Live Review: Post Malone, FKi 1st, Joyride

Sydney DJ turned soul singer Joyride jives his way through an opening set of tropical electronic numbers and groovy R&B jams. Looking like the brother of American rapper Jonwayne, Joyride's mellow mix is built upon by FKi 1st's energetic selection of current hip hop favourites. Hits from Big Sean, Fat Joe, Migos, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and more get the young crowd jumping around before the main act arrives.

Under the alias Post Malone, Texan-raised Austin Richard Post became one of the breakout stars of 2015 thanks to viral hit White Iverson. The rapping singer quickly signed to Republic Records and found himself collaborating with the likes of Kanye West and 50 Cent before finally dropping his debut album Stoney at the end of last year.

Performing the final show of his Australian tour in Melbourne, 21-year-old Post saunters on stage to the opening bars of White Iverson as the crowd lose their shit. Views are obscured by a multitude of phones held aloft trying to capture the moment as his name is chanted loudly. Sipping what looks like a vodka and orange, Post raises a toast to deceased artists A$AP Yams, Bankroll Fresh and David Bowie, before getting things officially underway with the trap-influenced Too Young.

Post's following is larger than expected, with the majority in attendance singing along with him word for word during the 808-snapping Monte and guitar-featuring Go Flex. Post's voice is surprisingly versatile, too, with his AutoTuned tone more rugged in real life than on wax. That said, he allows his backing track to do much of the work during the choruses as he indulges in the adoration of the screaming fans singing the words back to him.

An unexplained cover of 50 Cent's Window Shopper is wedged between Big Lie and the ladies dedication What's Up. Handed a joint, Post reveals his smile, complete with custom grill, and blazes up during Jeremih collaboration Fuck. Throughout his performance, Post is at pains to paint himself as a nice guy, explaining he's not "an industry plant" adding that there's no reason for the hate he receives. It's easy to see why the cornrowed white kid from Texas gets some extra attention, but there's an air of honesty to his music and performance. Much like those who paid their hard-earned to see him, Post just wants to get wasted and have fun. He's also all about chasing your dreams, something he reiterates via the laid-back Yours Truly, Austin Post.

Congratulations brings the house down before Post gets saucey with White Iverson, the mosh once again turning into a sea of camera phones as Post sprays the front sections with water. Ending the song a cappella, Post is almost upstaged by the combined voices of everyone in the venue singing, "Saucin', Saucin' I'm saucin' on you". Thanking Melbourne, Post wanders off stage as his DJ bizarrely plays System Of A Down's Chop Suey! and Toxicity while his entourage picks girls out of the crowd to come backstage. Who said dreams can't come true?