2024 - Mika @ O2 Apollo Manchester, UK, 7 April REPORTS / VIDS / PICS

[mellody]

7 hours ago, Kumazzz said:

Unfortunately, we don't have any vids of Elle Me Dit ( Manchester Ritz, UK  on 14 Dec. 2012 ).

 

I wonder if he meant the last time at the Apollo, in 2010. At the gig in 2012 I was in the Polka Dot Choir and I didn't see Mika's Mum - usually she'd take care of the choir when she was there, but we had some other staff members taking care of us (more or less... they forgot us after the gig 🙈). 

I'm not completely sure, Joannie might just have arrived late and been there only to watch the show, but imo it's more likely he meant the 2010 gig at the Manchester Apollo.

 

So yeah, maybe it was this memory in particular that made him enjoy this gig so much. The chanting of his name, the crowd did that at other gigs as well. But maybe they showed him much love for EMD and I'm sure he's happy to get a good reception for his French songs in the UK.

[Fleeples]

2 hours ago, mellody said:

 

I wonder if he meant the last time at the Apollo, in 2010. At the gig in 2012 I was in the Polka Dot Choir and I didn't see Mika's Mum - usually she'd take care of the choir when she was there, but we had some other staff members taking care of us (more or less... they forgot us after the gig 🙈). 

I'm not completely sure, Joannie might just have arrived late and been there only to watch the show, but imo it's more likely he meant the 2010 gig at the Manchester Apollo.

 

So yeah, maybe it was this memory in particular that made him enjoy this gig so much. The chanting of his name, the crowd did that at other gigs as well. But maybe they showed him much love for EMD and I'm sure he's happy to get a good reception for his French songs in the UK.

I think it was the last time he was at the Apollo, he did mention being at this very venue.

 

My pet theory is that his voice broke the first time in Happy Ending just because it was tired/he made a mistake, but then he couldn’t hit it again because he was so emotional from the crowd chanting his name in response and singing it for him.

[Ruth]

3 hours ago, Fleeples said:

I think it was the last time he was at the Apollo, he did mention being at this very venue.

 

It's the 4th time he's been at the Apollo 🙂

[Ruth]

3 hours ago, Fleeples said:

 

My pet theory is that his voice broke the first time in Happy Ending just because it was tired/he made a mistake, but then he couldn’t hit it again because he was so emotional from the crowd chanting his name in response and singing it for him.

 

I agree, and talking about being emotional, whether strictly true or not, gave him the time to get his voice back under control.

[Fleeples]

19 minutes ago, Ruth said:

 

I agree, and talking about being emotional, whether strictly true or not, gave him the time to get his voice back under control.

Yeah, he fudged the note a couple times more after that and the crowd sang it for him and chanted his name, so I think that was probably actually him getting a bit emotional! The vibe was elite tbf, but it was my first show of his so can’t compare to others.
 

The fact that he can even hit that note at 40 still is crazy! 

[ACG]

17 hours ago, Kumazzz said:

Mancunian Matters

https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/entertainment/08042024-mika-sets-the-stage-alight-with-sensational-euro-pop-show/

8 April 2024

Unusually, I find myself agreeing word for word with a newspaper article! This is a very accurate description of the most sensational concert I have ever been to! 

 

I don't normally post but find myself compelled to write about my experience at this concert as it really was amazing!

 

On a cold dreary Sunday evening, with intermittent rain, a very excited crowd gathered (in an orderly fashion) for the most extraordinary concert I have ever been to.

 

There were 2 queues (one for the O2 priority customers and one for everyone else). With an advertised 7pm start, we got to the venue just after 6pm and walked halfway down the street to what was then the back of the queue.

 

The excitement in the queue was palpable. With Mika’s impeccable reputation as a high energy performer, there were understandably high expectations and just before 7pm our queue snaked its way into the venue.

 

This is the only concert where I had no idea where my seats were. I haven’t been in this venue before and couldn’t find a seating plan that made sense when I booked and just took ‘best available’, fingers crossed that they would be good – I wasn’t disappointed. Our seats were amazing! At the side of the circle with nobody in front of us, clear view of the stage.

