MIKA on His “Immersive Opera” Tour, “Hyperlove”, and Embracing Chaos

Global pop star MIKA recently sat down with GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos to talk about his electrifying “Spinning Out Tour” and his latest album, "Hyperlove." MIKA, known for his infectious, colorful pop, opened up about the surreal connection with his fans, the surprising rebirth of his music on TikTok, and his philosophy for navigating a 20-year career. MIKA described the energy of his current shows as “completely astonishing” and celebrated the audience experience as “a total parallel universe” of freedom, joy, and diversity. The shows blend his 20 years of repertoire with new hits from "Hyperlove," creating an arc that gets “really intense and climax[es] the end”. The experience is so transcendent, an usher at his Austin show was quoted as calling it an “immersive opera”. Mika’s own father deemed the Austin show “one of the best shows of your whole career”. Man with curly dark hair in a white button-down shirt and jeans posing at a colorful event backdrop with posters in the background Next year marks the 20th anniversary of his first album, "Life in Cartoon Motion," and when asked about plans, MIKA teased a major surprise, saying, “I can’t say anything yet, but all I’m gonna say is that it’s pretty mega.” "Hyperlove," MIKA’s first English-language studio album since 2019, finds him returning to the piano, with production built from entirely analogue and retro sources. Hit tracks like “Modern Times”, “Immortal Love” and “Science Fiction Lover” are featured on the tour. Despite his worldwide success, MIKA characterizes his style as “artisanal, experimental weirdo pop” written without commercial intention. He even finds it “cool and funny” that his music is finding a new life on TikTok (like the “Grace Kelly Challenge”). Man in a tropical-print blazer sits at a black grand piano on a dimly lit stage, smiling at the audience while playing. When asked for advice to his younger self, MIKA offered profound wisdom, advising against trying to control anything or taking credit for accidental success. His core principle? To “be true to yourself and try to make sure that you stay in love with the world that you find yourself in, in that present moment”. He credits the “instability” of his career, meaning something different in every place, for keeping his “feet very much on the ground” and ensuring every performance is fully engaged. Male performer in a bright red suit sings inside a metal cage with large red wings, blue lightning backdrop. In 2023, Mika and fellow musical artist Calum Scott sat down in collaboration with GLAAD to chat about Pride and their experiences growing up queer. Spending time in France and London, Mika said bullying was considered “normal”. Despite the struggle he had at school, his fashion designer mother loved the arts and he was constantly surrounded by a community that was made up of every single type of gender identity, and sexuality. He said “queerness was everywhere”. “It was really celebrated,” Mika said. “It was really about embracing – being proud about it…I’m so grateful to have been exposed to the community.” Artistic portrait of a young man wearing a white polka-dot shirt, with large brown polka dots covering his face and clothing as he looks at the camera. You can catch MIKA on his current “Spinning Out Tour” on a string of European and UK summer festival dates. Grab tickets at yomika.com now!