Morning:
6°c
John Aizlewood's rating
Katy Perry is the perfect 21st Century pop star
By
John Aizlewood
18 Mar 2011
If Katy Perry didn't exist, it's hard to imagine anyone having the imagination to invent her.
Still only 26, she was raised by Christians in southern California, she's the current Mrs Russell Brand and she's such a saucy seaside postcard that she appeals to young girls and men old enough to know better alike. Last night, her California Dreams tour rolled into town to confirm what we hoped: she's the perfect 21st Century pop star.
My, how she's blossomed. Last time I saw the former Katheryn Hudson, struggling before a disinterested 2009 V2 festival crowd, it looked as if the near-novelty I Kissed A Girl was her beginning and end. Now, Perry is a commanding, gold-dust-coated force of nature, sliding through her guitarist's legs on I Kissed A Girl; crooning Not Like The Movies from a trapeze-style swing and somehow changing costume six times during Hot N Cold without leaving the stage and her show was a candy-scented, visually arresting, faintly ludicrous joy.
Like Lady Gaga (whose Born This Way she covered), Perry had an incomprehensible concert theme, part Katy In Wonderland, part Katy Of Oz, featuring a video baddie who was more Vince Cable than Vincent Price and Kitty Purry, a six-foot purple cat, who move from screen to stage during the sparkly trot though Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). You couldn't help but smile.
Perry hurtled through her hits, although weirdly the mighty Firework came and went sans actual fireworks; she pretended she enjoys The Only Way Is Essex ("genius!") and My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and after claiming, perhaps falsely, that "he's my adopted son with Russell" she gave everyone the opportunity to boo Justin Bieber, an invitation loudly accepted.
The acoustic covers section confused after she promised four English songs before grappling with four American ones, but I'm still not sure that for all its likeableness, this dazzling, gaudy spectacle was wholly suitable for the pre-teen hordes. The hallucinogenic drugs references and the single entendre sex talk (although as a cross between Betty Boop and Bettie Page she was never actually sexy) may have soared over their heads, but they could hardly have missed the swearing.
At some point she's going to have to decide who she wants to appeal to, but last night's feelgood factor was so overpowering it would be churlish not to adjourn that debate for now.
Katy Perry plays Hammersmith Apollo tonight and tomorrow, 08448 44 47 48
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
Vacuous and talentless. Yes, sadly, typical.
- Taxpayer, Birmingham, 20/03/2011 13:32
Report abuse
I like Katy Perry.
- dhan raj, basildon, 19/03/2011 15:41
Report abuse
She is a girl after my own heart.
- Mary Likes, The Cockwell Inn, Tillet, Herts, 18/03/2011 15:21
Report abuse
