Katy Perry- Prismatic World Tour
Consol Energy Center
Pittsburgh,PA
July 22, 2014

By Michael Rampa

For an artist with over 50 million Twitter followers, one may think Katy Perry’s sold out arena shows would be awash with fans donning her trademark neon wigs and elaborate garb. Perhaps reflecting the darker tone of the new album, the blue hairs (literally) were scattered sparingly amidst the 18,000 in attendance at Consol Energy Center Tuesday night.  Regardless of their attire, fans were in for a two hour hyper-produced spectacle that was a combination broadway show on steroids/coffee shop acoustic and a modern-day pop concert you would expect from one of the biggest stars ever produced. She appropriately emerged from the floor inside a silver prism and opened with her current single, “Roar” to the delight of the crowd who clearly knew every word.

During the first half, she and her capable entourage danced like warriors on treadmill belts, jumped illuminated ropes in sync and featured contortionists hanging from structures that rivaled a Cirque de Soleil show. For the powerful “Dark Horse,” she rose atop a life size golden equine.

Just before the halfway point, she proved her voice was strong enough to cut through the massive EDM beats of the band during a thrash metal version of the song that broke her career, ‘I Kissed A Girl.” She then featured two mini sets; First, she became one of the dancing cats of “Kittywood” for “Hot N Cold” and “International Smile.” After pointing out her multicolored spumoni wig, she performed a few acoustic numbers during which she gave away a pizza and proved that she could play guitar. She took to the air in a seat suspended above the floor and thanked each section of seats before closing out with the three best cuts from “Teenage Dream.” The title track, “California Gurls,” and of course “Firework” were rolled out in succession.

The L.A. quintet Capital Cities showcased their synth pop single, “Safe and Sound” dressed like a garish 740s hybrid of the Jersey Boys and disco chic.