Inside look at Anthony Pratt’s private Katy Perry Melb concert, that Allan, Albo, Andrews attended
Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and her predecessor Dan Andrews were among privileged guests at popstar Katy Perry’s private show.
Fiona Byrne
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US star Katy Perry performed a private concert at the Melbourne home of billionaire businessman Anthony Pratt on Saturday night in front of guests including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Fresh from seeing her mate Taylor Swift in concert in Sydney on Friday, Perry arrived at Pratt’s Kew mansion, Raheen, at 4.50pm to prepare for her showcase of hits for the VIP corporate audience.
Videos from inside the party showed that Perry had guests on their feet with a high energy performance.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan looked to be dancing along as Perry showed her star power at the Visy celebration.
In videos posted to social media, Perry sang her many hits including Smile, Roar and Firework, with guests gathering and cheering around the stage.
She also gave Melbourne-bred singer Troye Sivan a shout out.
Melbourne DJ Femme also performed on the night and said it was an amazing vibe.
“It was so incredible, amazing and stunning event,’’ DJ Femme said.
“She performed for an hour.”
DJ Femme also thanked the Visy and Pratt family and Premier Artists for the opportunity.
“So grateful for moments like these in life,’’ she said.
Perry is thought to have collected a fee of at least $1.5 million for her fly in, fly out private show.
The party was billed as a celebration of the food and beverage industry which Pratt’s company Visy conducts business with.
Mr Albanese was forced to sidestepp commentary about his attendance at the exclusive party.
During an interview on Weekend Sunrise, host Matt Doran highlighted that the Prime Minister had a “big week” after spending his weekend at the Perry and Swift concerts.
But Mr Albanese was quick to say his attendance at Pratt’s party was an opportunity to talk to manufacturers such as Wesfarmers, Bundaberg, Asahi and Arnott’s biscuits.
“The good news that I got last night from many of the businesses was that they’re expanding their operations. That means more jobs here and it means our economy is more resilient here as well,” he said.
Co-host Monique Wright called him out on the response saying “okay, yes, and Katy Perry was playing. You buried that bit, but that’s very exciting”.
Perry took to the stage at 9.22pm opening her set with a cover of What A Wonderful World. “It sure is, isn’t it,” Perry said before adding, “guys, I came all the way from London and I am so happy to be here. Thank you for having me.”
Heavy security surrounded the Raheen estate with a traffic management plan restricting on lane of Studley Park Road outside the venue to accommodate vehicle drop offs.
There was also an obvious police presence on the road and in the area.
Directly opposite the gates of the Pratt compound a small group of Free Julian Assange supporters staged a protest.
A banner reading “honk for Assange” resulted in the occasional response from passing traffic while their chants included “Don’t be a Pratt, free Julian Assange” and “Welcome to Prattville, where is Julian?”
Around 7.30pm about 20 Free Palestine protesters, one banging a pot and another playing a drum, took up a position out the front of the Pratt estate.
Meanwhile guests mingled and dined in a massive marquee at the back of the estate, waiting for Perry’s performance.
It took three weeks for the marquee, staging and kitchen to be bumped in for Saturday night’s extravaganza.
The party, hosted by Pratt and his partner Claudine Revere, was attended by 220 guests including Pratt’s sisters Héloïse Pratt and Fiona Geminder, who was accompanied by her husband Raphael Geminder and their daughter Georgia Geminder and her husband Matthew Danos.
Heloise’s son Jake Waislitz and his partner Ava Fried were also enjoying the occasion as was the Queen of Raheen, Pratt family matriarch Jeanne.
Former Victorian premier Dan Andrews was another notable among the VIP crowd.
Other guests included ANZ bank boss Shayne Elliott, Allan Myers, Michael Chaney, Jack Cowin, Sir Rod Eddington, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, Ashok Jacob and Roger Corbett.
Comedian Vince Sorrenti was Master of Ceremonies.
American ambassador Caroline Kennedy was also believed to be a guest.
Leading Australian concert promoter Paul Dainty and his wife Donna were in attendance.
A handful of young Katy Perry fans congregated on the footpath outside the walls of Raheen to listen to the “Firework” singer perform.
The most senior VIP guests entered the property at a second gate about 100m from the main driveway where the protesters and Perry fans were positioned.