Kendrick Lamar played the first of two sold out nights Wednesday night at Allianz Stadium. And it was enormous, and thrilling and just flat out spectacular. I had seen Lamar on his last two tours at the smaller Qudos Bank Arena, but after the success of 'Not Like Us' and the Super Bowl halftime show he has graduated to stadium shows. And he filled the space with ease. Lamar is at the peak of his powers and he has total command of the stage. He just raps with ultimate ease and power. He has a small troupe of dancers, but basically it's just him. And his use of visuals is great and for a stadium show the sound was pretty good as well. But it always comes back to the music. And that is totally supreme. A lot of the set was from his latest album in 'GNX', with 'Squabble Up' and a split up 'TV Off' especially being highlights. But of course he has so many iconic songs in his catalogue and they were all great to hear. And even though he plays less of his very early songs, he still plays them even if he only does them in part. The biggest response of the night though was probably for the megahit in 'Not Like Us'. It had the whole stadium bouncing. Kendrick Lamar shows truly feel like an event and a must see anytime he visits. 

Set List
Wacced Out Murals
Squabble Up
N95
King Kunta
Element
TV Off (part one)
Euphoria
Hey Now
Reincarnated
Humble
Backseat Freestyle
Family Ties (Baby Keem cover)
Swimming Pools (Drank)
m.A.A.d City
Alright
Man at the Garden
Dodger Blue
Peekaboo
Like That
DNA
Good Credit (Playboi Carti cover)
Love
Count Me Out/Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe
Money Trees
Poetic Justice
Luther
TV Off (part two)
Not Like Us

Gloria 

Perfume Genius Tuesday night at the Sydney Opera House was a completely astounding show. Beautiful, phenomenal, sensual, majestic, incredible. A magnificent night where each and every moment was treasured completely. It's been a few years since I have seen Perfume Genius live and certainly a long way removed from the quiet piano based show I saw many years ago in Sydney. Michael Hadreas has expanded his band to five and the music is ecstatic and vibrant, but still moving and highly emotional. Perfume Genius released one of my favourite albums this year in 'Glory' and the show opened with many of those songs, including a barnstorming 'No Front Teeth' and a highly emotional 'Left For Tomorrow'. We also received a glorious Big Star cover in 'Kanga Roo', plus many classic Perfume Genius songs such as 'My Body' and 'Describe'. But I think my favourite was the jaw dropping rendition of 'Otherside'. This was one of many songs where Hadreas would contort his lithe body in an extraordianry way. He also used props such as a chair and a spinning wheel to bend and move his body in truly eye opening ways. Hadreas is of course the central figure, but the band behind him were also great. Especially his husband in Alan Wyffels and the extraordinary guitarist in Meg Duffy. Duffy provided support as well as Hand Habits. Their six song set was truly great as well. I felt lucky to be at this show. A truly special night.  

Set List
In A Row
It's A Mirror
No Front Teeth
Slip Away
Left For Tomorrow
Valley
Me & Angel
Kanga Roo (Big Star cover)
Clean Heart
On the Floor
Otherside
Describe
Eye in the Wall
My Body

Fade Into You (Mazzy Star cover)
Queen

TV On The Radio made a triumphant and ecstatic return to Australia Tuesday night. Their Enmore Theatre show was their first in Australia in ten years. The band took a hiatus before returning to the live arena in 2024. I was lucky enough to see them in London last December, but seeing them again a year later was still a massive treat. The band were one of the signature bands from New York in the early 2000s, making music that was thrilling and exciting. Their live shows are exactly the same. Taut, tight and supreme. They played a good selection from across their career, with 'Dear Science' receiving the most attention. 'Wolf Like Me' was probably the standout, with it obviously being their most well known song. But I also loved 'Dreams' and 'DLZ', whilst 'Staring at the Sun' was the obvious and perfect closer. Even without founding member David Sitek currently touring with the band, they are super tight with Kyp Malone and Jaleel Bunton front and centre on guitars. And Tunde Adebimpe is a magnetic and captivating front man. Although I don't think the vocal mix was great, his vocals were a little over powered. But it was great overall, a supreme band showing that they still have the goods.  

Set List
Young Liars
Golden Age
Lazerray
Happy Idiot
Dreams
Wolf Like Me
Stork & Owl
Could You
Love Dog
DLZ
Shout Me Out
Satellite

Ambulance
Trouble
Staring at the Sun