Madison Beer

Fortitude Valley Music Hall

28.08.2024

There’s almost no better feeling that turning up at a concert with zero expectations and then having your mind blown. Madison Beer is that good. 

The singer – who clocks a stunning 16 million streams per month on Spotify – debuted her stage show at The Fortitude on Wednesday night. As part of her global ’Encore’ tour, this was Madison’s first ever Australian show. 

The singer has been winning fans and influencing people ever since Justin Bieber shared a clip of her on YouTube singing a cover in 2013. To provide some context, she’s only 25 now. 

The show has all the hallmarks of a classic pop gig from the outset. As anticipation builds, a giant digital clock appears on screen. The audience chime in to do the countdown and Madison kicks off with  ‘Home To Another One’. 

The half moon screen behind the stage is stacked with some of the best visuals you’ll likely to see for an artist playing a venue this size. 

‘Good in Goodbye’ and ‘Sweet Relief’ are next, but the knock out punch is her interpolation of The Turtles with ‘Showed Me (How Me I Fell In Love With You)’. 

The ‘band’ comprises a drummer and a keys player. There are a ton of triggered sounds, but the live context gives the songs a new edge. 

During her opening monologue Beer was visibly taken aback by what she called ‘the loudest crowd’ she’s played to. This was a night for the diehards, with cowboy hats, signs (one souvenired by Beer), cut-out love hearts and group sing-a-longs. 

Beer won more hearts during ’17’ when she threw roses into the front rows. 

The night was a visual feast, with Beer prowling the top tier of the stage all night. There was a customary sit down for an acoustic set, hits saved for the final furlong and … as we’ve said … a video installation that anyone in attendance will not forget for a long time. 

For her first gig on Australian soil, Ms Beer’s show was a freaking triumph. 

Words: Sean Sennett

Photo: Brayden Smith