What better way to celebrate the launch of Victoria’s ALWAYS LIVE seventeen day celebration of live music. Tonight saw pop diva Christina Aguilera’s return to Australia for the first time in fifteen years. Some things have changed in the singer’s life, others haven’t. Tonight was something to behold and witness.
Opening tonight’s show was a touching and unique Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country as told through the eyes of a white aboriginal man whose heart heritage and bloodline ran deep into the indigenous culture of our founding fathers. His historical tale of growing up and following the culture that are natives to our country gave a relatable, compelling telling of his struggles, the struggles of our land and of his fore fathers. Perfectly accompanied by a sign linguist.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte kicked off tonight’s proceedings accompanied by long-time collaborator and founding member of Rogue Traders, James Ash for a set of feel good sing-a-long pop/dance songs. Tonight’s set was essentially a Rogue Traders set without Cameron McGlinchey on drums and guitarist Tim Henwood who had other commitments in other states today.
Bassingthwaighte looked a million dollars in her designer outfit. A sheer faux chainmail-like hood that covered a lingerie styled corset body suit underneath, knee high boots and a smile that would light up all of Flemington Racecourse today.
Clearly glowing from life and the new love Bassingthwaighte has found showed and beamed from her. Bassingthwaighte’s energy was infectious and she was clearly having the time of her life on stage this afternoon as the duo ripped through the catalogue of Rogue Traders hits such as ‘Voodoo Child’, Watching You’, ‘In Love Again’, ‘Way to Go’ as well as covers of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’; Iconia Pop’s ‘I Love It’ and Pink’s ‘What About Us’. The duo also gave us a first live listen to their forthcoming single ‘If You Wanna Be My Love’ which has all of the infectious hallmarks and charm of a classic Rogue Traders song.
Without a doubt this is a memorable set and truly does showcase Bassingthwaighte vocal styling. Look out Kylie there is another pop princess hot on your heels.
Voice Australia mentor/judge and Australian Idol runner up Jessica Mauboy took to the stage in a night that would almost bring her career to a full circle. After the success of her rendition of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful’ that secured her a place in the 2006 Australian Idol finals and ultimately into the home of millions of Australians, Mauboy tonight was sharing the stage with her own idol, something that she beamed about during her performance tonight.
Dressed in head-to-toe black latex Mauboy looked stunning as she took to the stage backed by her six-piece band. Mauboy’s smile beamed through her entire set as she delivered a career spanning set delivered by an absolute killer live band from 2008’s ‘Running Back’ to 2022’s ‘Automatic’ Mauboy delivered a set full of dance floor fillers and heartfelt ballads that flowed seamlessly engaging the now near capacity crowd.
Tonight, Jessica showed Flemington Racecourse why she is dubbed the Australian Beyonce. It was a feel-good infectious set that honestly took me by surprise. Hype determines a pre conceived notion of what to expect. While I expected to enjoy Jessica’s set, I didn’t think that I would enjoy it as much as I did. Opening for her hero and influence I think Jess may have just wowed some people that would be willing to take her to the global stage.
As the stage cleared to make way for tonight’s main attraction the looming day sky that was once bright had become dark and heavy and sure enough opened up in one hell of a downpour. Aguilera’s crew worked tirelessly covering equipment from the heaving rain, sweeping water from the stage while transforming the black out stage to a white modern slick stage that hinted at something that was sure to be a production worthy of the cost of tonight’s admission alone.
Tonight, as with most shows I cover I was reviewing and photographing, pulling double duties. For Aguilera’s set we were advised we would be shooting from the Front of House area and that’s quite normal these days. I was prepared and had the right tools for the job. The reason for this became obvious once the show started. I’m jumping the gun here a little so bear with me.
As the rain quickly drenched those in attendance and shelter was scarce to find the tightly packed media ensemble scrambled for what we could to protect ourselves and most of all our tools of the trade in the limited space we had to work. The audience was now at capacity and the Candyman area immediately in front of us had become packed tight. A thirty-minute delay in the scheduled start time also created restlessness amongst everyone in attendance.
Some were less prepared than others, some had done this rain dance before, fortunately I was one of the latter or so I thought. Nothing is fool proof in life and unfortunately tonight was not my lucky night moisture caused an error with my gear camera, less than a minute into Christina’s set. As a result, I missed the majority of the first three song allowance to photograph.
Those three songs usually fly by, tonight in the scramble of the photo pit, and the chaos of the rain those three songs past faster than ever, in fact tonight those first three songs appeared to take the shape of a medley; condensed versions and sure enough ‘Dirrty’ was a shortened version sandwiched between ‘Stripped’ and ‘Can’t Hold Us Down’, something I had confirmed with a fan during the show.
