There was no better way to cap off my week than attending the highly anticipated Brisbane leg of Tate McRae's Think Later World tour at The Riverstage (10 November).
With the pop sensation bringing her fresh energy and undeniable talent to the east coast of Australia, it was clear the excitement in the air was palpable. Fans began lining up hours before the show, dressed to the nines and eager for a chance to get as close as possible to the star. Some had even waited since midday, ready to secure prime positions for an unforgettable night of music.Support act charlieonafriday was set to begin the night as the official support act. However, just as he was supposed to begin fans were told they had to evacuate the venue due to an oncoming thunderstorms.
Not sure if the show would be cancelled or postponed, fans waited under shelter for an hour awaiting any news as the storm passed. Around 8:35pm fans began lining up as the worst seemed to have passed hoping the gates would reopen. Then at 8:40pm cheers echoed as fans were told the show would commence with all 9,000 fans flooding back into the venue – the rain wasn't going to stop them.
As the venue buzzed with anticipation, a spontaneous sing-along broke out before the show, fans belting out classics like 'As It Was' by Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus's 'Party In The U.S.A.', and Shawn Mendes' 'There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back' setting the perfect tone for what was to come.
The energy in the crowd was electric as the clock struck 9:04 pm, the lights dimmed, and the countdown to Tate's performance officially began. At 9:07pm, the iconic voice of Alan Watts echoed through the venue: "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. So, he loses touch with reality and lives in a world of illusions."
This philosophical quote seamlessly led into a high-energy, visually stunning video sequence. Flashing lights and words like 'Think Later', 'Feel', 'Touch', 'Kiss Now', and 'Scream' flashed across the screen, igniting a chorus of cheers from the audience.
Then McRae and her six dancers, guitarist, and drummer took to the stage, opening with the title track 'Think Later' from her 2023 album, a fan favourite that immediately sent waves of excitement through the crowd. The performance was a masterclass in balance – Tate's charisma and powerhouse vocals were matched only by her flawless choreography.
'Uh Oh', a 2022 single, came next with crowd was treated to some seriously impressive dance moves. I was left in awe as McRae effortlessly switched between singing and dancing, a true testament to her versatility as a performer.
A poignant moment followed as McRae and her guitarist shared an intimate acoustic performance of 'Stay Done', with the crowd swaying their phone flashlights in the dark to the soft, heartfelt track from her latest album. The atmosphere was spellbinding, and it was clear this was a moment for Tate and her fans to connect on a deeper level.
'Cut My Hair' was next, with pulsating lights and a fiery electric guitar solo that had the audience applauding in awe. As the solo wrapped up, Tate exited the stage, but the anticipation was far from over.
When the lights brightened again, a boxing ring was revealed onstage setting the scene for a dynamic rendition of 'Rubberband'. McRae and her dancers poured everything into their performance, delivering an electrifying routine that had the entire venue buzzing with energy.
The crowd truly reached fever pitch during 'Exes', the song that has racked up nearly half a billion streams on Spotify. This was without question a crowd favourite, as Tate and her dancers showcased high-energy choreography, creating an unforgettable spectacle. The enthusiasm only grew from there.
Between songs, Tate took a moment to interact with the crowd, sharing a personal anecdote about one of her dancers celebrating a birthday. The 9,000-strong audience spontaneously broke into a rendition of 'Happy Birthday', a heart-warming moment that further solidified the bond between McRae and her devoted fans.
Later, a fan threw a toy koala onto the stage, and Tate responded with genuine appreciation, further showcasing her down-to-earth personality.
McRae continued to engage with the crowd, asking which side of the arena could make the most noise. She led a fun chant, testing the left, middle, and right sides of the crowd, before crowning the left side as the loudest. The energy was contagious, and Tate then got the entire crowd to practice the chorus of 'Guilty Conscience' before performing it with her signature blend of passion and precision.
Another standout moment came when Tate spoke about her songwriting journey, reflecting on how she's been writing since she was 13 in her bedroom in Canada. She then performed 'We're Not Alike', which ended with an explosive drum solo, before transitioning seamlessly into 'She's All I Wanna Be' – another hit with over half a billion streams on Spotify.
Later, McRae shared a nostalgic memory of her first Australian tour, which sold out in just three minutes, and how some fans have been supporting her since she was a teenager, posting her early songs on YouTube. This connection with her audience was palpable, as she went on to deliver one of her biggest hits, 'You Broke Me First'.
Standing alone under the spotlight with only her microphone, Tate's raw vulnerability shone through as the audience sang every word, particularly during the dramatic build-up to the chorus. It was a powerful moment that sent chills down my spine.
The high-octane energy of 'Run For The Hills' led into the encore, with the crowd chanting "Tate! Tate! Tate!" until she and her dancers reappeared onstage to perform 'It's Ok, I'm Ok'. The performance was nothing short of mesmerising, as Tate and her team gave it their all, leaving the crowd on a euphoric high.
In a final, heartfelt moment, Tate asked the audience: "Brisbane, you've been so awesome – can I do one more song?" The resounding answer was a collective cheer, as the crowd had been waiting all night for her biggest hit, 'Greedy'. As the song reached its peak, Tate delivered an unforgettable performance, ending with a show-stopping dance solo that had the crowd jumping with excitement.
As the show came to a close, Tate and her dancer's waved goodbye, thanking the audience for their incredible energy and support. The night was a resounding success, and as I made my way out of the venue, I overheard nothing but praise from fellow concertgoers, all agreeing that it had been a truly spectacular experience.
