Gig Report: Mika - Oh My!! Manchester Academy, Tuesday 27 February, 8pm

Prepped with a couple of strawberry beers from the permanently under-staffed Danish bar, Kro across the road from the Academy, we entered the now-familiar student haunt to find support act Lewis taking the stage. The look of shock from my partner's face (the name was also his uni band name back in the days of supporting Blur) soon replaced with bemusement when we queued amongst the younger folk for the bar. When did students get so glam? Feeling more at home with (as expected) warm drinks in our hands we ventured into the hall to hear Lewis play. A seemingly nervous start, they soon kicked into gear, though an incessant feedback interrupted the funky and sometimes 80's staccato beats and ensured that lyrics were indecipherable throughout. Nevermind - the charming Milli-Vanilli lookalike frontman was successful in warming up the crowd for the main act. After a protracted delay (9.40pm and still not on!?), fluffy-haired Mika burst onto the stage, instantly satisfying the people with uber-camp Scissor-Sister style disco tunes, enticing you to dance whether you liked it or not. Given the album is only 40 or so minutes in length, this was never going to be a long show - aptly reflected in the £8 admission and as was expected, a cover made it into the set. (Everybody's Talkin' At Me, by the way). Unusually, Mika opted for a mellow interlude halfway through, performing the album's hidden track - a technically difficult piano-heavy track using semi-tonal harmonies and a poignancy that was lost on the crowd. Oh well, at least they were able to concentrate on the lollipop girls working the room handing out free candy. Back in with gusto, Mika abounded with effortless falsetto and an energy that would bring a smile to the coldest heart. Ending on the number one hit 'Grace Kelly', the encore - 'Lollipop' - followed shortly after in a hail of oversized balloons (a-la Beautiful South gig but smaller) and glittery confetti. Overall, a fun night - polished performance, reasonable ticket price and an artist that didn't forget to thank the fans for his success. Bravo!