The audience was getting a little restless. The start of the show had been delayed. DJ KidCutUp had been doing an excellent job in keeping us on our feet, but we still longed for the night’s star performance. Then the lights were dimmed … the audience all but held its breath collectively in anticipation. It was as though an electric current ran through the audience that was packed into the large Stockholm arena, as the realisation spread that this was it! Pink was about to make her entrance! The stage lights came on … and … and … nothing! No Pink! We looked around at each other baffled for a moment and then we heard her distinct voice call out, “I’m up here!” Thousands of eyes turned upward, and there she was! Suspended from one of the props way up high, waving at us from the top of the stage! And then the show began!

Her first performance saw her work astounding acrobatic magic as she seemed to effortlessly bounce from ropes, twisting, turning and rolling around in the air. It was exhilarating to watch! Her club hit “Raise your glass,” was among the first song she sang, and we happily complied, seeing as drinks, both alcoholic and not, were available for sale at the venue.

The stage set up was colourful, which was appropriate for the theme which was “Summer Carnival”. There were metallic silver palm trees on stage, a large silver contraption that looked like a giant snail on top of which the drummer was perched and large emojis of all colours seemingly peeking at the audience from the side. Above the performers were semi circular pink lights, which gave the impression of being in a tunnel and at the back was a giant screen which projected different images, aligned to the ongoing performance. Towers of fire would emerge from time to time, making me fear that my eye brows would be singed off, but otherwise building up the night’s excitement.

Outside the immediate stage was an extended T shaped performance area which gave Pink the opportunity to engage with the crowd. And engage, she did! She stopped the show to talk to members of the crowd and receive gifts (mostly candy) that people had carried along hoping for the chance to engage with her. At one point she got the instructions to draw a frog on paper that had been provided and she promptly complied. The funniest of these interactions was when an audience member handed her his phone requesting that she take a selfie with him from the stage. In complying, she made a big deal about knowing how phones worked and being able to take selfies, but then she mistakenly turned the phone off. She passed it back from the stage requesting that he unlock it so she could take the selfie. She was terribly embarrassed, telling us that she can’t believe that that had happened so publicly.

That there was the allure of this artist. She had sensational stage presence with her dancing and acrobatics. She sang old favourites as well as new songs, even though the concert was to promote her new album, “Trustfall”. But the clincher was her humanity and authenticity. I left that arena that night feeling like I had spent time with an incredibly talented close friend who took time to socialise with me personally between acts.

If she comes to your town, go watch Pink! You will not regret it. She is a true gem.