lollipopgirl99 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 I was lucky enough to have been able to see Mika perform last night at the Hollywood Palladium. One of his best performances! Here's a review I found online for the show. http://soundcheck.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/24/mika-delivers-over-the-top-fun-at-colorful-palladium-show/13469/ Here it is: Mika delivers over-the-top fun at colorful Palladium show The first sign that this would be a unique show came just after entering the Hollywood Palladium lobby. People lined up there to get free balloons twisted in the shape of animals, fruit bowls, etc. Many concert-goers seemed to have raided their closets for the brightest attire possible. One young woman had a large black plastic butterfly attached to her back; her male companion sported tiny shorts and striped leggings. Others were seen wearing pajamas and metallic orange wigs. Mika simply seems to bring out the kids in all his fans. No surprise there, considering the Paris- and London-raised singer born Michael Penniman (seen here in a 2008 performance at his birthplace, Beirut) based the lyrics from his 2007 debut Life in Cartoon Motion on childhood experiences. Filled with giddy dance-pop, the album was a major success in the U.K. and Europe, where it sold over 5 million copies and nabbed a BRIT Award. In America, however, Motion only reached the 350,000 mark (although the single “Grace Kelly” moved half a million downloads) and Mika’s latest effort, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, opened at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. Musically and thematically, the new work picks up where the last one left off, exploring more adolescent themes alongside still more elaborate storybook-illustration artwork, partially designed by Mika and his sister. The boisterous single “We Are Golden,” featuring the Andre Crouch Choir, is climbing the Hot Dance Club Songs tally and has been ubiquitous in promo ads on cable channel Teen Nick. Appropriately, Friday night’s pre-show music included “Wooden Heart” by Elvis Presley (more on that later). Before Mika took the stage, a couch, lamp and flat screen TV mysteriously stood in front of the Palladium stage curtain. Vegas-type lounge music played as members of Mika’s band slowly appeared for a skit. They sat down, conversed, had drinks and watched an old ’60s sitcom. The broadcast was interrupted by a faux news report about a space shuttle launch accident with a civilian on board. Smoke plumes shot out at the audience, the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey played, and an oversized spaceman walked across a platform — who undressed to reveal Mika standing barefoot underneath a few dozen planets. The 90-minute set started with an exuberant “Relax (Take it Easy)” as wild fans pogoed to the rhythm. Mika –- now clad in a half-checked, half-striped, black-and-white jacket and trademark white pants, plus a green stripe strategically painted on his cheek –- worked the entire stage. The bouncy, bass-led “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” celebrates voluptuous women — so three full-figured ladies shimmied behind the band as it played the tune. Mika, a classically trained pianist, comfortably transitioned between that instrument and connecting with followers packed in front of the stage. He scatted a bit and simulated a trumpet using his hand and mouth on a version of “Stuck in the Middle” that verged on ragtime. Early in the evening, the vocalist told fans: “You caught us all in daft moods.” How could they not be with this music? Mika put on a glow-in-the dark top hat for the joyful “Dr. John,” about a soothsayer, and busted a few impressive dance moves during “Touches You,” reminiscent of George Michael’s “Father Figure.” There were some dollops of drama nestled between all the high energy and Mika’s marvelous falsetto (notably during “Happy Ending,” highlighted by several sustained notes). A pair of infectious Latin-tinged songs (“Blue Eyes,” “Blame It on the Girls”) worked well live, the latter leading to a audience-participation battle. In another skit, Mika opened a large suitcase and pulled out a small puppet, which eventually became a full-sized one holding a mini wooden version of the performer. “We Are Golden” was a pure adrenaline rush and ended the main set. For the encores, Mika quietly played the nursery rhyme-styled “Toy Boy” on piano as the titular marionette moved in the background and brought that Elvis song from 1960’s G.I. Blues back to mind. “Grace Kelly” brought the house down, of course, and then Mika banged on a metal trash can for the silly, heavily percussive “Lollipop,” giving it an added Caribbean flair. Many performers think they know how to put on a fun concert. They’ve got nothing on Mika, a true showman who revels in playfulness. British newcomer Gary Go opened with a pleasant half-hour of adult pop from his eponymous first album that came out earlier this year. The soaring, heartfelt ballads are impressive, often bringing to mind Coldplay and David Gray. Playing keyboards while accompanied by an acoustic guitarist, Go’s set featured some cool vocal and rhythmic looping; he even did “Brooklyn” using his iPhone. But the intimate textures of Go’s music tended to get lost in the big venue. Despite a valiant attempt to win over the crowd, most of them incessantly chattered away, though “Black & White Days,” “Engines” and “Wonderful” managed to rise above the din. Overall, Go is one to watch — preferably somewhere else, like the Wiltern or House of Blues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineGirl Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 What a great review! Thanx for posting!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabine64 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 It´s a really nice article. Thank you for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Well some critics enjoy the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura* Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sariflor Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 What a nice review!!! Love it. Thanks. What's that about the puppet being a Mini Mika though, I thought that he looked ugly and evil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkly1 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 What a nice review!!! Love it. Thanks. What's that about the puppet being a Mini Mika though, I thought that he looked ugly and evil HOW VERY DAAAAARE YOU CALL MIKA UGLY AND EVIL pah call yourself a decadent fan indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipopgirl99 Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share Posted October 25, 2009 What a nice review!!! Love it. Thanks. What's that about the puppet being a Mini Mika though, I thought that he looked ugly and evil I don't know why the critic called the puppet a mini-Mika. It looked nothing like him. It had black, straight hair, not brown, curly hair. I thought it was supposed to symbolize Toy Boy because that was the song Mika played while the puppet was onstage. I think the critic just got it wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAK1 Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I don't know why the critic called the puppet a mini-Mika. It looked nothing like him. It had black, straight hair, not brown, curly hair. I thought it was supposed to symbolize Toy Boy because that was the song Mika played while the puppet was onstage. I think the critic just got it wrong. I think it's supposed to symbolise Mika, as he gets dragged off stage by the little teapot, and the giant teapot comes back on with the small Mika. They could have done a better job with the likeness though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 What a nice review!!! Love it. Thanks. What's that about the puppet being a Mini Mika though, I thought that he looked ugly and evil I don't know why the critic called the puppet a mini-Mika. It looked nothing like him. It had black, straight hair, not brown, curly hair. I thought it was supposed to symbolize Toy Boy because that was the song Mika played while the puppet was onstage. I think the critic just got it wrong. I think it's supposed to symbolise Mika, as he gets dragged off stage by the little teapot, and the giant teapot comes back on with the small Mika. They could have done a better job with the likeness though. I keep saying - it looks like Dustin Hoffman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sariflor Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I keep saying - it looks like Dustin Hoffman. I had to LOL when Bab cried out "it's Mikey Choi!!!" in Toronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiza Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 what a positive review!! t4p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 "Many performers think they know how to put on a fun concert. They've got nothing on Mika." I couldn't agree more with this perceptive and gret reviewer! T4P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika_Addiction Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Great review! T4P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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