Easter weekend, 2026.
The pre-show playlist was blasting Kylie, I suppose because Kevin is Australian. Kevin is a Koala. A high proportion of the crowd was wearing fluffy bear ears. I was back in The Queen Elizabeth Hall, this time in the audience. My 4-year old was busy reminiscing. This is the exact same door we came in for your concert. And this is exactly where you sold your CDs. Of course he remembers the CDs. After falling asleep backstage in the 2nd half he woke up just in time to help man the merch desk before running gleefully around the foyer handing programmes to strangers. He was hungover for the rest of the week, but it was worth it. An opportunity for him to finally see what all the fuss was about these past two years. And to sing along to Big Yellow Taxi.
I asked him if it felt funny to be back in the same place again. This is completely different mama. Yours was a singing show and this is the theatre. Yours went completely dark and then there were just millions of blue lights. This is for children. I agreed it’s remarkable, how the same space can feel so totally different, even before the performance begins. A little stage set, a little lighting, The Loco-Motion. Though there were certainly similarities once the action began. Three-part harmonies, special guests, audience participation, earnest undertones. I do hope Jesca, Kate and I can return to Southbank’s magnificent hall for International Women’s Day next year. Same time, same place. The Songs Of Kylie Minogue.
Not unlike The Koala Who Could, daring to try new things for the first time, here’s a clip of me singing For Free from Ladies Of The Canyon, a new addition to the set list, with Richard Sears on piano and a little name drop to boot:
If you haven’t yet managed to catch the show (lots coming up & more to be announced soon) you can now watch the beautiful film of our Paris concert on Europe’s finest public service culture channel: ARTE TV.
And keep an eye out for the latest edition of Mojo magazine when it hits the shelves in a couple of weeks…
Meanwhile, this month is 10 years since my album The Onion came out. Not sure how that happened. You can refresh your memories here. And wish me luck as I begin to record a long overdue solo record about which I’ll tell you more soon...
Ok. Need to go set up an egg hunt for some hungry koalas.
Happy Easter!
Lail x
I will never forget 4 year old you in the very same Queen Elizabeth Hall falling asleep on the floor between the aisles while Beethoven 135 Quartet was performed on stage..