Rita OraAs the sun sets over Albert Park, the roar of F1 engines fades into the buzz of live music as the Lakeside Festival stage transforms the Australian Grand Prix into a post-qualifying party, with Aussie favourites Rogue Traders leading the charge.
Thousands of fans stream in from the track and fan zones, creating a vibrant mix of racing adrenaline and festival energy.
Rogue Traders ignite the home crowd reminding Melbourne why they remain one of Australia’s most beloved pop-rock exports. Fronted by the ever-charismatic Natalie Bassingthwaighte, the band delivers a punchy, nostalgia-fuelled set that perfectly matches the energy of the day’s racing.
From the opening beats, the crowd is on board as Bassingthwaighte commands the stage with effortless confidence and powerhouse vocals.
The band unleashes their signature fusion of rock riffs and dance-floor hooks as they set off together with the swaggering pulse of Watching You and I Never Liked You, which has fans clapping and bouncing along to the irresistible pop hooks.
It’s been a while since performing together in the spotlight, but their chemistry is stronger than ever, reminding us that nearly two decades after their biggest hits, Rogue Traders still know exactly how to deliver a festival-ready performance.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
We reminisce together with some old tunes including Way To Go and In Love Again and they share some fresh new songs off their brand-new album coming soon including Take You Down and Love Drunk.
James Ash takes a moment to make a dedication to INXS who basically started their career and inspired millions around the world. They share their version of Need You Tonight (renamed One Of My Kind) and we all throw our hands up in the air as the festival turns into a full-scale party.
The band closes their set on a high with Voodoo Child setting Albert Park alight. The crowd erupts instantly, singing along to every word as Bassingthwaighte dances across the stage, feeding off the energy.
The stage clears to make way for Rita Ora who makes her entrance dressed in a black and white chequered top and matching knee-high lace up boots to rev our engines with an entourage of dancers.
“I know it's F1, but I'm gonna call this Pride One gay one, because everywhere I go, I bring my queens,” says Ora as she looks at her dancers by her side. “We’re so excited to perform for you. I am honoured to be here and anytime I get to come back to Australia,” she adds.
Ora wastes no time launching into her catalogue of chart-topping hits. The euphoric Ask & You Shall Receive and I Will Never Let You Down has the audience immediately singing along, while Your Song provides a lighter, more melodic moment that ripples across the packed festival crowd.
She dedicates For You to the late Liam Payne for an emotional moment mixed with a chorus of Cher’s Believe.
Ora’s charisma is undeniable and her set balances dance-floor anthems with powerhouse vocal moments. Tracks like Ritual and Black Widow showcase Ora’s emotional range, her voice soaring over the open-air stage as phone lights lit up the Lakeside crowd.
“I feel like the universe literally just keeps bringing me back to Australia and it's the coolest thing ever,” Ora enthuses. “I feel like at this point, I don't even know why I don't live here yet, but soon hopefully,” she adds, before sharing a song she wrote with local Troye Sivan named Heat.
The temperature rises as flames begin shooting up into the air and Ora gradually strips off to reveal a racy lingerie outfit to move more freely around the stage.
R.I.P is for all her day one fans in the audience and a medley of How We Do (Party), You Only Love Me, and Hot Right Now brings a burst of explosive energy to transform the festival area into a late-night dance party.
Her closing run of hits that truly seal the night and celebrate the long weekend delivering a euphoric sing-along with Lonely Together and Let You Love Me as a massive firework display sets off for a big finish to the pop spectacle.
The Lakeside Festival continues to prove that the Australian Grand Prix is about more than just racing. By pairing world-class music with one of the biggest sporting events on the calendar, the weekend becomes a multi-sensory celebration of speed, sound and spectacle.
