mariposa Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Oh Mana, such an excellent report, thank you so much!!!!! I can't believe he is really doing something like this, just reading your report almost makes me cry... This is something we have wanted to happen for years! I second that! Loved reading your report, Mana! Thank you four sharing your experience with us! Souns like a perfect gig... Max and Curtis doing this DJ set thingie sounds interesting, too. Makes me so much more excited for New York now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerMoment1608 Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks for your long and vivid report, Mana, it was great to read it. This gig and the NA tour sound like a dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nas Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 thanks for the great report Mana!! So i guess we know where the thrift store shop stuff went no relax tho..ahhh well... i'm gettin a wee bit excited for NYC, i'm too stressed out abut assignments right now to be proper excited but in one week look out!! aaahhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kath Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 That was such an awesome show. I've seen Mika 25+ times now, and there was nothing quite like that. I think the closest experience that I've had was the April 2009 secret gig at the Roxy. Or if you've seen footage from that Salt Lake City gig where his gear didn't arrive and he decided to just kinda wing it - it was like that. The opening act was...interesting! It consisted of an ironing board set up at the front of the stage, adorned with old books, french anatomy posters and what appeared to be a taxidermy duck (lolwut?). Max and Curtis came out and did a random DJ set at the ironing board table. *blink* The Gig As we were getting ready to go in, the venue security came out and told us that My-ka (facepalm) said photos were okay, but that he didn't want anyone filming. I didn't think much of it until we got in the venue and the same announcement was repeated over the PA - twice. They said something along the lines of "The performer is excited to share these songs with you, but not with all of YouTube." At first I wasn't a hundred per cent sure that the request had come from Mika - but when he played Century Man, I figured that the request did indeed come from him. As others have said, in 2007 in NYC - which I believe is the only other time he's done Century Man - there was also a request for no filming. Hmm. It was way more stripped down than the June 2009 acoustic tour; just him, Curtis and Max. The arrangements were so vastly different from what I've heard before that there were times when I didn't even realize what song he was playing for the first few bars. The setlist: Grace Kelly Toy Boy Lollipop Blue Eyes Billy Brown Popular Love You When I'm Drunk Only Lonely One Underwater Stuck In The Middle Elle Me Dit New Song (Laya? Leia? Layla?) Origin Big Girl Century Man Celebrate Love Today Over My Shoulder It was so vastly different from the little fall North American tour. That was a proper album promo tour; this was something different. Super intimate, and very much about the music. After the DJ ironing board table was removed, there was no set to speak of other than a bunch of ginormous light bulbs hanging over the stage. Mika's voice was amazing, in perfect form. He completely re-jigged Popular, doing it at the piano. Back in NYC in October I felt that Popular was a little all over the place, because it sounded like he was replicating the CD version - this was just him at the piano. For Lollipop they started it and did the first half a capella. For Stuck In The Middle he told a story about how he studied tap dancing when he was a child, and that those tap rhythms had always stuck with him - and that was what he had in mind when he wrote SITM. He had Max and Curtis tapping out a tap rhythm with drumsticks on the piano - very cool. The New Songs He did Only Lonely One first, saying that he'd never done anything with it since he recorded the demo in Chiswick. It was very much like the version he did at the points gig in London. I think he said the second new song was called Leia, Laya, maybe Layla...something like that? I'm not actually sure, as the sound was quite crap when he was speaking as the front row was actually ahead of the speaker stacks. He had a mic stand at centre stage and he jumped up and sat on the piano, pulling the mic stand close to him. It's a very jazz-influenced number - imagine Pick Up Off The Floor meets Elton John's They Call It The Blues or something to that effect. Ooh! or like that Christmas song Santa Baby. Bum, ba-bum, bum, ba-bum! I really wish we'd been able to record this one as it's very lyrically complex, and I'd love to sit down and work out the lyrics. The one part that repeated over and over that I remember was "I need you, that's all", repeated to fade out. It was like we were in some kind of smoky jazz club. Century Man is classic early Mika, piano based and plinky plonky with a vaguely military beat. The chorus goes "I'm a Century Maaaaaan" with Mika going full voice for the first three words and then up into falsetto on "Man." When I packed for this trip I made a point of leaving my passport at home, knowing full well that the Mika Magic tends to inspire feats of crazy - and I'm glad I did, or I'd be going to Portland. If last night was any indication, this tour is going to be very, very special indeed. The venue was a nightclub, with a strict curfew so they could turn into their club night. Mika did indeed receive a piece of paper at 9:45 telling him