 

There was a short DJ set at around 7.30pm, but it wasn’t until 8.55pm that the lights went out and the extravaganza began!

 

Having witnessed the spectacular Bougez opening in Grenoble and Lyon, I had been optimistic that we might get the French/English blend of this song, however, it was the intro to Origin of Love that got the concert underway. This was a good opener as it got the crowd going immediately and the noise was much louder than I had experienced at the other Mika concerts I’ve been to. This crowd were up for it and Mika knew this right from the start.

 

Immediately Mika acknowledged that it had ‘been a while’ since he was last at this venue, this further engaged the crowd. I could see a lot of the venue from my seat and Mika’s high energy was being matched from the outset. This continued into Talk About you and Lollipop where the engagement from the crowd was phenomenal.

 

Feels like fire was well received with great audience participation, particularly in the choruses. Underwater fully engaged the crowd with Mika picking up a stage light and shining it on various parts of the audience. The crowd didn’t let him down with their cues – Mika’s wee face, particularly when the people on the floor belted out Underwater so loudly and perfectly, was a picture – he loved it!

 

It didn’t feel possible but the energy in the room just kept getting higher from this point!

 

Relax had the audience singing along so loudly, it was amazing! There had been a technical hitch with this song in Lyon and the crowd didn't seem as enthusiastic in Grenoble so this was lovely to see and to be a part of.  Yo Yo kept the energy in the venue high and the noise loud.

 

This continued into the much anticipated Big Girl which was every bit as exciting as it has appeared in the other venues. Of course Mika bravely weaved his way through the crowd, as they belted out the lyrics, even making his way to the very back of the circle, before stopping at the front of the circle. From my seat (although I had long since given up on sitting!), I could see how excited everyone was that managed to get close to him. The whole song took around 10 minutes with at least 7 of those minutes in the crowd. Although seemingly impossible, the excitement levels in the audience had been raised again!

 

The high energy continued with Elle me dit which Mika did (unnecessarily imo) apologise for, and, like in other non-French gigs, he did spend much of the song explaining it.

However, with the dancing across the audience as well as the loud singing of ‘Pourquoi tu gâches ta vie?’ I hope he realised that the audience embraced this song (and probably would have been receptive to some tracks from his new album too). The story he told towards the end of the song was sweet and kept the audience engaged (not that they needed persuading).

 

Good guys brought the tempo down a notch but not the enthusiasm from the crowd. The energy remained high and the singing was just as loud. The excitement got louder as the piano made an appearance towards the end of the song. For me, my favourite parts of the concert are when Mika plays the piano.

 

Billy Brown got the piano section underway, sung word perfect by the audience and so loudly. When the lights were down, Mika spoke to the band and delighted the crowd by performing an impromptu Popular. The crowd knew this was a bonus song and enjoyed the moment, eagerly singing along word for word.

 

The much anticipated Grace Kelly (with the twinkle twinkle preamble) was really special. Seeing Mika at the piano is so incredible. Any gap in the introductory dialogue was filled with warm supportive comments, which he modestly acknowledged. With this being his best known song, I’m used to hearing the audience go wild. But this audience was on a whole different level. The crowd were so loud, singing every word. Although I had already been delighted by the rainbow surprise, seeing it appear with the colour changing lightbulbs on the piano, while the noise level was so high was very special.

 

It was the aftermath of this song that prompted the Mika chant. It went on for over a minute and Mika acknowledged the band during this moment as well. He was really overcome with how warmly he was being received and it was touching to see. I really think Mika underestimated how loved he is.

 

This was a lovely moment to segue into Happy ending but the emotion clearly carried through. He delivered the song well, with every note accompanied by the crowd. It was towards the end of the song that seemed to get to him. The whole audience singing ‘a little bit of love’ so loudly it was really moving. It was here that the high notes started to prove more elusive for him but it didn’t matter as we were with him every step of the way. This whole song was around 10 minutes and watching it back it’s difficult not to get teary, especially the bit where Mika tells the crowd how emotional we had made him and that we’d reduced him to a ‘giant softie’. He carried on with the song fully embraced by a loving crowd, that now loved him even more (again, something I thought was impossible). The Mika chants continued at the end of the song too, further fuelling the emotion. It was a truly beautiful moment.

