Carly Rae Jepsen FINALLY headlined her first Melbourne show ever on Monday the 2nd of December 2019 as part of her ‘DEDICATED Tour’ at the iconic Forum Theatre, and I would be surprised if she didn’t return to Australia after the reception she received from the Arts and Culture city during the sold-out show.
Appearing to a hyped-up audience who were already excited after seeing the talented Australian support act Starley perform her catchy tunes including hit “Call On Me”, Carly Rae Jepsen finally graced the Melbourne stage sporting blond wavy locks, a pink suit jacket, sleeveless glittery black catsuit and equipped with the biggest smile.
Beginning with “No Drug Like Me”, coming down a lit stairwell, it only took a few seconds before the entire Melbourne audience were eating out of the palm of her hand, completely captivated by the pocket-rocket songstress. By the time Jespen got into her second song of the night “E·MO·TION”, everyone was singing and dancing. And I mean literally EVERYONE. The entire audience were at her command by third song “Run Away With Me”.
It was only until “Julien” did Jepsen start sharing, advising that the song is about an ‘ex-ex-ex-ex lover’ and for him ‘not to call her’, a play on words to her biggest hit that gained her international attention “Call Me Maybe”, which she too performed to an overjoyed Melbourne audience.
Accompanied by her four-piece band donning guitars, drums, a keyboard, the occasional wigs and saxophone, Jepsen was completely comfortable jumping around and entertaining fans, many who have waited years for her to come to Australia.
Displaying epically impressive vocals in both “Now That I Found You” and “Gimmie Love” while beaming to her audience whenever she could, it was clear that not only does Jepsen not have a single bad song in her repertoire (everything was catchy and fun), but that Jepsen was having the time of her life on the Forum Theatre stage. She fed off the electric energy of the crowd and initiated several sing-a-longs. Evidently also an absolute sweetheart as well as an incredibly talented performer, Carly Rae Jepsen even took the time mid-song to sign a vinyl for a very dedicated (pun intended) fan in the front row.
With big hits such as “I Really Like You” and my personal favourite “Party for One”, I would be surprised if the audience were not in love with her by the end of the show, as I certainly was. I attended the Melbourne show after much convincing from a friend who is a massive CRJ fan and promised to me that she would be amazing live. He wasn’t wrong. Carly Rae Jepsen was born to be on the stage. I went into this show more so to quench my curiosity, ended up knowing a lot more songs of hers than I thought I did, and left praising and adoring the underrated princess of pop, who has been a darkhorse in the music industry this past decade.
When Carly Rae Jepsen returned to the stage for her encore, after receiving a thunderous applause (the crowd stomping the venue floor in excitement and practically making the earth move), she ended her show with “Cut to the Feeling”, which has transformed into an iconic anthem for many. While everyone was singing and dancing, all I could do was wonder on whether Carly Rae Jepsen would return to Australia, because I wanted more. I was sold. No longer a casual listener, but a fan.
To conclude, I really, really, really, really, really like you, Carly Rae Jepsen. And I, like many, want you to return to Australia as soon as possible. It is almost a crime for how long it took for you to tour Australia, but fingers crossed we won’t have to wait too long between tours anymore. Hopefully you want that too.
Photography by Alex Perkins.
