Live Review: Bruno Mars, DJ Leggo My Fueggo

Having heard of Dua Lipa's cancellation only hours prior to Bruno Mars' first Brisbane show, the collective energy of the crowd sits somewhere between slightly miffed and completely devastated. Despite the air of disappointment in missing the chance to really get into IDGAF live, DJ Leggo My Fueggo turns frowns into semi-enthusiastic fist-pumping and grinding. It's like watching an X-rated school dance for adults, featuring N*ggas In Paris and Pony (hence the grinding).

The excitement in the room reaches fever pitch at the sound of Bruno Mar's jazzy intro and the words, "I came all this way to turn you on". Clearly, he doesn't mess around. Kicking off with Finesse, Mars and his back-up dancers look almost like a replica of The Jackson 5, an image that's then perfected by his smooth moonwalk. The synchronisation is almost as practised as the perfectly timed and plentiful fireworks, making the performance of 24K Magic feel like a music video.

Periodically wiping the sweat from his forehead, Mars throws towels into the crowd like chunks of meat into a den of tigers. Meanwhile, the heat emanating from the stage throughout That's What I Like sends them wild; middle-aged mothers and tween girls alike. The song turns into a singalong complete with microphone-stand thrusts a la Magic Mike and no one complains.

As it turns out, the classic guitar riff of Runaway Baby is the musical equivalent of pelvic thrusts. Said guitar riff seems to imbue so much confidence that stopping the song and having the band lie down on stage to make room for a little solo boogie is no big deal. Creating a full visual and aural experience, nothing is out of place, including actual police-siren simulators. 

As yet another virtuosic soloist plays sprawling classical piano, the crowd stares open-mouthed, bathed in flickering spotlights. The vocals are once again spot-on, the beat penetrates every chest and flattens every eardrum. Adoring screams fill up every moment of silence and in between songs there's always room for the glitter cannon.

The show is not short on memorable moments. Even a classic like Just The Way You Are takes on a new life in a live setting, with new instrumental licks, stronger harmonies and hundreds of additional voices. Mars' incredible falsetto is a highlight, alongside every other instrumental solo, exaggerated prop and impeccable dance move. His performance of When I Was Your Man is unforgettable, placing raw vocal talent centre stage with every note comfortable on the ears, but most impressive is his confidence, Mars making every dance move look just right.

Leaving Uptown Funk for the encore keeps the crowd hanging around and feeling mighty glad they did. This is a finale not to be missed, not only for the multiple shots of 'just because' fireworks at the end, but also for the pure elation felt while singing in unison with a whole room of fans. Firefighters then appear to spray the stage and, whether for safety after all of those fireworks or simply for the novelty of spraying fire-extinguisher foam everywhere, it's yet another visual spectacle that makes hanging around worthwhile.

Mars is a man of many talents, so much so that he manages to make strobe lighting seem like a fitting backdrop for everything from ballads to rock tunes. He will also stop his own show mid-song if the crowd isn't screaming quite loud enough, a move which, quite frankly, speaks for itself.

The only disappointment is a distinct lack of marriage proposals during Marry You or Just The Way You Are. Opportunity missed.