Back in November 2019 Carly Rae Jepsen absolutely slayed Sydney Australia’s Enmore Theatre. Now fast forward to March 2023 she has returned to do it again. With a new album under her belt and Sydney still buzzing from World Pride tonight will surely be a fabulous affair.
First on stage was the support Memphis LK, who also happens to be the daughter of iconic Australian musician Paul Kelly. Memphis gave the Enmore speakers a work out, getting the party started with thumping dance beats. Her set was part DJ, part vocalist and partly showing off her skills on the clarinet. Her performance captivated the crowd and was reminiscent of a younger Alison Wonderland. Finishing her set with “too much fun” a fitting song as she seemed to be in her element.
After a short break the sold-out audience began to grow to capacity. The lights dimmed as first the band took their places consisting of drummer, guitarist, bass player, keyboardist and two back up singers. Then the Canadian pop princess appeared perched above stairs at the back of the stage casting a glittering silhouette. Deafening shrieks came from her ecstatic fans as she began with “surrender my heart” taken from her newest album The Loneliest Time.
From then on it was a night of upbeat danceable pop with Carly delivering a huge twenty-three song set list. She dedicated “talking to myself” to that dick that inspired her song “Julien”. The whole room erupted as she introduced “call me maybe” transporting us all back to 2012 when the song was crushing the airwaves. Before starting “bends’ she explained the song is about grief making for a heartfelt moment. New song “Western Wind” had an extended jam outro as Carly left the stage.
She returned to the stage for “so nice” with an outfit change this time in a pale blue number. Then as “I really like you” played I got the feeling the sentiment was mutual for this hyped up Sydney crowd. “I didn’t just come here to dance” got the room moving while Carly revealed she always thought the song sounded like a pick up line. The main set closed with “When I need you” with the song finished by Carly and the band stopping to let the crowd sing making for a beautiful choir echoing through the venue walls.
This wasn’t to be the end as Carly returned to the stage for a welcomed encore. Telling us she felt like she was in a room full of friends then playing a stripped down acoustic version of “go find yourself or whatever”. Things amped back up for “Beach house” keeping the summery vibes going. With the last song honour going to “cut to the feeling”. Tonight in Sydney it was so nice to see Carly Rae Jepsen again. Carly live is always a good time!