WITNESS THE HYSTERIA
Superstar Katy Perry on what she has in store for fans on her Bangkok return
Katy Perry was here in May 2015, and she remembers the people to be “eccentric and exciting”. Well, more eccentricity and excitement then, as the American pop princess will return to Bangkok on April 10 as part of her Witness tour.
Fans know what they can expect, and yet the expectation is there to be exceeded. Perry, known for her roaring voice, female-power tunes and scintillating stage wardrobe, will certainly ply her audience with a string of hits too many to name — anyway, we would love to hear I Kissed A Girl, Hot N Cold, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night, Firework, Roar, Unconditionally, as well as new numbers from last
year’s album, Witness.
Prior to her visit, Perry answers our email questions. Here’s the excerpts.
What’s your favourite song from your new album, Witness? Which song feels closest to you?
From this particular record I would say that there are handfuls of songs that I really love. But some of them I have yet to get to [play on the tour], and I will hopefully integrate through the rest of the tour. I would say one of my favourite songs is definitely Chained To The Rhythm. I love Hey Hey Hey. I love Power. I like Into Me You See. I really like Save As Draft. Those are some of my favourite ones. Oh, and I like Mind Maze a lot.
Musically, what have you done in this latest album that you never did before?
I’m really experimenting on this last album and I was so happy to do so. I definitely took a couple of breaks, after Prism, to grow sonically. I got to work with some of my favourite people from different bands like Purity Ring, Irrational — people I really admire and respect. Jack Garratt is an amazing artist. But I think there was definitely maturity. There were more electronic styles and dance styles and I love that. Maybe it was a little bit more European/UK. But I really am continually trying to stay to my truth and be eccentric and help people feel connected to each other.
You sing about female power. What’s your take on the current movement on pay equality, women’s politics and female empowerment? What would you like to see as a concrete result of this?
I’m very encouraged by a lot of it and I believe that women should use their voices and speak up and speak out especially for equality, against injustice, anyone that feels marginalised to speak their truth. I believe that women have lived in a lot of fear about speaking up and so it’s nice to see women coming together and supporting each other in this process and finding their voice. It’s lovely also to see beautiful men of equality that are great men supporting women in the process as well. So we’re really finding out who the good guys are. Well, all of it. It’s wonderful.
What do you see as the most influential pop music trend in the past few years?
I believe that right now in music it’s very hip-hop oriented. That’s amazing. I think that hip-hop is a very truth-telling genre, lifestyle and way of life that I think is necessary [to tell]. When things get tough in the world, it’s the place for the truth-teller to come out and to keep us inspired. So I’m really happy with the way things are. I believe that good songs, songs that are connected to the people, will always rise to the top. I think songs that make people move in a good fun way will always rise to the top.
Who’s your favourite artist/singer at the moment? What do you like about him/her?
I’m really in love with the contribution of artists like Troye Sivan. I think he’s really stepping into the beautiful place. I like the new artist Dua Lipa, I think she’s on her way to becoming a star. But I’m such a fan of music in general. I usually go to shows. I usually go to festivals. I love new music and new artists and their interpretations. And I love some of the greats. I have a lot of heroes and people I look up to, as icons and stuff. From Madonna to Björk to Fiona Apple.
What do you expect from your fans in Bangkok?
Oh I don’t know. Last time I was there they were extremely participatory. I like it when people get into the show. I like it when they dress up. I like it when they sing with me. I love to feel them, to hear them, and so I hope that continues. I think it will, it may be, you know, because that’s just the way the Bangkokian is. That’s why I keep coming back to feel that feeling from them and I think the same goes for them.
I like it when they dress up. I like it when they sing with me