live music

Editor's rating

Venue: MEN Arena, Manchester
Gig played: 25 April 2009

After Pink's labelmates, support act Raygun, round off a set of disco-pop and camp rock, we're treated to footage of roaring motorbikes, accompanied by AC/DC's 'Highway To Hell', neatly setting the tone for the professional rebel's show.

Pink is about to appear in style. Her eight years as a gymnast are put to good use - the first time we see her in the flesh, she's raised up on a harness as though it's second nature. Opener 'Who Knew' displays the premium pop which made her famous and settles the star into her sold-out show.

As the tour is in support of last year's Funhouse album, no prop has been spared in creating an extravagant musical circus. Accessories include slides, trampolines and acrobats, while the lady herself is dressed in a leotard tighter than your credit crunch booze budget and manages to be note perfect whilst hanging upside down.
Pink's own songs are entwined with cover classics, including a raunchy rendition of Divinyls' 'I Touch Myself' and Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which has 20,000 fans united in song.

An acoustic 'Trouble' is followed by an energetic 'Just Like a Pill' before more gravity-defying acrobatics on 'Sober'. "I'm safe up high/Nothing can touch me/But why do I feel this party's over?" she asks, as the crowd's energy goes into overdrive. Finally the feisty, leather-clad pop princess belts out 'So What', yelling the lyrics, "So what? I'm still a rock star" - and she most definitely is.

Kelly Murray