 

It was then time to increase the energy with Love today. The intro was long enough for another costume change (an outfit that hadn’t made an appearance in Grenoble or Lyon). There was no stopping the crowd that were delirious, enjoying the 10 minute version of the song. The curtain closed leaving the audience wanting more.

 

And more wasn’t long to come around as the encore of Any other world brought a calming influence but kept emotions running high. The strobe lighting added to the performance. The finale of We are golden was belted out with gusto by the crowd from the first lyric. Mika was bouncing round the stage and the crowd were jumping up and down. This was just what was needed to send the audience away on a Mika high.

 

There was a fleeting appearance of Mika after the curtain closed but, as has been said in other posts, there must have been a time restriction preventing him from staying out and receiving more applause.

 

Mika always gives everything to his shows but this is the first concert I’ve been to where his energy and enthusiasm was so closely matched by the audience! This was a magical experience and Mika created wonderful memories for everyone there, especially those he gave personal attention too. Not only that, from his comments during the show and his social media posts after the concert, it’s clear that Mika was moved by this show. It’s a shame it had to come to an end. I’m already looking forward to the next show!

 

As an aside, there was a very strong Scottish contingent in the audience so Mika should know he will have no problem selling out venues in Scotland!

[Kumazzz]

O2 Apollo Manchester

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A truly unforgettable night 🙌 @mikainstagram spoiled us with a magical set 😲✨

📸 @mudkissphotos for @academymusicgroup #Mika

 

O2 Apollo Manchester - Sunday 07 April 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fleeples]

1 hour ago, ACG said:

Unusually, I find myself agreeing word for word with a newspaper article! This is a very accurate description of the most sensational concert I have ever been to! 

 

I don't normally post but find myself compelled to write about my experience at this concert as it really was amazing!

Great review! I also signed up for an account just to post here. I'm honestly feeling a mix of still riding that high and the post-concert depression that I'm not still there. 100% the most fun concert I've been to.

[Kumazzz]

Setlist from Ebay.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176325005755?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[Fleeples]

38 minutes ago, Kumazzz said:

Setlist from Ebay.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176325005755?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

Only 0.99… and 23.99 shipping 🤣 yeah I’m sure shipping paper and a plectrum is that expensive.

 

Date says 2022 though… typo or fake?

[ACG]

6 minutes ago, Fleeples said:

Only 0.99… and 23.99 shipping 🤣 yeah I’m sure shipping paper and a plectrum is that expensive.

 

Date says 2022 though… typo or fake?

def looks iffy to me - especially when Popular definitely wasn’t on the set list! He specifically asked the band to play it.

[Fleeples]

1 hour ago, ACG said:

def looks iffy to me - especially when Popular definitely wasn’t on the set list! He specifically asked the band to play it.

Oh I missed that, when did he do that?

[ACG]

1 hour ago, Fleeples said:

Oh I missed that, when did he do that?

It was after Billy Brown. Mika got up from the piano and spoke to the band, as the lights went out. When the lights came up he said he was going to add a song because he felt like it! I will see if I can upload the video - not done that before here... 

 

Hopefully this will play ok!

 

[Fleeples]

1 hour ago, ACG said:

It was after Billy Brown. Mika got up from the piano and spoke to the band, as the lights went out. When the lights came up he said he was going to add a song because he felt like it! I will see if I can upload the video - not done that before here... 

Hopefully this will play ok!

 

He was very subtle about asking the band, I still can't really tell he's even got time to speak to them! And quick of the band to be able to play it!

[Kumazzz]

YouTube Big Girl

 

 

 

[Kumazzz]

YouTube

Any Other World

 

 

[Ruth]

14 hours ago, ACG said:

Unusually, I find myself agreeing word for word with a newspaper article! This is a very accurate description of the most sensational concert I have ever been to! 

