Mika

MIKA’s 9th of July show cemented his figure as a pop icon as he transformed Kew Gardens into Club Calypso, a place where everyone’s welcome, glitter is encouraged and smiles are guaranteed.

The evening started off as it meant to go on: silly and as sugary as the treats that feature in many of his songs, with 2019 hit ‘Ice cream’. In a tribute to the botanical s that surrounded us, he was donned in a weed leaf two piece suit, the first of many equally flamboyant outfits.

From there, MIKA navigated through a set-list that spanned his impressive career. Hits from his debut album, ‘Life in Cartoon Motion,’ which boasts over 2.8 billion streams, were met with equal enthusiasm as his more recent tracks. Songs like “Grace Kelly” and “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” went down an absolute treat, while the more introspective “Happy Ending” allowed for deeper moments of connection with the crowd.

MIKA's stage presence was magnetic. Heartfelt odes to his south west hometown, from evenings in the gardens with his nanny to garage recordings down the road, made the evening feel personal. His energy was impressively high throughout, at one point, he even jumped into the crowd and ran all the way to the back, a stunt he claimed to be ‘the most challenging of his career’. Judging by the faces of the audience though, it was worth it.

Accompanying production was equally impressive, with vibrant, technicoloured graphics and props that did his colourful discography justice. The rain also stopped on cue, blessing Kew Gardens with a glowy sunset that furthered the mood.

MIKA concluded with the rousing “Love Today.” This closing number left the audience buzzing, a perfect end to a spectacular show. From his infectious charm to his karaoke provoking bangers, nobody throws a party quite like Mika. Four stars well-deserved