Christine Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Mika at the Palladium Words by Teddy Beckersted Photos by Marc D'Amour Where have all the theatrics gone? That is the question I asked myself as London based, Grammy nominated artist Mika dropped his stage extravaganza on the Hollywood Palladium. I know gigantic touring acts like U2 and Coldplay have elaborate stage setups that enhance their performance, but kudos to Mika for bringing that larger than life feel to a more intimate setting. A spotlight appears on a vintage looking couch perched in front of a large flat screen telelvision. With a black theater like curtain separating the stage setup from the couch, one by one members of Mika’s band slip through the curtain and take a seat on the couch. The flat screen shows “I Love Lucy” style 50’s programming and is interrupted by Ian McKellen who, in “Breaking News” fashion describes the launch of a space shuttle. Enter Mika. As 2001: Space Odyssey blares over the PA system, Mika appears in a full space suit. Every balloon hat wearing, sign toting, cell phone camera shooting person in the Palladium goes nuts. The band assumes their positions and start cranking on the opening bars of “Relax, Take It Easy.” Having left the stage for a change of costume, a barefoot Mika sprints from stage left just in time to handle lead vocals on the opening number. Always the consummate entertainer, the rest of the show played out in grand fashion. Mika cruised through old favorites “Stuck In The Middle” and “Big Girls You Are Beautiful.” The latter number had him stroll out four plus size girls wearing tutus to dance behind the band. New material like “Blue Eyes,” “Dr. John,” and current radio single “We Are Golden” went over equally well with help from the crowd singing every word. Overall the show was what most concerts aren’t these days… an experience. In the digital world we live in with youtube videos and downloadable content available at the flick of a finger, live performances must provide an experience that is both entertaining and visceral. Mika is ahead of the curve. http://icecreamman.com/2009/11/mika-at-the-palladium/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcdeb Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Great find, Christine! Thanks for posting it! We the Ice Cream Man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazGirl Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 OMG that picture of Mika in his boxers. I could die. T4P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted November 10, 2009 Author Share Posted November 10, 2009 OMG that picture of Mika in his boxers. I could die. It's the last one. He had to wear his trousers out after that because of the foot brace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sienna Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Overall the show was what most concerts aren’t these days… an experience. In the digital world we live in with youtube videos and downloadable content available at the flick of a finger, live performances must provide an experience that is both entertaining and visceral. Mika is ahead of the curve. So very true! A beautiful review, thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Freaka =) Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I love the last paragraph!! praises him well! The pictures are utterly adorable, he always look ahppy performing, like a new kid who just learnt something cool:naughty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Angel Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thx a mill for posting. Im in love with the shirtless one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thank you for posting the review and all the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodes100 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Thank you Christine for posting this terrific review with beautiful photos! Bravo Teddy Beckersted - you are so right on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Droopsy Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Marc D'Amour, wow what a lovely name T4P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miro Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 T4P! And the pics are really amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmbm Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Ooh awesome! Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipopgirl83 Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Excellent review and excellent pictures. My folders are stuffed with pictures. T4P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipop_monkey Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Whenever I see pics from the LA show, I just want to crawl through the screen back in time and be like "Mika! For the love of Ella, be careful! Watch your foot, don't jump like that!" It feels like watching a train wreck because I see the pics of smiley, happy Mika while knowing that soon they'd be replaced by hurting, drugged up Mika. Sigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiza Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 "Overall the show was what most concerts aren’t these days… an experience." very well said ice cream man!!! and great pics as well t4p christine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Sky Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I look only at his feet in these pics....when his feet were fine.... And I want to have the icecream man shout out LOUDLY to everyone that Mika sang all of this show. This was the one where the accusations of miming came. Good find Christine. I have been too busy hating everyone (a la I see you) to search google for Mika stuff these days. I might be fine when the Tokyo tix have been decided.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangLou Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Overall the show was what most concerts aren’t these days… an experience. Loves it! That's all he really had to say. T4P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'd buy an ice cream from that man any time of day! What a sweetheart he is!!! He's written such a beautiful review, with every word he has written being the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about His Royal Goldenness!!! T4P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura* Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Those photos are... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollipopgirl99 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Such a great review!! Thanks for posting! And great pictures! :biggrin2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soaring Simpson Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Now that's what I like to hear! And see. Well done Ice Cream Man and Christine. He looks totally gorgeous- even by his standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 He looks totally gorgeous- even by his standards. I'm glad so many good photos are coming out of this gig because I wanted to kick the photographers at the time for getting in the way. They were totally intrusive for several songs and not just the standard two. One was using a stepladder and another left so much gear on the stage that Mika tripped over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soaring Simpson Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I'm glad so many good photos are coming out of this gig because I wanted to kick the photographers at the time for getting in the way. They were totally intrusive for several songs and not just the standard two. One was using a stepladder and another left so much gear on the stage that Mika tripped over it. That's a bit much- I didn't realise. Guess one of them was Marc D'Amour or whatever he's called. Stepladder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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