 

I don't normally post but find myself compelled to write about my experience at this concert as it really was amazing!

 

On a cold dreary Sunday evening, with intermittent rain, a very excited crowd gathered (in an orderly fashion) for the most extraordinary concert I have ever been to.

 

There were 2 queues (one for the O2 priority customers and one for everyone else). With an advertised 7pm start, we got to the venue just after 6pm and walked halfway down the street to what was then the back of the queue.

 

The excitement in the queue was palpable. With Mika’s impeccable reputation as a high energy performer, there were understandably high expectations and just before 7pm our queue snaked its way into the venue.

 

This is the only concert where I had no idea where my seats were. I haven’t been in this venue before and couldn’t find a seating plan that made sense when I booked and just took ‘best available’, fingers crossed that they would be good – I wasn’t disappointed. Our seats were amazing! At the side of the circle with nobody in front of us, clear view of the stage.

 

There was a short DJ set at around 7.30pm, but it wasn’t until 8.55pm that the lights went out and the extravaganza began!

 

Having witnessed the spectacular Bougez opening in Grenoble and Lyon, I had been optimistic that we might get the French/English blend of this song, however, it was the intro to Origin of Love that got the concert underway. This was a good opener as it got the crowd going immediately and the noise was much louder than I had experienced at the other Mika concerts I’ve been to. This crowd were up for it and Mika knew this right from the start.

 

Immediately Mika acknowledged that it had ‘been a while’ since he was last at this venue, this further engaged the crowd. I could see a lot of the venue from my seat and Mika’s high energy was being matched from the outset. This continued into Talk About you and Lollipop where the engagement from the crowd was phenomenal.

 

Feels like fire was well received with great audience participation, particularly in the choruses. Underwater fully engaged the crowd with Mika picking up a stage light and shining it on various parts of the audience. The crowd didn’t let him down with their cues – Mika’s wee face, particularly when the people on the floor belted out Underwater so loudly and perfectly, was a picture – he loved it!

 

It didn’t feel possible but the energy in the room just kept getting higher from this point!

 

Relax had the audience singing along so loudly, it was amazing! There had been a technical hitch with this song in Lyon and the crowd didn't seem as enthusiastic in Grenoble so this was lovely to see and to be a part of.  Yo Yo kept the energy in the venue high and the noise loud.

 

This continued into the much anticipated Big Girl which was every bit as exciting as it has appeared in the other venues. Of course Mika bravely weaved his way through the crowd, as they belted out the lyrics, even making his way to the very back of the circle, before stopping at the front of the circle. From my seat (although I had long since given up on sitting!), I could see how excited everyone was that managed to get close to him. The whole song took around 10 minutes with at least 7 of those minutes in the crowd. Although seemingly impossible, the excitement levels in the audience had been raised again!

 

The high energy continued with Elle me dit which Mika did (unnecessarily imo) apologise for, and, like in other non-French gigs, he did spend much of the song explaining it.

However, with the dancing across the audience as well as the loud singing of ‘Pourquoi tu gâches ta vie?’ I hope he realised that the audience embraced this song (and probably would have been receptive to some tracks from his new album too). The story he told towards the end of the song was sweet and kept the audience engaged (not that they needed persuading).

 

Good guys brought the tempo down a notch but not the enthusiasm from the crowd. The energy remained high and the singing was just as loud. The excitement got louder as the piano made an appearance towards the end of the song. For me, my favourite parts of the concert are when Mika plays the piano.

 

Billy Brown got the piano section underway, sung word perfect by the audience and so loudly. When the lights were down, Mika spoke to the band and delighted the crowd by performing an impromptu Popular. The crowd knew this was a bonus song and enjoyed the moment, eagerly singing along word for word.

 

The much anticipated Grace Kelly (with the twinkle twinkle preamble) was really special. Seeing Mika at the piano is so incredible. Any gap in the introductory dialogue was filled with warm supportive comments, which he modestly acknowledged. With this being his best known song, I’m used to hearing the audience go wild. But this audience was on a whole different level. The crowd were so loud, singing every word. Although I had already been delighted by the rainbow surprise, seeing it appear with the colour changing lightbulbs on the piano, while the noise level was so high was very special.

