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Cape Town – Pop superstar Katy Perry is on her way to SA soon for a series of shows in Johannesburg on 18, 20 and 21 July 2018 at the Ticketpro Dome.
Tickets for the show on 20 July are already sold out but there are still tickets available for the other dates. (You can buy tickets here.)
Event organisers Big Concerts announced in May that The Dolls and Elle B. are going to be the opening acts for the shows, a fact that Katy mentioned in an interview with Channel24 about her upcoming SA tour.
We spoke about what fans can expect from the shows, what she takes on tour with her, what she’s most excited about and a lot more.
HERE’S CHANNEL24’S INTERVIEW WITH KATY PERRY:
What are you most excited about for your SA trip?
I’m just thrilled to finally be able to play there! It’s been such a long time coming. I'm excited to see everything Johannesburg has to offer. I’m also so happy to be able to be there with my friends Mia and Margot from The Dolls, and my former background singer, Elle B., and see them rise to the next level by becoming one of my openers.
Tickets for your South African shows have been selling like hotcakes, with more shows being added, can you tell us what fans can expect from the highly anticipated shows?
I’m obviously having so much fun that I’m excited and have the energy to play to a few new places, especially ones that are long overdue. I’ll be bringing a well-oiled, joyful, connective Witness: The Tour!
You’ve toured the world, what’s the one thing you always take with you?
Now, I try and bring my dog as my security blanket, and a touchstone of home! Otherwise I replaced my teddy bear with a stuffed animal owl, like the goddess Athena has.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I usually start the day with a PT treatment, especially if I’ve had a show the night before. Then, I’ll go into yoga and meditate, and then soundcheck. After soundcheck, it’s about getting ready for the show - hair/make-up, vocal steaming and warm-ups, and then a prayer and affirmations circle with my band and dancers before going on stage.
Do you have any plans away from the stage while in SA?
I would actually love and appreciate a list of things I should see! I’d like to include a museum, and learn about the culture, the beauty, and the pain. I’m so blessed I am able to play THREE shows while I’m there, so I’ll have a bit of time to take in the city.
What’s your favourite part of the show?
I love when I can go off script and off time code and connect in a local way and share about my experiences in the city, with the people from the city. I also love the new revamp of the ending - Pendulum into Firework, I think is very visually stunning and sonically pleasing!
Can fans expect any new music during the SA shows?
Haha, I guess it’s all new since I haven’t been here before! Seriously though, I’m so excited that I still get to share the songs I love from Witness more than a year after the record came out. Don’t worry - I still have twists on all of the old favourites to play for you as well…and you never know the ace I have up my sleeve!
How many hours do you rehearse with your dancers before a tour like this?
Dancing is something I must work hard on to not look like a flailing giraffe, so A LOT! I started rehearsing specifically for this tour about 2 months before it started, but even before that, we were putting together pieces of choreography all through the spring and summer. I’ve been on tour since September, and every soundcheck, every show, is another opportunity to polish and refine the moves.
How do you keep fit?
I’ve been practising yoga for about a year now, and I find that it not only gives me strength and flexibility, but it also grounds my mind and soul incredibly, and that’s a major tool to have between tour and American Idol. Of course, running around that stage for two hours is a pretty good workout, too!
What are your favourite props in the show and what is the inspiration behind them?
I do love the Left Shark and piano moment, which is something I borrowed from the infamous scene in Big at the kids toy store. Watching it reveals that I’m incredibly strange...
How many costume changes do you have during the show?
There are six sections in the show, and a costume for each of them plus a few add-on bits and bobs! I start in my tribute to C3PO, then go into a windowpane-checked, 80’s-inspired suit with an LED bra, this black bodysuit with tons of fun ruffles and a light-up hat, a silver dress and Cher-inspired headpiece for the acoustic section, a blue bodysuit that looks like something Leeloo from the Fifth Element would wear, and then a the sparkliest fairy godmother gown of them all for, of course, Firework.
What is your favourite song to perform and why?
Don’t make me pick my favourite out of all my children! There are elements to all of the songs that I love - I love the sass in the choreography of Dark Horse, the high energy of Teenage Dream and Roar, and how loud I hear those songs sung back to me from the audience, but I also love the ballads when I can just SANG.
Do you have a message for your South African fans?
I can’t believe I’ve been touring for 10 years, and only now getting to visit South Africa! I’m excited to take everything in - the education, the culture, the food, and most importantly, to witness all my South African fans!
