Sydney has baked through another summer day and the sky is blue as ever, as a crowd surrounds the Hordern Pavilion for Porter Robinson's anticipated return to Australian shores.
Ninajirachi warms up the crowd with a steady avalanche of energy (7 February). A roar erupts as she plays her version of 'Bangarang', Skrillex continuing to be a favourite. She plays a buffet of guilty pop pleasures intertwined with thumping bass tracks that feel like a basement bar at 4am. It's an intriguing and enjoyable mix.A medley of songs with 'smile' in the title play in the interlude, and the joy is infectious. A giant inflatable cat is blown up onstage, its eyes beaming out at the crowd.
The main show begins with ominous grating bass sounds and pink lights running across the stage, before the music suddenly changes to the pleasant pop melody of 'Knock Yourself Out XD' as Robinson yells: "Sydney, let's go!"
He takes to the vocals, which sound slick and well-effected, before he dons an electric guitar, streamers bursting out. "Do you wanna be friends?" he asks for 'Perfect Pinterest Garden', and the crowd seem open to it.
Porter Robinson in Brisbane - image © Selena Oung
"I might do a song with your mother," he sings in 'Kitsune Maison Freestyle', donning an acoustic guitar. "The only thing that ever helped me is my Brazilian buttlift. That made me feel better," he jokes as the crowd roar.
"This song goes out to Peter Griffin. Let's f...ing go!" he says for 'Mona Lisa'. The song takes a harder turn, as Porter sings "blood on my face," synths squealing through your ears as giant balls are released.
"Don't record this one, ok?" Porter intros his cover of MGMT's 'Kids', as the cat sits ever watchful under rainbow lights and a fluorescent city backdrop. "F..., I wish I wrote that song," Robinson says.
He takes an audience vote on whether to play 'Year Of The Cup' or 'Easier To Love You', with the latter winning out as rain samples play. 'Is There Really No Happiness?' is catchy, Robinson engaging with the crowd.
"You know Porter, some people die of nostalgia," a female voiceover says. "Just kidding," she laughs. 'Russian Roulette' features the lyrics on-screen through a series of rapidly flicking internet screenshots, before multiple guns are shown on screen as Robinson puts a finger gun to his own head, the song playing a gunshot sound. It's a strangely dark motif for a pop song. Robinson seems to redeem the imagery, declaring he does in fact want to live.
Margot Liotta in Brisbane - image © Selena Oung
There is a brief break before the set enters the 'Nurture' section, beginning with 'Wind Tempos' as Robinson plays some pretty piano. 'Musician' enters with an unexpected blast of sound, before the song explodes filling the room with joy. It's too much for the cat who has sadly begun falling over and deflating.
Robinson stops the track, yelling "get me a piano patch". He plays Billie Eilish's 'What Was I Made For?' as the crowd sing the internet-famous cat version. He then restarts 'Musician' and continues. His track for 'League Of Legends', 'Everything Goes On' plays, Robinson announcing afterwards, "f... 'League Of Legends'."
'Unfold' evolves deeply under red lights as a semicircle white background flashes. "I shoulder the weight of the world," Robinson sings and you can feel it. 'Look At The Sky' closes the section, Robinson beginning on piano before exclaiming "let's go!" as the song explodes. It's a great track.
The 'Worlds' section starts with Robinson inviting fan Luke onstage to play balls that double as lights and an instrument. "Please don't break my balls!" Robinson begs. 'Sea Of Voices' follows, guitarist Rafa taking a solo front of stage, exercising fluidity as Robinson throws red paper hearts over him.
'Divinity' plays with aggressive synths interjecting sporadically. 'Language' begins with bassist Margot Liotta singing, before the beat drops as distorted rock guitar plays the iconic riffs. It ends too soon, before 'Goodbye To A World' is played via the balls. The end is huge, the whole room jumping.
Porter Robinson in Brisbane - image © Selena Oung
'Sad Machine' closes the section under orange lights and pink mountains, as streamers shoot out. 'Shelter' then begins the encore, another extremely likeable song, before Robinson dons demon wings and jokingly plays Avril Lavigne's 'Complicated'.
'Cheerleader' ends a mammoth show, and almost the entire crowd have stayed until the end. For those unfamiliar with Robinson's transition from EDM DJ to swoon popper, the show would come as a big surprise. He has found his niche that clearly resonates with a lot of Gen Z, ushering in the era of internet emo.
