Christine and the Queens at the Forum, Melbourne
It isn’t often that Tuesdays are interesting. However, Christine and the Queens have now set a new standard for early-weeknight gigs. The MEL Live team headed down to the Forum Theatre in anticipation to see the French sensation, and her latest album Chris. With expectations high, the night left us amazed at the raw talent of Héloïse Letissier and her back catalogue from her two successful albums.
Opening the set was a gaggle of backup dancers, huddled around in packs. The audience is confused at first as to why there is a mass of people whispering loudly on stage. That confusion is swept aside as Chris herself practically levitates onto the stage, launching into Comme si and following up with Girlfriend, much to the delight of screaming fans.
On stage, Christine and the Queens translates loud and clear – this is a show for everyone. Chris and band switch seamlessly from ballad to 80’s synth-pop tracks, giving everyone what they came for. The audience is treated to Paradis Perdus, a mash-up of fellow French artist Christophe’s track of the same name, and Kanye West’s Heartless. With a single spotlight shining down on her, the song is easily one of our highlights.
Belting out hit after hit, tracks such as 5 dols, Saint Claude and Doesn’t Matter go off without a hitch, and the Forum is transformed into a dance party. In between songs, Letissier is cool, calm and collected, not to mention hilarious. Her words resound with the audience, encouraging everyone to embrace the weird, and to be happy in their own skin. There is an overall feeling of love throughout the theatre – one that continues throughout the entire set.
We can’t say we’ve seen many acts with such a powerful stage presence, but now strongly believe that everyone should have the self confidence and entourage of talented performers that appeared on stage. While most of Chris’ tracks are in fact in French, and not everyone in the audience knows the language, there are no language barriers at this concert. What isn’t conveyed by the back up dancers is filled in by the emotions from Chris and her storytelling; the stage her paper, and the dancers her words.
In all the years we’ve been attending shows, this one in particular felt important. The crowd, diverse and immersed, were in a constant frenzy of emotions – ready to party and ready to be loved. Christine and the Queens created a safe space for music lovers to unite, embrace and to be themselves. The night, a celebration to let your freak flag fly and to stand out.
The show’s overall message, if you take anything away, is the importance of being unapologetically who you are meant to be. This is a show we will never forget.
We look forward to their imminent return.