The inimitable Kylie Minogue made a dazzling return to the stage this weekend, kicking off her highly-anticipated Tension world tour with a spectacular show at the RAC Arena in Perth. The Australian pop icon thrilled the sold-out crowd with a euphoric set jam-packed with timeless hits spanning her remarkable three-decade career.
From the moment Kylie made her entrance, descending from on high in a glittering, diamond-shaped cage of lasers, the audience was enraptured. Visibly moved by the thunderous applause, the ever-humble superstar took a moment to drink it all in. “It is so nice to see you,” she exclaimed, eyes glistening under the spotlights.
A Joyous Journey Through the Kylie Eras
The Tension tour delivered on its promise to be a celebration of every chapter in Kylie’s illustrious pop odyssey. Early highlights included energized renditions of infectious Stock Aitken Waterman-era classics like “I Should Be So Lucky” and “The Loco-Motion,” complete with playful choreography that brought the fun, flirty 80s vibes to life.
But it was the pulsating disco grooves of her millennial dance-pop epics that sent the arena into a frenzy. Dressed in shimmering gold hot pants, Kylie brought the house down with the irresistible hooks of “Spinning Around” and “On a Night Like This,” aided by her troupe of feather-caped dancers serving Vegas revue realness.
The Tension tour is an excursion through every Kylie era…this is Kylie’s Version, and it gives her varied career an impressive sense of continuity.
Of course, no Kylie show would be complete without a rapturous airing of her signature smash “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” As 8,000 voices joined together to belt out that la la la hook, it felt like pop nirvana. This segued perfectly into the sultry electro throb of “Slow,” a slinky high point that had everybody grooving as one under the disco ball.
Newer Gems Shine Alongside the Classics
While the hit parade was undeniably epic, some of the most transcendent moments came courtesy of Kylie’s more recent output. “Say Something,” the sparkling lead single from 2020’s Tension album, was a revelation live, its galvanizing synth-pop sound taking on an almost spiritual resonance.
Then there was this year’s summer earworm “Padam Padam,” which earned the Grammy winner her best reviews in a generation. Kylie proved why, commanding the stage solo for a euphoric extended club mix that whipped the crowd into a giddy frenzy. Has this woman ever sounded better?
Kylie the Showgirl Stuns and Delights
No one blends spectacle, humor, and heart quite like Kylie. In an astonishing array of glittering bodysuits and glam-bot couture, the Showgirl shimmied and strutted her way through set pieces ranging from retro-camp to futuristic disco-fabulous. At one joyous point, Ms. Minogue found herself engulfed by a swarm of dancing inflatables, like an invasion of funkadelic Gumbies. Rarely have giggles and groove intersected so giddily.
For the rapturous encore of “Love at First Sight,” our heroine emerged in a flowing rainbow cape, living up to that “gay shorthand for joy” symbolism. As cannons of confetti rained down, Kylie beamed at the crowd. “This never gets old,” she marveled, pressing a bejeweled hand to her heart.
And that, in a nutshell, is the magic of Kylie. After 30+ years, she still approaches pop with wide-eyed wonderment and sincere passion. In a fickle industry, Kylie is forever. Her music is timeless. Her Showgirl sparkle never dims. And we will all keep spinning around with her, come what may.
After 30+ years, she still approaches pop with wide-eyed wonderment and sincere passion. In a fickle industry, Kylie is forever.
