Cyndi Lauper - Co-Op Live, Manchester (9/2/25)

Tonight sees the Manchester leg of Cyndi Lauper's farewell tour. After a short video package, Cyndi opens with The B52s-esque 'She Bop'. After a few neat anecdotes where she shouts out Captain Lou Albano, Classy Freddie Blassie, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Andre The Giant (all wrestling legends), we get a cool 'The Goonies 'R' Good Enough' with the video playing on the big screen behind her. A cover of Prince's 'When You Were Mine' is excellent and sees her hitting some operatic high notes. She also sounds fantastic on a driving and powerful 'I Drove All Night', which also has some neat, swirling Hammond organ. This may be the last time she is doing this in Manchester but it isn't all about the music. There are lots of hilarious anecdotes and you get to see a lot more of her personality this way. Softer songs like 'Who Let In The Rain' still have a fair bit of power. The backing singers do a great job on this song too. A percussive jam leads into 'Iko Iko' which sees Cyndi both playing and wearing a washboard. A cover of Wanda Jackson's 'Funnel Of Love' see her journey pretty successfully into country soul territory. An acapella 'Fearless' is captivating. A costume change is shown on the big screen and is accompanied by more anecdotes. A funky 'Change Of Heart' sees her diving back into the '80s material in fine fashion. 'Time After Time' is predictably brilliant. A really good 'Money Changes Everything' closes the regular set. The orchestral tinged pop of 'Shine' sees Cyndi take a walk out into the crowd and her soaring vocals make it an utter triumph. 'True Colors' sees her singing besides a rainbow volcano and is pretty magical. A riotous 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' closes the show and sees the video screen filled with polka dots courtesy of artist Yayoi Kusama. Cyndi even manages to sneak a cool little ragga rap into the track too which is fun. This may be the last time that we will see her here in Manchester but this is a great way to say goodbye.

Cyndi Lauper ****