Olivia Rodrigo at Rod Laver Arena
Photo Credit: Lauri Jean / Rod Laver Arena
The long-awaited Australian debut of American pop star Olivia Rodrigo has commenced, with her first of four sold-out shows in Melbourne as part of the Guts World Tour. With two of the biggest albums in recent history under her belt, nothing could prepare us for the sheer amount of hits in a stacked setlist.
To say Australian audiences were excited is the understatement of the year. From the crowds camping out days in advance, to the people we remember driving around the streets screaming the lyrics to drivers license back in 2021, the crowd were more than ready for what was to come.
Performing a generous 45-minute support slot, kiwi sensation BENEE came out to kick off the night with full band, sparkly boots and a whole lot of energy to dazzle Melbourne audiences once more. Opening with Kool and Soaked, we hear everything from catchy tune Beach Boy to one of our favourites from her 2019 EP with Glitter.
Witnessing one of her first shows this side of the globe in 2024, we enjoyed hearing Find an Island and unreleased track Animal. Closing the set with a range of hits including, but not limited to Green Honda and Supalonely, BENEE was the perfect choice to open the night.
The crowd’s screams came to a head when ‘GUTS’ appeared onscreen in the form of candles. Burning slowly, the visuals counted down the impending arrival of Olivia Rodrigo onstage. With the opening riffs playing out, the band ramped up the audience for opening song bad idea right? as Olivia was lifted up onto the stage – the sound of the crowds deafening at this point. As the perfect set opener, everyone was up and out of their seat for a massive singalong, which lead into ballad of a homeschooled girl – complete with high school yearbook pictures in the background.
‘How are you doing tonight Melbourne? Welcome to the guts world tour’ was met with a roaring crowd. Olivia’s wish for the night was for us all to ‘jump, scream, and sing at the top of [our] lungs’ – which we were well and truly ready for. The slow-building vampire was up next, followed closely by ballad traitor – and the crowd could not have sung any longer. Swarmed by dancers who left as quickly as they arrived, a piano emerged from the stage, swirling with fog as Olivia sat down to belt out drivers license. ‘You guys are singing so loud. Did someone break your heart or something?’ Olivia asked the audience. Continuing on with teenage dream, a song written a few days before her 19th birthday, videos of a young Olivia played in the background while the emotion built.
With dancers in tow touting mirrors, pretty isn’t pretty and love is embarrassing (complete with choreo) geared up the performance for the intimate making the bed. Slowing down the night’s vibes, Olivia gave us her all while lying on a circular platform as the audience’s phone lights swayed along in sync. As she makes her way back onto the stage in a dazzling shift dress, a moon descends from the roof, which she takes her place on. Light up stars cascaded down towards the crowd, as the moon lifts Olivia into the air, and around the stadium as she performs logical and enough for you – her personal favourite off her first album SOUR. Stopping at different areas of the arena, Olivia takes the opportunity to see which levels can scream the loudest; all while telling us ‘it’s my first time in Melbourne and I couldn’t be happier’.
Descending from the air, Olivia takes her spot back on the main stage for lacy, while her dancers perform perfectly synchronised routines around her with massive oversized bows in their hair. Stopping to call out Australian besties she spots in the crowd, she asks everyone to show love to their friends and families, and gives her personal rating on Tim Tams (10/10). Her experience of Aussie culture rolls perfectly into so american, as she trades a guitar pick for a fan’s gift – this time, a barbie version of her in a little red jumpsuit. As it turns out, bassist Moa is feeling a little left out – queue the intro to absolute ripper jealousy, jealousy.
The crowd is well and truly warmed up at this point, which makes it the perfect time for a couple of acoustic songs with guitarist Daisy to mellow out the set. Talking to the audience about her inspirations for songs, we’re given the rundown on how happier came about, before Olivia gives us a stripped back version, along with favorite crime. The dancers are back in time for the energy to ramp back up for deja vu and the grudge, before Olivia has a quick costume change into her red jumpsuit for a fiery performance of brutal. The crowds couldn’t get enough of her raw performance, which was taken to a new level with obsessed, which saw Olivia playing up with an under-stage camera for some seriously fun angles and theatrics.
Finishing off the main set was all-american birch, which increased the audience’s screams at least 120% louder. Walking off with a ‘good night Melbourne, I fucking love you!’, the stadium thundered with the sound of clapping, screaming and chants. Returning for her encore, Olivia took a moment to take in her adoring fans, before the opening riffs of good for you rang through the crowd, and started off a frenzy. Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better, crowd-pleaser get him back! came to its climax with a shower of confetti, all while the fans yelled back every word.
While it may have felt like only yesterday since Olivia Rodrigo’s first album came out, her Guts World Tour feels like she’s been around much longer. Her ability to switch seamlessly between high-energy anthems to intimate, raw songwriting has resonated with so many – it’s so clear to see why she has quickly risen to the top. As Olivia wrapped up the night with a heartfelt goodbye, it was clear that the artist, along with her fans, had the time of their lives. We’re sure we’ll see Olivia back on our shores in no time.