The return of TLC to Australia after a six-year absence sees the iconic R&B group touring nationally as part of the RNB Fridayz tour.
But on a balmy Tuesday night (8 November), T-Boz, Chilli and their cast of dancers and live band hit the beachside Palais Theatre in Melbourne for an unforgettable headline performance.This one-off TLC sideshow took place as part of the Victorian Government's ALWAYS LIVE programming – a statewide roll out of live music that will have venues heaving with performances through into the summer.
The intimacy of the Palais Theatre heightened the level of connection between artist and fans, with the front few rows of audience members sitting mere centimeters away from the fluro-donned performers churning through energetic choreography over the hour-long set.
For TLC themselves, it was a triumphant return and proof that despite the time away, they have not lost any of the vivacity or determination as entertainers that has long upheld their legendary status.
Both T-Boz and Chilli, with their in sync partnership, retain their own brand of individuality as the show progressed; Chilli with her insane combination of dancing and live vocals, and T-Boz with her effervescent brand of cool matching an unbeatable performance flow.
Those who had been able to see the TLC set at Rod Laver Arena just days before may have thought they were walking into the same set during this Palais Theatre show – opening two-parter 'Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg' and 'What About Your Friends' shared the same space during the set for both gigs, but it wasn't long before this show took a different route.
Image © Caitlin O'Grady for ALWAYS LIVE
A back to back setlist of hits that covered large portions of the group's discography demonstrated TLC's legacy, sure, but moreover, it demonstrated how integrated their style of delivery, songwriting and forward-thinking messaging has provided a blueprint for artists who have followed.
A set that could have songs like 'Girl Talk', 'Unpretty', 'Silly Ho', 'Baby-Baby-Baby' and 'Diggin' On You' lined up together was a joy to be in the audience for. And it was a joyous energy that was reciprocated by the performers on stage.
At no moment did the set falter; everyone from the dancers, through to TLC's DJ (who doubled as hypeman and dancer himself) and the locally-sourced horn players knew their role and came to play.
Looking around the packed-out theatre venue, there was a broad demographic of TLC fans in attendance, many decked out in merchandise and ready to dance and belt out lyrics – from the diehard fans who have been following the girls' journey for three decades, to children who were seeing 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls' for the first time live.
Reverence and respect was paid to the late Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes, with phone lights illuminating the theatre during the extended outro for 'Waterfalls' – the rapper's verse filling the room as the live instrumentation enhanced the loving and warm energies.
