Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed in Hamilton last week. Photo / Levi Santana
Sophie Ellis-Bextor christened BNZ Theatre’s dancefloor last Tuesday, with a fun and polished show – but the question ahead of her concert was whether the Tron was ready, or about to commit Murder on the Dancefloor.
I can confirm the city was ready, welcoming Ellis-Bextor with dazzling outfits and diverse dance moves.
Her performance in Hamilton marked many firsts: it was Ellis-Bextor’s first headlining tour in New Zealand, her first show in Hamilton, and the first event at BNZ Theatre with a dance floor.
Opening the night was New Zealand artist Ella Monnery, performing her first-ever support set for another artist.
She was joined by DJ Kings, her boyfriend, and came across as genuine, bubbly and immediately likeable, with a strong voice that connected quickly with the crowd.
Monnery’s set consisted of several covers, including a Chaka Khan song and I Love the Nightlife by Alicia Bridges, which helped draw the audience in early.
Overall, Monnery did a solid job of setting the tone for the night and hyping up the crowd for Ellis-Bextor.
By the time Ellis-Bextor took the stage at 9pm, the dance floor was full, glow sticks and sequins sparkled throughout the crowd and it quickly became clear the audience had come for a bit more than nostalgia and old hits - they came for a big Tuesday night in the Tron.
Ellis-Bextor made an effort to connect with the local crowd early, talking about a visit to Hobbiton earlier that day.
She also shared a few fun facts she had picked up about Hamilton – like the slogan “Hamilton Where It’s Happening”, used as the city’s catchphrase several years ago.
And Ellis-Bextor was definitely on a mission to make Hamilton “happen” again!
Her voice was incredible all night – flawless and powerful. She was more than a performer; she was an entertainer.
Her engagement with the crowd, her genuine warmth, and her stage presence made the audience feel at ease and connected.
Her set was crafted from her eight studio albums, including her latest release, Perimenopop.
Original tracks like Hypnotized, Music Gets the Best of Me, Get Over You, Take Me Home and Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), the latter she famously made with DJ Spiller, sat comfortably alongside covers like Lady (Hear Me Tonight) and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).
The cool thing about her set was that, even when Ellis-Bextor performed songs the audience might not have known, her signature sound tied everything together, making both the hits and the deeper cuts feel equally compelling.
It was like hearing different shades her: familiar, polished, and impossible to be disappointed in.
Ellis-Bextor was backed by a talented band featuring drums, bass, guitar, keys, and a multi-instrumentalist handling keys, violin, vocals and percussion.
She mentioned that several band members had only just arrived from the UK and the US and were dealing with jetlag, but this wasn’t noticeable to the audience, as they played with consistency and energy throughout the show.
Lighting and visuals were bright and playful.
The screen backdrop displayed music-video-style visuals and a Jeopardy game-style song generator that involved the crowd.
Ellis-Bextor performed in two dazzling sequined costumes that reflected her energy and showmanship.
The first outfit was a sparkling surprise two-piece ensemble, including a purple coat that she later removed to reveal a short, glittering black dress.
The second outfit was a sequin leotard with big, flowing tassels and a laser-like headpiece that added a fun, futuristic touch.
She saved her famous Murder on the Dancefloor for the final song, releasing the crowd into the night on a high note.
I’ve always respected Ellis-Bextor as a musician and had heard Murder on the Dancefloor many times on the radio, but she wasn’t an artist I actively followed.
Having seen her live for the first time, getting to know her personality and seeing the way she cares about her craft and her audience, I couldn’t help but admire her talent and charisma.
More so, it converted me to a fan and I’d see her again in a heartbeat.
Blair Dowling is the Hits Waikato 10-3 day show host. He is also a long-time musician and the drummer of local band Jesse and the O’Briens.