The stars of the Hooligans in Wonderland Tour were a study in contrasts — Bruno Mars with his mastery of simplicity and catchiness and Janelle Monáe with her musical and theatrical ambitiousness.
The ever-challening acoustics of Roy Wilkins Auditorium were kinder to Mars — or maybe it was because he's had more radio hits (remember, he has sung hooks on other stars' smashes, which he cowrote and coproduced) and thus his stuff was more familiar.
But, Monáe, even if she seems as outre as a creature from another planet, was unquestionably a more dynamic entertainer. And thankfully she had a spacious stage -- unlike those in her previous appearances at First Avenue and the Varsity Theater.
As I said in my review, Mars has an appealing naturalness onstage. When his electric guitar wasn't working for some reason, he was ready to essay a song a cappella, starting with a doo-wop quartet. No matter what the romantic pop/soul man did, the radio-weaned, female-dominated crowd squealed with delight and kept snapping photos of him. At one point, he encouraged the fans to put down their cameras/phones and dance.
Mars performed for 75 minutes, backed by a layered video screen featuring live video and various stylized colorful designs; Monáe entertained for 55 minutes, on a stage decorated in white and black, with a few minimalist videos on a giant backdrop..
Props to opening act Mayer Hawthorne, a Detroit-bred, L.A.-based bespectacled, blue-eyed soul man who came across like a dorky Hall without Oates.
Here is Bruno Mars' set list:
The Other Side/ Top of the World (the first song Bruno ever wrote)/ Money (cover of Barrett Strong)> Billionaire (Travie McCoy)/ Our First Time/ Runaway Baby/ Marry You/ The Lazy Song/ Count on Me/ Liquor Store Blues/ Nothin on You (B.o.B.)/ Grenade/ Just the Way You Are ENCORE Talking to the Moon
