greta Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 But he's not all candy-coating. There's substance to his sugar pop T'CHA DUNLEVY, The Gazette Published: 2 hours ago Life In Cartoon Motion. One would be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate title for Mika's debut album than the one the Lebanese-born, British pop singer picked himself. Last night, before an enraptured crowd of more than 11,100 young fans at the Bell Centre, he proved it. The exuberant, charismatic and vastly talented performer was irrepressible, bringing his ridiculously peppy songs to the stage with a wildly infectious enthusiasm. Channelling oft-cited influences, including Freddy Mercury, Abba, Elton John and the Scissor Sisters, Mika - who in his last visit played the intimate Club Soda - tamed the Bell Centre in no uncertain terms. Or rather, he ignited it. Glo-Sticks were waved from the night's first song, Relax (Take It Easy). The audience jumped to its feet, dancing, screaming and singing along to the 24-year-old's soaring falsetto, underpinned by a thumping club beat. "Bonsoir Montréal!" he shouted after, in perfect French (he lived in France as a child). "Est-ce qu'il y a des big girls dans la salle ce soir?" Into his disco anthem Big Girl, complete with plus-sized models dancing in skimpy showgirl outfits. The gay-themed Billy Brown, a couple songs later, drove home the point Mika is not all candy-coating. There is substance to his feel-good shenanigans. Which he proved time and again, pulling off the unlikely feat of playing all but two of his album's 12 tracks without losing momentum. To wit, the new song How Much Do You Love Me? ("La première chanson du nouvel album"), garnered lengthy applause. The stomping piano jam Stuck In the Middle incited general elation. While the two-for-one cover of Justin Timberlake's Sexyback and Prince's When Doves Cry (a reference his young fans didn't quite catch - the one lull in the night) was saved by his dynamic delivery. Mika could do no wrong. The breakup ballad Happy Ending brought on a heartfelt singalong ("Little bit of love, little bit of love," - awww). And his calling-cards Grace Kelly and Lollipop (the latter with balloons, costumes and confetti) took things over the top in the home stretch. Recycling the night's opening number, Relax (Take It Easy) for the encore - albeit in a remixed version - could have come off as a copout in different circumstances. Instead, it was crowd-pleasing genius ("On recommence?" he teased). Mika's combination of campy theatrics, monster hooks and tireless, pretension-free showmanship was beyond effective, it was big-league fun. "You've been f---ing incredible!" he gushed toward the end of his set. With a roar, his fans returned the compliment. Montreal dance-rock foursome Creature came out swinging in the opening slot, winning over the eager audience with the punchy songs from its coming full-length album, due March 5. Playing to its biggest crowd yet, the band delivered an entertaining set that kept kids cheering all the way through. tdunlevy@thegazette.canwest.com - - - montrealgazette.com/artslife PHOTO GALLERY See a gallery of images from last night's Mika show at the Bell Centre. ^some pix from the url above^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulietta Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 go studying greta! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FREDDIESDOUBLE Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Greta ... you will fail everything Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greta Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 go studying greta! ayay sir! Greta ... you will fail everything Thanks for posting I didn't post ALL the pix..there's a juicy Saranayde waitin for ya on http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/artslife/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FREDDIESDOUBLE Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 ayay sir! I didn't post ALL the pix..there's a juicy Saranayde waitin for ya on http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/artslife/index.html You can stay if you like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Sky Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Nice pics!! Thanks for posting...but shouldn't you be somewhere else now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirtilla Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Thanx Gre! efficient as always:thumb_yello: I can only imagine how hyper and happy he must have been last night... To wit, the new song How Much Do You Love Me? ("La première chanson du nouvel album"), garnered lengthy applause. Does it mean HMDYLM will be the first single of the new album? I gave it for sure that HJ would have been... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisylou Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 ooooo...good to hear the boy done good....once again!!! Thanks for the post! xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haru Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Nice pictures ! Thank you ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mag Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Greta! That is great news! The pics are fab:wub2: Any hints when the new album is due:wink2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milou Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 awww I'm glad it was ok, but I don't quite get the Prince thingy aswell, so explain explain please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlindee Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 While the two-for-one cover of Justin Timberlake's Sexyback and Prince's When Doves Cry (a reference his young fans didn't quite catch - the one lull in the night) was saved by his dynamic delivery. Did he do a cover of Sexyback and when doves cry? Must hear must hear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IngievV Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Aww the pics are wonderful:wub2: This was just what we needed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mici Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Thanks for posting, can't wait to see him in February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowayda Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 The happy trail has gone again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjbsrbab@hbibby.orangehom Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Well done Mika! Great review you deserve it my good man! *blushes with pride* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avoca Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 thx for posting!! sitm... his hair's growing longer, greta!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greta Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 thx for posting!! sitm... his hair's growing longer, greta!!! what a discovery:naughty: I WANNA IT WILD!!! {the hairdo, pervo!} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avoca Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 what a discovery:naughty:I WANNA IT WILD!!! {the hairdo, pervo!} I had got you meant the hair.. and I want it wild too.. THE HAIR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkly1 Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 yeeey what a fab review, it's just sooo like it IS at a Mika gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhsofamous Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Wow I wish I could have been there! Thanks for posting Great, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickadee Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 ayay sir! I didn't post ALL the pix..there's a juicy Saranayde waitin for ya on http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/artslife/index.html You mean the angel one?? Very interesting:mf_rosetinted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauruslady Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Cover of Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" and Princes "When Doves Cry"??? Really? Sorry if I missread.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now