A forecast of storms and rain wasn’t enough to keep a crowd of thousands from swarming to Flemington Racecourse for pop superstar Christina Aguilera at the weekend (25 November).
Part of Visit Victoria’s Always Live programme, the announcement of Christina Aguilera’s show was met with a hugely positive reaction across the country, and the event drew in fans from all over. This was Christina’s first live show down under in 15 years.
Things kicked off earlier in the night with singer, actress and Rogue Traders frontwoman Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who brought an energetic set to Flemington including Rogue Traders hits like ‘Watching You’, ‘Voodoo Child’, and solo hits like ‘Someday Soon’ and ‘Alive’. Natalie’s high energy and stream of bangers was the perfect introduction to the night – despite some initially shaky vocal moments.
Next up was another icon of Australian pop music, Jessica Mauboy. The apt ‘Saturday Night’ went off, as well as hits like ‘Been Waiting’ and the more recent ‘Automatic’ and ‘Glow’. Having two huge Australian acts to support such a massive international performer was a real treat – one audiences very clearly appreciated as hype for what was to come next.
The sea of ponchos and raincoats erupted with cheers and applause for the arrival of the main event: Christina Aguilera.
Image © Lady Drewniak
Armed with a setlist stacked with massive hits, Christina sang and danced her way through, showcasing the very essence of her longevity as a performer in the music industry. . . An utterly tantalising fusion of genuine talent and searing stage presence, not to mention a discography that has stood the test of time.
Bold outfits – like a metallic silver trench coat and thigh-high black boots – and an impressive squad of backing dancers and vocalists filled the main stage, heightening the production even further.
Highlights were ‘Dirrty’, ‘Genie In A Bottle’, ‘Candyman’, ‘Show Me How You Burlesque’ and ‘Beautiful’ – the latter lit up by the thousands of phone torches across the field. Christina was visibly pleased to be back in Australia after such a long time – she even hinted at new music, coming soon.
Image © Lady Drewniak
The show closed with the joyous ‘Let There Be Love’, and despite the not ideal weather conditions, it was surprisingly easy for locals to filter out of the venue and on to the trains back toward the city. . . Making for a smooth, swift escape from the craziness of the post-show crowds.
It was a joyous – albeit wet – night to celebrate music, both from our own backyard and from overseas on a global scale.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Jessica Mauboy collectively did a fantastic job playing their own huge hits in a successful attempt to bring the energy of the crowd up. Christina Aguilera’s undeniable talent was on full display in a glittering one-off show which Melburnians (and those from interstate) were lucky to attend.
