Musical phenomenon Lizzo brings booty and beauty to Sydney Opera House
US superstar Lizzo combines pop and classical music in a joyous fusion that raises the roof.
“This is a celebration of booty and body!”
It’s rare for pop and classical music to intersect so effortlessly in one performance under the Sydney Opera House sails, but that’s exactly what US superstar Lizzo, shaking her backside in a glittery leotard, treated her sold-out crowd to on Monday night.
The 31-year-old R&B singer and rapper, born Melissa Jefferson, stunned the audience as she whipped out her flute and started playing one of her own songs with a classical twist.
Lizzo, it turns out, is not only a powerhouse singer with punchy, raspy vocals and an effortless soprano, but also a classically trained flautist.
“This is my dream to play the flute at the Sydney Opera House,” she told the 2000-strong crowd, beaming. “This is a pinnacle right here. This is a memory that I will always cherish.”
The US pop phenomenon has enjoyed a remarkable rise to international success this past year, and she is embarking on her first Australian tour after being named Time’s Entertainer of the Year in December. She has already performed in Brisbane and Adelaide as part of the FOMO Festival.
Her exponential rise, while seemingly occurring overnight, has also been labelled as long overdue — a rise that has been spurred by viral momentum online.
Her breakout single, Truth Hurts, topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in September, almost two years after its original release, thanks to its prominent inclusion in the Netflix film Someone Great. Another single, Good As Hell, was certified gold in Australia in December despite being first released in October 2016.
To witness her incredible stage presence, which mixes humility with ineffable confidence, is to see why her unique sound has resonated with millions around the world. The energy was palpable from the very beginning, the crowd immediately jumping to its feet as the singer and her back-up dancers strutted onto the stage.
The crowd was in high spirits throughout, grateful to have been one of the lucky few to secure tickets after over 12,000 fans missed out trying to get pre-sale tickets.
With kangaroo plush toy and Australian flag in hand, the US sensation took a moment to acknowledge the bushfires, saying donation buckets would be available in the foyer after the show.
“I feel so connected to you during the bushfires that are plaguing the nation … this isn’t an Australian crisis, this is a global crisis,” she said.
Lizzo showered the crowd with compliments— “Y’all look so beautiful” and “I’m proud of you” — while preaching body positivity and self-love.
It was an uplifting message to welcome in the new decade from the feel-good superstar that the world needs.
Lizzo is performing at The Forum in Melbourne tonight (Wednesday) and will finish her appearances at the FOMO Festival in Sydney on Saturday.
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