BRUNO’S GOT THE MAGIC

HE may be diminutive in size, but Hawaii native Bruno Mars is a real colossus on the pop stage. A multiple Grammy winner with even more nominations under his belt, he’s sold more than 170 million singles and 26 million albums around the globe, including his massive hit Uptown Funk with superstar DJ Mark Ronson.

A born entertainer, he also puts on one hell of a live show – as his two Manchester Arena appearances this week will surely demonstrate.

The star will be swinging by on his 24K Magic world tour, celebrating his latest album of the same name, which topped the charts around the world on its release last year.

It is his first full-length tour since 2013’s smash hit Moonshine Jungle World Tour, which sold two million tickets worldwide across 155 soldout dates.

The UK leg is already well underway with dates in Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Birmingham already under his belt, winning rave reviews from critics.

‘A masterclass in showmanship’ was how our sister paper the Birmingham Mail described the first of his two nights in the city.

“There were fireworks, there were lasers, but it was the energy on the main stage and the chemistry between Uptown Funk singer and his wonderful band of musicians who captured all the attention,” wrote reviewer Christina Savaas.

His band – The Hooligans – includes his brother Eric Hernandez on drums and his right-hand man Philip Lawrence, who worked with him on early hits including Just The Way You Are and Grenade.

Joining Bruno on tour will be Anderson .Paak (the dot stands for detail, don’t you know), a BBC Sound Of longlister and Dr Dre’s current favourite rapper.

The Californian artist earned two Grammy nominations this year for best new artist and best urban contemporary album for last year’s Malibu.

And it seems like his time on the road with Mars on the road together has spawned an exciting collaboration after a video surfaced this week of the pair in the studio together with Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Disclosure’s Guy Lawrence.

Maybe Manchester will get a sneak preview?

Manchester Arena / manchester-arena.com / 0161 950 5000 / Tuesday May 2 and Wednesday May 3 / Tickets £37.50-£75 Finesse 24K Magic Treasure Perm Calling All My Lovelies Chunky That’s What I Like Straight Up & Down Versace on the Floor Marry You Runaway Baby When I Was Your Man Grenade Just the Way You Are Locked Out of Heaven Uptown Funk