Tonight:
8°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
John Aizlewood's rating
Reader rating
Phone: 0871220 0260
Website: www.the02.co.uk
Trains: Tube: North Greenwich, BR: Westcombe Park Railway Station 
Big top-style: Pink’s burlesque-style numbers provided a high spot in an uneven and unconfident evening
If Alecia “Pink” Moore’s recent announcement that she is bisexual was as surprising as finding snow at the North Pole, more startling was the fact that last night was the third of three O2 shows. For all the racket she makes, the Pennsylvanian has quietly evolved from shouty teenage popper into shouty world superstar.
Scandalously, there were no Jubilee line trains — hats off to the ever-considerate TfL — but even that failed to subdue a boisterous crowd who at one stage showered Pink with fluffy frogs. She appeared to cherish them: her roadies threw them off stage.
It was an uneven evening and not merely because this tattooed ball of energy is the dictionary definition of “in your face”. As the worldwide ambassador of corporate rock rebellion (think a more sweary Avril Lavigne), the 29-year-old has risen by being naturally confessional and confident, qualities which enable her to peer deep into the souls of her predominantly young, predominantly female fanbase. Yet live she’s neither confessional nor confident.
She confesses little between songs, but worse she’s so unconfident of her songs that she littered her set with cover versions. Hence a hopeless Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, the folk song popularised by Led Zeppelin (“Are there any Led Zeppelin fans here?” asked Pink, hopefully. The answer wasn’t “yes”), a terrific assault on Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy and a slowed down version of Divinyls’ onanistic ode I Touch Myself, which Pink sang on a couch, writhing underneath red lighting and dressed in underwear. I’ve seen sexier hernia operations, but it was pop gold compared with her facsimile karaoke version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, for which she dressed as Freddie Mercury, but alas Freddie Mercury from the wrong era. She may have performed it for a bet.
There were moments when the planets aligned. The beautiful closer Glitter In The Air, the cage-rattling, riff-crazed So What and the soaring chorus of U + Ur Hand showed that Pink is no songwriting slouch, while she and her eight-piece band plus dancers delivered a mostly engrossing spectacle, especially Sober, delivered 80 dizzying feet above the stage as she performed a trapeze act with a dancer.
Meanwhile, Funhouse was a carnival of burlesque and Get The Party Started was choreographed like a Busby Berkeley showstopper, with Pink both its heartbeat and its voice. She doesn’t need silly old Bohemian Rhapsody any more than it needs her.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I went to the 02 on Friday 1st May, and thought she was awesome! Her voice sounded great, the acrobatics were great, and I thought she was hilarious with her little comments between songs.
- Shelley, Sidcup, Kent
just read pink concert review .I saw Pink at Glasgow and she was awsome dont understand how John didnt like it I would go and see her time and time again
- Barry Little, Annan.Scotland
What artist was this John Aizlewood watching!!! I also saw the show on 2nd and agree with Sara fully. P!nk rocked the O2 arena from where I was sitting, or standing as it was most of the time. Yeah I agree with the comments about the tubes, that was a complete farce, but did nothing to destroy the great time I had and from what I could see around me, many others at the venue had. I lost count of the numbers of songs that she sang, her own or covers, but I think that she did both justice and definitely deserved the applause that she got from the crowd.
I think that she tends to get a hard time from certain areas of the media (naming no names, the Daily Mail(!)) as they are old fashioned and don't like their singers having an opinion. Not everyone is holier than thou as Daniel O'Donnell and thank whoever is up there for that. P!nk puts so much into the songs, which are written by her in the most part and definitely put that much energy into her show. MORE of the same I say. Would definitely be worth seeing her again in December.
- Chris, Bournemouth
I saw Pink at the o2 on 2nd May, and was blown away by everything I thought she was amazing. The stage set was exceptional, as Pink's Funhouse concert lacked nothing. A pure performer both theatherical at times, circus like, and the singing was wicked. Even when she was hurling around high up in the air she was still reaching the notes with control. The lighting was well done, and the aerial show she performed at times was breath taking. The whole show just rocked - you could feel the energy in the areana it was quite a buzz! What a rock chick legend! This lady truly entertained and performed to her fans, and pleased them.
- Sara, Kent
Hi i loved the concert and i think she i amazing and i would love and go and see it again
- Daniel Ward, BRISTOL
Yes once again TFL failed to co-ordinate trains with London's (allegedly) highest profile venue. Personally i reckon the entire o2 experience is cack of the utmost order. Shocking sound not worthy of a town hall panto never mind £50+ ticket prices. I think someone with Facebook ought to start a boycott the O2 rally where fans pledge to see bands at different venues in the country until the organisers improve the sound and work with tfl to ensure trains - and wha t about a second line extension that inks to something other than the jubilee line which, more often than not on gig night is not running.
Londons achilles heel - poor show O2 and poor show TFL.
- Rob, BRISTOL
I was there on May 1st and she blew me away with her incredible singing, amazing acrobatics performance and one of a kind attitude. Theres no other female singer as good as her, nor as versatile!
- Sadie, Uk
