Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert Photo Recap

Although the festivities for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras kicked off over a week ago (Friday, February 17), the Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert was officially the start of the ticketed events scheduled for the global party Down Under! And I’m sure that hundreds of people are still talking about the grand performances, including Australia’s own Kylie Minogue performing a string of her hits.

Casey Donovan and Courtney Act, the event’s hosts, also got in on the act with their own performances. Act schooled the crowd and viewers watching the live broadcast with a Broadway musical-style performance to explain the community’s growing acronym – LGBTQIA+, while Donovan paid homage to the 78ers, participants in 1978 protests, marches, and the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on June 24, 1978. It was a heart-wrenching performance and there was not a dry eye after her performance. 

The Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert also included Drag Queen Nana Miss Koori who honored First Nations elders and the indigenous land where the concert was held. Aboriginal Australian soprano opera singer and actor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon also gave the crowd a riveting performance saluting Australia’s indigenous community. 

Darwin singer Jessica Mauboy took to the stage before Charlie XCX sang a few of her hits, including “Boys” and the crowd-pleasing “I Love It.”  When Pop Princess Kylie Minogue entered the spotlight on stage, the crowd was electric with excitement singing a few popular tunes, such as “Slow Love to Love You Baby,” “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” and ending her headlining set with her sister and surprise guest, Dannii Minogue, who joined in to sing “Lovers.” And if their performances weren’t enough, the sky lit up with a cool drone show, and the concert ended with a colorful fireworks display as the ladies and the performers returned to the stage to enjoy the end of a magical night.   

Check out these photos that capture some of the highlights from the Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert!