Last Friday (7 March), Melbourne's Palace Foreshore played host to an unforgettable night of electronic-pop magic, as thousands of fans gathered to witness the spellbinding performance of Magdalena Bay.
The cool evening breeze became a main character in an excited and buzzing courtyard. Thousands of eager attendees gathered, their excitement palpable as they filled the venue, ready to immerse themselves in the captivating performance of Magdalena Bay.Before Magdalena Bay took the stage, the crowd was primed by the performance of Ratbag, the talented New Zealand artist. With her dark, synth-driven pop, Ratbag immediately caught the audience's attention.
Her band, wearing eerie monster masks, added a visual intrigue to the performance, enhancing the haunting quality of the music. Ratbag, feeling blessed to support one of her favourite artists, brought a raw, intense energy to the stage, captivating the crowd with her bold presence and gritty sound.
While there was one member of the Ratbag band missing due to so-called hiccups at customers, her set was a perfect appetiser for the night, setting the mood for what was to come.
Ratbag - image © Harrison Innes
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the venue filled with even more loyal punters, their anticipation palpable. Many came dressed in Magdalena fashion, the tops of their foreheads painted over in blue.
The night began with a soft, ethereal "hi" from the stage, immediately drawing the crowd in. "We're Magdalena Bay," frontwoman Mica said with a playful twinge, signalling the start of their set.
The energy was electric as the duo opened with multiple tracks from their acclaimed 2024 album, 'Imaginal Disk', creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and otherworldly, as though they were summoning a spirit through their music.
The first half of the set was dominated by songs from 'Imaginal Disk', showcasing the duo's evolving sound. Their combination of dreamy synths, soft vocals, and experimental textures pulled the audience into a hypnotic trance.
Magdalena Bay - image © Harrison Innes
Tracks like 'Killing Time' and 'Image' had fans diving straight into their latest work, creating a rich, immersive experience. The band's performance had a magical quality, as if they were performing some kind of ritual, weaving together music, light, and energy in a way that felt transcendental.
As the show progressed, Mica captivated the audience not just with her voice but also through striking visuals and costume changes. While the huge side-of-stage screen featured hallucinogenic effects utilising live cameras to create a mesmerising silhouette, Mica moved through the stage in ever-changing outfits.
From the beginning with a royal blue dress, to a sun crown, flowing see-through dress and accompanying angel wings, Mica's wardrobe mirrored the fluid, ever-changing nature of the performance. Her stage presence was magnetic, moving with grace and confidence, and her voice soared, effortlessly filling the venue.
Matt, the duo's producer and keyboardist, worked seamlessly alongside her, layering intricate synths that elevated the entire experience.
Magdalena Bay - image © Harrison Innes
While the band made a large focus on cramming as many tracks as possible, particularly from their latest body of work, their track 'Killshot' was a clear highlight for many in the crowd, particularly when the track seamlessly transitioned into the rereleased 'slowed+reverb verb' version.
Returning to the stage for the duo's encore, 'The Beginning' kept the adoring audience pining over the eclectic duo. The audience swayed in unison, completely entranced by the duo's magnetic performance. The show came to a close, but the enchantment lingered in the air, leaving everyone feeling as though they'd shared something truly special.
The sold-out crowd at Palace Foreshore was a testament to Magdalena Bay's growing influence in the world of electronic pop. The duo delivered a show that blended ethereal soundscapes with a touch of mysticism, leaving the crowd mesmerised from start to finish.
More photos from the concert.
