dcdeb Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Just a couple short reviews/photos of the NYC gig -- I don't see them posted anyway, let me know if there are... Live photos: Mika strips off at United Palace The London pop star Mika played to a young, sold-out crowd at United Palace on Friday night. The concert, the second stop on his current American tour, began conceptually: It is 1955, and citizens watch a space launch go wrong. Mika, the Bowie-esque spaceman, removes his suit and…sings pop songs! The bulk of the concert focused less on the concept than on Mika’s songs, with a generous set covering both 2007’s Life in Cartoon Motion and the new The Boy Who Knew Too Much. http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/thevolume/2009/10/live-photos-mika/ ------------------------------------------ Mika’s United Palace Show Was Golden The United Palace, an ornate edifice from the 1930s in NYC’s Washington Heights, proved the perfect venue for British pop star Mika’s theatrical stylings; Friday night’s sold-out show involved marionettes and a giant teapot among other whimsical props. The affair began with a televised cameo from Sir Ian McKellen in a newscast about a space launch gone awry. Then Mika paid homage to Ziggy Stardust, emerging in spaceman regalia before performing a seamless set of material from his 2007 debut album Life in Cartoon Motion and recent release The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Standout tracks were the cheeky “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” (enhanced by full-figured background dancers), the falsetto-drenched “Love Today,” and buoyant anthem “We Are Golden.” Band members were bedecked in candy-colored costumes for the encore, which included “Grace Kelly,” the pop confection that launched him to international stardom two years ago, and “Lollipop,” during which oversize balloons were unleashed on the audience. It was hard not to smile for the rest of the weekend. —Erin Clements http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/10/mikas-united-palace-show-was-golden.html --------------------------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FREDDIESDOUBLE Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Ohh the balloons are back Thanks Deb:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom4Mika Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Just a couple short reviews/photos of the NYC gig -- I don't see themposted anyway, let me know if there are... Live photos: Mika strips off at United Palace The London pop star Mika played to a young, sold-out crowd at United Palace on Friday night. The concert, the second stop on his current American tour, began conceptually: It is 1955, and citizens watch a space launch go wrong. Mika, the Bowie-esque spaceman, removes his suit and…sings pop songs! The bulk of the concert focused less on the concept than on Mika’s songs, with a generous set covering both 2007’s Life in Cartoon Motion and the new The Boy Who Knew Too Much. http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/thevolume/2009/10/live-photos-mika/ ------------------------------------------ Mika’s United Palace Show Was Golden The United Palace, an ornate edifice from the 1930s in NYC’s Washington Heights, proved the perfect venue for British pop star Mika’s theatrical stylings; Friday night’s sold-out show involved marionettes and a giant teapot among other whimsical props. The affair began with a televised cameo from Sir Ian McKellen in a newscast about a space launch gone awry. Then Mika paid homage to Ziggy Stardust, emerging in spaceman regalia before performing a seamless set of material from his 2007 debut album Life in Cartoon Motion and recent release The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Standout tracks were the cheeky “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” (enhanced by full-figured background dancers), the falsetto-drenched “Love Today,” and buoyant anthem “We Are Golden.” Band members were bedecked in candy-colored costumes for the encore, which included “Grace Kelly,” the pop confection that launched him to international stardom two years ago, and “Lollipop,” during which oversize balloons were unleashed on the audience. It was hard not to smile for the rest of the weekend. —Erin Clements http://fashion.elle.com/blog/2009/10/mikas-united-palace-show-was-golden.html --------------------------------- One of them was ME! OMG!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willywonka Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Just a couple short reviews/photos of the NYC gig -- I don't see themposted anyway, let me know if there are... T4P, Deb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn Mastin Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Good review! T4P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunnyangel Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 It was hard not to smile for the rest of the weekend. i find it hard not to smile at all after that glowing report!! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyD Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 One of them was ME! OMG!! We did a good job! And you were totally AWESOME in Philly!