Kim Wilde made a triumphant return to the Palais in St Kilda on Saturday night to close out the Australian leg of her greatest hits tour. Having last graced the majestic Melbourne stage in 2016 touring with Howard Jones and next door at the old Palace in 2013 with Nik Kershaw, tonight it was once again a Wilde family affair.
Joined by her brother and band leader Ricky Wilde, longtime guitarist and creative force behind many of the hits, the spooky and atmospheric opening sequence created an air of mystery. Would it be an evening of tricks or treats? The trick turned out to be the fact that Kim Wilde is seemingly ageless and has unlocked the mythical fountain of youth. The treat was an hour and a half of feel good pop songs that included all the radio hits that the fans were there for.
After a very mindful, very demure start, by the third song Water On Glass, the crowd was visibly antsy and itching to get out of their seats. By the time the classic Bee Gees cover If I Can’t Have You was introduced, they were up and dancing to the disco inspired hit. Wilde’s new material was well received by her loyal following and she built the set to duck and weave those songs seamlessly alongside mid career hits from the Close and Love Is albums, all while amping up to the smash hits. Before launching into the block of radio classics, Wilde acknowledged Molly Meldrum and the part he played in breaking her music in Australia. Who can forget seeing the feathered haired bombshell with a snarl and a striped tee appearing on Countdown week in week out?
Cambodia, View From A Bridge, Chequered Love and the Supreme’s classic You Keep Me Hanging On, were a reminder of what a force Kim Wilde had been during the new wave pop era of the early ‘80s. Returning to the stage for the encores, it was clear that Wilde loves what she does and doesn’t take the fact that she’s still able to tour the world doing it. She thanked everyone for the support they have given her throughout her career while introducing the aptly titled You Came followed by the one everyone was waiting for, 1982’s chartbuster Kids In America which predictably ended the show. With the promise of a brand new album set for release in January 2025, I’m pretty confident this isn’t the last we will see of Kim Wilde in Australia and I’m equally confident that she will once again be welcomed with open arms.