I originally wrote this for hmv.com/ca, hence the format. Since hmv declared backruptcy in Canada and shut down its Canadian website, I wanted to give this a home. It was definitely one of the most bizarre concert experiences I’ve had the privilege of witnessing.

Review and photos—Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, Dec.14 2015

Who?

Miley Cyrus has gone rogue. For her latest album and current, eight-date Milky Milk Milk Tour, the platinum pop princess has hooked up with psychedelic stalwarts the Flaming Lips. The result is Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz—pretty much unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, or could hope to see again.

Where?

The stately Queen Elizabeth Theatre, which likely hasn’t seen a show this wild in a long time, in Vancouver, on the second last stop of the tour.

Any good supports?

Dan Deacon, a producer known for his energetic, interactive performances.

Was it full? And how were the crowd?

Considering the last time Cyrus was in Vancouver she played an arena, a 3000-seat-theatre show was never not going to sell out. However, tickets were available on stubhub.com for as little as $20 in the week leading up to the show – likely due to scalpers unloading their ill-gotten wares. Beyond that, however, people came to party, and dressed in furry animal outfits and much less. Lots of facial glitter and rainbow-brite wigs added to the (Monday night) party vibe. The audience was enthusiastic and excited for the full two-hour show, which offered little respite in way of energy.

So what was the set like? What did they play?

Miley and the six Dead Petz delivered most if not all of the Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz album (available free for streaming on soundcloud as of August 30), including the swear-y party-‘til-you-dropout anthems “Dooo It!” and “F***in F***ed Up,” the deeply weird “Something About Space Dude” and the perversely pop (or poppily perverse) “BB Talk.”

Any good between song banter?

Miley was a veritable quote machine throughout. However, the most affecting moments came early, before the start of the show proper. Cyrus brought out Ian McAllister, the executive director of the preservation society Pacific Wild, to bring attention to ending the wolf cull in B.C. Talking about grizzly bear trophy hunting in the region, Cyrus said, “The last time I checked, trophies don’t have a pulse.” She also raved about the province: “I hope you realize what a beautiful place this is.” During the show itself, a costume mishap prompted this fairly accurate bon mot: “I try to wear clothes but the universe doesn’t want me to.”

Did they put on much of a show?

Boy, did they ever. Cyrus dressed up as a stick of butter, a disco spaceman, a baby (for “BB Talk”) and a few other incarnations. When he wasn’t shooting confetti or tossing balloons into the audience, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne was grinning ear-to-ear while watching his collaborator. There was a giant disco ball, dry ice, a couple of dancers, and not a dull moment the entire show.

What was the highlight of the set?

Highlights included “BB Talk,” “LIghter” and “Something About Space Dude.” The concert included only one actual Miley hit, though – “We Can’t Stop,” from 2013’s Bangerz.