A warm evening wraps around Sydney, where international juggernaut OneRepublic bring their Sweet Escape tour to Qudos Bank Arena.
Freya Ridings is a pleasant surprise to open the evening (6 February), entering in a stunning black gown with puffed sleeves that flows behind her.
She is perfectly dramatic, leading with new single 'Wicker Woman'; Ridings' voice cuts through the air with an urgency that demands attention. The final notes hang in the air, as you're taken by Ridings' presence and the grip of tension.
Bells shake out as Ridings takes a dramatic moment alone with the piano. It's hard to pull your eyes or ears away. "Good evening Sydney, it's so lovely to be here," Freya says. "You always treat me so warmly. This is from my third album, and it's for anyone going through a tough time."
'Undefeated' is triumphant and tall, the production slick and the message strong. "I'll stand here broken, never beaten," Ridings sings with conviction.
"This is one of the truest love songs I have ever written," she says for 'Always Loved You', moving the crowd who begin to sway. She sings delicate high notes that fill the air and swirl around your heart.
Freya Ridings - image © Ayush Kumar
"I used to dance in the kitchen to OneRepublic so this is a full-circle moment," Ridings shares for 'Dancing in My Kitchen'. She dons a ukulele and it feels bright and sunny in here.
'R U OK?' is tense and brooding, emerging delicately into the bridge before racing away with thundering rhythms. It's a standout.
"If you want to hold up a light for someone you lost you can," Freya incites, before announcing "I'm going to cry," as the arena fills with lights.
'Lost Without You' is perfect songwriting as the arena sways, before 'Castles' tops a perfect set, Ridings spinning around in her dress.
OneRepublic - image © Ayush Kumar
From the first song, OneRepublic burst out and the crowd respond in kind, screaming at the top of their lungs.
Frontman Ryan Tedder isn't messing around, leaping into 'Feel Again' like the 'shot of a gun', as streamers explode into the air. This is going to be a show.
"This is gunna be a good life," Tedder sings and it sure feels like it is. "I've been obsessed with this place since I was 5," Tedder remarks on Sydney endearingly. He discusses the band's journey and how 'Stop And Stare''s Australian success kept them together as a band.
OneRepublic - image © Ayush Kumar
The songs ends with Tedder's iconic vocal riffs and it's a moment in time, pure artistic expression. 'Light It Up' features sparks ascending the multiple screens onstage, the bass hits in the final chorus shaking your bones.
Smoke then descends as purple light moves across the crowd, the effect ethereal and mesmerising for 'Singapore'. The vibe moves into 'Secrets' and the crowd start to explode. They sing the end of the song a cappella and it's beautiful.
'Rescue Me' revs the crowd up under red and green lights, before 'Something I Need' is a sentimental high point. Crowd members hug the ones they love as they sing, "I wanna die with you".
'Life In Colour' moves the set in a more acoustic direction, Tedder's vocals shining as always. He shares the origin story of 'Halo': "Imagine us writing what it means to truly love that man," he jokes on Jay-Z. "I sing this better than Jay-Z," Tedder smiles.
OneRepublic - image © Ayush Kumar
The cello and strings shine as Tedder invites the crowd into the moment. Tedder then jokes about covering Tate McRae before a surprising rendition of 'Bleeding Love'. 'Run' sends the vibe into outer space, before 'Lose Somebody' is energetic and sentimental at the same time.
'Aplogize' is a moment in time that has to be experienced to be understood, while 'I Need Your Love' is a certified banger. Fan videos play telling the story of music's power before 'I Lived' is a heartwarming classic.
'Sunshine' is delectably warm under the kaleidoscopic visuals, before guitarist Zach Filkins performs an amazing solo using his looper that moves into 'Counting Stars'. Every song seems to be a hit.
"Oh but there's more," Tedder declares. "We've got a Jet2 holiday coming." 'I Don't Wanna Wait' is heavy and danceable, before 'Calling' sends the crowd into overdrive. Tedder sings Oasis' 'Wonderwall' to the crowd to end the show and it's fitting.
Hit after hit, high vibes and Ryan Tedder's incredible vocals are a perfect mix for a perfectly memorable evening.
