‘Message of love’: Queen of Pop’s message to Mardi Gras revellers

Australia’s Queen of Pop Kylie Minogue built a bridge between her concert and Mardi Gras celebrations from the stage of her opening Sydney show at Qudos Bank Arena. See the pictures.

Australia’s Queen of Pop Kylie Minogue built a bridge between her concert and Mardi Gras celebrations from the stage of her opening Sydney show at Qudos Bank Arena.

After descending from her diamond throne above the stage to electrify the crowd of “lovers” with a ripper opening set, Minogue took a moment to send “all our love” live to the Mardi Gras parade broadcast.

While there had been some grumbles among a small contingent of fans about her opening night clashing with the parade, there was nothing but joy among the crowd at Sydney Olympic Park.

Kylie Minogue wowed fans at Qudos Bank Arena as the part of her Tension tour. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I’m on stage here and just wanted to send you a message of love,” Minogue said before about 14,000 fans screamed “Happy Mardi Gras!”

It is fitting that Minogue launched her Tension world tour here, the first since 2019, after her glorious renaissance back into the pop zeitgeist with Padam Padam and her Las Vegas residency.

The Tension show is that rare pop gig that pushed all the buttons you want from a concert spectacular while feeling like you’re lost on the dance floor of a super club.

Kylie Minogue quashed grumbles about her opening night clash with the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Kylie Minogue made fans feel like they were ‘lost on the dance floor of a super club’. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The dynamic pop survivor is in her natural habitat on the concert stage, her energy unflagging, her smile beaming, her love for her craft undeniable.

Minogue gave her fans exactly what they wanted - a sweaty dance romp through her formidable playlist of hits.

In the first act of the five Tension segments, we raced from recent single Lights Camera Action, through to In Your Eyes and What Do I Have To Do? and Spinning Around.

Kylie Minogue gave fans a sweaty dance romp through her formidable playlist of hits. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Kylie Minogue performed hit after hit to fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Act II gave us ultimate crowd karaoke moments on Better The Devil You Know and On A a night Like This. Although still trying to figure out the theme behind the colourful Teletubbies inspired outfits the dancers wore during Shocked.

And so it went, hit after hit after hit.

“It really feels so good,” our Queen declared.

There was as much sequins and glitter crammed into the arena as lined Oxford St, with Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Mia and son Christian among the partygoers.

The devotion of fans extended to many wearing handmade outfits inspired by Kylie eras from Can’t Get You Out Of My Head to Locomotion.

“It’s pretty emotional to spend a lifetime on stage and some of you have been with me through the entire thing. If you’re under 20…welcome,” she said before owning the song that started it all back in 1987.

In 2025, Kylie is at the peak of her powers.

Her sexiness and confidence on high beam during Slow and Tension. And that voice is dexterous and powerful as demonstrated on a cappella version of Where the Wild Roses Grow and then a soaring operatic vocal on the dark pop goth remake of Confide in Me.

If she could bottle that infectious Kylie joy and optimism, she’d make a fortune in merchandise sales.

One Minogue acolyte made it clear that for Australians, there’s only one Kylie with a cheeky “Minogue not Jenner” T-shirt.

Minogue winds up her Tension tour in Australia with shows on Sunday and Monday.