TODRICK HALL: FEMULINE WORLD TOUR | London, Palladium

Queer thirty-seven-year-old YouTube popstar Todrick Hall puts on an incredible two-hour show, with a surprising emotional kick. Although the tour is named after his 2021 album, almost every song is delivered as part of a mindbending medley mixed with other tracks, everything from his first Straight Outta Oz (2016) to his latest Algorhythm (2022).

As anyone knows from seeing Todrick Hall live on Broadway (Kinky Boots; Chicago), he is a tour-de-force live vocalist. Here, singing his own songs, he riffs unstoppably across a jaw-dropping range. As a rapper, Todrick Hall is best known for “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” (2019) which serves up a scream-worthy finale, although all the rap sections elsewhere are just as impressive as the singing.

Simply memorising and delivering all of the lyrical twists and turns across this career retrospective would be impressive enough. But Todrick’s choreography, backed up by a diverse, elite dance ensemble, takes the show to another level. The visual design, from the many, many costume changes, to the huge video projections, make everything even more overwhelming. (And, true to his lyrics, we see a lot of bootylicious butts.)

Musically, the show would really benefit from some live backing singers and live musicians, however good the karaoke tracks sound. Todrick references the controversy surrounding his recent appearance on Big Brother, and says, mysteriously, he doesn’t know when he will be able to tour again. But judging by the roar of his rainbow-clad fans of all ages in the Palladium, he will always be welcome in London.

Photo credit: Nick Hynan

Todrick Hall is touring with Femuline 12 March – 26 May 2022.

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