Kylie Minogue at Hyde Park is a reminder of her undeniable cool – review
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Quietly, it was believed up until 2020 that Kylie Minogue was being retired from the spotlight. She had put out a compilation of her greatest hits, a holiday album, and even performed at Glastonbury. Additionally, she had released two albums of upbeat dance-pop music that seemed tailored for mainstream radio. Singing "When I go out, I wanna go out dancing" on her 2018 album Golden, it felt like she was on the edge of a massive change in her music career.
What a change a performance can make. The Kylie we see at London's Hyde Park is not the familiar act we remember. She is not the nostalgic figure in modest outfits that she once seemed to be. Tonight, she surprises us by appearing in red latex and towering heels, then changing into silver fringe and later on into short gowns. She impresses with her rap skills, confident walk, and ability to keep up with a group of dancers dressed in edgy Matrix-style leather. It's clear that she has embraced her inner coolness and is ready to show the world.
During the previous summer, the hit song "Padam Padam" brought new life to the 56-year-old artist with its catchy beats and cool vocals. This success is evident throughout the lively 90-minute show filled with the singer's greatest hits. The upbeat songs with deep meaning are no longer present, replaced by more sensual and catchy tunes. The concert kicks off with "Tension", where Minogue encourages a lover to be bold and make a move. "Red Blooded Woman", a rare dive into hip-hop, is performed for the first time since 2009. The sultry and minimalistic song "Slow" is performed at a faster pace, turning up the heat. "Confide in Me", a classic from the mid-Nineties, is performed with a mysterious and alluring vibe, surrounded by a group of cloaked figures – it's like entering the Kylie cult.
Only the middle part of the show gives a nod to the cheesy songs that have become a big part of Minogue's music career. "Spinning Around", a disco track that saved her from fading into obscurity in 2000, doesn't quite hit the mark as you would hope - probably because she has performed better versions of it over the years. "The Loco-Motion", a novelty hit, still sounds like it belongs on a cheesy vacation to nowhere, but at least Minogue seems surprised by its lasting popularity. "That was great but really strange," she giggles after finishing the song.
During the performance, Minogue appears to be reflecting on the passage of time. She is clearly in new and unfamiliar territory when it comes to her position in the music industry, a position that only Madonna can truly understand. She has exceeded the typical lifespan of pop stardom, and her music still resonates with audiences and influences new artists. The excitement on the faces of pop stars Anitta, Tove Lo, and Bebe Rexha, who all join her on stage tonight, is truly remarkable. Minogue reminisces about her humble beginnings as a "girl from the TV" who transitioned from a role on the Australian soap Neighbours to a successful music career. She also expresses gratitude to the younger audience members who were not even born when she was rocking gold hotpants around the turn of the Millennium. "We have a shared history, folks," she jokes.
During a nice 10 minutes, she allows the audience to request songs and sings a short acapella version of "2 Hearts" by Goldfrapp, followed by a verse of "I Should Be So Lucky". Minogue is very open, happy, and emotional from the beginning. Before even a quarter of the set is over, she rushes to the back of the stage to wipe away a tear.
However, there is only a small amount of sweetness in this show, which presents Minogue as a dominant pop figure still at the peak of her creativity and performance abilities. While she is known for her kindness, which can sometimes make her seem mysterious, it also makes her relatable. But what truly captivates her audience is when she sheds her grace and politeness and becomes a fierce performer on stage. From her glamorous transformation in "Better the Devil You Know" to her edgy trip-hop and rock style in the late Nineties to her electropop persona on the Fever tour, Minogue has shown her versatility over the years. At Hyde Park, she exudes a glamorous and confident aura as she dances with her team and climbs staircases with the wind blowing through her hair, a presence that has been missing for some time.
She appears to be aware of it as well. Especially, it's a smooth performance of "On a Night Like This" and an intense version of "Love at First Sight" that conclude tonight's performance - not, as some expected, "Dancing", the song about death and nothingness, which seemed destined to end a farewell tour upon its release. Surprisingly, the song, along with all the songs from Minogue's last two albums before "Padam Padam", is not included at all. Quietly, I believe this might have been intentional.
