AO LIVE: In Review

When the Australian Open rolls around, it’s not just tennis that takes centre stage. AO Live has firmly cemented itself as a must-see music experience, bringing together some of the biggest names in live music. This year, the lineup delivered in every possible way, and we had the opportunity to check out Spacey Jane and Reneé Rapp lighting up John Cain Arena on separate nights. Each bringing their own brand of chaos and crowd-wide euphoria.

Photographs by Sara Regan

NIGHT 1 - SPACEY JANE

When you have tickets to a Spacey Jane gig, you just know you’re going to be walking out absolutely buzzing. From the moment I stepped into John Cain Arena, the energy was electric. Whether you were there for the tennis or the tunes, everyone felt primed for what was about to unfold.

There’s something incredibly heartwarming about watching your favourite Aussie band, one that once packed out the Forum, now filling John Cain Arena. And the crowd felt it too. The second Caleb, Ashton, Peppa and Kieran hit the stage, the roar was deafening. They kicked things off at full throttle with ‘Through My Teeth’ and ‘All The Noise’, setting the tone for a night no one wanted to slow down. That same energy radiated back from the stage, with Caleb, Ashton and Peppa running, dancing and owning every inch of it. True performers in every sense.

Just when it seemed like the night couldn’t get any better, Spacey Jane rolled out a setlist that was nothing short of chef’s kiss. A career-spanning run of favourites, no easy feat when every song feels like a hit, meant no one was left disappointed. From ‘One Bad Day’ to the beloved classics ‘Lunchtime’ and ‘Skin’, every moment landed. Safe to say, Spacey Jane delivered yet again, and everyone in that room will be chasing the high of a Spacey Jane set for a long time to come.

NIGHT 3 - RENEÉ RAPP

Reneé Rapp is a force of nature, and the moment she announced her long-awaited return to Australia, pop girlies everywhere collectively lost their minds. The wait was finally over. And to have her perform at the Australian Open, in the middle of summer, felt like the ultimate cherry on top.

From the moment we arrived, the energy was already through the roof. The women’s finals were just about to begin, and fans had been lining up from the early hours of the morning, wrapping around the arena for a chance to get as close as possible to their beloved pop star. What no one was expecting, though, was the perfect opener: iconic Sydney pop duo Cat & Calmell.

If you were obsessed with the brat era and love badass energy, then Cat & Calmell are absolutely your cup of tea. The duo took control of the stage with effortless confidence, tearing through a mix of old favourites and newer hits like ‘Rot’ and ‘Pop Music’. The undeniable highlight of their set, however, was their iconic Triple J Like A Version cover of ‘4ever’ by The Veronicas. The entire arena was on its feet. Dancing, screaming and soaking it all in. For a moment, it genuinely felt like they were the headliners; the crowd’s reaction was that good.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. Reneé Rapp burst onto the stage, opening with the perfectly chosen ‘Leave Me Alone’. From the very first note, the crowd screamed every lyric straight back at her, making it abundantly clear that Reneé had officially claimed her title as an honorary Australian..

Long-time fans will know that Reneé’s talent runs are nothing but extraordinary. Especially her vocal ability where at times, it felt like I was holding my breath watching her sustain notes with such power and control.

The set was packed with standouts from her most recent album BITE ME, including ‘Shy’, ‘Mad’, ‘Kiss It Kiss It’ and, of course, ‘I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone’. Fans did not miss a beat when it came to screaming the now-infamous TikTok viral line “Across the f*cking country,” a moment that felt weirdly communal and therapeutic.

One of the most special moments of the night came when Reneé dipped back into her debut album, treating us to breakout hits ‘In The Kitchen’ and ‘Snow Angel’. For the OG Reneé stans, it felt like a long-overdue surprise. Despite her fierce confidence and commanding stage presence, seeing that softer, more vulnerable side of Reneé shine through during these songs was genuinely beautiful.

To close out the night, Reneé delivered ‘At Least I’m Hot’. The ultimate confidence anthem. It was the perfect send-off, leaving the crowd feeling empowered, seen and walking out absolutely oozing with self-love.

Overall, Spacey Jane and Reneé Rapp were just two of the many incredible headliners that made AO Live such a standout experience. Massive thanks to Untitled Group for having us and we cannot wait until next year!