When Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark packed out Melbourne’s famed Rod Laver Arena last night, it marked the first headline concert by a music act at the live music capital venue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The concert, the penultimate stop on Amy Shark’s rescheduled Cry Forever Tour, saw the multi-Award winner pull out all the stops with colossal production and high energy fervour. Performing old favourites such as “Mess Her Up”, “Weekends” and her breakout hit “Adore”—lifted from her multi-Platinum-selling debut album Love Monster—as well as new hits like “Love Songs Ain’t For Us” and “Everybody Rise”, the set was slated to celebrate her chart-topping sophomore album, but felt more like a victory lap through her decorated career so far.
Photograph by Brayden Smith
The chart-topper also performed her Rolling Stone Australia Awards-nominated single “Baby Steps”. A true highlight of the evening, the driving bassline coupled with Amy’s arresting onstage presence delivered on an unspoken promise to fans for a night of reprieve from all the hardships this country has been through and continues to go through.
One unexpected but truly ‘Amy Shark’ contribution, was the sporadic display of comedic prowess between songs. With pacing and nuance solid enough for a stand-up set, backed by the sheer scale of the show in full view, her hilarious anecdotes were a welcome addition amid a few months of COVID-induced uncertainty for our music industry.
Safe to say, we love Baby Steps @amyshark 😍 pic.twitter.com/hMG2zxtPhA
— Rolling Stone Australia (@rollingstoneaus) March 4, 2022
Despite having to reschedule dates of the Cry Forever Tour due to the pandemic, Amy Shark proved that it’s only made her stronger as an artist and performer. Her concert was backed by longtime live show collaborators Brad Hosking (multi-instrumentalist), Joe Malafu (drummer), and Omar Hanlon (guitar), who have been helping Amy bring her tracks to life onstage since her Night Thinker EP.
Her 90-minute, 20-song setserved as a powerful reminder of Amy Shark’s expert ability to turn powerful songwriting into a magnetic, high-octane live show.
Photograph by Brayden Smith
It may have taken a little longer to bring Cry Forever to Rod Laver Arena, but it was clear Amy Shark’s as accomplished and comfortable as ever on one of the most lauded music stages in Australia.
