Mika Concert 28th Nov @ BIC

Having been a Mika fan for quite some time, I thought I would see the Lebanon born singer in his full glory, live!

I arrived at the Bournemouth International Centre half an hour before the doors opened. Already there was a long queue of excited Mika fans from giggly 'teeny boppers' to middle aged women.

After everyone had taken their seats (or places in the standing area), the support band, Palladium came on stage.They performed 5 of their songs including their new single 'Hi five. Their style of music was very much pop/rock and reminded me of bands such as; The Kaiser Chiefs, The Killers and Panic At The Disco!

Now, considering Mika had been on tour since July with only a few days off occasionally, he was on top form, which was shown through the energy he put into his stage performance.
He performed the entirity of his debut album, 'Life in Cartoon Motion' and even gave us a glimpse of his new album which is still in production.

However, one difference I saw in this concert, compared to others is that, because this is Mika's first proper UK tour and having only made it into mainstream music this year he does not seem to be jaded by the fame and still quite down to earth. One thing I think showed this was the chant at the beginning of 'Mika, Mika' when he appeared on stage and which he instantly got the crowd to change to 'Bournemouth, Bournemouth'.

Unlike most modern day singers he performed many of his songs whilst playing an accompaniment on the piano thus showing he isn't jus a pretty face and a good voice!

At the end of the show he came out and did two encores, 'Grace Kelly', his first song that was at no.1 for six weeks and 'Lollipop' one of his liveliest songs.


One of the highlights of the evening, I think was the finale, which Mika ended with a bang. The beginning of the finale started with a short but alternative version of Teddy Bear's Picnic. During this some of the band members and other people were dressed as rabbits, bears with Mika dressed as a crocodile.


The physical bang to the finale in this case was the noise of two large cannons going off, covering the crowds in confetti whilst Mika sung 'Lollipop', still dressed as a crocodile.
But, after that song, Mika surprised everyone by coming back onto the stage to do a THIRD encore, something unheard of amongst most singers and bands!
He sung "Relax", the song he had started with at the beginning to bring the concert full circle.

Overall, the concert was lively and eventful and felt like one long carnival or party which continues into the theme of his debut album as each song is full of energy and flair.