Dancefloor Dynamo: Sophie Ellis-Bextor Sets Qudos Bank Arena Ablaze

On Thursday, November 7, 2024, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena was bursting with energy as Sophie Ellis-Bextor took the stage to support Take That on their This Life On Tour. Returning to the stage with the same headliners she supported over a decade ago, Sophie delivered a performance that was both a nod to nostalgia and a celebration of high-energy fun, proving she’s every bit the dancefloor dynamo.

The stage was set with simple elegance—a large, well-lit setup and a light screen proudly bearing her name. But it wasn’t long before the show took on a playful edge, as Sophie’s band arrived in latex masks of a werewolf, dinosaur, shark, and pigeon, bringing a smile to the audience as they kicked off the opening number, Crying at the Discoteque. They removed the masks after the first song, only to don them again for the finale, a fun touch that bookended the set with lighthearted flair.

Her setlist was a carefully curated blend of fan-favorites, covers, and fresh material. Following Crying at the Discoteque, Sophie launched into Take Me Home before whisking the crowd off to Ibiza with a medley that included Lady (Hear Me Tonight), Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), Can’t Fight This Feeling, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight). Just as the arena hit peak energy, she shifted to her new track, Freedom of the Night, giving fans a taste of her evolving sound.

The energy took on a different tone as Sophie transitioned into her cover of Madonna’s Like a Prayer, transforming the arena into a euphoric, almost church-like experience. From there, she picked up the pace again with Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer), leading into her crowd-pleasing finale, Murder on the Dancefloor, as the band reappeared in their masks. The audience was on their feet, dancing, and fully swept up in the infectious energy.

Throughout her performance, Sophie exuded charisma and joy, stunning in every sense as she worked her way through the high-energy set. Expressing her gratitude for being back with Take That, she told the crowd, “I have one job tonight—to warm you up for Take That,” a task she not only accomplished but absolutely owned. By the end of her set, she had the arena dancing, proving herself every bit worthy of filling the venue in her own right.

Sophie’s show was a thrilling blend of nostalgia and fresh energy, affirming her place as a commanding presence in the live music scene. Her flawless delivery, charismatic stage presence, and infectious dance tracks made for a show fans won’t soon forget!

Thankyou to Sophie, Frontier Touring and the Qudos Bank Arena for having MKA along

Photos & Review by Andy Kershaw ( @andy.kershaw.photography ) for Music Kingdom Australia ( @musickingdomaustralia )