LIVE REVIEW: DOM DOLLA @ FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE

As someone who hates techno but loves to dance, Dom Dolla’s show at Flemington Racecourse was an absolute dream. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a mini-festival, with music starting at 4:30 PM, a huge selection of food trucks, and a massive bar.

Dom opened with his unreleased track Dreamin’, immediately setting the tone for the night. His mastery of crowd control was amazing—he effortlessly manipulated the crowd’s energy, transforming the venue into an all-encompassing dance party. His iconic, perfect smile radiated joy, creating a palpable wave of dopamine that rippled through the crowd.

After a recent experience with hardcore techno left me unimpressed, I had my reservations about attending another DJ show (don’t come at me, I know Dom is
House and not techno!). I feared another monotonous ‘doof doof x 100’ set. But Dom’s performance shattered my expectations, offering the perfect blend of melodic house and danceable beats. The crowd was so present, fully engaged in every drop and transition.

Visually, the show was epic. Dom performed from a platform elevated over five metres high, surrounded by crazy pyrotechnics. Fireworks, bursts of flame, and a stunning array of laser lights created a sense of depth and wonder, making the performance feel grand and immersive.

There were two minor disruptions when audience members needed medical attention, signalled by flashing phone torches. Each pause temporarily dimmed the energy, especially during the second, longer break when murmurs of ‘maybe we should head off now’ started circulating. In a moment of professionalism and humour, Dom addressed the crowd, suggesting that if your mates were ‘too lit’ or had ‘too many beers’ they should head straight to the medic tent. He then lifted spirits by introducing his next track, a remix of Black Betty, inspired, he joked, by ‘a session at the pub.’

The night concluded in a surprise appearance from Tove Lo. Together, they performed a remix of her hit Habits before launching into their new single Cave. Just when the crowd thought it was over, Dom treated us to a blistering, high-speed rendition of Rhyme Dust.

The show left me with an unexpected sense of patriotism. Dom Dolla is a true Aussie icon, and seeing his artistry unfold live filled me with pride. For a night that promised dance-floor euphoria, Dom delivered and then some.