that he had to be off stage in 15 minutes. He was all "At 15 minutes out they say 'Dear Mika, please wrap up in 15 minutes". By 10:00 it's all "dammit Mika, get off the f*@! stage!" Hehe. There was no encore, which is really unfortunate because people were going mental. He closed the show with Over My Shoulder, which was such a treat. I was surrounded by Mika virgins, all of whom were spellbound when he hit the money notes. There were some people chatting at the back though, which is something I will never for the life of me comprehend. He disappeared right after the gig, which is unfortunate as there were only about 15 people waiting for him. I'll be back later with pics - my friends want breakfast and they're starting to look at me and lick their lips... Thanks Mana, what a great report. It sounds amazing it really does. It makes me want to jump on a plane. Only the lonely one too:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krjsantos Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Great report Mana, thank you so much I want hear the new songs Keep calm keep calm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treasa Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Mana, lovely report. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiam Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks a lot Lollipop Monkey, for the most detailed and good concert review - it feels like being there myself ... Love,love me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mari62 Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thank you very much for your lovely and detailed report Mana!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nas Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I finally heard from my friend who was there last night. She took pics but they're not great quality..she did say the show had a totally different vibe and that everybody will be in for a bigger treat than usual (she went to her first mika show last oct in nyc..this is her second) she also carried some random chick who had never seen him before but loved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camille* Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 That was such an awesome show I must be the umpteenth person to tell you this but really thank you so much for your report I'm glad you had a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamy_Queen Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 @ lollipop_monkey Thank you for your report - I feel like jumping!! New songs - and not only the one! And they really exist, not like the last time, when we were waiting for ages. I'm so excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucrezia Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Did he use his Ipad yesteday to read sheet music? The new generation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eloise.shaw Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Did he use his Ipad yesteday to read sheet music? The new generation! Ooooooh, never seen anyone do that before. Clever That must have been for a new song? non? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I thought he couldn't read sheet music? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I thought he couldn't read sheet music? More likely to be the words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 it was such an amazing show! it was my 5th time seeing him. iv been so lucky to have seen him at the commodore, place des arts in montreal, the hot air balloon festival in quebec, the orpheum here in vancouver and now at venue. i can say i have seen him perform for hundreds of thousands, thousands and hundreds...this show was an absolutely special one! so brilliant to experience him like this! every mika fan MUST see this performance! so many special surprises that the fans will LOVE and gets to basicly sing along with him for the entire show!!! the venue was ****. after paying for the ticket they charged us 10 bucks for coat check, then they delivered him a note telling him he had 15 min left, then they cut his encore! there were some pretty hard core fans there and im absolutely sure he had planned an encore. it took the venue a good 5 minutes of everyone cheering before they started the club music. i feel like the place needs to either be a club or a concert venue on the night of a performer. it was frustrating. BUT mika was absolutely fantasticly amazingly beautiful! breathtaking performance and experience for any mika fan! thank you mika!!! vancouver LOVES u!!!! please come back soon!!! <3 XX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysady Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 it was such an amazing show! it was my 5th time seeing him. iv been so lucky to have seen him at the commodore, place des arts in montreal, the hot air balloon festival in quebec, the orpheum here in vancouver and now at venue. i can say i have seen him perform for hundreds of thousands, thousands and hundreds...this show was an absolutely special one! so brilliant to experience him like this! every mika fan MUST see this performance! so many special surprises that the fans will LOVE and gets to basicly sing along with him for the entire show!!! the venue was ****. after paying for the ticket they charged us 10 bucks for coat check, then they delivered him a note telling him he had 15 min left, then they cut his encore! there were some pretty hard core fans there and im absolutely sure he had planned an encore. it took the venue a good 5 minutes of everyone cheering before they started the club music. i feel like the place needs to either be a club or a concert venue on the night of a performer. it was frustrating. BUT mika was absolutely fantasticly amazingly beautiful! breathtaking performance and experience for any mika fan! thank you mika!!! vancouver LOVES u!!!! please come back soon!!! <3 XX Oh,thank you! You're so right,every Mika fan must experience this,do you hear,MIKA??