Timesonline review of itunes gig

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article6737181.ece

Mika at Roundhouse, NW1

The old hits provided the biggest highs in a set that barely stopped for breath

by Lisa Verrico

More than two years on from a multi-million selling debut album that positioned him as one of pop’s most colourful characters, Mika is set to return to increased competition, not least in the artists-who-like-sparkles department. Outrageous outfits and camp dance moves are no longer trademarks he shares only with Scissor Sisters, and though the current fashion for frothy pop certainly suits the Beirut-born singer, it suggests he will have to work harder to stand out.

Fortunately Mika is no slouch when it comes to showing off. His one-off concert on the final night of the iTunes festival was gloriously glitzy and endlessly energetic. The set took its cue from school Christmas concerts; the floor and instruments were strewn with silver tinsel, a female choir sported homemade hats that looked like antlers and glitter cannons showered the crowd. Two backing singers wore dresses sewn from silver ribbons, but Mika easily outshone them in a ludicrous outfit of black bowler hat teamed with white denim dungarees over a bare chest and silver glitter shoes.

When he wasn’t striking silly poses, Mika was hurling handfuls of tinsel at fans, dancing on top of a piano or down on his knees, head back, arms outstretched. His antics could have overshadowed the songs, but both a handful of new tracks from his second album, We Are Golden, due out in September, and falsetto-laced favourites such as Love Today and Relax, Take It Easy were too tuneful to be ignored.

Those who consider Mika’s music too sickly sweet may yet be won over by the more muscular, less cartoonish nature of several new songs, notably Dr John and the synth-driven Rain. The latter sounded like an anthem already, though the cheekier Blame It On The Girls oozed the most obvious chart-topping potential.

The old hits, however, provided the biggest highs in a set that barely stopped for breath. Grace Kelly sounded better than ever, Big Girl had the dancefloor bouncing and Lollipop began with giant balloons thrown out into the crowd. “See you in September,” shouted Mika on his exit. By then, you won’t be able to avoid him.

Thx a lot for posting

T4P!

Woohoo!!!!!! Go Mika, put EVERYONE under your spell!

Thank u for post

beautiful beautiful beautiful! The Wizard has put everyone under a spell!

Do I sense a sea change in the general attitude of British journalists? Long may it continue.

Thanks for posting; I am enjoying the positive noises coming from

the majority of the reviews!

i sense it too, i hope it's spontaneous

It's good to hear positive reviews.

Why do they all attend his gigs biassed?

Loving all these good reviews.

T4P again, Robi:thumb_yello:

Why do they all attend his gigs biassed?

Good question, and not an easy one to answer!

In a funny kind of way I am glad they do come to the gigs with few expectations, or negative preconceptions. It makes it even more satisfying then when they are forced to give a good review and recognise Mika's star quality.

Thanks for posting