 

It was the aftermath of this song that prompted the Mika chant. It went on for over a minute and Mika acknowledged the band during this moment as well. He was really overcome with how warmly he was being received and it was touching to see. I really think Mika underestimated how loved he is.

 

This was a lovely moment to segue into Happy ending but the emotion clearly carried through. He delivered the song well, with every note accompanied by the crowd. It was towards the end of the song that seemed to get to him. The whole audience singing ‘a little bit of love’ so loudly it was really moving. It was here that the high notes started to prove more elusive for him but it didn’t matter as we were with him every step of the way. This whole song was around 10 minutes and watching it back it’s difficult not to get teary, especially the bit where Mika tells the crowd how emotional we had made him and that we’d reduced him to a ‘giant softie’. He carried on with the song fully embraced by a loving crowd, that now loved him even more (again, something I thought was impossible). The Mika chants continued at the end of the song too, further fuelling the emotion. It was a truly beautiful moment.

 

It was then time to increase the energy with Love today. The intro was long enough for another costume change (an outfit that hadn’t made an appearance in Grenoble or Lyon). There was no stopping the crowd that were delirious, enjoying the 10 minute version of the song. The curtain closed leaving the audience wanting more.

 

And more wasn’t long to come around as the encore of Any other world brought a calming influence but kept emotions running high. The strobe lighting added to the performance. The finale of We are golden was belted out with gusto by the crowd from the first lyric. Mika was bouncing round the stage and the crowd were jumping up and down. This was just what was needed to send the audience away on a Mika high.

 

There was a fleeting appearance of Mika after the curtain closed but, as has been said in other posts, there must have been a time restriction preventing him from staying out and receiving more applause.

 

Mika always gives everything to his shows but this is the first concert I’ve been to where his energy and enthusiasm was so closely matched by the audience! This was a magical experience and Mika created wonderful memories for everyone there, especially those he gave personal attention too. Not only that, from his comments during the show and his social media posts after the concert, it’s clear that Mika was moved by this show. It’s a shame it had to come to an end. I’m already looking forward to the next show!

 

As an aside, there was a very strong Scottish contingent in the audience so Mika should know he will have no problem selling out venues in Scotland!

That's an excellent review, I completely agree. 

He was very funny, asking the audience if it was 2 years since he was there? 

Four...? and so on.

I thought the crowd were great, we were roaring along to everything and I was massively surprised how many of us knew every word. It's great to hear that your experience was so like mine.

[Ruth]

11 hours ago, ACG said:

def looks iffy to me - especially when Popular definitely wasn’t on the set list! He specifically asked the band to play it.

I think it's fake too...

Edited April 10 by Ruth

[ACG]

10 hours ago, Ruth said:

He was very funny, asking the audience if it was 2 years since he was there? 

Four...? and so on.

Yes, this was funny. He also seemed to express regret after Happy Ending about it taking him so long to come back to Manchester!

 

 

10 hours ago, Ruth said:

I thought the crowd were great, we were roaring along to everything and I was massively surprised how many of us knew every word.

Yes, the crowd were particularly noisy at Manchester and really 'in the moment' which made this show even more special than other ones I've been to. As per usual, Mika keeps raising the bar!

[ACG]

10 hours ago, Ruth said:

I think it's fake too...

It could be real, but there are quite a few inconsistencies (e.g. it looks different from other set lists from the tour (pictures posted on this site), the date, the description of the item (which includes the plectrum that apparently Mika used during the concert!), etc.) which, if I was interested in buying the item (I'm not) would make me wonder about the authenticity... 

[Fleeples]

Has anyone got a video of Happy Ending in full (first part and where he missed the note at the end and spoke to the crowd) for this gig? I'm trying to piece together the order in which things happened (gig endorphins messing with my memory, aha). I can only find videos of the end!