DUA LIPA CONCERT
Where: Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne
When: November 11th, 2022
Duration: 1.5 hours
Genre: Disco-Pop
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the one thing that allowed some of us to push through was Dua Lipa’s groovy, disco infused Pop album ‘Future Nostalgia’ record that came out March 2020. Since then we’ve been vibing, dancing and singing along to the album. It wasn’t until October 2021 when she announced her tour and myself and six others banded together to get tickets. Was it worth the wait?
To my step sister, it was her first ever concert and she loved it… and so did I. Singing all the great tunes from her critically acclaimed album and a few other singles, Dua Lipa commanded our attention and demanded we dance the night away. Backed with a quartet of backup vocalists, a three piece band and a dozen dancers, there was always something to keep us intrigued and engaged. Whether it was Dua herself singing her ass off with her vocals, or her and her dancers going up and down the runway, or the sheer spectacle of the visuals that accompanied her.
Dua Lipa has a mezzo-soprano vocal range, meaning she can reach those higher pitches as heard on songs like “Cool” or lower octaves heard on ‘Physical’. In person she doesn’t disappoint either, when seeing an artist live there is always the fear that they cannot reach what they produced on their albums, Dua Lipa doesn’t give me those worries. Overall it was a very enjoyable concert, whether it was the crowd I was with or just the fun and funky vibes. Dua Lipa is an artist I highly recommend seeing live.
IDK CONCERT
Where: The Night Cat – Melbourne
When: January 11th, 2023
Duration: 1 hour
Genre: Hip-Hop
Coming off the release of his lo-fi Hip-Hop record ‘Simple’, Maryland rapper IDK made his way to a little venue called ‘The Night Cat’ in Fitzroy. Taking lead of a small stage in the middle of the suburban nightclub, his London born, Sydney based opener Chanel Loren got the crowd geared up with some smooth original RnB songs and some little groovy soul numbers in there to keep us entertained.
IDK came out in opening with one of his standout tracks from ‘Simple’ called ‘Breathe’, his melodic tones and singing are without the use of auto tune and other special effects, which honestly caught me off guard.
Getting the crowd roaring for more, he carried us away with some slow jams with tracks such as ‘Peurto Rico’ and ‘December’ ,and then blasted us back into a fit of rage and angst in the mosh pit with songs like ‘Just Like Martin’, ‘Digital’ and ‘Pizza Shop’.
IDK definitely brought the energy and passion with him, which translated and vibed well with the crowd, feeding into and off each other in spectacular fashion. A shorter review for this show, but IDK is no push over and The Night Cat is a small and intimate venue, but perfect for hosting artists who can work a crowd.
I’d recommend the albums ‘USEE4URSELF’, ‘Simple’ and ‘Is He Real?’.
