In a euphoric celebration of queer club culture, Australian pop sensation Troye Sivan made a triumphant return to his adopted hometown of Melbourne, igniting the stage with an electrifying performance that left fans both elated and craving more. Fresh off his Aria awards sweep the night before, where he took home album of the year for his 2023 release “Something to Give Each Other,” Sivan transformed the classy outdoor venue of Sidney Myer Music Bowl into a steamy, sweaty club reminiscent of the city’s iconic queer party hub, Smith Street.
A Homecoming Spectacle
Sivan, who has skyrocketed from teenage YouTube vlogger to global electro-pop icon, collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX and Ariana Grande, and even earned a Saturday Night Live spoof by Timothée Chalamet, promised to turn the venue into a “fuckin’ club,” channeling the fervor of Melbourne’s notorious party scene. The Perth-raised musician’s co-headlining Sweat tour with Charli XCX has been hailed as one of the year’s most spectacular pop extravaganzas, solidifying his status as a key figure in the current pop zeitgeist.
Unapologetically Queer and Unabashedly Horny
Flanked by a troupe of scantily-clad, muscular dancers, Sivan commanded the stage with sensuality and ease, as the silky-smooth choreography by Sergio Reis celebrated the unapologetic horniness of queer club culture. Viral moments from the tour, such as Sivan singing into a microphone held at crotch-level by a dancer or passionately locking lips with another, electrified the crowd. The show’s gender-play, exemplified by Sivan donning a corset for “One of Your Girls,” further emphasized the celebration of queer expression.
We’re gonna turn this place into a fuckin’ club. I’ve partied here – I know how feral you get.
Troye Sivan, addressing the Melbourne crowd
Club Remixes and Collaborations
While Sivan’s focus was more on intensive choreography than showcasing his live vocals, the setlist was a non-stop barrage of club remixes, transforming even slower tracks into dance floor anthems. Collaborations with Charli XCX, such as “1999” and a recent remix of “Talk Talk,” ignited some of the night’s biggest crowd surges, though the absence of their joint Sweat tour in Australia was a painful reminder for fans.
An Abrupt End Leaves Fans Wanting More
However, the euphoric high came to an abrupt end as Sivan wrapped up his set a mere hour after taking the stage, leaving fans both elated and slightly unsatisfied. As the final notes of “Rush” faded out, concertgoers lingered, hoping for an encore that never came. The sticky, sweat-drenched crowd descended the hill, buzzing with adrenaline but also a sense of anticlimax at the show’s swift conclusion.
Despite the brevity of his performance, Troye Sivan’s Melbourne homecoming was an undeniably electrifying celebration of queer club culture, solidifying his status as a pop icon and cultural force. As he continues his Australian tour with upcoming shows in Brisbane and Sydney, fans can only hope for a more extended taste of the euphoria he so effortlessly conjures on stage.
