Magical Katy Perry moment that unfolded after MCG’s bedtime
She may have run late and broken the MCG’s strict curfew last night, but pop superstar Katy Perry brought a marvellous post-match moment on stage. SEE THE PICTURES
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Will pop superstar Katy Perry face fireworks from the Melbourne Cricket Club for breaching the 11pm curfew at the MCG last night?
Or is she justified to reply with a roar that the T20 World Cup post-match congratulations, interviews, niceties, confetti and, yep, more interviews, ran way past Perry’s scheduled 9.40pm start time, and forced her into a rushed set with the opening song, “Teenage Dream,” making a very long-awaited entrance at 10.33pm.
In some parts, the MCG is still an unforgiving echo chamber.
Unfortunately, Perry’s on-point vocals and the band’s inventive musical arrangements bounced around the Ponsford Stand, MCC Members Reserve and corporate suites through “Hot N Cold,” and “Last Friday Night.”
That said, the latter weekend anthem opened a crowd-pleasing window. “You don’t have to go to school tomorrow, so let’s make like it’s Friday,” Perry teased.
As she said this, it was almost Monday.
The sound mix came right for “California Gurls,” complete with bright percussion and Stardust (“Music Sounds Better With You”) guitar licks.
Perry, in a pink top with embroidered flower — and matching cape! — commanded the Venus symbol-shaped stage, with giant inflatables in the background, like one of the fine, fresh, fierce femmes outlined in the song.
Her breakthrough hit, “I Kissed A Girl,” was reworked into a clubbier vibe, with a bassline similar to Perry’s “Swish Swish” pulsing beneath the verse and chorus. By the end, it reverted back to the charming rock original.
“Dark Horse,” a slinky trap gem followed, then a reimagined version of “Chained To The Rhythm,” with a slower intro that eventually grew into a disco banger with lasers.
Once the party settled, it was 11pm, and by then it was clear Perry’s advertised one-hour set would have to be cut back.
Perry vanished into darkness, then reappeared with some closing thoughts: “Think of the spirit of women … vulnerability, strength … and Australia and India coming together, and playing so well.”
She performed “Wide Awake” to a stadium of flickering mobile phone lights, and signed off with “Firework”, inviting the Australian women’s cricket team, and newly crowned T20 world champions, on stage to share the spotlight.
It was a marvellous moment, even if it was 15 minutes past the MCC’s bed time.
Katy Perry will perform a free concert in Bright, Victoria, on Wednesday, to thank emergency services and give back to bushfire-affected communities.
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