When I went: 30 May 2014

Music Owl Hoot rating: 4/5

Location: The O2, London

Performers: Katy Perry (supported by Icona Pop)

Creative team: Katy Perry’s team

Approximate price: £70

Special points: Cartoony upbeat pop

Best bit: Wide Awake / Dark House

If I could change one thing: Better support act

Review:

I have nothing against Icona Pop but as usual, the support act at the O2 just seemed to rely on their ‘one big song’ (in this case, I Love It) and didn’t have much more to offer.

Katy Perry has her own brand of power-pop accessorised by cartoony videos, bright outfits and strong makeup. Her polished vocals and natural charisma gave this performance more grit and depth than you might expect, as did the sadness in songs such as By The Grace of God. Katy also took the time to chat to the audience, at one point sipping from a beer given to her by an audience member and saying she was supposed to be gluten-free and the beer was probably full of it – but “what the hell is gluten”, anyway?

The release of hundreds of balloons on Birthday was a nice touch, even if Katy sitting on the lap of a nonplussed young male audience member for the song was a bit awkward. Her costume changes didn’t detract from the momentum of the performance and the crowd was thoroughly enjoying it all the way through.