Tove Lo has been coming to Australia since 2014. From opening for Katy Perry, performing at the ARIAS and doing triple j Like A Version, to selling out multiple headline shows and playing festivals like Splendour In The Grass and Listen Out, her rise has been so exhilarating to watch. The Swedish pop star is now at new heights as a newly independent artist, and is back in the country playing the biggest headline shows of her career to-date. Returning for a mammoth main stage set at Splendour In The Grass last week as well as a guest performance in Flume’s set, she amped it up with a sold out Sydney headline show at The Roundhouse. 

With fans lining up around the block, the anticipation was high to see the Dirt Femme Tour in all of its glittery and sweaty glory. With the lights dimming and the synths kicking in, it wasn’t long until everyone was sharing sweat as they bounced along to the captivating 90 minute dance-party. Strutting her way onto the stage in a custom-made one-piece for her Australian tour to “Pineapple Slice”, she quickly delivered her signature high-femme sass with “Attention Whore”, “Cool Girl” and “2 Die 4” following. Running off stage for the first costume change of the evening, she returned in a black two piece for “Talking Body”, which obviously included her infamous boob flash before jumping into the crowd to hug some fans. The energy remained high with “Really Don’t Like U”, and “disco tits” providing the sexy dance moments of the night. But then it was time to slow things down and get all emotional. “Moments” received a stripped down piano-ballad treatment, while “True Romance” was as powerful as you could imagine. Turning up the bpm’s, but staying in the emotional state, “Grapefruit”, “Glad He’s Gone” and “Suburbia” felt like the ultimate therapeutic moments of the night. As she reached the tail end of the show she decided to premiere a brand new song “Elevator Eyes” (fyi, it’s very good)k, before she then delivered “Borderline”, “How Long” and set closer “True Disaster”.

After a lot of chanting and screaming, Tove returned to the stage in a Dirt Femme inspired one-piece for her beautiful Like A Version cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own”. Gushing about her love for Australia, she explained that she’s only played that cover here, so it’s a little love letter for us. Turning up the energy one last time, she officially closed out the show with “I like u”, “Habits (Stay High)” and “No One Dies From Love”, before thanking everyone for coming out and seeing her. 

Over the years I have seen Tove Lo a total of 9 times. But I can safely say this is the best I’ve ever seen her. The Lady Wood Tour was a special tour as it was intimate and had this rush of excitement to it, but The Dirt Femme Tour felt like the ultimate celebration. It was a polished and raucous evening that embraced all of the different sides of her artistry, and she genuinely seemed the happiest and most comfortable she’s ever been on stage. And on top of all of that, the crowds were the loudest, most passionate and biggest they’ve ever been, and that’s really exciting.