What US singer-songwriter Bruno Mars lacks in height he makes up for in performance as Adelaide found out when the multi-talented performer took to the stage on Sunday night.
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In town for his Moonshine Jungle Tour, Mars proved his talents delve deeper than the few poppy tunes that have dominated some airwaves.
With a nine-piece band that no-one could fault, Mars delivered a high-energy, tight show that entertained everyone from the four-year-old who attended with his mother and sister to the lady in her 70s sitting up the row from me.
Vocally the 13-time Grammy Award nominee didn't disappoint. Combined with great choreography and a talented ensemble of musicians, he delivered some top note reggae, doo wop and R&B numbers which proved he is an all-round performer who would be as comfortable in a smoky 1960's bar as on an international stage in front of ten's of thousands.
The Adelaide crowd was on Mars' side from the time he walked out on stage but a bit of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi and the South Australians were eating out of his hand. Some pyrotechnics and flirtation with girls in the audience didn't go astray either.
Mars' opened the night with 'Moonshine' and delivered song after song in a set that lasted about 90 minutes and mixed original numbers with some covers including B.o.B.'s 'Nothin' On You' and a medley of numbers that had the crowd on its feet.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre is far from the best concert hall in the country but Mars overcame most of the problems with the venue buy utilising every inch of the large stage allowing the crowd from one side to the other to feel part of the show and enjoy the great set.
Mars kept the fans happy delivering some of the numbers that have made him a house-hold name including 'Marry You', 'Grenade' and 'Just the Way You Are'. While I preferred some of the newer numbers, 15-year-old girls and their mothers jumped to their feet to sing along to 'Marry You' which live was a much grittier number as were the others.
One of the best parts of the evening was watching Mars simply enjoy himself as he danced and sang the night away and showcased his musical ability by joining in on guitar and drums.
And it can't be emphasised enough that the band of musicians on the stage were equally up to the challenge of delivering what has to be one of the best shows I have seen in Adelaide.
Moonshine Jungle Tour dates:
Perth: Perth Arena – February 28
Adelaide: Adelaide Entertainment Centre – March 2
Melbourne: Rod Laver Arena – March 4
Brisbane: Entertainment Centre – March 7
Sydney: Allphones Arena – March 10
