Inside Kylie Minogue’s epic Tension Tour as she kicks off sold out UK shows in skintight blue latex
KYLIE MINOGUE is once again on top of the world – even if she can’t quite believe it.
The pop icon this week kicked off the first of four huge nights at London’s 20,000 capacity O2 Arena, and admitted to Bizarre the tour almost didn’t happen.
Speaking backstage after her opening night, Kylie said: “It’s been a lot of work and we almost didn’t get there, but it’s great.”
She’s right. It’s been just over two years since she released Padam Padam — a track which has revived her career to levels reminiscent of 2001 megahit Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
Not that she was struggling, because all her new studio albums since 2010’s Aphrodite have hit No1 or No2 in the UK charts.
But Padam and its accompanying Tension album allowed Kylie to finally crack America and was playlisted on Radio 1, despite the station’s infamous reputation for snubbing women over 30.
READ MORE ON KYLIE MINOGUE
‘Mystical time’
Kicking things off in style at the O2, the On A Night Like This singer descended from the heavens, head to toe in blue latex, to her latest single, aptly titled Lights Camera Action.
From then on, it was a non-stop journey though hit after hit, with not a single rest.
It’s hard to forget just how many top tracks Kylie has had — with 35 UK Top Ten singles and seven No1s to her name. And, as she turns 57 today, she has no plans to slow down.
Kylie said of performing: “My love for doing this only grows and grows.
Most read in Bizarre
“Thank you for understanding and being there for me on my journey. For me, it began in a mystical time known as the Eighties.”
Tension is Kylie’s 16th headline tour and her first global trek since 2018’s Golden. She played 33 gigs then, but this time that has more than doubled to 69.
She is in the middle of a run of 14 UK arena shows, but agreed to meet Bizarre’s Jack backstage following one of her four O2 concerts.
When she emerges smiling from her dressing room, she is proudly sporting her Tension Tour merch. It’s a world away from the latex look she wore to launch her two-hour set.
“Did it look OK? It was the first time I wore that one,” she quickly asks.
‘Worth the wait’
It goes without saying that she looks amazing, although I remark on how it must be a seriously hot outfit to wear in a packed arena.
But is Kylie ever tempted to watch her performances back online?
She replied: “I don’t watch it on YouTube, but I do see it on socials and that way, sometimes with a phone, the angle is weird or the colours are off, but it gives you another perspective.”
When I flag to her that currently, every one of her UK shows has received five-star reviews, she beams in amazement — clearly pinching herself that she is once again in her prime.
She said: “On tour, it’s like you’re in a time zone where you lose track of time.
“This time tomorrow, half of the O2 shows will be done.”
Reflecting on Monday evening’s opener, she said: “Tonight was amazing, it was huge.
“Sometimes, that can play with my ears if it’s so loud, but it was amazing.”
Speaking on stage, Kylie told exhilarated fans: “You know I try to prepare myself, but I never can. This is insane.
“Thank you so much to each and every one of you for coming out tonight.”
The star’s run of shows at The O2 have made her the first female artist to join the venue’s 21 Club, which honours acts who have played the arena 21 times or more.
Only a handful have ever achieved the feat.
The late pop legend Prince became the very first to celebrate the honour when he played a residency there in 2007.
Read More on The Sun
Others featured in a backstage hall of fame — which Kylie will be added to once her London shows end next month — include Take That and Drake.
It may be seven years since her last arena tour, but it was certainly worth the wait.
BIRTHDAY BASH FOR BUBBLY STAR
THE Word Is Out – Kylie turns 57 today and plans to celebrate her big day in style.
We can reveal the Spinning Around singer will host a VIP bash in West London this evening. It will be a proper, old-fashioned knees-up, with bottles of her own brand of wine on ice.
But it won’t be no work and all play for the Aussie star, as she has invited some of the biggest names in the booze business to schmooze them with her fancy fizz.
This summer, Kylie Minogue Wines celebrates its fifth anniversary, with the star releasing a limited edition floral bottle to mark the occasion.
Since she launched her vinos – which include a Prosecco and alcohol-free options – the star has sold more than 20million bottles.
And we have to admit that a fair few of those were snapped up by us on Bizarre.
Earlier this year, we revealed Kylie had agreed to roll out her plonk across swanky members club chain Soho House.
And after tonight’s hobnobbing, we’ve no doubt she will be raising a glass to a few more deals . . .