Katy Perry performed to a packed show at Manchester’s AO Arena marked the second stop on the UK leg of her Lifetimes Tour, following the Glasgow opener the night before.
Billed as a career-spanning spectacle, the performance leaned heavily into high camp pop extravagance, blending hits from her multi-platinum catalogue with tracks from her latest album, 143. The production was a whirlwind of video game-inspired “levels,” pyrotechnics, elaborate props, and costume changes, transforming the arena into a neon-drenched theme park ride. With support act Goldie Boutilier warming up the crowd before Perry took the stage around 8:30pm for a roughly 90 minute set.
The show kicked off with an explosive opener, “Woman’s World,” setting a tone of empowerment anthems amid bursts of confetti and LED visuals. Perry, clad in a glittering ensemble that evolved through multiple outfits (including a pyrotechnic-shooting glove), navigated themed segments drawing from her discography’s candy coated chaos. Standouts included a high energy “California Gurls” with Snoop Dogg holograms and candy cane projections, a sultry “Dark Horse” enhanced by shadowy dancers, and anthemic sing-alongs like “Firework” that lit up the arena with synchronized fireworks.
Newer cuts from 143, such as “Lifetimes” and “I’m His, He’s Mine,” injected fresh EDM pulses, though they occasionally felt overshadowed by the bombast.Visually, the staging was relentless: Perry swung from oversized props, descended on aerial harnesses, and commanded a rotating platform that shifted scenes from futuristic candy lands to cosmic voids. The setlist clocked in at about 20 songs, bookended by an encore of “Roar” and a medley mash-up, keeping the pace frenetic.
Vocally, Perry delivered with her signature belting power, though the mix prioritized spectacle over subtlety, with instrumentals sometimes receding into the thunderous bass drops.Overall, the concert was a polished, unapologetic pop odyssey—fun, immersive, and tailor-made for communal euphoria. It celebrated Perry’s knack for escapist spectacle, though the non-stop sensory overload could border on exhausting for some. For fans craving a nostalgic dance party laced with her kooky charm, it hit the mark; as a platform for deeper artistry, it stayed firmly in blockbuster territory. If the tour’s trajectory holds, expect similar high-octane vibes at the remaining UK dates in Sheffield, Birmingham, and London.
Photo Copyright © Gary Mather
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