Kesha review: Marquee in Cork treated to three-act Freedom Tour masterclass
Kesha performing at Live At The Marquee in Cork on Tuesday night. Picture: Darragh Kane
American singer Kesha has been through the wringer of the music industry and has emerged stronger than ever.
Her music career halted for a few years due to a legal dispute with her former producer, Dr Luke, which was settled out of court in June 2023.
Since then, the singer has reclaimed her career, and her stop at Cork’s Live at the Marquee is part of her aptly-named Freedom Tour, which weaves in elements of her artistic journey.
She earned a riotous cheer upon arrival on stage at 9.10pm, dressed in pink angel wings and an undone corseted mini dress.
“Cork, are you ready for freedom?” she asked before launching into her hit song, .
The Cork crowd loudly chanted her updated opening line lyrics, which she updated from ‘Wake up in the mornin' feelin' like P. Diddy’ to ‘Wake up in the morning like, fuck P. Diddy!’
She removed her wings and sipped from a chalice of red wine before she shed the cage of her hip corset, to perform on a deceptively minimalistic stage.
The set consisted of a grey pyramid with a white screen, bookended by two sets of simple steps.
She commanded the stage, moving confidently around it, followed by a camera that offered a beautifully-produced depiction of her choreography on the stage-side screens for the crowd to enjoy.
“I’ve missed you. Many of these next songs, I’ve not sung them in 13 years,” she said, clarifying she has reproduced some of her most-loved hits for the tour.
A group of six dancers joined her for , which she blended into , wearing muted, flowing colours that would not feel out of place on the set of .
She was hoisted aloft on strong shoulders in a slick and energetic performance that served to amp up the already hyped audience.
The energy in the tent was electric for this three-act show, having been warmed up by DJ support act Jax Jones.
It was a night of pure joy, with upbeat dance tracks blending well with her more emotive tracks, all linked together by her commentary that plays out over speakers while she underwent costume changes offstage, and the set got rearranged slightly.
These interludes felt a touch too long, but only because the crowd was hanging on for more.
The singer looked fresh and energetic on stage, from her pale pink delicately undone costume to a later rockstar silhouette in black and red leather, complete with a guitar.
Given her status as the singer of many a millennial anthem, it was a slight surprise to see so many teens and children among her fans in the Marquee on Tuesday night, though the viral success of several of her songs on TikTok is to thank for this multigenerational love.
Hands were raised aloft as the crowd bounced to songs like and , threatening to blow the tent far up into the sky over the River Lee.
Kesha giggled as a chant of 'Olé Oló Olé' interrupted her sensual crawl across the stage before she began .
It was a night of pure energy and appreciation for the star as Kesha closed her Cork show with her mega-hits, and , ensuring an energised exit from the Centre Park Rd site for her devoted fans.
- Live at the Marquee continues on Thursday with Tom Grennan.
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