Live Review: OneRepublic, Thandi Phoenix

The Forum is packed for tonight’s sold-out show and fans are still queuing up around the block waiting to get in as Thandi Phoenix kicks off. Her infectious, upbeat energy gets us moving as she delivers a confident and dynamic performance with everything from piano ballads to electronic dancefloor anthems. 

Phoenix does things her way and motivates us to do the same - “In this life, the most important thing to do is to follow happiness and live by your true authentic self.” We’re lucky enough to hear some new songs from her forthcoming release, expected next week, which are sure to be instant hits. She turns up the heat and asks all the women to embrace their inner queen for her recent release Cleopatra.

Thandi Phoenix @ The Forum. Photo by Rick Clifford.

OneRepublic arrive and lead singer Ryan Tedder stands centre stage with his guitar in hand. Stop And Stare is the perfect track to begin and sums up exactly how the awed audience behaves. Their star quality is undeniable and they make a huge first impression with an explosive surge of energy. Tedder’s stage presence is astounding, and his vocal rasps and falsetto are flawless. 

OneRepublic haven’t played Melbourne in six years so tonight’s one-off show is very special for their fans. “We’ve been gearing up to put new music out and a new world tour in 2020,” shares Tedder, building excitement.

OneRepublic @ The Forum. Photo by Rick Clifford.

OneRepublic also incorporate songs Tedder has written for other artists and his credits are impressive, to say the least. Phoenix returns to the stage as a special guest on Rumour Has It (originally performed by Adele) and more than does it incredible justice with soulful, powerhouse vocals. Tedder accompanies on piano and later gets carried away, jumping on top of it towards the end of Love Runs Out.

Another track which some may not know was co-written by Tedder is Beyonce’s Halo. Phoenix and Tedder share a duet of the iconic ballad, with a few extra harmonies added to the way it was performed at the NRL Grand Final on the weekend. 

OneRepublic are incredibly passionate about their work and the crowd listen attentively to stories Tedder shares about the music that has been a part of our lives through the years. For a bit of fun, they throw in another song Tedder co-wrote and produced, Jonas Brothers' Sucker, the singer admitting it's better suited to the siblings. 

OneRepublic @ The Forum. Photo by Rick Clifford.

After a quick musical lesson about interchangeable chord progressions, OneRepublic share new songs including Rescue Me and Wanted to tease a new album they’re about to release. Alesso collaboration If I Lose Myself explodes with epic drumming and electronic beats, the track building until it blows the roof off. The crowd lose themselves in the moment and Tedder joins them in the mosh pit for a few choruses. He holds up a mirror to reflect the audience shining their phone lights up at the stage and we all join in for a huge singalong on their final track, Something I Need.