[GIG REVIEW] RICKI-LEE, UPSTAIRS AT THE BERESFORD, SYDNEY

photo and credits courtesy of Eva Rinaldi

Last night we had the privilege of catching the svelte Ricki-Lee performing Upstairs At The Beresford, here in Sydney. The show saw the 26 year-old return to the stage for her first official ticketing gig since 2008.

Kicking off with her platinum-selling hit "Can't Touch It," Miss Coulter belted out the track and moved almost effortlessly on stage alongside her two back-up dancers and accompanying band. Clearly a crowd pleaser and the perfect song choice to start the night off, Ricki-Lee then merged straight into her debut single from 2005, "Hell No!"

Taking time out to welcome the crowd (which was a sell-out show mind you), The Voice Australia mentor got straight into the first of one of her new tracks due to appear on her upcoming third studio album "Fear and Freedom." "Burn It Down," which had it's premiere on Channel Seven's Sunrise last week, proved a favourite from the crowd as they grooved and moved - somehow already knowing the lyrics to the track!

Ricki-Lee used this advantage to jump straight into two additional new tracks, "Bombshell" and "Never Let Go." Both fared fairly well with the crowd, especially "Bombshell" (although it could have had something to do with the fact the broad explained it was affectionately about 'fucking').

Old hits "Sunshine" and "Love Is All Around" followed, with a medley of the late Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" mashed into the latter track. Post these, the new face of Covergirl Australia jumped straight into the new tracks "I Feel Love" and "On The Floor." "I Feel Love" was definitely our highlight amongst the new material with it's euphoric chorus and uplifting beats. We can't wait to hear the studio version of the track - it's a definite winner!

Ricki-Lee then turned the tables and launched into a sex-fuelled cover of Ginuwine's 1996 hit "Pony." Post this she an led with an acoustic opening to the lead single from the "Fear and Freedom" era, "Raining Diamonds." Informing the crowd that the lyrics were inspired/written to remind us all that we deserve nothing but the best, the ex-Australian Idol contestant had the floor captured as she kicked off the empowering anthem. Before too long, the acoustic melody broke out into a full-thumping dance routine and the screaming fans (ahem, mostly gay men) were off like it was Mardi Gras.

Before we bid farewell to the talented star, Ricki-Lee announced we had one more new song to get through which was going to be the next single from the upcoming album - the track "Crazy."Much like the new songs we'd already heard that night, it was a blazing dance-filled pop track that should gain further chart and radio momentum.

As expected, Ricki-Lee capped off the hour long performance with her latest single "Do It Like That." If we'd though we'd seen a pretty intense crowd reaction to her previous hits performed, we were wrong. As the pop star, still looking gorgeous on stage we must add, worked it out with her #NoPantsBrigade, the energy in the room increased ten-fold. Fans were screaming, bodies were jumping, and gay men were grinding to the one of the hottest pop tracks we've heard this year - what an excellent finish to the show.

Overall, it was great to see Ricki-Lee back on stage. Performing a good mix of old and upcoming hits, it was the perfect blend to capture fans and certainly create interest in her new album. Well done girl!

"Do It Like That" is available today, with "Fear and Freedom" available from August 17 [iTunes]