Girl in Red Lights Up Melbourne: A Night of Music, Energy, and Die Hard Fans

Photo Credit: Talia Ferguson

The cold and freezing weather didn't stop enthusiastic fans from attending Girl in Red's Melbourne show at Margeret Court Arena. Fans lined up around corners in temperatures as cold as 9 degrees. That is some true dedication if you ask me.

Telenova started their set at around 8 pm. The Australian Alt-Indie Trio with a smooth jazzy rock sound. One thing I will always do is show appreciation and show up for the opening artists. And I think the Girl in Red fans did too. 

They had such a radiant aura. They were beaming with good energy smiling and dancing the stage away. You could tell the joy performing brought them. It was so contagious that by the end of their set, they had the whole crowd dancing and clapping along to songs like "Blue Valentine", "Why do I keep you?" and "Power". I think it's safe to say Telenova won the hearts of the audience.

In between sets, some special mentions were the following:

1. The entire crowd singing the bridge to Chappell Roan's "Good Luck Babe" at the top of their lungs.

2. A BLACKPINK lightstick was spotted in the reserved seating at the back. 

3. All the fans have amazing outfits featuring red, with special mention to the girls with red fairy wings.

4. Seeing people wear pride flags. It was very heart-warming to fans celebrate love for all.

The clock ticked to 9 pm and the lights dimmed. It had been what everyone had been waiting for. The icon herself, Girl in Red. She entered, a silhouette against a red screen. The crowd went wild as she began her set with "Doing it again baby". Followed by a crowd favourite "bad idea". (Which is also a personal favourite of mine).

One fan held a sign that read "I camped 40 hours, can I have a selfie". To which Girl in Red replied. "Camping for 40 hours is insane, I haven't even done that in nature."

Another fan gifted her an "I ♡ Melbourne" t-shirt which was covered in beautiful messages. As a show of appreciation, she didn't hesitate to put on the shirt immediately and wear it for the entirety of her show.

Her candance in her interactions with her fans was reminiscent of a Facetime call with your best friend. She spoke as an equal. There was no facade of an artist and fan dynamic. You could tell how much she appreciated her supporters and showed genuine concern stopping her set multiple times to help people who passed out get the medical attention they need. "We are all great people in this room... this is a safe space."

Marie (Girl in Red) not only is an amazing person but also has a great sense of humour attempting an Australian accent multiple times throughout the show. And not that bad of a one either. I found myself amused by her witty jokes and relatable conversations. Some including:

"Well actually, it's f***ing weird when people say they don't get jealous, I'm like, I wanna be your b*tch, anyways...I do"

"Every time I'm out here and I'm walking out in the streets, I always see people, I think they look really cool and kinda scary. Cool people always look scary, why it be like that?" (As a Melbournian I couldn't agree more).

"You know what they say *Slides fingers down the piano* next song".

Girl in Red can engage the crowd so well from her energetic sets headbanging with the band to fans illuminating the room with lights as she sang on her piano. A sweet moment was when a fan yelled out "I love you" and Marie replied, "I know you do".

She brought the energy back up after her contemporary set, diving into a crowd surf during her song "Seratonin". From there it was party time with songs like "We fell in love in October" and "dead girl in the pool".

Her final song was "I wanna be your girlfriend". The crowd parted like the seas making a walkway down the middle for Girl in Red to join them in a final dance. Everyone jumped along with her as she was one with the crowd.

I was lucky enough to last see Girl in Red at Laneway Festival last year and her comeback for this tour has been absolutely electric. Everything from the unique light design for each song, her amazing band, and the incredible atmosphere all the way through to the artist herself. It was truly a memorable night.