“Um, my dog ate my homework. There was a flood… All those excuses.”
That’s Kylie Minogue, pop idol, gay icon, and global sequin ambassador, explaining why it’s taken her twenty-plus years to bring her live show to the States. It’s finally happening — a six-date tour is scheduled to start this fall — and EW got a few minutes today with Ms. Minogue at NYC’s Greenwich Hotel to chat about the good news.
In person, Kylie’s famously petite frame is every bit as tiny as you’ve heard, and her personality every bit as big. Charming and warm at the end of a long day of press that began with a Today Show spot, Ms. Minogue — holding a paper fan for air and emphasis — was all smiles as she shared the scoop on her upcoming tour, her American fanbase, and her thoughts on Paula Abdul’s new Kylie-inspired single.
Entertainment Weekly: Did you ever try to bring your other tours here?
Kylie Minogue: Oh yeah. We’ve discussed it many times. Financially, it made absolutely zero sense. Last year, I spent so long touring. And I’ve had a great time, and I have a band I’m just loving — we’re really just vibing. So, it felt like it was now or never. I’m absolutely thrilled and amazed at the response so far.
Is there a possibility that more dates could be added? It seems like it’s going to be a whirlwind tour, and they’re already selling out.
I’ll try, yeah.
The title of the tour is For You, For Me, is that right?
It was For You, For Me. And maybe that’s going to stick, I’m not sure. I just thought: it’s not for an album. I’m not promoting anything. It’s for you, for the audience. And actually, it’s for me, because it’ll be an absolute pleasure to be here and to share a show with you.
Is that going to be a new single or anything? “For You, For Me”?
There’s thinking! Hmmm… [laughs]
So what kind of set list can we expect?
You’ll have the hits, for sure. Many of which will be remixed or in different versions. I’ll take you back to the beginning…
Is that embarrassing?
No, no. It was, but it’s not anymore. No, I mean, I’ve done these amazing, cool, cutting-edge shows; at the end, they’re all yelling for “I Should Be So Lucky.” I do it in the old-fashioned way, complete with [she makes a record-scratching noise] ah-ah-ah-ah. The crowd go absolutely nuts.
Give the people what they want!
That’s what I’m here for! Maybe a couple covers, like I normally do in a show. Something unexpected. Sometimes we have to do the old medley, because I’m very pleased to say I’ve now got enough songs that, short of being on stage for way too long, we like to just almost scratch them in at certain points, which is something we started doing on the Fever tour. I’d love to bring back “All That Scratching Is Making Me Itch,” that kind of thing. So, we’re all madly thinking about it at the moment. But we’ve got such a wealth of pieces to pick from to make a kind of “Best of” of different tours that I’ve done, and some new stuff. And then as a whole, it will be really new.
It must be tough to cut down your catalog.
It’ll be weird, because I’m so used to starting with “Speakerphone” now, but I’m not going to give you the same beginning to the show.
Some of the venues aren’t huge. How are you planning on adjusting?
Well, we’re kind of used to doing that. Last year, we had the beautiful huge skull that I descended on. It’s a shame but it’s a reality that you have to make compromises. And to be able to tour South America, for example, I could not have done that if I took everything with me. So, you just scale it down and do a B show. In certain places we did a C show. But in the end, I think it doesn’t take away from it. It creates a different show—some were more like a gig than a show. And you get a different dynamic. And I think they’ll work. I don’t mind it. It kind of changes it up for me.
So are we going to just get you on a stool with a guitar? Or will there still be a little spectacle?
Yeah, yeah, there’ll still be the razzle-dazzle, don’t you worry. It’s not going to be me with a banjo.
Some of the costumes you’ve worn in the past have been so funny and over-the-top. Have you ever seen something and said, “Nope, that’s too much”?
Yeah, but I’ve been coerced into wearing it. Let me think. Well, there was one dress I wore to sing with Robbie Williams at one of his concerts. And there was not a lot of this dress. And when I first saw it, I said, “You’ve got to be kidding me. No.” [pause] But I had two queens in my dressing room, so I ended up wearing it. It was a futile fight.
You can’t argue with two queens.
I couldn’t! And I guess they were right. And it looked good. But, yeah, very often — well, not very often, sometimes — I need a little bullying to get into something [laughs].
How do you pick the costumes for each tour?
It’s a balance. It starts with a set list, and then what kind of segments we’ll have. Which really seems to work, because I’ve got to get off and do a costume change. I mean, I have more quick-change anxiety than [anxiety about] the show. Because normally my costumes are not fully ready until opening night. Sometimes I’m just thinking, “How am I going to do that?”
