Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue brought her “Tension Tour” to State Farm Arena on Friday night – 14 years after her last concert at the Fox Theatre.
In that span of years, Minogue has seen her popularity spike once again in the United States after the hit single “Padam Padam” went viral in 2023. This was followed by two albums —“Tension” and “Tension II”— full of high-energy dance music.
While she’s a beloved megastar with a nearly 40-year career of hits on most of the planet, the U.S. has only occasionally embraced her music – notably at the beginning of her career in the late 80s with “The Loco-motion” and “I Should Be So Lucky” and then in the early 00s with “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”
In between, she’s released a string of solid hit albums ranging from disco, to country, to orchestral and gone on big world tours that mostly avoided the U.S.
That changed last year after “Padam Padam,” which landed Minogue a Las Vegas residency and now this tour crisscrossing America to remind folks just what a powerhouse she remains.
While ostensibly promoting the latest albums, the “Tension Tour” for the U.S. is a greatest hits package punctuated by deep cuts for stateside fans – including a huge LGBTQ+ following – who have remained devoted to her over the decades.
Backed up by a tight band and troupe of dancers – not to mention excellent visuals, lights, and chic costumes – Minogue kept the energy level turned all the way up for a two-hour set with only an occasional moment to catch her – and the audience – to catch a breath.
The night kicked off with an able assist from opening act Rita Ora, who gave a 30-minute set of dance tunes to set the mood for the evening.
When Kylie appeared at exactly 8:30 p.m. on the dot, she was suspended on a swing inside a holographic diamond belting her latest hit “Lights, Camera, Action,” which would be a sub-theme for the tight two-hour set to follow.
“In Your Eyes,” “Get Out of My Way,” “Come Into My World” and “Spinning Around” offered an overview of Minogue’s 2000s output, before delving into her 80s/90s oeuvre with “The Loco-Motion,” “Better The Devil You Know” and “Shocked.”
She then walked through the crowd to a secondary stage to perform a set of stripped-back tunes in the round. She gamely took audience suggestions, singing snippets of “I Should Be So Lucky,” “Chocolate” and even a line of two of her Nick Cave murder ballad duet, “Where the Wild Roses Grow” as fans pelted the stage with flowers.
A giant disco ball dropped from the ceiling for an acoustic version of the disco hit “Say Something,” but then it was a quick trip back to the mainstage for the sexy swirling of “Confide In Me” and “Slow.”
The night closed with the audience jumping to dance hits including “Timebomb,” “Edge of Saturday Night,” “Padam Padam” “Tension,” and “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” The euphoric, cathartic “All The Lovers” and “Love At First Sight” had the crowd swaying and singing along.
I will forever be baffled why Minogue isn’t a bigger star here, but for fans – I’ve been one since 1988 – seeing her shine in an arena setting four decades into her career was quite a thrill. Don’t wait another 14 years, diva.
