It's Mika on the mica!
Mika returned to New York City last night for a stripped down acoustic gig at La Poisson Rouge, an intimate venue on Bleeker Street. The show is part of a small club tour that has taken the British pop singer to London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam to warm up fans for his upcoming new full-length album. The yet-untitled LP is expected in September.
Fans lined up outside the theater early in the morning in full anticipation of Mika's gig. When the singer received word via Twitter about the fans waiting, he sent out an ice cream truck to provide some cool comfort in the afternoon heat.
Set against a fantastical silvery stage and backed by a full-string section, a refreshed looking Mika not only played his big hits like "Grace Kelly," "Happy Ending" and "Love Today," but he also performed some of his newer work.
He played tracks from his recent digital EP, titled "Songs For Sorrow," including "Lady Jane," "Lonely Alcoholic," "Blue Eyes," and the very orchestral "Toy Boy." He jokingly dedicated "Lonely Alcoholic" to Village Voice columnist Michael Musto who recently interviewed him.
While patiently sushing the excited crowd once in a while ("ssshh... this is an acoustic show"), the singer also performed two songs from his upcoming new album, including the playful "Blame It On The Girls." In true festive Mika fashion, glitters and balloons were blown into the crowd when he performed "Big Girl (You're Beautiful)." For the gig's encore, Mika performed "Relax (Take It Easy)," "My Interpretation," the brand-new piano ballad "Rain" and an encore of "Love today"
Check out more images of the gig here. (Images by Followthesound - Thanks to Mika fans for contacting me, You are an amazing bunch.)