‘Magical’: Kylie Minogue thrills Aussie fans as Tension world tour kicks off

Pop princess Kylie Minogue has wowed on the opening night of her global tour, stunning the crowd with a jaw-dropping entrance.

Jonathon Moran in Perth

3 min read

February 16, 2025 - 11:31AM

Music Tours

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After a six year wait, Kylie Minogue has more than delivered.

Oozing confidence, vocally stronger than ever, Australia’s favourite singing export kicked off her 16th global headlining tour in Perth overnight.

It has been a super secretive lead up to the first show of her Tension World Tour with Minogue in lockdown rehearsing at Perth’s RAC Arena for the past week.

Kylie Minogue makes a dramatic entrance on the opening night of her Tension tour in Perth. Picture: Erik Melvin

The beloved star proved she is the master at melding her back catalogue of hits with newer tracks. Picture: Erik Melvin

“A lot has happened since I was last here,” she said.

“Three albums … so to be fair, the set list has been really difficult.

“I’d really like to take this moment as much as a note to self as sharing it with all of you that this (touches stage) has been such a part of my life,” she said.

“Pretty much my entire life and it never gets old on me, it is always a thrill and a challenge that I get to be with all of you. We have new songs tonight, we have songs from you name it, almost every decade.”

Kylie Minogue thrilled fans on a night to remember. Picture: Erik Melvin

Minogue is a brilliant master at melding her back catalogue of hits with newer tracks, bringing in everything from Spinning Around to All The Lovers.

It was the first time she’d played many of the songs live, including Lights Camera Action, Good As Gone and Last Night I Dreamt I Fell In Love, a new collaboration with Alok that she released on Friday.

There were acoustic moments (Where The Wild Roses Grow) and crowd participation as Minogue danced through the audience with her dancers to a central diamond shaped elevated platform.

She even took requests, apologising that she may not know the words but smashing Breathe and I Should Be So Lucky beautifully and perfectly.

The pop princess with her talented dancers on the opening night of her Tension tour in Perth. Picture: Erik Melvin

It was a huge arena, but Kylie Minogue made it fell intimate. Picture: Erik Melvin

While it is a big arena tour, Minogue somehow makes it feel super intimate, almost like a small venue club vibe.

Everyone was up dancing and singing along from the first beat as the 56-year-old came out elevated on a giant swing inside a diamond light installation.

It was straight into it with hit after hit – Get Outta My Way, What Do I Have To Do?, Come Into My World and the list went on.

“Don’t make a list because we will be here all night,” she said.

Kylie Minogue performs to a sold-out RAC Arena on the opening night of her Tension tour in Perth. Picture: Erik Melvin

Given her first hit came out in 1987 Locomotion, and she’s still smashing them out now with Padam Padam a massive hit internationally, the crowd was an eclectic mix.

There were grandparents, parents and children; the queer community was out in force.

Minogue had multiple costume changes – black, green, red, shimmering gold.

Her high energy dancers kept the outfits coming too.

In one moment to Better The Devil You Know, they almost comically jumped around in blow up costumes like those air things you’d see at a car yard. Somehow though, Minogue made it look cool as it felt very ‘fashion’.

RAC Arena was sold out with a final audience number of 13,500.

The world class venue, based in the Perth CBD, has become a favoured point to kick off tours in Australia and seemingly for some internationally.

Like Minogue, Drake recently began his run of shows there with his Anita Max Win Tour starting at RAC Arena on Feb 4.

Voted best indoor arena in the country for the last two years, and in 2018, the acoustics at RAC Arena were on point.

With show one down, Minogue has a further 69 dates announced so far for the Tension tour that will see her travel the globe and take her through to August in Mexico.

Next stop is Adelaide (Entertainment Centre) on Tuesday, followed by Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena) Thursday and Friday. Brisbane (Entertainment Centre) is booked for February 26 and Sydney (Qudos Bank Arena) is scheduled for March 1 and 2.

Minogue barely spends a minute off stage, save for her quick costume changes, so she’d be wanting to take a rest between each date.

The two hour show is broken into five acts plus an encore, finishing on Tension and Love At First Sight.

Tension is a camp and magical show from a genius, highlighting an exquisite career. Yes. I am a fan and have been since the Neighbours days.

RAC Arena Perth Setlist:

Act I

Lights Camera Action (live debut)

In Your Eyes

Get Outta My Way

What Do I Have to Do?

Come Into My World

Good As Gone (live debut)

Spinning Around