Review by David French
Tina Arena’s latest “Reset” tour is by all accounts quite a risk for the singer. She decided to finance it herself and with it take greater control, providing the vision and co-creating the whole tour from the ground up. This was well worth the gamble taken given the overwhelming reaction from the audience that filled the Brisbane Convention Centre on Sunday night.
From the first note of the dramatic opening you could sense the artistic freedom and the packed audience made up of all ages, shapes and sizes were truly ready to embrace Ms. Arena and have fun.
Kicking off with “Let Me In” from the new platinum album “Reset” Arena, dressed in a classy black one piece, made it clear that this was her show. The 5 piece band, also all in black, moved through a variety of songs from her career catalogue including “Soul mate No.9” which provided the first of many clap along moments and generous applause for the might of Arena’s stunning upper register.
A greatest hits package unravelled including “Dare You To Be Happy” and “Sorrento Moon” backed by an impressive light and screen displaying the Italian countryside. Arena as always generous with her backing band including Paul Grey on keyboards and vocals, shared a wonderful affinity with them and it was evident the band were having just as much fun.
Mid concert included a number of songs again from “Reset” all received with generous appreciation from the crowd and returned by Arena who made comment on how thankful she was for the success of the new album.
A short break included a projection of some of Nelson Mandela’s famous words set to a backdrop of some of the worlds great figures including Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King and Mandela himself. Returning to the stage, Arena in a stunning silver dress minus shoes of course, noting that she didn’t have enough time to change. Her relaxed and intimate approach adding to the feel that the audience were indeed almost guests in her home.
From here the concert gathered momentum as she worked through some of her best-known hits including a sit down duet with her female backing singer on “Burn”, truly one of the night’s great highlights. “Symphony Of Life” brought the house down and “Heaven Help My Heart” commanded a standing ovation and a chant of “Tina, Tina” before the band took shape for the encore.
Returning once again to the stage, this time in a knockout strapless red dress came the moment the crowd was eagerly awaiting, her huge international hit “Chains”. Delivered with absolute vocal perfection the song ageless and passionate as ever brought universal excitement and adulation from the now jumping crowd.
The big surprise of the night was “I Need Your Body” from her adult debut, reworked and re-energised. A huge 80’s inspired back display with disco lights had the entire audience dancing in the aisles. Her final number “You set fire to my life” ended the night where it started, with the crowd’s thunderous applause.
There was a last thank you for the audience’s support over the years and Ms. Arena then left the stage, white towel draped across to keep those perfect vocals warm for the next show. It was wonderful to witness a performer comfortable with her legacy, excited by her new artistic freedom and truly thankful for her loyal fans. Bravo!
Artist: Tina Arena
Brisbane Convention Centre
August 24, 2014
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