Katy Perry
Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
09.13.14
Thousands filled the Tacoma Dome Saturday night as Katy Perry and tour made good on their highly anticipated date. The seats filled quickly as the corridors emptied and the clock ticked down to showtime. The air inside the dome was steeped in sugary soda pop and awkward hormones, accompanied by 19 men who really needed their beer. Many parents would soon find themselves crossing paths with an onslaught of radio hits, and it was futile to whine about the plastic seats and the late hours. Fun was well on its way…
In spite of having a lower level seat, the rumbling of the dome became so intense that I felt slightly seasick. The entire section swayed along to the rampant excitement, and the intense pounding of the nearby bleachers was interrupted when Perry interjected, “Are you OK with breathing the same air for the next two hours? Are you ready to sing along? The more energy you give me tonight, the more I’ll give to you!”
The audience had energy in spades, and Perry wasn’t chopped liver, either. She played an astounding 21 songs over a two hour span, complete with set and costume changes. Her secret? “Without you, my vitamins, my sister, and some meditation, I wouldn’t be here!” I must say, she is taking good care of herself. From Egypt to an envious fireworks display, Perry started her encore set with “Birthday,” plucking one very lucky member of the audience onto the stage for a twirl on a bedazzled throne that she’ll most certainly never forget. Perry even handed out a pizza to a young girl, who answered this one anxiety-ridden question in front of 20,000 people: Who’s your favorite singer? Concluding with Firework, the stage was practically set ablaze as my eyes darted around for the nearest fire exit. It was a stellar way to go out, literally with a bang.
Tegan and Sara were adorable as usual, and their nervousness, while announced, was well-masked. Growing into an audience of that magnitude certainly takes some adjusting, but they did a fine job making light of their quirks and displaying their endearing humor. They always leave me wanting more. Tegan & Sara played eight songs in a 30-minute set, which included the Lego Movie phenom “Everything Is Awesome.” It was a game-changer for the portion of the crowd unfamiliar with their work, and it was prefaced with Sara asking the audience to bear with her, as she always screws up some portion of the song. If she did, I didn’t notice. I was too busy watching everyone around me go crazy and, ahem, possibly jumping around myself. Tegan boasted her “one cool stage move” – a spirited jump-kick at the start of “Drove Me Wild.” That was almost worth the ticket price alone.
Ferras opened the evening, also playing a 30-minute set totaling six songs. Hailing from Los Angeles, Ferras took along with him a drummer and keyboardist for the tour, himself taking on the vocal and keyboard responsibilities. Ferras was the first artist to sign to Perry’s record label, Metamorphosis Music, a subsidiary of Capital Records. Sporting a unique taste in attire, Ferras packed his set with emotion and energy. He looked at home on his keyboard, and his voice carried steady through the blackened dome. Sublime at times, it was hard to tell if his subject matter was serious or playful. His outfit negated his voice. No matter, he put on a great set, and I’ll never understand California anyway.
Katy Perry Set List:
Roar
Part Of Me
Wide Awake
This Moment
Dark Horse
E.T.
Legendary Lovers
I Kissed A Girl
Hot N Cold
International Smile
(Vogue Interlude)
By the Grace of God
The One That Got Away/Thinking Of You
Unconditionally
(DJ Interlude)
Walking On Air
It Takes Two
This Is How We Do
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Teenage Dream
California Gurls
(Encore):
Birthday
Firework
Tegan & Sara Set List:
Goodbye, Goodbye
I Couldn’t Be Your Friend
I’m Not Your Hero
How Come You Don’t Want Me
Everything Is Awesome
I Was A Fool
Drove Me Wild
Closer
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
Katy Perry
Tegan & Sara
Ferras
