ROCK 'N' POP: CAUGHT LIVE: PINK

Sunday Mirror, Mar 28, 2004 by SIOBHAN GROGAN at Wembley Arena, London

LOVE or loathe her, no one can deny Pink is the brash, tattooed antithesis to the usual pretty, flesh-flaunting female pop star. With her outrageous dress sense and in-your-face attitude, she looks like she could eat Britney and the rest for breakfast.

Though even knowing that, her extreme show is still surprising. While three masked, gun-toting female dancers prowl the stage dressed as cowgirls, Pink first appears crouched in a bird cage, baring that rock-hard midriff in dangerously low trousers and sporting a huge, bright pink mohican. Soon she's in a spoof punch-up with her dancers, ending in a dramatic shoot-out that leaves Pink triumphant.

From there, it just gets stranger, but remains equally entertaining. First, her three dancers return dressed the same as Pink, complete with mohicans. Then, during Lady Marmalade they all start simulating sex with four blow-up dolls, presumably to represent Pink herself, Christina Aguilera, Mya and L'il Kim, who collaborated on the hit single. As they throw the dolls' underwear into the crowd, nearby eight-year-olds scream and giggle as their parents look on in horror. Just as planned, Pink always gets a reaction.

Soon, she's gyrating in the face of a terrified audience member brought on stage and strapped to a throne, then she's pole-dancing in a black leather bra and ripped jeans to God Is A DJ. Yet the highlight is when there's no distractions, just Pink and her microphone belting out a passionate Family Portrait or a stunning, powerful cover of Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart. Though we may love her no-messing brashness, it's really these moments when Pink's talent outshines her shock tactics that make her a true star.

THE SET LIST

Cant Take Me Home

There You Go

Split Personality

Most Girls

Lady Marmalade

I Wanna Rock

Don't Let Me Get Me

18 Wheeler

Family Portrait

Just Like A Pill

Respect

Medley:

My Vietnam

Misery

Eventually

Janis Joplin Medley (Piece Of My Heart)

Feel Good Time

God Is A DJ

Oh My God

Trouble

Last To Know

Try Too Hard

Unwind

Welcome To The Jungle

Get The Party Started