Kylie Minogue dazzles Brisbane on Tension world tour
Kylie Minogue isn’t just keeping up with today’s pop girls – she’s effortlessly outshining them and others should take note. But was the ageless pop goddess outstaged by a surprise performance?
Confidential
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I need to start with a confession: This was never going to be an objective review.
I’ve been a Kylie Minogue fan since I was six years old, when I unwrapped her Body Language album on Christmas morning 2003.
That moment set the tone for a lifelong admiration of Australia’s undisputed queen of pop.
So if you were expecting nitpicking, you’ve come to the wrong place.
From the second Kylie made her entrance — perched high above the Brisbane Entertainment Centre stage inside a dazzling, laser-cut diamond swing — she reminded us all why she’s still at the top of her game.
At 56, Kylie isn’t just keeping up with today’s pop girls – she’s effortlessly outshining them. Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, take notes.
Dressed in a sparkling sequin gown (because what else?), she looked just as breathtaking as she did in the early 2000s when I first saw her, iconic gold hotpants and all.
But this wasn’t just a nostalgia trip — it was a masterclass in performance. Her backup dancers were decked out in some of the most fun, most vibrant outfits I’ve ever seen, adding to the visual spectacle.
And the crowd? The queer community of Brisbane turned out in full force, worshipping at the altar of “Mother,” as the row of ecstatic men behind me repeatedly reminded the arena.
The love in the room was undeniable.
The man who became famous during Covid-19 press conferences also stole the show for his quirky sign language and dance moves.
Mikey Webb was spotted at the gig performing alongside the megastar.
After just a handful of songs, Kylie stood still on stage, soaking in a full 30 seconds of uninterrupted cheering.
It was a moment of mutual adoration — us in awe of her, and her visibly touched by the response.
Every move she made was calculated perfection.
From the way she held a pose just a few extra seconds to build anticipation, to her signature shimmies that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Kylie proved that experience isn’t just an asset — it’s a superpower.
She knows exactly who she is, who her fans are, and what they came for.
She took a brief pause to acknowledge the heat (welcome to Queensland, Kylie) before slipping into a breathtaking red sequin jumpsuit — because of course, there had to be at least several costume changes.
And in a moment that summed up just how much she adores her audience, she took a beat to admire the crowd’s outfits, lifting the house lights and asking, “Hands up if you were bedazzling today?”
The sea of sequins, glitter, and rhinestones shot into the air.
The lower-floor area was technically seated, but that felt more like a formality.
From the moment she stepped on stage to the second the house lights came back on nearly two hours later, no one sat down.
Brisbane danced, sang and screamed its way through every era of her career, from The Loco-Motion (still a crowd favourite) to her latest Tension hits.
And just when we thought we couldn’t love her more, she made the night even more special — handing out roses to lucky fans, singing Where the Wild Roses Grow directly to an emotional crowd member named Sabrina, and even taking song requests from a group of pre-teens who lost their minds when they realised they were talking to “the” Kylie Minogue. Several dazzling costume changes and world-famous hits later – including euphoric renditions of All the Lovers, Padam Padam, and Love at First Sight – the night came to an end.
Our voices were gone, our hearts were full, and for just a little while, it felt like Kylie had made the world sparkle just that bit brighter.
By the end, as the lights came back on and the last piece of confetti settled, it was clear: Kylie Minogue isn’t just nostalgia. She’s now. She’s forever.
And Brisbane was lucky to have her for a night.
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