On the evening of Saturday, July 13, 2024, Kylie Minogue proved that there was only one way you should spend your weekend: by grabbing your best glitter gear and dancing the night away. The Australian singer took Hyde Park by storm, as part of the series of BST events hosted by American Express, reaffirming her status as a pop powerhouse with a careful balance of nostalgia and contemporary vibrancy.
While the evening was bound to be nostalgic for many, it would be too simple to say that the joy of the show relied solely on revisiting past hits.
Kylie’s magnetic presence and the fresh energy from her new album, Tension, highlighted that she is as relevant and captivating as ever.
As ominous grey clouds hung over the BST stage, the backdrop for the evening’s main act was illuminated with vibrant pinks and oranges, setting up the perfect disco ambience. In true pop fashion from behind a cloud of firework smoke the ‘’Padam Padam” singer emerged from beneath the stage dressed in a red latex jumpsuit and matching gloves.
Kicking off with the sultry “Tension.” the title track of her latest album, she cheekily remarked: “I didn’t think I’d hear thousands saying ‘touch me right there,” referring to the themes of lust, love, and sex that permeate her new music.
The transition to “Come Into My World” saw the backdrop morph into a mesmerising cityscape as the dancers, now in similar green, blue and golden latex outfits, moved seamlessly with the techno beats, prompting the crowd to raise their hands in anticipation of the drop.
As “In Your Eyes” began to play, Kylie warmly greeted the audience, “Good evening everyone! Are you ready to sing some more with me?” before catwalking across the stage as the crowd eagerly filled in the choruses. The energy dialled up further as “Get Outta My Way,” echoed across the field, turning the park into an open-air dance floor.
Before continuing with “Things We Do for Love,” the pop icon removed her gloves and further highlighted her undeniable charm and magnetism by taking a moment to look at the crowd in front of her. “Here’s the thing, I knew I was going to be here tonight – but it’s breathtaking,” she expressed amidst chants of “KYLIE! KYLIE! KYLIE!”
After this came the first outfit change of the evening. She re-emerged in a dazzling gold gown to perform “Confide in Me,” briefly slowing down the tempo. But this respite was short-lived as she dove into the beats of “Slow,” followed by the infectious “Better the Devil You Know,” which whipped the crowd into an atmosphere reminiscent of a wedding reception; cheesy, exuberant, and utterly delightful.
Before the show kicked off, the timeless allure of Kylie’s tunes was unmistakable; mothers and daughters arrived hand in hand, sharing sequins and cowboy hats, while whole families keenly awaited her arrival by cosying together on their blankets. So when the disco ball descended for “Spinning Around,” is was an opportune moment for Kylie to reflect on her long-standing career and offer her gratitude at being able to play in front of people of all ages, “Spinning Around was in 2000 – at the turn of the millennium – and there are kids down the front! We’ve got generations here, it’s amazing.”
For those who’ve been dancing before the millennium, it was only fitting that “The Loco-Motion,” made the setlist. Following this, it was time to take a breather as Kylie delighted the crowd by taking requests and offering an array of charming a cappella renditions of hits like “Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi,” “Got to Be Certain,” “Step Back in Time,” “2 Hearts,” and “I Should Be So Lucky.”
As what seemed to be the final act approached, the crowd were treated to the much-anticipated “Padam Padam,” the standout lead single from Kylie’s album last year. The stage bathed in a striking red glow and set the scene for a hypnotic electro-dance experience that seamlessly flowed into the iconic “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” where Kylie was joined by support artist, Brazilian singer Anitta.
The only questionable moment of the evening was the unexpected shift in tempo with “Where the Wild Roses Grow.” Thankfully, this was followed by “All the Lovers,” but then raised the question of “what could possibly come next?”
Finally, returning to the stage with her pink cloak adorned in lights, Kylie launched into “On a Night Like This,” a perfect choice for such an iconic moment on one of summer’s grandest stages. This was succeeded by her latest single, “My Oh My,” adding a modern twist as she performed alongside Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo. Before the show reached its end with the timeless “Love at First Sight,” leaving the crowd covered in streamers and cheers reverberating through Hyde Park.
Throughout the night the pop icon managed to seamlessly transition between moments of spectacle and intimate connection with her audience. While her equally mesmerising visuals helped set the stage for pop excellence, it’s her innate warmth that creates an environment where everyone is welcome to let their hair down and enjoy the liberating power of pop music.
