Live Review: Lily Allen, Allday

Melbourne rapper Allday opens with a selection of songs such as the danceable You Always Know The DJ from his debut album Startup Cult, which ably demonstrates his catchy rhymes and hooks.

Floating baby milk bottles light up the stage with neon colours while lullaby music tinkles before the bass drops and Sheezus plays. Lily Allen appears on stage with a group of back-up dancers and introduces this playful title track from her comeback album after a five-year hiatus. The self-proclaimed female Kanye opens with the line, “Been here before, so I’m prepared,” which suggests Allen’s ready to return to music after settling down and having two kids. Known for speaking her mind and not caring what others think, Allen is no stranger to controversial lyrics and her recent lead single Hard Out Here is no exception. Allen looks fitter than ever in a one-piece silver spacesuit. She shakes her thing, joining in with her back-up dancers (who wear dog masks) to perform a choreographed routine – a fitting touch for this tongue-in-cheek number. Accordion and syncopated clapping kick in with a country feel for Allen’s latest single As Long As I Got You, which is a fun and catchy dedication to her husband and their relationship.

Allen’s connection with her audience is impressive and her songs are relatable, honest stories about life experiences. She explains the autobiographical I Could Say is about relationship break-ups and the resulting liberation as she casually videos the audience with her smartphone and uploads it to Instagram. Life For Me is a nostalgic and lively reflection of how her life has changed since she took a break from music and Allen explains she “couldn’t be happier”.

Saying that she felt unwell earlier this morning, Allen apologises for not quite hitting the notes. The audience tries to give her new life as they continue to cheer and sing along to the uplifting, feelgood anthem Our Time. A heartwarming cover of Somewhere Only We Know (by her favourite band Keane) is a slow and sensitive number that shows off Allen’s upper register. She then continues straight into the unapologetic Fuck You while encouraging us to raise our middle fingers high up in the air.

Allen’s encore comprises The Fear then a recent, upbeat dance track (and unofficial World Cup anthem) Bass Like Home that sees the crowd stomping and shouting. A dedication to all the ladies in the room comes in the form of Allen’s final song Not Fair.