Concert: Mika at Roundhouse

Last Friday night I did something I never would have thought I’d do - I went to a Mika concert. See, I like a lot of music but I am very particular about what I do and don’t like. The biggest representation on my iPod is in the genres Indie Rock, Alternative and Progressive Trance. I don’t usually listen to mainstream run of the mill pop. Stephen likes Mika though and so I entered online at Evening Standard for free tickets and won a pair.

It was the last performance of the iTunes Live Festival at the Roundhouse in Camden that had featured the likes of Kasabian, Placebo and Franz Ferdinand (all bands that I have seen in concert and would sell my husband my soul to see again live). It was the second time I’ve been to Roundhouse – the first was to see Shpongle last year. We’re going to see Shpongle again this year at the Roundhouse for their Halloween gig and I can't wait.

So, what did Little Miss Music Snob think of the wildly eccentric and theatrical Mika? I loved him. I thought he was absolutely great and I would even buy his new album (with the ten free iTunes downloads I got with the ticket!)

The concert was being recorded live and broadcast on ITV and he wasn’t meant to swear (apparently the fine for swearing on prime time TV is £10,000 per word but I can’t find any links). Well, after his first honest mistake, he threw all caution to the wind and seemed quite happy to swear away whatever fee they were paying him for performing that night. I think broadcasters should get over themselves anyway – it hasn’t got any better since they tried to prevent Jim Morrison from saying “higher” on television. While I wouldn’t usually advocate foul language, it has to be said that his original songs have swearing so what did they expect?

Mika is an excellent and entertaining live performer and he really is talented. He has an excellent voice and he absolutely engages the crowd. It is so refreshing to see a performer sing his heart out live on stage when so many acts just go through the motions.

Throughout the show there were hands in the air, lots of glitter and streamers, stars and lots and lots of love. It was an uplifting and enjoyable show and I would recommend to anybody that they go see a Mika show at least once. Who knows, you might have fun despite yourself and land up bouncing up and down and dancing and singing. Or is that just me?

20 comments on "Concert: Mika at Roundhouse"
  1. Awesome! Great post. Hugely jealous, but thanks so much for sharing the iTunes on ITV event. Very nice, indeed. Cheers! - Jg.

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  2. To be quite honest, I can't stand Mika, his voice is too high for my liking. It seems I never win free tickets to anything, I think the only music concert I've ever been to was the Wiggles when I was 3, I guess I'll get the oppurtunity when I'm older.

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  3. It looks like a rockin concert. I like Indie rock too. It's individual.

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  4. It would be hard to complain after winning two free tickets for the concert but reading your review I think you'd have been happy handing over the full ticket price. Nice photos and glad the two of you had a great time.

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  5. Hi Emm, Happy that you enjoyed the concert. Yes, good performer, maybe his voice is a little bit to high :)

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  6. It looks like he put on quite a show!!!
    I'm into rock really, but I remember me and a couple of mates wanting to dance to cheesy pop so we went to G.A.Y and ended up in a Right Said Fred/Scooch concert - front row!!

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  7. How lucky you are!
    To win the two free tickets!!
    I have never known Mika nor Shpongle, but I googled and listened them on YouTube. I like the "Life In Cartoon Motion" by Mika. His voice and song are full of joy. I like it! The live show must be great. Thank you for sharing the photos and songs with me!

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  8. Hi Emm! 08.08 always deserves a bit of champagne; at least for those who got married some 34 years ago. We just had a bit of Veuve Clicquot... ;))
    But we will also have our concert tonight: «Jazz in August», Peter Evans quartet...

    Blogtrotter is now showing that Reykjavik is not entirely grey... ;)). Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

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  9. Hi! My name is Savannah, and I follow your blog. When I saw this post I was extremely jealous! I won tickets to this concert. But sadly I live in California. I was so dissapointed to not have attended. I am so glad it was a wonderful experence for you though :) Your blog is great
    - Savannah

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  10. Just returned from the mountains where there was no connection. I enjoyed your entry and especially the great photographs. I am not a fan of Mika, but loved the stage. Last concert I went to was end of July, to Gilberto Gil, a fantastic Brazilian singer. It was magic!

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  11. Wow, looks like you had pretty good seats! Either that or your camera is super amazing (I'm jealous). Your pictures are always top-notch!

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  12. Thank you for your lovely comment. Have you heard or been to a Cesaria Evora concert? She is from Cape Verde and has an interesting voice and sound.

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  13. Reading this post reminds me of how long it has been since I went to a concert that was more like a group happening (as opposed to everyone sitting quietly and clapping politely -- all the action going on inside the private self). Your pictures make it look like such good, glittery fun. And free tickets? What a nice bonus!

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  14. Hi Emm, Thanks for ur comments on my blog.
    You really enjoyed the show, great post.

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  15. Looks like a fun concert! I'll have to check him out. Love the sparkly brolly :-)

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  16. Your so lucky,bro. I really jealous about that. Thanks for share

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  17. @ Jg: Ha! Glad you enjoyed it!

    @ Pizza: I am sure you would have the chance when you grow older but do you like music? I've seen over 100 bands in concert. :)

    @ Lauren: Really? What are your favourite bands?

    @ Martyn: Thanks Martyn! And yes, i think you are right. It was so good that we may have been happy paying full price.

    @ Italo: His voice can be high but in most songs, he just sings normally.

    @ London Belle: Wow - that must have been quite an experience! Thankfully, I have never been overtaken by a desire to dance to cheesy pop.

    @ Chen Yin Tzu: I'm so glad I introduced you to a new artist and that you liked it!

    @ GMG: Happy anniversary!

    @ Savannah: Why did you apply for tickets if you live so far away??

    @ Celeste Maia: Oh, those artists sound lovely. I'll listen to some of their music on LastFM.

    @ Slynnard: Slowly, I am learning to take better photos with my camera. I used a variety of settings that night and found the sports setting to be best for tracking Mika across the stage. A year ago, I went to a couple of concerts and I was so disappointed with my photos! I'm glad to be improving.

    @ Bee: Yes, recitals and formal concerts are nice but sometimes it is lovely to just go out and dance while watching a live act.

    @ Manmohan: It is a pleasure and thank you!

    @ JaPRA: Oh yeah, I quite liked that brolly and the effect of the "raining" glitter confetti.

    @ Windboyz: Heh. Don't be jealous! But yes, it is a pleasure.

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  18. I love music. Mainly rock rather than pop though.

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  19. Oooo, how very very very jealous I am just now! MIKA!

    And I don't even get ITV any more, so I couldn't see it either. *grumble*

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  20. @ Pizza: Cool! i don't like pop much at all, except for maybe X factor winners.

    @ Hevel: Awww, don't be jealous!

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