Considering the stellar support bill for Arctic Monkeys at the same venue a week previously – it featured Delorentos, The Coral and Supergrass – you can’t help feeling a little short-changed with The Carriers (who?), Gimik (who??) and The Coronas (no, me neither). Still, it’s impossible to be grumpy in a field full of pink cowboy hats, wigs and wellies. And that’s just the guys!
Despite her vaguely rebellious image P!nk is really a true purveyor of middle-of-the-road pop tunes. In the context, one might have expected her latest hairdo to provide the concert’s biggest surprise. In that regard, the game was given away in the first three seconds (it’s a platinum blonde soft mohican), after which she launched into ‘Trouble’, followed by the highlight of her songwriting career to date, ‘Just Like A Pill’.
Contrary to my rather downbeat expectations, far from flagging, the momentum gathered throughout her 90-minute set, with a less-than-serious performance of ‘Stupid Girls’ and a cover of Aerosmith’s ‘Janie’s Got A Gun’ – which outdid the original! – among the highpoints.
Better still, her unique, husky voice wasn’t hidden behind a gospel choir, a dancing crew, pyrotechnics and the like. Her entourage consisted of only two backing vocalists and a few musicians, giving an organic feel to the evening’s entertainment, which made her occasional memory lapses forgivable. Well, just about...
Throw in a touching version of ‘Dear Mr President’, a Janis Joplin medley and a cover of ‘What’s Going On?’ by her songwriting partner’s former band 4 Non Blondes, and there’s little to quibble about. Sure, she isn’t exactly the edgy rock chick she portrays, but she’s a real pro, who merits her place in front of the 17,000 strong crowd. Well, tickle me pink, but I never thought I’d say that...