ClownInACollar

15 hours ago, mellody said:

It's like you're trying to create the connection and the emotions not through the people (including yourself), their energy, and the emotions that music itself creates, but by "content" presented in a specific way.

You're right, a lot of the speeches in between the songs did come across as quite scripted and filtered. Which can work very well and won't be noticable for someone that maybe only goes to see one concert of the whole tour, which is often the majority of the audience. But by going to more shows it does end up feeling a little like multiple takes of a TV performance, like you say. So I also think it would be better if he could separate himself and his performance more between a studio to a stage, to maybe utilise the presence of a crowd in different ways to create an even more special show, like it sounds like he's been able to do more of in the past. It seems like some very amazing and intimate crowd experiences from the previous tours, and it's a shame this one hasn't quite evoked the same emotions for you.

He seems to very much be playing around with the formats of his shows from one tour to the next, so I expect whatever the next big tour concepts are, they will be very different again from this one. I'm not planning on going to any of the festivals so far this year, but I will be keeping an eye out, I'm curious what those shows will look like in comparison to this tour.

(Also now that you mention it I 100% agree that we should have had Last Party at some point, absolute missed opportunity on his part)

Considering this is the first time I've ever been able to go to multiple shows of a tour, and as a realtively new Mikafan, I don't have anything to compare it to in the same way as many of you.

I really wasn't sure what to expect going into this, the concept of this Apocalypse Calypso and how it would look or sound. I dont think I could have come close to imagining what it ended it being at all. From the image of the face as the first thing you see on the curtain, the birdcage and wings, Club Apocalypso, and all the various shapes and colours of the costumes and outfits. One of my favourite parts, regardless of seeing it multiple times over was the opening with Bougez. The giant cage, the wings, the lights, the overall presentation was absolutely striking and breathtaking every single time I saw it. The physical size of the props and setpieces was very impactful. Though there's probably a lot of symbolism and imagery that is going over my head, but overall the elements, though unexpected, went really well together. It was a visually beautiful and colourful spectacle.

The setlists felt complete, and I didn't feel as if the show was lacking in songs at any point, even without the French songs for England. That being said, I am really glad I went to both a set of shows in France as well as a couple of the England ones. I greatly appreciated being able to hear the new French songs being played, and when thinking about it, some should have remained on the setlists regardless.

In regards to what Karin said about how everything is rehearsed very meticulously, I agree. I can very much understand from a performer's perspective of wanting to have the security of routine and plans in place, and have the show go smoothly. Though the favourite and most memorable from an audience perspective will usually be the parts where the artists gets seemingly more unhinged, or something unexpected happens and how the artists react and deal with it. I personally found that there was mostly a good balance with these elements. I went to each show and felt an almost comforting sense of familiarity of the structure of the show, and yet there are still enough distinct moments I can recall from each one that makes it stand out in my mind.

In terms of audience connection, I get the sense he's very receptive to the energy of the audience, and for sure gives a lot of himself in each and every performance. There's a noticeable sincerity in all of it, which to me is a sense of connection you don't always get with performers, certainly not to the extent I have so far experienced with Mika. I tend to really enjoy the parts where he talks between the songs, and tells a story about or just leading up to the next song, even if I hear the same thing over again a few times. Unfortunately for me I don't understand French, so I couldn't really get any of that from the shows in France. So I was very dependent on just the simpler prompts to jump or dance or wave my arms around, without the added depth of context of the songs. So I got to enjoy more of that for the English shows and even got quite emotional for some parts.

Overall I have had a really amazing time with this tour.  And thanks to all of you who I got to meet and get to know better, I have greatly appreciated it as I was travelling by myself, it was very nice to have familiar faces around and to get to talk to people and have company before and after the shows. The experience was made so much better with you all <3

I'm only just arriving in Manchester in a bit. Gonna need to find something to kill time before the show, and get some food beforehand. Anyone checked out The Piano stuff at the Arndale yet?

Incredibly surreal to see my own entire face featured in a photo on his account

What a blast that night was!

