Tkay Maidza was a shock to the senses, in all the right ways.

The curtains parted to reveal the singer, fresh off an international tour supporting pop royalty Billie Eilish, standing among floral bouquets.  She wandered among the blooms, filling the room with bright energy, as the audience swayed, bounced and bopped.

Her show was split into three acts, each with its own outfit and theme. The first had a feminine spirit, with beautiful, soft vocals interspersed by punchy rap verses. 

A live band added a new flavour and depth to her tracks: drummer Jack Robert delivered a drum solo in the transition to the second act that would make any musician drool. Then Tkay was back, dancing in a skin tight body suit.

There were slow sing-alongs and conversations with the crowd (in one aside, she noted “it’s scary to reflect on yourself and your flaws, but that’s how you grow”). Vulnerability in her music created a strong connection with her fans but it was far from all soft and sweet.

Lastly came a darker, heavier section of the night where the singer’s voice entered rock, even metal territory. She launched onto the barrier, chanting lyrics with the crowd.

This was pristine musical showmanship: a genre-busting night that set a high bar for acts to come.