Kylie Minogue Turns Vancouver Into a Pop Wonderland

It finally happened! Kylie Minogue actually came to Vancouver. After decades of teasing us from afar, the pop icon made her Vancouver debut at the Pacific Coliseum Saturday night with her Tension Tour, and it was everything we hoped for and more.

Kylie even said it herself: she couldn’t believe it was her first time here. Based on the crowd’s energy, it won’t be her last.

Before Kylie hit the stage, Rita Ora got the night rolling with a quick, punchy set. She powered through a mix of newer songs and the ones everyone actually knows (“Let You Love Me” got the biggest singalong), as well as tribute to Liam Payne with “For You.” She kept things tight and fun, bringing her dancers with her. She was solid opener that got everyone warmed up for the pop extravaganza that was to come.

And then came Kylie. Dropping down from the ceiling, dressed in a brightblue leather outfit, she kicked things off with “Ligths Camera Action” and didn’t let up. Her voice sounded strong and clear, and she moved around the stage like someone who’s been doing this for 30+ years. Because she has, and it shows. There’s a calm, joyful confidence in everything she does. No big gimmicks. No frantic screaming at the crowd every five minutes. Just pure pop magic.

The setlist leaned on her lastest album Tension, but she made sure to weave in the classics too. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” turned the Coliseum into a giant, sweaty karaoke bar. “Spinning Around,” “All The Lovers,” and “Padam Padam” had everyone losing their minds. When she ended her show with “Love At First Sight,” it felt like time travel straight back to the early 2000s in the best way.

The production was clean and colourful, but not over-the-top. Big LED screens, plenty of lasers, and dancers who looked like they were having as much fun as the crowd. Everything felt like a proper party, not a “look how expensive our stage is” flex.

Kylie looked genuinely moved. She thanked the fans multiple times for coming to the show and waiting so long for her to come. It was a night a lot of Vancouver fans have waited their whole lives for. Kylie made sure it was worth it.