Words by Patrick Staveley and Matilda Elliott.

Photo credit: John Wilkes.

Futuremag Music was lucky enough to be able to catch two of Carly Rae Jepsen’s shows on her recent down under tour. Patrick and Matilda both shared their unique takes on the shows:

Carly Rae Jepsen | Enmore Theatre | Sydney | March 8 | Reviewed by Patrick Staveley

One song may follow her for the rest of her life, however by no means should it define Carly Rae Jepsen’s career. Just ask the packed out crowds that filled the Enmore Theatre two nights in a row to see her. Her colourful, bubbly and energetic set filled with 23 songs, blows the mind as to how she continues to fly under the radar.

I won’t lie. This reviewer knows Carly Rae Jepsen from her Call Me Maybe fame, but the memory of that song has long gone after this gig. Yes, it was belted out euphorically by myself and the rest of the crowd. Yes, it was surreal and enjoyable. However, it wasn’t the song that stayed with me at the end of the show, not by a long shot. I Didn’t Just Come Here to Dance - after hearing that for the first time live, is a pleasant new earworm, while I Really Like You has always been arguably more catchy than Call Me Maybe.

Memphis LK warmed the crowd up invitingly, however the moment Jepsen emerged on stage, the crowd erupted. Jumping into Surrender My Heart, the diverse crowd was captivated, not just singing - but roaring every word back while watching her adoringly. Jepsen performed nine songs off her latest album The Loneliest Time.

Talking to Yourself exploded with some attitude while the encore opener Go Find Yourself or Whatever, was gorgeously wistful. However, it was a shame the funky track Sideways missed the cut. As the set progressed, I couldn’t find any songs that were in the set for ‘filler.’ These are genuinely good pop tunes. From singing about heartbreak, finding love, finding yourself - these are songs that aren’t only relatable in one way or another - but they’re songs that get the crowd singing and moving with ease. It’s baffling that the Canadian singer has somewhat fallen out of the spotlight on the pop music scene in recent years, not that it seems to have any effect on her or her infectious personality. Her work ethic has been evident with three albums released in the last four years to take her tally to six full-length records released so far. Four of these albums have also climbed inside the top 20 of the US Billboard 200 record charts. Surprisingly however, she hasn’t hit the Top 40 with a single since 2015. Regardless of where she may be viewed on the world stage, one thing’s for sure, she’s not losing any fans any time soon and shows like this one will continue to be a thing of regularity.

Carly Rae Jepsen | Enmore Theatre | Sydney | March 7 | Reviewed by Matilda Elliott

Carly Rae Jepsen took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions (pun not intended!) on her second ever headline show in Sydney/Gadigal. Though the pop royalty released the iconic track Call Me Maybe, back when I was a dorky kid in Year 8 discovering my own taste in music, I have always had an ever growing soft place in my heart for Ms. CRJ. 

On Halloween night back in 2022, I was invited by someone I had been seeing casually for a couple of months to go with her to a Carly Ray Jepsen gig in March. She told me that she had booked two tickets on the side wing of the upstairs area of the Enmore Theatre. All I could think to blurt back was “I…I think we could make good side chicks for Carly.” In a voice much higher than my usual low resonance. Flash forward a few months and I am now in a relationship with the aforementioned lady attending the Carly concert as one of the side chicks. 

Sauntering into an already buzzing theatre, we were met with the electro-pop producer Memphis LK, who dominated the stage armed with only herself, a mic, and a DJ deck. I am a firm believer in the power of a performer’s projection to illuminate a crowd. The ability to create such buzz is a feat. Memphis LK used herself as a beacon of joy and energy to the thousands in the Enmore as she jumped up and down while she sang almost as though the floor was not hard wood, but a trampoline. The daughter of Paul Kelly created some electrifying mixes that made me feel as though I was being transported to see The Prodigy when I blinked, but I had to ensure I was keeping my eyes open to ensure I did not miss a beat. The crowd roared and ate out of the producer’s hand as Memphis LK whipped out a Soprano Saxophone and belted out a futuristic jazzy tune that would leave Lisa Simpson screaming, crying and throwing up in jealousy. Wrapping up her set, Memphis LK jumped into her newest release Too Much Fun, which has been bouncing around my head for over 24 hours now, it’s an ear worm in the best possible way.  

After some pop music projected itself from the Enmore’s speakers and into the crowd, we are now jittering in anticipation for the main act of the night, Canadian National treasure Carly Rae Jepsen. CRJ decided to not leave us waiting for long as she strutted onto the strange in a stunningly camp sequin gown that would rival a beautiful sea siren. Carly revealed herself last after shining the light on her incredible backup singers and band one by one as she sang her ballad Surrender my Heart, followed on by the equally grabbing Joshua Tree.

Moving a little down the setlist, Carly played one of my all time personal faves from her catalog, the chimful and sultry track, Julien, which she dedicated to the audience in a sweet, yet hilarious announcement to the crowd that “Julien turned out to be a bit of a dick.” From Julien, we are transported again to the relatable and striking yet so catching Talking to Yourself, which she then decided would be a more appropriate dedication to Julien. 

I wish I could tell you, dear reader, that I didn’t cry at the Carly Rae Jepson concert like I was experiencing a well of yearning that only the orchestral rendition of Presto movement from the "Summer" section of Vivialdi's The Four Seasons could muster (IYKYK), but CRJ got me good with her track Bends, which she describes as a “deeply personal” song that she is sharing with us. “Blue eyes, we are the sensitive ones,” Carly carefully notes, with an unbridled effort to do her loved and lost ones well as I try my best not to weep my blue eyeliner off of my blue eyes, whilst proving her statement absolutely true in a completely different context. 

After this, the expansive range of feelings continued as Carly kept her heart on her sleeve and her beautiful smile set onto the audience. Carly belted out her well known and much loved classics including Call Me Maybe, I Really Like You and I Didn’t Just Come Here to Dance which sent the tight knit crowd into overdrive. Carly’s ethereal The Loneliest Time, made me stare directly into my lady friend’s deep brown eyes singing but also asking myself, “Is this nirvana?” in a country-eque twang whilst forgetting about every other problem, worry or misgiving that is going on in my life. I was completely embedded in the moment, it felt like a massive mindful meditation. 

Coming out with a stellar encore, Carly belted out her Cut to the Feeling, in which she was handed two equally mighty weapons - a Minecraft sword, and a rainbow lightsaber - CRJ implored her audience to become her family, as she allowed us to be privy to the highs and lows of life all whilst ensuring a steady groove and jive served as accompaniment to a set that was oh so nice!