It has certainly been interesting having seen some of the shows in France, and now the show in Wolverhampton. I had like most people here, really expected for at least a few of the newest french songs to be included even in England. But seeing the show now still feels very familiar even with the different songs, and of course the show is incredibly well done regardless of the setlist, and the crowd at large seems to love it, which is the most important thing.

Though I've got my fingers crossed for at least one or two of the french songs in Manchester tomorrow night

12 minutes ago, AmelieCharlotte said:

I'm staying at the Travelodge at Upper Brook Street & walking to/from the venue, which is apparently a 15min walk. So you can leave your bags in my room?

Oh that would be great! Thats really nice of you, thank you!

most people probably also got this email of information about not bringing large bags but figured in doesnt hurt to share just in case.

On a related note, does anybody know where one could stash a backpack until after the show? I have to check out of my hostel in the morning and Im having to catch a bus back home at like 2AM (rip )

52 minutes ago, AmelieCharlotte said:

Are there any plans to meet up before the Manchester show? I feel that this is going to be such a different experience to Cheltenham last year! 

I will be in town from the day before, it would be nice to meet up with people! I am going by myself and dont really know many other UK-based fans.

5 minutes ago, Phoebe Jeffery said:

Hey guys!! Just a quick enquiry around tickets!! I haven't had my ticket emailed to me yet and the gig is just two days away! I ordered from gigsandtours back in September and wondered if this was the same for anyone else. I know from past experience that in some places tickets are not sent until as late as an hour or so before shows! but online it said that tickets should be sent 1 to 2 weeks prior, so im a little anxious!! same goes for Manchester. xx

I bought from gigsandtours as well, I dont think I got an email copy of the ticket at all, just the purchase confirmation. I think I had to get the app AXS for the wolverhampton ticket, and the app See Tickets Wallet for Manchester.

32 minutes ago, Ruth said:

I'm going to the Manchester gig, which although sold out, isn't attracting much chatter on MFC. 

 

I have some of the flashing hearts from the very early days 😁

 

Is the coloured light idea just to put coloured paper over our phone light? 

I'm going to Manchester as well! I would have been hoping for some kind of thing to take part in as well.

Yeah, for the coloured lights in Annecy there was a group that were giving out pieces of coloured post-it notes to put over your phone torch. I'm assuming it was a similar, more colour-coordinated situation in Bercy as well.

Im getting so hyped up for this, it's so soon now! I'm gonna be arriving in Reims in good time beforehand. I'm travelling alone, and was wondering if anybody else who are going would want to meet for a coffee or lunch or something the day before?

Yeah it's unfortunate to be UK based at the moment in terms of merch it seems... I will be going to some of the gigs in France, and I had really been hoping the black sweatshirt from the website would have been avaliable at the merch booth, but it doesn't seem like it is :c

I also couldnt see the cap on the merch table picture, anyone know if that's also a website exclusive of some kind?

11 minutes ago, holdingyourdrink said:

Oh no, I am so sorry you missed him! 

I was peeping through the window of where they were filming for a while so I did see him. Just out of reach tho

I went to the train station for my lunch break but they hadn't finished filming stuff by the time I had to return to work so I didn't get to meet him Really jealous of the people who did. But very cool to have seen some of the performers on the piano there! Looking forward to when the new series airs!

I'm going! Really looking forward to this. The finale of the last season of the show seemed really amazing

Ahh I might have to head down from Scotland for Wolverhampton and/or Manchester if I can! So hyped for this

I dont know who to look for Im at the Funk off performance wearing a pink cap and carrying a pink moomin bag

I feel like a lost child

11 hours ago, Hero said:

So, lunch tomorrow. What time? How many? Which restaurant? It's too busy to expect to just walk in somewhere without booking. 

I thought somone said to meet at noon at the fountain at Piazza IV Novembre, and then we'll decide what to do for food? You're probably right about not being able to all gather at a restaurant, Im personally happy to just grab something to go and find a space to hang out.

May i join for the meetup as well? This is going to be my first time seeing Mika live, and I really havent been involved in this fanspace at all before and would like to meet up with people