NORMAL LIFE: Did Kylie Wow Helsinki?

No, she didn't. The stage was stunning, as was her change into eight different costumes designed by Jean Paul Gaultier (apparently, this last fact is important, although I can't think why). When it came down to Kylie, however, she 'seemed' tired, with her movements somewhat rigid.

For the first time in one of her shows, there was a fifteen minute intermission. Without doubt, the second half was superior compared to the first, but I guess that is the nature of saving the best for last in show business. Why she didn't sing more of her better know hits from the 80s and 90s, I will never understand. No more Better The Devil You Know, Hand On Your Heart or What Do I Have To Do. It is as if Kylie has decided, Jean Paul Gaultier in tow, to grow up. A word of warning: Kylie risks alienating the fans who have stood by her the longest.
Kylie's first ever performance in Finland was, overall, a resounding success because she managed to get the crowd on their feet AND singing, an impressive feat for an introvert people; even the Finns admitted the same, overwhelmed by how the pop princess had managed to dazzle them so much. They may have been easier to please, since they haven't seen her perform live before. As the show progressed, it showed just how much she has aged or, to be more diplomatic, matured.
The place was full of gays and straight girls, resembling the majority of Kylie's devoted fanbase who simply refuse to let pop die. Even more surprising were the straight guys who knew the words to some of the songs! We arrived forty-five minutes before the start of the show and, shortly after our arrival, a friend of a friend arrived on the scene. He spent most of the evening with us, which turned out to be rather fortunate because he had a fantastic camera with him which I 'hijacked' to take the pictures for this blog entry.

Located on the main floor, just ten people deep, we watched Kylie strut her stuff, significantly less energetic than in previous shows, but otherwise it was great to see her. Bree and I boogied to the music, most of which had been creatively remixed while three friends of ours boogied nearby.
You sensed that the show was coming to an end, but the Finns just loved her. She stayed for another, then another, first launching into a soothing, acoustic version of All I See before wowing the audience with her first ever hit in Europe, I Should Be So Lucky. When she said goodnight (for the third time), the audience admitted defeat and reluctantly made their way from the venue.

Nights out with Kylie always leave you feeling warm inside. She may not have responded to my plea earlier this year (in the form of a two-page letter) to meet, but I have another date with her in London on August 1st. My only concern is that, if she seemed tired yesterday, she is going to be bloody knackered come August!