Katy Perry

Picture this: candy canes larger than trees; gingerbread men but actual man-sized; and lollipops that look like traffic lights. If you're thinking Christmas, you're wrong. If you're thinking Katy Perry's live show, you're spot on. Katy is the self-appointed face of modern pop not so much pushing the boundaries as nudging them with a hyper-curled eyelash wink. But you can't knock it, it's a niche that was vacant and with such an enthusiastic reaction to her girl kissing breakthrough she can hardly be blamed for diving in outrageous burlesque meets panto costumes and all. Any suggestion that she's just a jokey gal with a decent set of lungs and an over-sexed celebrity husband is wide of the mark though. She might revel in the whole Mae West for
Teenage Dream and Waking Up In Vegas got the floor bouncing and hands in the air, while a plea to sexy Liverpudlians to take off their T-shirts was the cue for a hail of eagerly discarded clothes. I Kissed A Girl remained a theatrical show-stopper languorous to start, then launching into full-throttle rock mode. An acoustic medley of covers, including Rihanna’s Only Girl (In The World), and ballads Pearl and the plaintive Not Like The Movies showcased the quality of Katy’s voice. But it was in the finale with Hot ’n Cold, Firework and California Gurls that she really unleashed a pop powerhouse. She even brought a handful of overawed girls on stage to join her for a version of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody, offering hugs and taking photos on a mobile. Is she really the bad girl? Only with her tongue in cheek. Adorable, flirty and funny. What’s not to love about Katy