Aguilera showcases her pop queen credentials at Flemington festival

Pop queen Christina Aguilera gave Melbourne a show to remember at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday night, revealing performing in the city was like “a homecoming”. Here’s why.

Christina Aguilera rocks Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

She spent the week sampling the best of Victoria’s sights and delights.

But on Saturday night, US singer Christina Aguilera gave back to Melbourne by showing her star power and pop queen credentials at Flemington Racecourse.

Aguilera’s show was part of Victoria’s 17-day music festival Always Live.

Her Melbourne concert, presented by Visit Victoria and promoter Untitled Group, was Aguilera’s only show in Australia.

Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the 20,000-strong crowd.

Christina Aguilera plays on an outdoor stage at Flemington Racecourse in the rain. Picture: Jason Edwards

Aguilera said performing in Melbourne was like a homecoming. Picture: Jason Edwards

In fact, things heated up from the get-go with opening bangers Dirrty, the electrifying Can’t Hold Us Down, and a reworked Genie In A Bottle

“My heart goes out to you for sticking it out in the pouring rain,” Aguilera told the crowd.

She also revealed she was pregnant when she performed in Melbourne 15 years ago, and regarded the Always Live show as a “homecoming.”

A powerhouse singer with other hits including Beautiful, Fighter, and What a Girl Wants, Aguilera is a legit headliner and commanded the stage with sass and class.

Last week, Aguilera was in tourist mode and visited Victorian wildlife parks, hot springs, and capped it off with a chopper flight over the Mornington Peninsula.

Always Live, a Visit Victoria initiative, runs until December 10, and features Melbourne-only shows by Swedish DJ Eric Prydz, who has sold out three Rod Laver Arena shows, and US country star Zach Bryan, who sold out his Flemington Racecourse show in 20 minutes.

Special mention to Jessica Mauboy, one of Australia’s finest singers, and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, for their energetic support sets.

Meanwhile, ‘Angels’ hitmaker Robbie Williams again delighted crowds as he took to the stage at A Day on The Green in Geelong for his last show in Victoria, before heading west to Adelaide to continue on his national tour.