suit, opening with the huge track ‘Origin Of Love’. MIKA’s energy is instantly infectious as he dances around the stage in front of neon visuals. From one hit to another, ‘Talk About You’ and ‘Lollipop’ follow, MIKA darting around the stage holding a captivating stage presence. During the latter track he divided the crowd in half- his angels and devils as he described us- taking it in turns in singing the song back to him.
MIKA is as charming and humorous as ever as he welcomes fans to the show following the breathless string of hits, comically adding the show was late starting as he was stuck in traffic. The show continues with beautiful desert scenery illuminating the venue before the singer re-appears in a gold suit for ‘Feels Like Fire’ and ‘Underwater’, MIKA having the audience transfixed on his sensational vocal ability.
‘Yo Yo’ propelled us further into MIKA’s euro-pop daydream
An animated neon statue fills the screen as MIKA substitutes his gold suit for an even greater glittery one before kicking into the synthpop track ‘Relax’. This performance felt like it was straight out of the 80s with its bright lights, disco beat and big synths. MIKA’s falsetto does not falter once, his voice remarkably powerful. ‘Yo Yo’ propelled us further into MIKA’s euro-pop daydream, the whole venue dancing to the immense anthem.
MIKA’s wardrobe seems endless as he struts back out onto the stage, this time in a hot pink suit. He spends the first verse of ‘Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)’ on stage before joining fans for the majority of the song, working his way around the venue, even making his way up to the balcony. Stood by the mixing desk, I wasn’t expecting to come face-to-face with MIKA at any point during the night but there he was in all his pink glory singing with us.
…with MIKA’s commanding presence and the neon kaleidoscope which sat behind him, the show was dazzling.
One thing that must be said about this tour is that the visuals are phenomenal, with every neon display and animation we are transported into the songs. Despite the venue being too small for the usual set-up, with MIKA’s commanding presence and the neon kaleidoscope which sat behind him, the show was dazzling. ‘Good Guys’ was a perfect example, even when the pace was slowed we never left MIKA’s enthralling world. The smaller venue meant his custom grand piano wouldn’t fit on stage leaving the singer to adapt. Grabbing his piano stool and a mic stand, he hilariously played the air-piano during ‘Billy Brown’, adding ‘some madness needs to stay in Wolverhampton’.
Obvious crowd favourite ‘Grace Kelly’ was up next. The performance manifested into a storm of bright colours, immense vocals and unstoppable fun- The Halls was alive and the atmosphere was palpable. ‘Happy Ending’ saw the singer performing the heartfelt track in a pink haze as phone torches raised into the air. A cosmic performance of ‘Love Today’ followed which ended the main set.
The gigantic sounds of ‘We Are Golden’ sent the audience into a frenzy of excitement and ended the glorious evening on an electric note.
‘Any Other World’ brought the singer back on stage for the encore which made for yet another heart-warming moment in the night. A floral backdrop lit up the venue as the gigantic sounds of ‘We Are Golden’ sent the audience into a frenzy of excitement and ended the glorious evening on an electric note.
After two hours, eighteen songs and seven outfits, it is clear that MIKA knows how to put on a stellar live performance. The Apocalypse Calypso tour is a magically fun night of astonishing musical talent and I cannot wait to see MIKA live again.
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