Bruno Mars plays stunning HMV Institute gig

Bruno Mars

HMV Institute, Birmingham

words and pictures by James Watkins

Bruno Mars descended on the West Midlands to a jam-packed HMV Institute to deliver a fascinating vocal performance on his Doo-Wops & Hooligans tour.

Fans lucky enough to get a ticket for the mini-tour were treated to a pitch-perfect set that saw Mars showcase his laid-back, big band rhythms.

Waltzing on-stage with his slick and stylistical movements and dressed in his trademark hat, Mars played through a barrage of hits from his worldwide smash hit debut album, with Runaway Baby and Marry You standing out.

To screams that regisetered highly on the Bieber fever scale of measurements, Mars sang Billionaire - on which he featured with Travie McCoy - sending the crowd into overdrive.

Near the end of the set, there was time for a short three-song cover of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, mashed up with the words of Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) and the contagious bass-line of Seven Nation Army (White Stripes), which went down a storm.

The highlight, however, was a version of his biggest smash hits: Grenade, and the perfect love-pop finale of Just The Way You Are.

Bruno Mars comes back to the West Midlands at this year's V festival. Get there early.