P!NK's Electrifying Summer Carnival Show at Hampden Stadium

★★★★★ (5/5)

P!NK PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S HAMPDEN PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

Opening for P!NK were Gayle, The Script, and DJ KidCutUp. Performances from all three acts were brilliant and set the tone for P!NK’s arrival. Gayle energized the crowd with her hit song ‘abcdefu’, while The Script delivered powerful renditions of their well-known tracks like ‘Breakeven’ and ‘Hall of Fame’. The highlight of the trio was definitely DJ KidCutUp, who had the crowd singing along as he mixed on stage, seamlessly blending classic and new pop songs together.

The Script’s lead singer, Danny O'Donoghue, brought plenty of humour to the stage. He entertained the crowd with a story about photobombing concert-goers earlier in the day, a stunt that landed him in the news. The band also celebrated winning their first Brit Award that day by taking a selfie with the crowd. Danny had the audience in stitches when he borrowed a fan's phone to FaceTime their ex while performing ‘Nothing’.

After five years away, P!NK returned to Glasgow's Hampden Stadium in spectacular fashion, quite literally swinging into action with ‘Get the Party Started’ from her debut album, Missundaztood. The evening was a dazzling showcase of her entire music catalogue, punctuated by stunning covers of Adele and 4 Non Blondes.

P!NK's vocal performance was matched by breathtaking choreography, aerial acrobatics, and stunning visual effects. The night was crowned by perfectly timed fireworks, adding an extra layer of magic to the experience. From the standing area to the higher tiers, fans were on their feet, singing and dancing along with unbridled enthusiasm.

Throughout the show, P!NK shared touching moments with the audience, including a heartfelt tribute to her late father. She dedicated ‘When I Get There’ to him, moving many in the crowd to tears. Following this emotional moment, P!NK and her band descended to the bottom of the stage to deliver one of the night's standout performances: ‘I Am Here’. This powerful rendition had fans raising their hands in the air, standing in solidarity with P!NK, and embracing the song's compelling message.

The outpouring of love from Scottish fans was palpable, with P!NK receiving numerous gifts, including her apparent favourite – Maltesers.

An acoustic rendition of ‘Please Don’t Leave Me’ from her Funhouse album was a highlight of the night. P!NK, accompanied by her talented backing singers, offered a fresh, intimate take on the beloved track. The performance of her new song, ‘Turbulence,’ was equally stunning, both visually and musically.

A special moment came during ‘Just Give Me a Reason,’ where clips of Nate Ruess were displayed on screen. Despite his absence, the harmonies made it feel as if he was there, adding depth to the performance. P!NK then thrilled the audience with a creative mashup of ‘Just Like Fire’ and Pat Benatar’s ‘Heartbreaker,’ showcasing her and her ensemble's versatility.

Despite the cold weather, the energy levels never wavered. The final trio of songs had the crowd in a frenzy. ‘Blow Me (One Last Kiss)’ and ‘Never Gonna Not Dance Again’ were high-energy hits that set the stage for a spectacular finale. True to her style, P!NK ended the night on a high, donning a harness to perform ‘So What’ while flying around the stadium, leaving fans in awe.

P!NK’s Summer Carnival Show was a triumphant return, proving once again why she is a must-see performer. If you haven't experienced her live, make sure to catch her next time she’s in town – it’s an unforgettable experience.