We always expected the Australian Idol finale for 2006 to be huge, but as the hordes of enthusiastic fans congregated at the Sydney Opera House steps for the "Macca's i'm lovin' it Outdoor Concert", it soon became perfectly clear that the event would exceed all expectations. With a line-up that included Young Divas, Shannon Noll, Guy Sebastian, Marcia Hines and Anthony Callea, the concert featured the cream of Australian popular music.
The chart-topping stars turned on brilliant performances for the fans who first propelled them into the limelight. It was an Australian Idol showcase unlike any other and the fans went absolutely ballistic. The crowd had already welcomed a host of celebrities as stars of Australian entertainment were ushered down the red carpet, including our amazing Top 12. Angela Bishop, entertainment reporter extraordinaire, covered all the action chatting to stars while Tim Bailey and Labrat had the arduous task of controlling passionate supporters at Darwin’s amphitheatre and Sydney’s Gaelic Club.
By the time the Young Divas took to the stage, the noise was deafening as thousands of screaming Idol-lovers finally got what they’d been waiting for: a top-class performance. The girls were beyond hot tonight: they were scorching! Strutting onto the stage for a true concert in the round, the slick group found themselves surrounded by thousands of screaming fans.
Changing the pace with his dramatic and uplifting current hit, Anthony Callea took to the stage to perform Live For Love. With a full orchestra providing the backing, Anthony stood, wonderfully composed and delivered the type of performance we always expect from the faultless crooner.
Two Hines gals in the same place at the same time? It was almost too much Hines for the crowd to handle. Marcia and Deni decided to ‘Stomp all night’ and the festive atmosphere they created set the mood and turned the event into a party. It was hard to tell who was having more fun; the fans or the performers.
Guy Sebastian, our first winner, lifted the intensity with Elevator Love – a great chance for the crowd to pogo and cheer. Strumming an acoustic, The Fro powered through a brilliant version of his latest single, ending with a huge finish that truly rocked.
Shannon Noll has had an amazing string of successful singles and Lonely is no exception. The husky voiced country rocker not only crooned tonight as the audience swooned; he even approached them, reached out, and made them a part of the performance. Suddenly he was embraced by the crowd and that sentiment continued when he took time out to thank the passionate Idol fans.
Arriving on a horse-drawn cart and led by 40 horse riders including our Top 12 singing jillaroo, Klancie Keough, the Final 2 looked a little dazed when confronted with the awesome sight before them. When the lights revealed the 10 eliminated contestants from our finals series, the roar was deafening, and the well-rehearsed tune was astonishingly beautiful, visually accompanied by a huge fireworks display.
There are no words that could possibly describe the sight and sounds at the Sydney Opera House steps. The only event that could truly upstage the concert, was the Grand Final that was to take place inside the iconic building: The 2006 Australian Idol Grand Final.
