In an ideal arena performance, especially from a popstar as prominent as Troye Sivan, there are a few things you want to see: high level stage production, for one, perhaps carefully crafted choreography – but above all, you need absolute, unapologetic fun. During his 3Arena performance yesterday night, Sivan managed to hit all the spots.

Opening the show with a techno filled, high energy DJ set was the London-based drag-queen Jodie Harsh, immediately setting the mood for the head-bopping, banger of a gig that was about to unfold.

There’s something deeply heart-warming about watching an artist be so unapologetically queer, especially a few days before the Dublin Pride Parade. And when Sivan walked onto the stage in a tight crop top, surrounded by six dancers, the baby blue and pink lights of the trans flag shining behind him – you knew you’d be in for a treat.

Troye Sivan at the 3Arena, 25 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire

“We wrote the album,” Sivan announced after an exhilarating performance of ‘My My My!’, “but actually, we wrote this: the live show.”

The amount of effort put into the gig was indeed undeniable, from Sivan and his crew’s high level choreography, to his use of neon lights and stage decor, standing in an illuminated door frame and falling on a satin-sheeted bed during ‘In My Room’.

Yet, the strength of the performance was its ability not to take itself overly seriously, the singer perfectly balancing the overwhelming campiness of the 90s anime-style animation playing on the screens behind him during ‘Dance To This’ and ‘supernatural’.

Troye Sivan at the 3Arena, 25 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire

Opening his performance for ‘One Of Your Girls’ with images of its now iconic, drag-filled music video, the crowd was already at the peak of its excitement – but when Sivan walked back on stage in a black corset, lap dancing on one of his crewmates, the arena’s reaction could only be described as completely frenzied.

One of Sivan’s strongest suits is his range as a performer, both capable of the most high energy acts and more emotional moments, as proven by the acoustic section of the show. Composed of ‘Can’t Go Back, Baby,’ ‘could cry just thinking about you’ and ‘HEAVEN’, the short break was supported by an all white-wearing, angelic Sivan and his impressive stage presence, letting the energy gently drop while never compromising on the fun.

Troye Sivan at the 3Arena, 25 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire

He’s also the kind of musician that knows when to let his dancers shine, letting them move like liquid around him, in a way that only made him seem more imposing. Through this masterful use of the stage, Sivan was able to both appear incredibly ethereal and approachable – partly due to the many compliments he paid Dublin’s iconic gay club The George.

The queerness of the performance bled through the whole show, unapologetically sexual in his shirtless dances and the way he interacted with his crew, coming to a peak during the club-like performance of the closing track ‘Rush’ – which ended with Sivan kissing one of his dancers under roars of applause.

Troye Sivan at the 3Arena, 25 June 2024. Copyright Bailey Shropshire

Leaving the 3Arena yesterday, Troye Sivan’s audience was filled with the reassurance that pop music is heading somewhere great – somewhere fun, camp, and full of pride.