Most musicians with only a 10-song debut album play it pretty safe on stage the first time around. Not newcomer Bruno Mars
The Honolulu-born multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter could have taken the easy road and done a crisp, simple pop rendering of his Doo-Wops & Hooligans album for the first show of his first Australian tour on Tuesday night. Instead he was positively dangerous and devastatingly confident in his musical skin.
In one of the most creative and exciting displays of musical artistry seen in a long time, Mars unleashed an explosive funk and soul revue channelling everything from smile-inducing oldschool Motown dance moves to good-natured Elvis pelvic thrusts and more than the odd homage to Michael Jackson.
Backed by an exhaustingly energetic band, they were having as much fun as we were. Playing at volume contributed to the party vibe of the room but often hid a little too much of Mars' voice. When they pulled it down, there was a better chance to hear the sweet nuances in the falsetto which has made him one of the hottest new stars on this planet.
Did you attend this show? How'd you like it?