Thank God for Kylie Minogue.

When compared to the recent DVD/cable television extravaganzas mounted by Madonna, Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, the Aussie powerhouse emerges as the clear winner. Madonna looks so deadly serious onstage, the effect is not unlike watching a storm trooper in drag going through rather fey combat moves. Janet is only slightly more animated, and can barely manage to keep her breath as she attempts to sing live to her synchronized dance moves. Britney...well, give the girl time. However, the almost complete lack of live vocals (except on the ballads--where the full extent of her producers' talents are plainly [and painfully] audible) is inexcusable.

Kylie, on the other hand, sings live for her entire, exhilirating, nearly 2 hour show, and sings WELL--it can't be easy to maintain your breath control while bouncing around in six-inch kitten heels, yet the diminuative diva manages to carry it off brilliantly. She also is having FUN onstage, and that sense of joy and carefree exuberance carries over to the audience.

The main strength in the Minogue camp (emphasis on "camp") is Kylie's refusal to take herself, or her stardom, too seriously. Oh, there's no doubting that Kylie is a true, blazing, God-given Star; she has charisma, talent, beauty and charm to spare. But her genuine niceness, not to mention her fondness for keeping her tongue firmly in cheek, are breaths of fresh air when confronted with "serious artists" like Madonna, or assembly-line, mass-market popsters like Britney.

From the 1940's-musical-style opener ("Love Boat") to the kitschily fabulous encore ("Spinning Around"), Kylie's energy level never drops once. Highlights abound: a bright, spangly rendition of her 1989 classic "Hand on Your Heart"; a full-steam-ahead Greatest Hits medley that has the audience practically panting at her feet; a brilliant, twisted-cabaret arrangement of her anthem, "Better the Devil You Know"; an unbelievably erotic take on the Olivia Newton-John ditty, "Physical"; a pumping, sexually-charged "Butterfly"; and the aforementioned "Spinning Around" finale.

Another key to Kylie's success: despite her bare midriffs, low-rise leather jeans, tush-grazing hot pants and stilleto heels, she never comes across as sleazy or even overtly sexual; she really may just be the most gosh-darndest nice pop star on the planet (and it's evident that her dancers and band adore her), as well as the most non-threatening.

The DVD comes with some nice extras: backstage peeks at the show, which highlight the cheeky humor of both Kylie herself, and her tour crew. It makes sense: to put on such a lighthearted, fun show, you need to surround yourself with lighthearted, fun people.

This is, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable contemporary pop concerts available. Buy it! Kylie delivers.

Never heard of Kylie until it appeared in my recommendations on Amazon. My musical interests are all over the board but this production was "over the top" when it comes to live performances. It is truly "Vegas" style and the performance is stunning. The DTS mix is very good considering the venue. The video is excellent. There is an extreme amount of pure energy from beginning to end....the dancers are obviously professional performers and they are amazing to watch...if you like POP music just a little (a bit of disco too)then this is a must have DVD.

Kylie hit with s great album "Light Years" and make a "comeback". This concert has been recorded after releasing a "Light Years" album. I think this is a great live concert. The lights are good...dancers are good...there's intelligent stage show...Kylie is a great dancer and performer. It must have cost very much to make this all possible...even the beginning promises a lot...there's so much stage stuff and the sea boy dancers...Kylie uses her sensuality a lot. This DVD isn't only musically perfect but also performacally...just see it yourself...there's no greater performer than Kylie. She has got much better since "Intimate And Live" times...and what's best - she's always happy. "I Should Be So Lucky" has been performed with a piano and acoustic guitar and Kylie sings it peacefully. "Better the Devil You Know" and "So Now Goodbye" are "Broadway music" versions

1)Love Boat

2)Koocachoo

3)Hand on Your Heart

4)Put Yourself in My Place

5)On a Night Like This

6)Medley

-Step Back in Time

-Never Too Late

-Wouldn't Change a Thing

-Turn It Into Love

-Celebration

7)Can't Get You Out of My Head

8)Your Disco Needs You

9)I Should Be So Lucky

10)Better the Devil You Know

11)So Now Goodbye

12)Physical

13)Butterfly

14)Confide in Me

15)Kids

16)Shocked

17)Light Years

18)What Do I Have to Do

19)Spinning Around

+video "Spinning Around"

Kylie: Live in Sydney - the "On a Night Like this" Concert. This DVD has been out for some time, and i have only just purchased it. Shame on me! Why did i just get around to Purchasing it?? Because i was at the actual concert when it was recorded, sitting towards the back (im at the back because in the 10 mins i was on the phone to get tickets, all 7 concerts in Sydney sold out!!) and i wanted to relive such a wonderful night. This concert and Kylie Fever are her best, speaking from 1st hand experance in the audiance.

How to sum up Kylie: Live in Sydney?? If you have the DVD or when you purchase it. Pay attention to the the song "Shocked" -watch out for a young girl about 8 yrs old in a pink top.. her Facial expression says it all!!! with mouth and Eyes wide open, she looks like shes about to jump out of her skin with pure joy and excitement!

This DVD is a must! here is what some leading Aussie news papers have to say-

"To the delight of the screaming crowd she sings her latest hits, including her number one single Spinning Around. Its an intoxicating mix of pop, cabaret, camp, glitz and glamour and adoring crowd - Throngs and throngs of Gay men, Couples and teenagers Lap up every single foot-tapping minute of it. Kylie is in her element, revelling in her status as the Queen of Pop - a Woman at the Apex of her Career" - Daily Mail

"...Tonights show scales heights of theatrical aceness...GENERATION K..has glimpsed heaven. And, that is just slightly wonderful." NME

"...If her sell-out concerts and stunning performances are any measure, Kylie's Pop Crown looks safe for many years to come". Sunday Mirror.

"..As well as a formidable singing voice, she has a personality all her own, and its shines best amid Hi-NRG beats, Sliver tassels and six inch stiletto heels...its Riotous fun...a fantastic encore..has the audience screaming themselves silly" The independant.

and i would like to say-

I have to admit, I have only heard the name Kylie Minogue for the last ten years. At least until last year. "Fever" was a big deal here in this country, and I bought it, and loved every minute. It was a pop album, but it didn't sound like Britney, or Christina, or even Madonna. That's MY kind of pop album. Then, I heard that a couple of her concerts were out on DVD, and I got a Playstation 2, so I dove in and bought "Live In Sydney". All I can say is that this is like no concerts I can remember. Yeah, I saw Madonna, and Janet Jackson, and Britney (against my will). This concert was different for one big reason...

1) Kylie sang all the songs live, and her voice was intact from start to finish!

Having seen the other pop concerts, lip synching is a big turn off. Kylie really shocked me in a good way, and the fact that her voice just stayed pretty steady (even when she was dancing) the whole time sold it for me. I wasn't familiar with most of the songs, but when all was said and done, I heard some new favorites of mine. This DVD captures her energy and kindness and class so well. The crowd was great (what did you expect, it's her home country!), and the music was fun. This was also the first time that the smash hit "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" was played live. Very organic sounding compared to the version we know of. But, it got me off my chair, so mission accomplished. This DVD is a good look at this woman's career at it's peak (before Fever), and it's definitely recommended for Kylie newbies or old fans. You'll have fun, and that's all that matters!