Live Review: Kesha

Pop star Kesha made a return to the music scene last year and is now on the Australian branch of her Rainbow tour with a tight and energetic band to back her up. Running through her hits like Blah Blah Blah, Blow and Timber as well as new material like Boogie Feet, Godzilla and Bastards, the performance was bound to have left a smile on her fans’ glittery faces. Thebarton Theatre is a cozy venue, which makes having an intimate gig with a pop star a real treat. 

The band was immaculate in white pants and shirts as Kesha emerged centre stage from an alien spaceship, wearing a shimmery and sparkly outfit (with a cape to boot) that could only be outdone by a second light-capturing ensemble later in the show. The spaceship, in fact, was a creative prop that functioned throughout the night as a wardrobe for several costume changes. 

The show got on its feet with the funk-infused Woman. The sassy lyrics and feel good horn section were topped off with a fresh dance routine as Kesha and her two backup dancers combined middle fingers in the air with retro '60s moves. 

After this track off her latest LP Rainbow, we stepped right into the party-girl-electropop sound, which brought her much chart success almost a decade ago. The showmanship from the band was great to see, as it didn't feel like the solo artist was carrying all the weight entertaining the crowd.  

Between taking a break in the set to sign a fan that wanted to get a tattoo, to bras flying across the stage as Kesha demanded an item of clothing from the audience, there’s a real sense of the artist putting their own flair to crowd interaction. There are no tired phrases like, ‘Adelaide, how are you doing tonight?’ repeated ad nauseam. 

One particularly special moment was when tour mate Ben Abraham, who is opening for Kesha, joined her on stage to sing the song they co-wrote Praying. Abraham has an undeniable knack when it comes to writing pop melodies and this song’s melody and lyrics are outstanding. 

The night could not possibly end in any other way than on the notes of her most notable single Tik Tok with more glitter, rainbow flags and streamers.