Pink - Funhouse: Live in Australia (DVD)
Much to the chagrin of my partner, this DVD has barely left the DVD player since coming into my possession. Recorded at The Sydney Entertainment Centre during her record-breaking 2009 'Funhouse' tour - this has all the right elements for a really enjoyable live DVD.
With a twenty-two song set list spanning across her career, Pink dances, sings, twirls, strums, and swings her way through a concert that is over two hours long and looks stunning the entire way through (despite some slightly questionable costume choices). Opening with a pre-recorded version of Highway To Hell while the big screen shows Pink setting up for the show and cruising into the distance on a motorbike, complete with token bad girl cigarette pursed between her lips.
She then bursts onto the stage amidst a bright cacophony of dancers and musicians and flashing lights and wonderfully massive Funhouse- themed inflatables for Bad Influence and then it is on for young and old. All the hits are covered, as well as a healthy dose of material from Funhouse (which is fascinating, to think that every night Pink gets up and sings these angry angry break up songs while her ex Corey Hart - who she is of course now back together with - watches from the side of the stage).
She pays homage to the great artists she grew up with with covers of I Touch Myself (while writhing on a couch being felt up by miscellaneous hands), Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, Bohemian Rhapsody (complete with Freddie Mercury inspired get-up and some really impressive harmonies from Pink and backing band) and as a closing track Crazy.
On her previous tour, she had impressed audiences with singing live (no lip synching here), dancing and doing some impressive aerial silk work, but on the Funhouse tour she added some impressive aerial bungee work where she swings high above the crowd and at one breath taking point, takes a leap of faith into the hands of her fellow aerialist while she continues to perform her vocals live. It was a spectacular show and the filming and editing really does it justice here. The bonus features included on the DVD are fantastic.
A fairly lengthy 'On tour with Pink' featurette shows us rehearsals, tears, a gazillion suitcases and a makeupless P!nk having brekkie with her husband and working out on the treadmill (working off all the beer she drank, apparently). Additionally there is a bloopers reel and her guitarist demonstrates how to 'Shred the Gnar' which is obviously a running in joke that made it as far as the DVD – which is further testament to the fact that Pink is an incredibly down to earth performer with no diva qualities.
If you were lucky enough to attend one of the many Australian shows, then this will undoubtedly be a fantastic way to member the experience. If, like me, you stupidly didn't realise what all the fuss was about until after she finished the Australian leg of the tour, then I suggest you buy this DVD and see Pink set the new standard in stadium rock/pop shows.
