Not since the great gold/blue dress saga of 2015 has something torn society in half as much as Sia‘s first Nostalgic For The Present concert in Australia.
The paperbag popstar took the stage at Melbourne’s AAMI Park last night to perform her first gig on home turf in six long years (as part of her current Aussie tour), but it didn’t have everyone swinging from the chandelier.
According to News Corp, Sia “stood at the back of the stage for the show with her trademark wig covering her face and only spoke at the very end”.
And while some fans dubbed it a “unique and captivating” performance in keeping with the reclusive pop kween’s anti-fame approach and visuals, others were left bamboozled and angry, wondering if Sia was even there at all:
https://twitter.com/Rebeccahrogers/status/936189171491733510
@Sia can you confirm you were actually in Melbourne tonight? pic.twitter.com/CbqbNwRtNs
— E ? ?? ? (@Otts3000) November 30, 2017
Sat thru 3hrs of support acts for 75min show. Artist stood in same spot all show, no audience interaction, relied entirely on backing-track (no live band) & pre-record video. Boring & pretentious
Was @Sia even there or have we been had?@ChuggEnt Want my $140 back#siamelbourne— Dave Lee (@daveleedwnundr) November 30, 2017
One of the worst concert I have ever been to.
— Vijay Farley-Naiker (@vijay_naiker) November 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Rebeccahrogers/status/936196583082754048
Promoter Michael Chugg has responded to the criticism via News Corp, assuring fans that “Sia was definitely on stage in Melbourne”.
“She’s always covered her face to perform, at Coachella and all the American concerts, that’s how it is. That’s part of her whole thing. I saw 26,000 kids going apeshit, what can I say?” he says, adding that Sia hasn’t talked between songs in any of the shows on her world tour and always performs without a live band.
Others have questioned whether a stadium like AAMI Park was merely the wrong venue for a performer like Sia.
@sia has an amazing, strong consistent voice – she can sing! Her song writing is prolific and profound with many ‘classics’ that will endure time. But she is not a large live venue entertainer #siamelbourne . Maybe at the Forum the show would work – not a stadium show pic.twitter.com/vEgjx7bKAc
— Janet (@Janet964394231) November 30, 2017
Meanwhile, Sia’s mini-me and dance protege Maddie Ziegler also hit the stage last night, providing her trademark interpretive dance routine. But even that seemed to have fans divided:
@Sia in Melbourne last night was the biggest disappointment of my life. We paid $189 for our tickets to watch a little girl dance
— dani smell ⚓ (@dani_alyce) November 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/kiwigirl_lisa/status/936353280799555584
Despite the flak, many Sia diehards who attended the concert thought it was The Greatest.
What can I say @sia provided us with a unique and captivating concert. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I will say I was probably a little too into watching @maddieziegler thanks to my dance moms addiction but oh well…#sia #DanceMoms #addiction #melbourne #aamipark
— Ruth Elizabeth (@RuthieLizBeth) November 30, 2017
Sia concert in Melbourne was awesome!!! It was like the zombie apocalypse walking home with almost 27000 people and the majority of them being completely pissed. Amazing experience and Maddie Ziegler stole the show. Absolutely talented!
— tahlia trueman (@TahliaTrueman) November 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/maxfurlerr/status/936372196511047680
The Australian leg of Sia’s tour will wrap up in Sydney tonight, with support from Charli XCX, Danish artist MØ and Australia’s own Amy Shark.
The Adelaide-bred popstar previously kicked up a bit of controversy, leaving fans pissed about her “arrogant” two-show tour announcement, which didn’t include a stop in her hometown.
Catch footage of Sia performing live in Melbourne below.
Epic night watching one of the best in the business! @Sia #SiaMelbourne pic.twitter.com/slX4B9kVx8
— Stella (@HausOfSP) November 30, 2017
