Lizzy McAlpine's Captivating Performance at Margaret Court Arena

Photo Credit: Jess Gleeson

Lizzy McAlpine mesmerised a packed Margaret Court Arena this week, delivering an unforgettable performance.

Walking into the venue, there was an overwhelming sense of calm that I had never experienced before. Usually, events like this are a bit more hectic, with fans screaming, wearing costumes related to the artist’s music or having a support act beforehand. However, this was different. 

If you’re a fan of the musician, it is known that McAlpine hasn’t quite taken the rock-star presence that is associated with many people in music. With this, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this show. 

The stage design was curated perfectly. The living-room-like stage, allowed the arena to feel like they were sitting down and experiencing a one-on-one performance from the singer herself (I couldn’t help but think of it as a larger-scale Tiny Desk concert). From that moment, I understood that this evening was going to be purely about the lyrics and the music. 

The moment McAlpine took the stage, her presence was captivating. Clad in a simple yet elegant ensemble that mirrored her unassuming demeanour. Without crazy lights or choreography, her voice alone proved to be strong enough to captivate the audience for the evening. Her band which supported McAlpine throughout the evening delivered incredible harmonies and acoustics that I hadn’t heard before, everyone was mesmerised.

McAlpine has quite the discography, spanning across three albums and multiple EPs. However, the setlist predominantly consisted of tracks from her recent release “Older”. Despite being quite an incredible album, it was clear that fans were eager to hear more from previous albums as well. When “doomsday”, “Nothing/Sad ‘N Stuff” and “ceilings” was performed, everyone sang along with more passion than other tracks.

Even though everyone was seated in awe of the performance in front of them, some funny and intimate moments showed another side to Lizzy. At the beginning of the set, McAlpine found herself coughing profusely and fans laughed along with the singer as she got stuck in the middle of songs. Another key moment was when the singer would forget lyrics and fans sang louder to help her get back on track. Some people would say that the performance was “flawed” or “unprofessional” but it was the perfect evening for everyone together in one room to appreciate the same thing, music, no matter how it presented itself. 

McAlpine would also engage with the audience warmly and genuinely, sharing anecdotes and personal reflections between songs. This connection added an intimate touch to the performance, making each song feel like a shared experience between artist and listener.

Overall, Lizzy McAlpine's performance articulated her artistry perfectly, creating a profound musical experience.