Tems took over Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Friday night (November 15th), electrifying a sold-out crowd – and she couldn’t help but soak it all in. “This energy is crazy,” the Grammy-winning Nigerian star, born Temilade Openiyi, said. “This is the most I’ve gotten this year, I prooooomise you.”
No messing around. She dove straight into the hits “Crazy Tings”, “Avoid Things”, and “Replay”. With a powerhouse five-piece band and vocalists in tow, Tems whipped the packed venue into a frenzy with her fluid R&B, pop, and Afrobeats style. “You know I came to wile with you tonight, Sydney,” she teased, and the crowd fired right back, matching her energy move for move.
For the diehard fans, it was instant payback. Her breakout track “Mr. Rebel” from 2018 came early, and a raucous cheer erupted for “Damages”, the lead single from her debut EP (For Broken Ears). “I’m looking for my day ones – tell me you know this one,” she challenged, and the crowd roared in agreement.
The night was proof of just how far Tems has come. On her first headlining world tour after the release of her debut album, Born in the Wild, this past June, she’s leading – and we’re following: “I’m the vibe, I’m the leading vibe,” she declared.
She’s not just stopping in Sydney on this trip —Tems also sold out shows in Melbourne and Brisbane during her Australian tour.
Tems also sold out shows in Melbourne and Brisbane during her Australian tour
As the night went on, Tems gave us a peek at the future with new songs like “Burning” – a luminous track about the surreal mix of joy and anxiety that comes with dreams becoming reality – and the blissed-out “Love Me Je Je” and “Me & You”.
At one point, overcome with emotion, she took a pause. “I’m gonna cry… I’m really surprised to have this many people connected to me. I’m grateful. I put my heart into my music – it’s what helps me. Thank you for giving me such an amazing life.”
But the show wasn’t all about deep reflection. Tems kept it fun, treating three lucky fans to a freestyle moment, spinning their energy into an ad-libbed intro for “Found” (originally featuring Brent Faiyaz). “I’m gonna gift you a freestyle,” she said with a grin. “But you have to look me in the eye, okay? Do you love me? Because I love you too.”
The night hit its peak with “Essence”, her 2020 smash with Wizkid, and wrapped with “Free Mind,” the perfect mellow closer that left everyone feeling lifted.
“Sydney, thank you so much for such a special evening,” she said, bowing out with that signature mix of humility and grace. Tems didn’t just bring the vibe – she was the leading vibe. And Sydney? We followed, every step of the way.
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