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foalbaby14 Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 Great reviews! T4P! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom4Mika Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 We did a good job! And you were totally AWESOME in Philly!!!!! I think you're right we were born to be BG's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyD Posted October 20, 2009 Share Posted October 20, 2009 I think you're right we were born to be BG's. What an experience!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcdeb Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 Ran across this while looking for something else -- don't remember ever seeing it before. Thought it was a fun trip down memory lane, regardless. http://centerorch.com/2009/10/17/mika-at-united-palace-theater-a-teenage-dream-in-a-teenage-circus/ I moved to New York for my love of music and the thrill of seeing my favorite artists perform live. Mika at Terminal 5 in January 2008 was my first show after moving here, and the energy of that show and the enthusiasm of the crowd dispelled any second-guessing about my decision to relocate here. He was intoxicating — his music so infectious, his spirit so youthful, and his lyrics so honest. Sugary pop confection is a great way to describe many of his songs. And fortunately for me, I have an insatiable sweet tooth! This year, Mika is back supporting the release of his second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much. Venturing way up to Washington Heights (175th Street), Mika has sold out the United Palace Theater. I have never been to this venue and didn’t know what to expect. Originally a 1930s movie and vaudeville palace, the theater is spectacularly ornate. I felt like I was in Thailand when walking through the lobby. I later learned that it’s described as “Cambodian neo-Classical.” Wikipedia describes it as “Byzantine-Romanesque-Indo-Hindu-Sino-Moorish-Persian-Eclectic-Rococo-Deco.” Or in other words, “New York.” Mika could re-christen the place, “We Are Goldleaf!” The stage is set with a red sofa, floor lamp and flat screen TV. Mika’s band members enter one by one and playfully gather on the sofa when Sir Ian McKellen appears on screen as a news anchor covering a rocket ship launch. As the ship ascends into the heavens, it explodes. I’m SHOCKED he used actual footage of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. My heart drops a little… and Mika runs out on stage with a suitcase to “Relax, Take it Easy.” The palace erupts with the screams of lots and lots of teenage girls. He then moves into “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful),” an anthem for many of the girls (and some of us guys) who made the trip to upper Manhattan. The suitcase, btw, is full of puppets, hats, boas and other props he uses throughout the show. Mika continues to play many of the songs off his first album, Life in Cartoon Motion, including “Stuck in the Middle” and “Billy Brown,” and most of his new material, “Dr. Jones,” “Blue Eyes,” “Rain,” “One Foot Boy,” “Toy Boy” … hmmm, lots of songs about boys … and Ian McKellen appears to be a fan. Perhaps that why teenage girls have such an affinity for our 26-year-old, shaggy haired Mika. The BEST moments included my favorite song off The Boy Who Knew Too Much, “Touches You.” Just brilliant, as is the infectious “Blame it on the Girl.” He also played my favorite song off Life in Cartoon Motion, “Happy Ending,” and his monster hit, “Love Today.” At the climax of that song, the entire joint was pogo-sticking. From the lower loge, I could feel the entire balcony vibrate and bounce. Slightly scary — I kept praying, “I hope this place is up to code!!” Another great moment was the performance “I See You,” a gorgeous, dramatic ballad about the insecurity and fear of approaching someone you like, and all the self-confidence issues we all share. The crescendo of strings and piano riffs prompted another round of goosebumps. This one hits home! Rounding out the show was his best-known hit, “Grace Kelly” and his newest single, “We Are Golden.” I have to say, Mika has a knack at writing HUGE hooks in his songs. This song should be covered by those Glee kids. “Teenage dreams in a teenage circus, running around like a clown on purpose. Who gives a damn about the family you come from, no giving up when you’re young and you want some.” That’s got Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz and company written all over it!! Bring it!! Of course, “Lollipop” closed the show with giant balloons bouncing over his fans, accentuating the spheres above the stage. At the end of the night, I realize that Mika is so much more than Big Girls and Lollipops. He’s at the center of the modern pop music universe, and he has something to say. His voice is grabbing the attention of teenagers, twenty-, thirty- and forty-somethings because his message is positive, hopeful and honest. Thank you, Mika, for making me feel young in heart and spirit. Come back soon!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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