Live Review: Troye Sivan, Thelma Plum

“I’m a celebrity, get me out of here,” exclaims Thelma Plum, in between a few swear words, looking up at the huge crowd that’s arrived early to watch her perform - her banter is on point all night. She starts off with Not Angry Anymore and despite some nerves, her unmistakable vocal tones immediately charm the excited audience.

Thelma Plum @ Margaret Court Arena. Photo by Joshua Braybrook.

She continues with many of the pop gems from her debut album Better In Blak, a record full of strong, positive anthems. The audience goes wild for her honest and powerful track Homecoming Queen, in which Plum reflects on what it felt like growing up as an Indigenous girl in rural Australia and her own path to self-love.

“Oh my God! I’m truly at a loss for words,” says Troye Sivan, standing before around 7,000 fans. He launches into Bloom and everyone is up on their feet from the start. Sivan explains that tonight is a very special show - Melbourne has become his new home city now that his family lives here. “I’m pretty sure at least 20 percent of the audience are my parents' friends.”

Troye Sivan @ Margaret Court Arena. Photo by Joshua Braybrook.

Sivan is fired up to give us his best performance as he dances around the stage. He drapes a rainbow flag around his shoulders during emotional song Heaven. He wrote it a few years ago about his experience coming out and it receives an overwhelming amount of supporting cheers from the crowd. Sivan keeps the huge vibe going for Wild and I’m So Tired..., his recent collaboration with Lauv. 

Things get a bit blue for a run of break-up songs and jazzy piano melodies as Sivan relaxes on a leather couch, which appears on the stage surrounded by floor lamps for extra ambience. 

Sivan drops his collaborations with Charli XCX, 1999 and 2099, as a back-to-back double feature and the place turns into an untethered rave. He asks us to close our eyes and dance the fucking house down, live our best lives and let loose to Dance To This. 

Troye Sivan @ Margaret Court Arena. Photo by Joshua Braybrook.

Sivan takes a quick 360-degree selfie of the arena before his 'final' song - cheekily letting the audience know he will return if we pretend to grovel for more. He returns for a few songs sporting red overalls and an eye-patch. Following a final, Oscars-style thank you speech, Sivan concludes on a high note with My My My! and promises a return to Melbourne when visiting his parents next.