Live Review: Perth Symphony Orchestra – Electric Symphony
Saturday 29 November 2025 – QV1 Perth
Photo: Perth Festival
“Perth you don’t know what you missed out on if you were not here tonight,” an excited fan said.
It was the final night of the year for the Perth Symphony Orchestra, and this was far from a typical night at the orchestra. Everything about it promised something we had never experienced before. The advertisements teased a playground of light and sound on a stage built for daring performances, electrifying strings, and beats colliding with the classical in ways that felt almost impossible. Even before stepping into the plaza, the sound and colour hitting us made it clear this was going to be a night to remember.
The last Saturday night of November, just before summer was set to hit Perth, QV1 lit up and came alive in a way that felt larger than life. A cool breeze swept over the crowd, reminding us it was one of the final crisp nights of the year. Lights in washed over the plaza and reflected off the surrounding glass buildings. Songs we all knew from the 80s through to today played loudly for everyone to enjoy. The Perth Symphony Orchestra was closing out 2025 with a celebration that was a spectacular send off, a night as big and colourful as a firework.
As we walked up the stairs to the VIP area, we saw a crowd pressed close to the wall for the best view of the stage below. Down below us Sparkling Symphony set the pace immediately, opening with Viva La Vida performed by the twenty-two-piece Perth Symphony Orchestra ensemble under the baton of conductor Sara Duhig. Gisella Colletti followed with Shake It Off (Taylor Swift), and from the first beat, the energy shifted as the crowd danced and sang along. Her pink glittering dress caught every light, and her voice reminded us exactly why she made it so far on Australian Idol. Matt Milford delivered Life is a Highway (Rascal Flatts), while Amy Ehlers and American Idol finalist Anthony Jordan added harmonies that lifted the whole set. If you were not right up front you would missed seeing the stage. The performers’ voices and instruments travelled around the plaza, some swept away in the wind. Africa (Toto), Believe (Cher) and Sweet Caroline were all crowd favourites that turned the plaza into one big sing-along. This is the kind of energy with warmth and joy that only a live orchestra can create.
When the night shifted into the After Dark Spectacle, everything became theatrical and visual. Purple lights cast a magical glow across the plaza as the next act opened with INNEKA performing Sandstorm by Darude. The first note had the crowd moving in unison. The four performers delivered elegance and electricity together, their instruments and skill turning one of the most iconic dance songs of all time into something breathtaking.
GLAM followed with Crazy in Love and Single Ladies by Beyoncé. Their dancers and vocalists had the crowd joining in as if they were part of the music video itself. Matthew Pope stunned with a performance full of sultry movement that balanced masculine and feminine strength. Dean Misdale captured every eye with their Drag Queen glamour, bringing passion and power to Dancing Queen by ABBA which closed out the set.
Throughout the night a mesmerising roaming performer moved through the crowd, beginning with spinning LED hula hoops, returning later with long LED fans flowing perfectly with the music, and eventually appearing with enormous LED butterfly wings. Her smile, light, and movement stitched the night together with moments of magic.
Leaving VIP, we headed downstairs to get closer to the stage. It became clear immediately that the heartbeat of the night was in General Admission. In front of the stage was a whole world of movement and energy, and it felt like the place where the night truly came alive.
The evening’s crescendo arrived with the act so many had been waiting for, Fred Again… with Strings Attached. DJ Shann, who had been spinning iconic dance tracks between sets, returned to join the orchestra for the finale. They opened with Hannah (the sun), and from that moment the electronic and orchestral fusion felt completely natural, creating something powerful and immersive.
The set featured seventeen hits from one of the world’s most celebrated artists of 2025. Fred Again… is known for community, connection, and music that brings people together, and Electric Symphony achieved exactly that. Opera lovers and dance music fans blended together, sharing the same excitement and love of live music. DJ Shann kept the energy soaring with favourites including Delilah (pull me out of this) and Turn On the Lights Again.
The absolute highlight was hearing Rumble, this writer’s ringtone and the song most likely to be number one on her Spotify Wrapped for 2025.
One unforgettable part of this set was watching the orchestra embrace the cheekiness of the challenge. Their grins said everything as they played genre bending tracks on classical instruments as if revelling in something just a little bit rebellious. Dressed in coordinated black and pink with “Fun, Fresh, Fearless” across their backs, they radiated joy. The crowd responded with the same energy, dancing, cheering, and soaking up the electric atmosphere. By the time the final notes landed, it was clear that both performers and audience were feeding off each other.
A magical moment came when an audience member danced with fibre optic hand lights, creating her own swirl of colour. As she left, she stopped to thank a Perth Symphony Orchestra musician. In return, the musician thanked her for letting her lights shine bright. They had seen her from the stage, and it made them smile. That tiny exchange captured the heart of the entire event.
Electric Symphony was the final performance of 2025 for the incredibly talented team of the Perth Symphony Orchestra, and what a way to end a year. Perth has never seen anything quite like it, and for those lucky enough to be there, the memory will stay long after the lights fade. Bold, inventive, and completely alive, it was a reminder of the magic that happens when music, performance, and a city meet.
To all of the artists, thank you. This is a night I will never forget and I bet you won’t too!
Thank you to Donduo for the media invite.
About the writer: Krystal Galloway, aka “Krystal in the Crowd,” lives and breathes music, finding her happy place in the sea of fans who come together to experience the magic of live performances. After attending her first concert—Justin Timberlake—her enthusiasm turned into a lifelong hobby. She has since seen over 100 of her favorite acts, including global superstars like KISS, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Usher, Nelly, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, along with Australian favorites like The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, and Bliss & Eso—just to name a few—all in her home city of Western Australia. With this extensive concert experience, Krystal has developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind live performances, gaining a unique perspective on the dedication and energy that goes into every show.
Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, Leo Sayer and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
