Let me start with the obvious: I know it’s a bit of a cliché but in this context, it feels entirely necessary. There was definitely a tension in the air before Kylie Minogue’s concert at RAC Arena on Saturday night. Like you could feel the eyes of the world on this particular performance. For good reason too. 

It was the first performance of Minogue’s massive 70-date tour, with stops spanning Australia, America, Europe, and the UK. Her first Australian concert since 2019's Golden Tour, this was the homecoming we didn’t know we needed.

The crowd, decked out in rhinestones and glitter, practically shimmered with excitement. It was a sea of women, husbands, and gay men—an audience that knew they were about to witness something special.

As I took my seat, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this night wasn’t just important for Kylie—it was important for all of us. For a woman who has spent four decades shaping pop music, tonight would be a celebration of her legacy. Touring in support of her sixteenth studio album Tension, Kylie was back on home turf, and the stakes felt higher than ever.

The show opened with Mallrat, who delivered an engaging, if at times slightly sluggish, performance. Maybe her music wasn’t quite the fit for the crowd, but she did her thing. The real magic started when the stage went dark at exactly 8:45pm, and a laser light display filled the arena, building the anticipation. The stage setup was surprisingly minimal, but it didn’t matter. Kylie’s voice—via speakers and the big screen—asked, "Can you feel the tension?" The answer, loud and clear: Yes. Yes, we can.

Then, the moment arrived: Minogue herself emerged, perched on a raised platform and draped in a sleek black outfit. As the lasers danced around her, a diamond shape formed around her, and she launched into Lights Camera Action from Tension II. The crowd went wild, rising to their feet, hands in the air. It was an electrifying start, and Kylie’s new material clearly really worked with the audience. That electropop vibe from Slow (the template for Tension) fit her perfectly.

“Good to see you all, and welcome to the Tension tour,” she said, setting the tone for a night that would bounce between decades of hits. The early classics came quickly—In Your Eyes and Get Outta My Way from 2010’s Aphrodite—and Kylie was on fire. The audience was living for every move, every note. For Get Outta My Way, her dancers stormed the stage in military-esque outfits, giving it an added punch.

Minogue, ever the pro, divided the show into distinct acts, taking breaks for costume changes, but always keeping the energy alive. When she reappeared in a fiery red jumpsuit—clearly nodding to the iconic Padam Padam look—she delivered Taboo and On A Night Like This. It was clear that Kylie had curated this setlist with careful thought. Every moment felt like a celebration, not just of her music, but of the experience she’s given to millions over the years.

“I’m going to take you back to a time called the ‘80s,” she teased, hands raised high. “Who wants to do the Locomotion?” And just like that, the crowd erupted as she launched into her 1987 classic. Minogue, always in control, then made her way to the B-stage at the back of the arena for a change of setting. 

It was here that the show really transcended the expected. Kylie performed her song Last Night I Dreamt I Fell in Love, which she released yesterday. She then began to take requests. After receiving a rose from a fan, she gave an impromptu acapella performance of Where The Wild Roses Grow, her haunting duet with Nick Cave. She seamlessly transitioned into Breathe from 1997’s Impossible Princess.

The spontaneity continued. A fan asked for a selfie, and Kylie, ever the entertainer, obliged, turning the moment into a mini performance of I Should Be So Lucky. It was one of those beautiful instances where you could see her riffing on the fly, giving the audience something totally unique. She followed that up with renditions of Say Something, Supernova, Real Groove, Monday Blues, and Where Does The DJ Go? under the light of a disco ball. 

In a sweet moment, Minogue then brought a young girl, Savannah, up onto the stage and gave her a hug. The genuine nature of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone; it was a meaningful gesture, a reminder of the connection she shares with her fans.

Back on the main stage, Minogue later cranked up the energy again with her TikTok sensation Padam Padam, followed by the crowd-pleasers Can’t Get You Out Of My Head and All the Lovers, which exploded into a confetti shower. It was the perfect way to remind us why she’s been the Princess Of Pop for so long.

The encore closed the night with Tension and Love At First Sight, wrapping up a show that had seamlessly blended decades of hits into a breathtaking two-hour performance.

Let’s be real: the power of 15,000 people, all coming together to be swept away by one artist, is something we don’t often stop to appreciate. Minogue didn’t just perform that night—she transported us.

Yes, I’ll admit that Kylie’s brand of pop isn’t my usual go-to. But that’s not what matters here. This was a woman who gave it her all, and in doing so, made 15,000 people forget about everything outside the arena, if only for a few hours.

Kylie’s legacy is undeniable. Nearly 40 years in the game, and she’s still shimmering as brightly as always. As the night wound down, Minogue admitted with a smile, “We haven’t really done any sightseeing here Perth...but you’ll have me back, won’t you?” Based on the deafening cheer that followed, I think we can all agree on one thing: It’s a yes. And then some.