I remember my first exposure to Dionne Warwick’s music was through my parents and film.
My parents loved having karaoke sessions. Owning a karaoke machine, our home was a very popular place for sing-along gatherings with our neighbours, family and friends. A staple to our karaoke catalogue, Warwick’s songs were always on heavy rotation.
And yes, movies like the Austin Powers film series which poked fun while still championing the 60s, plus romantic comedy flicks like Julia Roberts’ My Best Friend’s Wedding introduced myself and new generations to Warwick’s hits, including the sweet ‘I’ll Never Fall In Love Again’ and the infectiously catchy ‘I Say A Little Prayer’.
Loving her music as a child, I never expected that I’d ever have the opportunity to see the legendary queen herself live in concert, let alone in my own city. However, thanks to MG Live and Frontier Touring for bringing Dionne Warwick down to Australia for her One Last Time tour, I was thoroughly blessed with being in Dionne Warwick’s presence and seeing this superstar in her element, during her sold-out concert at Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall.
Accompanied by Renato “Brasa” on percussion, Jeff Lewis on the drums, Danny DeMorales on the bass, and Andre “Chez” Lewis on the piano who also doubled as music director, Dionne Warwick took to the stage in a gorgeously stylish sparkly purple suit and white top, looking royally fabulous, complimenting her attire by also wearing a beaming smile. The three-tiered Hamer Hall erupted with supportive cheers and a loud applause from the moment that Warwick walked into the room. Equally as warm and kind, she loving greeted her Melbourne audience in return.
Opening with ‘Walk On By’, the eager and attentive Melbourne audience were blissfully bopping their heads and gleefully swaying along to Warwick’s musical magic from the very start. This infectious joy resonated right up to the ceiling and every inch of the iconic Hamer Hall venue. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the venue without joy in their eyes and a smile on their face.
Dionne Warwick was as charming as much as she was sassy. Ever the professional, she consistently captivated the Melbourne crowd, giving love to every section of the venue including the choir seats of Hamer Hall. These seats are not normally sold, but were filled with passionate patrons, filling the venue to the very brim and reminding all that this was a sold out concert in every sense of the word.
Whether Dionne would be reminiscing and sharing funny stories, reminding those calling out that she has the microphone, or displaying her superb vocals and glowing talents that she has artfully cherished and maintained, regardless of time. Dionne Warwick had perfect diction and power as she shined on the Melbourne stage, dazzling the audience with her infectious charisma and reminding all that she was born to be star.
I loved seeing the expressions on music director Andre Lewis’ face whenever Dionne provided cheeky and playful remarks to some members of the crowd. Plus, her quips were always met with roars of laughter. I also enjoyed the unique live music arrangements to Warwick’s music, including one of her most popular numbers ‘I Say A Little Prayer’. Honestly, this song alone inspired many to start dancing in their seats.
Warwick also showcased her stunning vocal prowess, especially during ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’, and ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’. Considering the reflective lyrics of ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’, it is crazy that these words are still ever relevant to the world that we know today.
Dionne also encouraged everyone to sing-along to many of her hits too, with ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’ making for a funny moment of the night, where the songstress instructed the audience to repeat the chorus 3 times. Unfortunately, and hilariously, patrons failed to follow instruction and unintentionally repeated the line 8 times instead. In the end, the legendary singer masterfully reigned it in, turning the supportive Melbourne audience into her own personal choir.
The pinnacle of the concert, however, was when our voices combined to serenade each other during the finale, ‘That’s What Friends Are For’. It was beautiful. I couldn’t help but sing along, smile and even found myself surprisingly shedding a happy tear in both wonder and gratitude to the musical magic we were witnessing and creating in the moment, together.
With Dionne Warwick leading the charge, it was hard not to feel the overflowing love and affection that filled the room. The music queen came to share her wonderful stories and songs with Australian audiences, gifting lucky Melbourne fans with one very unforgettable enchanting evening. In the end, Dionne Warwick was given a Hamer Hall three-tier and well deserved standing ovation, cementing a special moment in Australian music history, and one experience that I will cherish for a lifetime.
Dionne Warwick performed a sold-out concert in Melbourne at Art Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on Thursday the 16th of January as part of her One Last Time tour, proudly presented by MG Live and Frontier Touring. She will head to The Star Events Centre in Sydney on Saturday January 18 before concluding her Australian leg in Canberra on Sunday January 19 at Canberra Theatre. Dionne Warwick will then visit New Zealand to conclude her Oceania tour, playing in Auckland and Christchurch.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://mg.live/dionne-warwick
https://www.frontiertouring.com/dionnewarwick
https://www.officialdionnewarwick.com
https://www.instagram.com/therealdionnew
Photography by Grant Alexander.