Nearly every decade since the late ’80s, pop music sensation Kylie Minogue has made her mark on the music scene, bringing her inimitable style and sultry-sweet voice to stages around the world. Now for the first time, Minogue plays a residency show inside one of Las Vegas’ newest and most opulent nightclub-meets-concert spaces, Voltaire at The Venetian. Recently, Las Vegas Magazine checked in with Minogue as she kicked off her residency in November and has dates well into 2024. Catch her this week, Dec. 14-15.

Why did you choose to do your first U.S. residency show in Las Vegas?

I always thought I would have a residency in Vegas. I’ve toured most of the world with various shows over the years. In 2005, my Showgirl tour was a nod to Parisian cabaret and Vegas showgirls. In 2011, my Aphrodite tour had all the bells and whistles, including precision water fountains throughout the show. Everyone was saying back then that this was a Vegas show. It was absolutely crazy to travel with the fountains and everything, but it was totally amazing. As time rolled on, one of the shows I was offered in Vegas was Voltaire. It appealed to me because of its glamour, decadence and intimacy. It brought to mind venues of the past where Elvis and Sinatra may have played. Designed by Tony Award-winner Derek McLane, it was all a very appealing offer to finally do a residency in Vegas. The irony is that it is quite the opposite of those big shows I mentioned, rather it is about the close connection with the audience. We really become one wild and wonderful group through this show.

What are your thoughts about performing inside the brand-new Voltaire, more of a nightclub space, versus on a traditional concert stage?

It has presented some different challenges! I am known for big shows, so I still somehow managed to put a decent-size show in this snug room! The venue is like wonderland

in a much more analog way than some other venues I’ve played, and I think this adds to the palpable emotion in the audience.

Voltaire will definitely put you physically closer to your fans. Will you be interacting with the crowds?

Oh, for sure. That has already started! I’ve seen so much joy from the crowd and also some sobbing! I think because this is such an unusual place for me to play, many fans are simply overcome! The show is fun and escapist but also has a lot of heart, and I really appreciate that fans are able to express their emotions and let themselves feel truly free.

You have a large discography. Will you be performing any new songs?

I will indeed, I have four songs from my new album, Tension. The first three singles, “Padam Padam,” “Tension” and “Hold On to Now.” Plus the song I wrote especially for this show, “Vegas High.” And believe me, we all feel the Vegas high!

Tell us about your new album. What was the inspiration behind it? When did you start working on it? What are some of your favorite songs?

I started working on the album around early 2021. I had finished my previous album in lockdown, so I was very grateful and energized to run into the new album with total gratitude, to be with some of my favorite people I make music with. I started without a clear direction and as months passed, I realized that, as opposed to my previous two albums, this one wouldn’t really have a theme. The theme, if anything, was to make Kylie songs. Given my back catalog that could mean a number of things, but at that point in time it was about songs that are club-based and emotionally shining. I found a real liberty with this type of approach. We could jump styles, just play, indulge and have fun.

After all your time in the music industry, what are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?

One of them is that experience is earned, not given. When I was younger, I used to wonder how I could do some of the things other artists were doing. The answer was time. I had to wait and learn and gather that knowledge. As we all know, this industry is a notoriously heady and exciting world, which needs the balance of some kind of normality.

Do you have a message to your fans that are coming to see you here?

This really is a first for me and for my fans, so get ready to have an amazing night!

The Venetian, ticketmaster.com

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