Brixton Academy has seen its fair share of pop spectacles, but tonight it transforms into something else entirely: a glittering runway for PinkPantheress, the internet-born star turning viral fame into a cultural movement.
The proceedings start early, with the red carpet rolled out for support act Natanya, both literally and figuratively. The crowd are already fans, offering a roar of applause as the R&B singer takes to the stage, channelling old Hollywood glamour. Going for audience participation may seem like a bold move for an opener, but Natanya knows she can make it work as she launches into ‘Dangerous’ with stunning isolated vocals that have the crowd gripped. It’s not long before she’s offering them the mic and they’re repeating her lyrics back to her, word-perfect.
She takes the opportunity to promote her latest EP ‘Feline’s Return,’ the cover of which is hanging behind her on a huge tapestry. She proves herself a true professional when it dramatically falls while she is mid-dance break; instead of panicking, she gracefully scoops it up and turns it into a makeshift prop, swirling it around herself Paso Doble-style. Her photographer steps up onto the stage to capture some shots from behind, subtly removing the remainders of yellow tape as he does so.
Natanya is bold not only in her powerhouse vocals and exquisitely choreographed dancing, but in her lyrics, too. Newest single ‘Jezebel’ takes a stab at the music industry, criticising the pressure put on young female artists. She’s not afraid to speak her mind to the crowd, either, calling out those lacking in enthusiasm: “All of you standing with your arms crossed, not trying to participate: I’m still going to sing!
This gets any remaining wallflowers on side, with everyone waving their torches in the air on command as she brings her set to a gentle, romantic close with ‘Daydream.’
PinkPantheress is fifteen minutes late on stage, but when she makes her entrance, it’s clear why. The set has been completely transformed into a catwalk, with a staircase down the centre, cat’s eye lighting, and a giant holographic backdrop resembling a panelled window. A few bars of viral track ‘Illegal’ play out over the speakers to a mass of cheers, before Pink struts onto the stage donning a purple party dress and stilettos. With an entourage of backing dancers cutely dubbed “The Pinkettes,” she launches straight into ‘Stateside’ and the crowd immediately throw themselves into the music.
There’s a more stripped-back moment for ‘Just For Me,’ a slower-paced, low-fi track that is instantly recognised by the crowd as Pink’s first major viral hit. The Pinkettes let her take the stage to herself, with the crowd needing no encouragement to provide backing vocals. The window behind her transforms into a montage of her signature tartan in various designs, flashing in time to the beat. Later, Pink becomes her own backing dancer as her silhouette appears behind her on the screen, emerging from a still of her exhibiting various poses inside what resembles a giant Rubik’s cube.
The (real) dancers return with a horde of enormous white Burlesque feathers, forming them into a screen over Pink as she ditches the glam purple dress in favour of a very on-brand tartan slip. Fashion is as integral to Pink’s image as her infectious breakbeats and signature autotuned vocals; so much so that she hosted a fan competition at her concert to find the best-dressed attendee. Announcing it on Instagram in the days prior, she promised “If I think you’re the best dressed, I will come and find you in person to give you a surprise reward.” She complimented her fans’ efforts while on stage, acknowledging a strong contender as a woman wearing an extravagant Medieval ballgown.
While Pink pops off stage for a second costume change during ‘Turn It Up,’ the dancers are given their moment to shine, with each one taking their turn strutting their stuff on the makeshift catwalk. Pink reappears in a multicoloured bell-sleeved catsuit, and bursts into ‘Girl Like Me.’
There’s an emotional moment for ‘Angel,’ Pink’s hit from the soundtrack of the 2023 cultural reset that was Barbie. The more sombre track is backed by stylistic video footage of Pink as an angel ascending to heaven. The crowd are struck into a silent appreciation for the track, but it’s not long before the party vibes are ramped up again with ‘Mosquito.’
At heart, PinkPantheress is just a fun-loving party girl who happens to make really great music. During the Ice Spice rap in ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,’ she joins her backing DJ behind the decks along with her Pinkettes, and the trio bust moves like they’re in a nightclub, vibing, seemingly completely unfazed by the crowd of five thousand fans watching them. Rounding off the performance with a reprise of ‘Illegal,’ Pink brings down the night on an all-time high, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
PinkPantheress played:
ILLEGAL
STATESIDE
NOISES
NICE TO KNOW YOU
I MUST APOLOGISE
BREAK IT OFF
JUST FOR ME
TAKE ME HOME
PAIN
NICE TO MEET YOU
THE AISLE
ANOTHER LIFE
CAPABLE OF LOVE
TRUE ROMANCE
SNAP MY FINGER (DJ mix)
CRAZY (DJ mix)
TURN IT UP (DJ Mix)
GIRL LIKE ME
TONIGHT
STARS
ANGEL
MOSQUITO
ROMEO
BOYS A LIAR PT. 2
PASSION
PICTURE IN MY MIND
ILLEGAL
ENCORE
ILLEGAL’ REMIX RAVE
