I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be involved in significant events, such as the Pink Massive Summer Carnival tour at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. A highlight was witnessing Tones and I, who hails from Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula, not far from where I reside, perform as Pink’s special guest.

Toni Watson, known professionally as Tones and I, is an inspiration due to her modest origins. Following her job loss in retail, she boldly invested in a professional stereo system, marking the start of her music career. Initially performing in local pubs and bars in Mornington, she gradually progressed to performing at local events and festivals. This journey led to the creation of her breakthrough hit, Dance Monkey, propelling her to stardom. Imagining her looking out over a sea of 50,000 fans in Melbourne, her home city, must have been a surreal moment. Her journey from busking in the Mornington Peninsula to this point is truly remarkable.

The audience at the concert was a mix of all ages, drawn together by their anticipation to see Pink’s performance, renowned for both her vocal talent and acrobatic prowess. Families, in particular, seemed to enjoy the experience, singing along to every song. Pink’s wide appeal was evident, drawing fans of all ages who queued to buy merchandise, including unique items like a teddy bear, showcasing her inclusive fan engagement.

Pink’s entrance, flying through the air on a harness, set an electrifying tone for the event. Her ability to perform while engaging in such dynamic movements is unmatched. One of the concert’s emotional highlights was her performance of  When I Get There, a tribute to her late father, Jim Moore a Vietnam war veteran who died in 2021 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

She shared touching stories about her dad, including a poignant encounter with a hawk she believes embodies his spirit, demonstrating her close connection with her fans.

Pink chatted about what her father told her before he passed. He said he was a pilot and wanted to come back as a bird of flight or a cannibal chipmunk. Pink laughed and said the cannibal chipmunk must be due to the amounts of morphine he had taken.

Later in the day, while Pink was at home there was a large hawk just staring at her on the dining table and she said loudly OMG dad, then this hawk flew onto the banister turned and looked at Pink sideways.

Every time Pink leaves the house this hawk follows her around until she gets to her destination and then he flies away. Such a remarkable story about how her dad is always with her even from the afterlife.

A fan’s handmade crochet toy hawk in memory of her father was a testament to the deep bond Pink shares with her audience. Her relatability and down-to-earth personality make her seem like someone you could easily enjoy a casual outing with.

A funny moment occurred when Pink sampled Vegemite shapes, humorously reacting to the taste before sharing them with the audience.

She gave the biscuit a big sniff and rubbed the biscuit on her nose. Then popped the biscuit into her mouth saying “What’s so bad about it? It is a carb? It’s a little drying- Want to share some?”

Pink then returned the Vegemite shapes box gladly into the audience with a sigh of relief.

Another heartwarming moment was when she introduced her daughter, Willow Sage Hart, and shared their collaborative musical venture during the COVID-19 lockdown.

She chatted about how during COVID she had become a big fan of Garage Band. Her daughter Willow looked over her shoulder and said, “What’s that?” Pink replied it’s a song Willow said I should sing on that. They then proceeded to record their first song together Cover Me in Sunshine. Pink joked that they called her One Take Willow. Because she did one take and then was off to swimming class!

It was nice to see that talent run through Pink’s family maybe one day Willow will have her concert just like her mum!

The concert concluded spectacularly with fireworks illuminating Marvel Stadium, a fitting finale for such a dynamic performer. Pink’s love for Australia, evidenced by her performances here in February and March, hints at future visits. If you have the chance to attend her concert in Australia, I highly recommend it; it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

(Main Image taken of P!NK at Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) on 16 February, 2024 – image © Simone Gorman-Clark)

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