Concert review: Katy Perry at Birmingham NIA

Katy Perry

Birmingham NIA

Concert review by Elizabeth Joyce

California Girl Katy Perry travelled more than 5,000 miles to Birmingham's NIA – only to be upstaged by a bloke called Steve from Walsall.

When Mrs Brand revealed that the first man to whip his shirt off could join her on stage, 22-year-old Steve wasted no time at all. Despite his rather cuddly frame, he shed his inhibitions quicker than his shirt and clambered into the spotlight to be treated to two kisses from Katy, who quipped she was "more used to Essex boys than Walsall boys".

Click the image to the right for the Katy Perry gig gallery

The scene pretty much summed up last night's sell-out gig: fun, flirty and full of life.

Birthday girl Katy led 15,000 fans through her pop candyland of dancing gingerbread men and candy floss clouds, and sprayed them with cream. Eye-popping outfits included a slinky black catsuit and bauble leotard.

The show kicked off with Teenage Dream before moving on to naughty-but-nice Peacock and a slowed-down I Kissed A Girl. She also stunned with her new song The One That Got Away.

Any naysayers in the crowd were quickly silenced by the star's powerful and controlled voice. She was also warm and cheeky with the audience, laughing and inviting some on stage.

California Girl closed the night as beach balls and confetti fell from the sky – landing on a cream-covered but thoroughly entertained crowd.