We were the last pitstop of her Sheezus tour, Lily Allen announced. Then she was heading back to the UK after a year of performing across the globe. So we thought she’d end it off with a bang, but it turned out to be more of a fizzle… too exhausted from non-stop touring, perhaps? The crowd barely filled up the first level of The Star Theatre, which made for a more intimate get-together with the spunky Brit songbird, who attempted a steady and endearing – if slightly awkward – stream of chatter in between tracks.
Decked out in giant glowing milk bottles, the stage only featured Allen and a DJ backed by a screen flashing psychedelic images – although at one point there were naked men with their heads cropped off and cheesy pics superimposed on the important bits. Fascinating. But where was the live band? Or backup dancers? …Anyone? It kind of felt like a glorified KTV session. But to her credit, she did try her best to fill the stage with her presence.
Okay, we admit, we still love her. Allen was fun to watch, and clearly in her element on stage. When closing time neared, she beseeched – no, asserted her request for the barriers to be lifted so people in the back could race to the front and gaze at her up close. Then she noticed a poor lone soul up in the side balcony with her hands in the air, enthusiastically bopping to the music, and invited her onto the stage. Along with a long-haired dude. And the three of them proceeded to dance to her final track, ‘F*** You’. What a night.