In that opening three songs what I did witness was a spectacular show full of colour, movement, light, flame and CO2 gas jets. No wonder we weren’t able to photograph from the pit tonight. Christina thanked the crowd for waiting out in the rain as she launched into a cover of P.Diddy’s ‘Tell Me’, which she delivered as one of her own.
By this stage I was composed, completely soaked but my gear was safe from the elements, now I could focus on the show at hand and take in everything that it was. The rain had eased and all seemed to commence as if it had never rained.
The next two songs were the ones that launched Aguilera onto the screens and ears of a world that simply fell in love with her. Those two songs ‘Genie in A Bottle’ and ‘What A Girl Wants’ sounded great with the crowd in fine voice too. The tempo seemed to settle, perhaps it was me that had settled.
Aguilera briefly disappeared from the stage as the focus shifted to her dancers as they delivered a contemporary routine which was mixed with some stunning visuals from the screen behind them.
Reappearing for the latin flavoured ‘Santo’ it was a perfect interlude to the song that truly had Flemington racecourse dancing. That song was ‘Feel This Moment’. It had all in attendance in fine voice too singing the soccer chant chorus in unison. The energy from the crowd was electric. Most of all it was the first real engagement between Aguilera and the audience so far.
The next trio of songs showcase Aguilera’s sassier, sexier, more confident, self-awareness and more explicit ventures into song writing. ‘Your Body’ leads the way as the raunch picks up in ‘Bionic’ and climaxes with ‘Vanity’. This is pure pop dance bliss.
From here on in the show is just hit after hit after hit. It all starts with the global mega hit collaboration with Maroon 5, ‘Moves Like Jagger’. The song starts with the vocals being handled by Christina’s backing singers and launches into Aguilera belting her way home. 2006’s Back to Basic’s two biggest hits follow ‘Ain’t No Other Man’ and ‘Candyman’ have everyone dancing and singing along, the feel-good endorphin’s have well and truly kicked in. The strength of Aguilera’s backing band really do make these songs shine so brightly live and allows Christina’s vocal abilities shine.
In one of the shows more delicate moments, back-up singer Nelson shares the spotlight alongside Christina as they deliver a beautiful version of her 2014 duet with A Great Big World, the haunting ‘Say Something’. This song for me just hits all the feels as it is possibly one of my favourite songs 2010’s. It hits all the feels and transports me back to the significance of these lyrics on a personal level. Simply WOW.
The intro into ‘Lady Marmalade’ sees Christina’s backing dancers and backing singers shine again. Tonight’s version is truly carried by Christina’s band and backing vocalists as they served as the meat and bones on which Aguilera’s vocal gymnastics were at times distracting. The spectacular streamer cascade at the songs end was a really nice touch. I have to admit the screens visuals were a nice touch, the strip club neon sign inspired visuals were fun.
‘Beautiful’ on the other hand was so well executed and sung. To hear twenty thousand plus people sing along with her was a definite goosebump moment of tonight’s show.
Closing out tonight’s show was my favourite Christina song ‘Fighter’ complete with front of stage flames being sent high into the night sky. The band absolutely shone on this song. It felt like they had an element of freedom in the way they played. It grooved along
The encore of ‘Let There Be Love’ carried again by the band and backing singers was a C02 blasting, confetti cannon opportunity to thank us all for coming out and making Christina’s return to our shores such a great time. Her daughter Summer Rain made an appearance on stage and exited with her mum as the band continued to play as the dancers took their final bows. The backing singer took front of stage as they closed out the song.
Despite the rain that failed to dampen spirits, tonight’s performance was a schooling in just how to put on a show. A master class in visuals and performance, the songs were amazing and made me realise just how many times Christina Aguilera’s songs were snapshots of moments in my life. While not the live and die soundtrack to my life, they were significant to make me realise this is how you build a career by always evolving, picking smart collaborations and incredible pop song. Aguilera has one of the most enduring performers out there. Fifteen years is a long time between visits. A good time was had by all and hopefully we will get to see Christina back on our shores again for a full nation tour soon.
Kudos to Always Live for putting together such a great package that went on to prove that our Australian talent can also go toe to toe with the biggest of pop divas.
Setlist
Stripped
Dirrty
Cant Hold Us Down
Tell Me
Genie In A Bottle
What A girl Wants
Santo
Feel This Moment/Desnudate
Your Body
Bionic
Vanity
Moves Like Jagger
Ain’t No Other Man
Candyman
Say Something
Express
Lady Marmalade
Beautiful
Fighter
Encore
Let There Be Love
Photos by Shot by Slaidins Photography (Unless otherwise stated)
GALLERY
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Jessica Mauboy