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 That looks like the jacket he wore on Jools Holland on the NYE show in 2007. Wow. Wow this is the kind of show we started asking for after the crazy circus of Parc des Princes. I thought the acoustic tour of 2009 would be like this but it turned out quite huge in a way. Although those shows were great too. Can't wait to see this! I can't believe he's doing 17 shows like this and it's not just one special gig. It's going to be such a great tour. I wonder if he liked it. I ordered Chinese food in Vancouver and threw it all out it was so gross. In fact the only edible westernized Chinese food I've found away from my local was at a restaurant on Kensington High Street in London. Otherwise I will not eat Chinese food outside of Toronto. It's always a disappointment. You're not the bad one here! I would be surprised if anyone recorded in Vancouver, especially new songs. Only hardcore fans are interested in new songs and Vancouver is very subdued as you can tell by the total lack of queuing beforehand. But I don't think he's goong to be able to keep it under wraps throughout the US and I hope he doesn't even try. Not sure what the point of him coming here is if only a handful of people get to witness these shows. There isn't going to be any buzz about them at all this way. It's bad enough that there are people who couldn't get tickets because they were snapped up by scalpers and are languishing on brokerage sites without having no videos anywhere. its not that we r subdued, i am a massive fan and i didnt queu, no need to the place was tiny! anywhere was an amazing view. no recorded because it was a small venue, tiny and intimate and security was on guard and keeping a very close eye! a few people where asked not to film by security! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Oh,thank you! You're so right,every Mika fan must experience this,do you hear,MIKA??? scream loud enough! he will hear!!! he he Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks for the report If Mika wants to keep his new (and not so new) songs in secret, he shouldn't sing them live i hear ya, but it made the evening that more special. im sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Oh,thanks,I didn't know it Yet I can't see what's the purpose ya he did ask personally, i think its because it makes it feel special when ur there and you get to hear him sing these brilliant special songs. i feel like he felt it was a real treat for the fans in the room to experience them. if he wanted them all over youtube he would have released them as singles or abum tracks. it just feels more special, makes the experience more exciting. builds hype for the other shows as well i think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 we should start a petition for him bringing those shows to europe! i know a bunch of people who would sign that! i love their jackets, they look really well together! the whole stage set looks so vintage, like a room from the 70s. where are the stage props though of which mana posted a photo? they where used in the opening act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 its not that we r subdued, i am a massive fan and i didnt queu, no need to the place was tiny! anywhere was an amazing view. no recorded because it was a small venue, tiny and intimate and security was on guard and keeping a very close eye! a few people where asked not to film by security! I see, you are not subdued just much taller than me! I need to be at the front or I can't see anything at all. Front row of the balcony is great too. But I may as well stay home as to end up in the 3rd row I was at the Commodore, Place des Arts and the balloon festival too. Come say hi to MFCers next time (we'll be in the queue even if it starts at 6:30 pm). Are you coming to the other Cdn gigs? Anyway thanks for your report. I am always happy to hear from other Canadians who are huge fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikazBOI Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 This looks so cool!It's too bad that he had to leave so soon, I'm sure that a lot of you were dying to meet him afterwards I'm going to one of the shows and I was just wondering what its like since it's all acoustic... even though its mostly piano, do people still dance during any of the songs? Or is it more of just enjoying the music in a chilled and relaxed way? Either way, I'm suuuuper excited!!! both, the songs are pretty stripped down. but some have a great beat to them that u can dance to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 ya he did ask personally, i think its because it makes it feel special when ur there and you get to hear him sing these brilliant special songs. i feel like he felt it was a real treat for the fans in the room to experience them. if he wanted them all over youtube he would have released them as singles or abum tracks. it just feels more special, makes the experience more exciting.builds hype for the other shows as well i think. I feel bad for fans who can't make the gigs but I do agree with you for myself. I am afraid he won't sing Century Boy again but if he does it in Toronto I am more than happy to wait and hear it for myself live first. It's so much more special that way. 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