Live Report : Katy Perry sends Malahide Castle up into space

While her recent musical releases have occasionally slipped under the radar, Katy Perry is still making headlines. Whether joining Jeffery Bezos's Blue Origin flight to space or dating Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Perry remains full of surprises.

Her new concert experience is just as eclectic as she is.

Fans arrive dressed as everything from Cleopatra to dolphins, taking fun fashion to a new level.

The set design features a massive laptop, a giant plastic water bottle, and an oversised phone that dominates the stage.

A FaceTime ringtone signals the start of the performance, showing Perry rushing toward the stage as notifications for messages, doctor appointments, and Strava counts pop up sporadically on the screen.

As the phone dies, dancers in muscle suits and tiny shorts take the stage, lifting weights as the intro to ‘California Girls’ begins. This is followed by ‘Teenage Dream’ and ‘Last Friday Night.’ These consecutive powerhouse tracks from her 2010s era immediately get the crowd buzzing.

She adds another layer to the chaotic performance, adorned in a white-collared shirt that reads "I am not a robot," paired with an American flag tie and a Canadian pin. And this is only the beginning.

The motifs of technology and robotics run rampant throughout the show, although the messaging remains  unclear. After shouting, "All you have to do is unsubscribe to come alive," she performs a high-tempo rendition of ‘Chained to the Rhythm,’ featuring lyrics like ‘Living our lives through a lens, Trapped in our white-picket fence’ and maybe even more relevant ‘Are we tone deaf? Keep sweeping it under the mat.’

“I was reading the news here, and I was thinking, you guys really have it together, better than us over there in the states," she says. "I was reading the headlines, and a newscaster was talking about space. Most people say they would go to space, but most people lack the bravery.”

Perhaps this commentary is directed at her recent space flight with Blue Origin. Despite big public backlash regarding the environmental and economic impact of such trips, Perry remains bold enough to reference the experience on stage with a big level of confidence.

The energy shifts as she pauses to share her thoughts on Artificial Intelligence.

“The internet has become a whole different thing, especially AI. I’ve got some recommendations about AI. I think you make AI your bitch. Make the tech work for you, use tech as a tool, don't let it turn you into a fool.”

Given her associations with the Bezos's who are heavily investing in the sector, her repeated mantra to "make AI your bitch" is as confusing as it sounds .

Astronauts appear, carrying an Irish flag and dance around her during ‘E.T.,’ ‘Dark Horse,’ and ‘Wide Awake,’ accompanied by a giant alien figure. The sped up tempo makes the familiar songs feel rushed and overwhelming.

After removing the outer layer of her costume to reveal a vibrant two-piece, she explains she is wearing the same costume she wore in 2008 She announces that one lucky fan will take it home by donating to her Firework Foundation, which supports children in underserved communities through the arts.

Newer songs like ‘Band-Aids’ and ‘Lifetimes’ offer a calmer interlude. However, the rapid swing between the extremes of Perry's musical spectrum can feel slightly jarring.

The show presents a more mature version of the pop star. Stripped of flashing lights and costumed dancers, she stands with an acoustic guitar and microphone to perform ‘The One That Got Away’ and ‘Thinking of You’ from her debut album, One of the Boys.

This segment, full of emotion and vocal talent, is a refreshing wave of genuineness. While Perry excels at entertaining with her quirky props, her earlier, more alternative music continues to resonate deeply with fans. The recent social media resurgence of ‘Thinking of You’ and ‘Simple’ suggests a path for Perry to return to her roots, and this moment in the concert feels like a step in that direction.

But I shouldn't speak too soon, as before I know it, Perry enters into a big human-sized plastic water bottle and gets thrown into the crowd. She then reappears on stage with a 0.5 phone camera attached to her head projected on the big screen to sing some of her classic hits, ‘Hot and Cold’ and ‘I Kissed a Girl’.

Performing her song 'Watch it Burn', she leans more into an alternative rock sound than her previous years of dance pop. The song and music video, released today, also signify a step in a new direction for Perry.

Launching into an acoustic rendition of ‘Roar,’ she offers a more emotional version that hits harder than the pop ballad she's known for.

"Back in 2008, they called me a 'one-hit wonder,' she reflects. "I didn't know the journey you would take me on. And we're still on it, I'm not going out to pasture yet; I'm only 41! I didn't feel like roaring, but tomorrow, a new chapter, part two, starts.”

The finale features a massive sunscreen bottle bubble cannon showering the crowd during ‘Firework.’ While the messaging is occasionally confusing, the entertainment value is absolute. And in Katy Perry's own words, ‘It's a blacked out blur, but I'm pretty sure it ruled’.