There is not a lot to think about at a Pink show. This is a show that places its emphasis on the visual as opposed to the music. It is a show that switches endlessly back and forth from live vocal to pre-record as the full-on aerobics and acrobatics allow.
At one stage she referred to other artists who lip-synch. Um, there seemed to be a fair amount of that going on in this show. The show was also carefully choreographed. There was little room for ad-lib.
Not that any of that mattered of course. No-one comes to see the future of rock and roll at a Pink show. They just want to be entertained. Accept Pink for what she is (ie: the rock version of Britney Spears) and you are in for one entertaining evening.
Kylie Minogue should have gone to this much trouble for a set with her X tour. We might still be talking about it. Madonna should have done it 20 years ago but she is passed it now. Pink’s Funhouse show has the visual impact of a Cirque de Soleil. It’s huge.
When she does say a few words she is happy to send herself up. Someone threw a pink pig soft toy on stage. She commented how it had her nose.
She is also wise keeping it to the hits and some very choice covers. Starting off with AC/DC ‘Highway To Hell’ certainly set the tone and immediately placed the volume a notch about both Kylie, Madonna and Britney.
In fact the choice of covers was exceptionally strategic. Her sultry version of Divinyls ‘I Touch Myself’ was mesmerizing.
The showstopper though was Led Zeppelin’s ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’. What is great about an artist like Pink playing songs like this is a: the quality of the song itself lifts the quality of the show and b: it introduces some great but not so well-known music to new ears often for the first time. Pink was exceptional when she performed this song.
Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is better known but worked well in the set. It was another of those instantly recognizable moments. The Gnarls Barkley ‘Crazy’ fitted nicely with the circus theme.
There was nothing from the first album ‘Can’t Take Me Home’. The current ‘Funhouse’ and the previous ‘I’m Not Dead’ formed the basis of the setlist.
The show itself was a complete circus, literally. The amazing part was watching Pink as a trapeze act. For what the show lacks as a musical performance it more than makes up as a visual and aerial acrobatic act.
The US has eluded Pink as a major market. She could maybe easily break in the back door through a Cirque de Soleil Vegas act if she chose to go down that path.
The Pink ‘Funhouse’ show pushes further than Kylie would be game to go. It pushes well past what Britney does for the kids and where Madonna wants to be. She swings from trapeze, she bungee jumps and she sings a whole stack of songs you know. What more could you want?
The audience was mainly women, mainly aged 25-35. The occasional one brought their boyfriend/husband along. There were very few children in the audience. In marketing terms, it could be said that Pink attracts a target market.
Australia has a history of adopting musical orphans, acts that can't get arrested in the USA. We did it with Kings of Leon. Robbie Williams can always earn an honest buck off an Aussie tour. Maybe it has something to do with our convict past. Give us a circus and an Australian will come to the big top every time.
Pink is pure entertainment. It is total escapism. There is nothing to think about. Enjoy Pink. She is touring Australia into August.
Here is the setlist for Pink’s Australian tour 2009:
1. Highway to Hell (Intro - AC/DC Cover)
2. Bad Influence (from Funhouse, 2008)
3. Just Like A Pill (from Missundaztood, 2001)
4. Who Knew (from I’m Not Dead, 2006)
5. Please Don't Leave Me (from Funhouse, 2008)
6. Don't Let Me Get Me (from Missundaztood, 2001)
7. I Touch Myself (Divinyls cover)
8. One Foot Wrong (from Funhouse, 2008)
9. U + Ur Hand (from I’m Not Dead, 2006)
10 Ave Mary A (from Funhouse, 2008)
11 Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) (from I’m Not Dead, 2006)
12 So What (from Funhouse, 2008)
13 Family Portrait (from Missundaztood, 2001)
14 I Don't Believe You (from Funhouse, 2008)
15 Crystal Ball (from Funhouse, 2008)
16 Trouble (Acoustic) (from Try This, 2003)
17 Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin cover)
18 Sober (from Funhouse, 2008)
19 Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover)
20 Funhouse (from Funhouse, 2008)
21 Crazy (Gnarls Barkley cover)
22 Get The Party Started (from Missundaztood, 2001)
Encore:
23 Glitter In The Air (from Funhouse, 2008)