Recently, I don’t know if you saw, but Paula Abdul was on American Idol…
I haven’t seen it! I’ve heard all about it.
She performed an unreleased track of yours that was leaked online last year.
“I’m Just Here for the Music“. Yeah.
Did you know about that?
That’s just what happens with songs that are demo’d. I demo’d it, and it wasn’t on my album.
A couple months ago, she announced that her first single was going to be “Boombox,” which is the title of your new remix album.
I know! What’s going on? [laughs]
My editor asked me if Paula was Single White Female-ing you.
If she comes out with feathers on her head, or in a leopard catsuit… [laughs]
The press likes to make it seem like America is your white whale. Is that the case?
It’s not my intention. I mean, I’m going to the places where I definitely have a market and where it’s a no-brainer. I mean, I’m not going to sell myself all around America, you know what I mean? It’s where I feel that I’ll be welcome, and where they get me. As always, I’ve maintained that, if things took off here and if I’ve got the time and I’m not doing other things, then I’d definitely come over.
We’re glad to have you.
Well thanks!
More on the Music Mix
Kylie Minogue announces first US tour, or Why your gay coworker just screamed
Paula Abdul remakes, improves on Kylie’s ‘Here for the Music
Embarrassing albums: What are your most shameful musical secrets?
Comments (1-24) of 24 Add your comment
PAUL Abdul??
Who is that?
Great interview, Mr. Markovitz! Kylie is an amazing performer and a US tour is long overdue.
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Note to Kylie on her rotten signing.I would no see her if she paid me.
Paul Adbdul ? Never heard of this guy, who is he ?
)
haha i love the single white female-part! honestly, even though i LOVE kylie- paula is in another dimension when it comes to dance and stage presence than kylie is
paula is better than kylie at everything. shes a better dancer, shes a better choreography (duh, kylie doesnt choreograph), more charisma, shes prettier, and shes got more identity in her voice. i still like kylie a lot though but paula is simply better and a more interesting person. paula is doing well with this song on itunes and i doubt kylie would have done too well on the US itunes with it
WTF..Paula is better looking?? LMFAO Are you serious, bahahaha
i never heard of kylie before but now i have thanks to you putting paulas name in the title, lol, i read anything that has to do with paula
anyway paula wont be releasing boombox as a single cuz she found better songs
PAULA AND KARA WROTE SPINNING AROUND FOR KYLIE, THAT WAS HER COMEBACK SINGLE! SHE OWES A LOT TO PAULA (AND KARA). PAULA DID AMAZING WITH THIS SONG, I SERIOUSLY DOUBT KYLIE WOULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER, PAULA HAS MORE ENERGY AND IS A MUCH BETTER DANCER-DESPITE HER 13 YEAR OLD BREAK. THEY ARE EQUAL IN THEIR VOCALS
Paula who?… Kylie Rocks!
paula is a much better performer than kylie. Even after a decade’s break, paulas idol performance was still way better than Anything kylie has Ever done. sorry kylie fans but thats the truth
Kylie who ?? PAULA ABDUL baby , she is the best !!
PAULA ABDUL ROX
kylie had her big comeback thanks to paula n kara!!! so why should she mind paula using a song she made a demo of? i listened to kylies version of “here for the music” and it was a mess if im being honest. paulas version of the song is better.
Kylie’s career was resurrected by a single written by Paula and kara. Or did she forget who wrote “Spinning Around?”
can’t wait for the tour!
and to all paul abdul fans…calm down, she didn’t said anything against her
LOL at the “Paula is way better than Kylie” remarks. Come on, people, get real. First off, let’s look outside of the US for a change. Kylie Minogue is HUGE in Europe. She’s just as big (if not, at some points in her career, bigger than) Madonna in parts of Europe and to suggest that Paula Abdul (who I love..and..sheepishly admit to seeing live back “in the day”) is more talented, or a better performer than Kylie is laughable. Have some of you even seen the “Showgirl” DVD? It’s a spectacle on par with Madonna’s best work. But, hey, I’m used to singing Kylie’s praise since very few people in the US even know who she is. Check out the “Fever Tour”, “Showgirl”, or “Kylie X2008″ DVDs to see for yourselves. Better yet, don’t bother. Leave this undiscovered gem to those of us “in the know”. CanNOT wait until her show in Vegas!!
“paula is better than kylie at everything. shes a better dancer, shes a better choreography (duh, kylie doesnt choreograph), more charisma, shes prettier,”
GREAT arguments (God) though you left off that Paula NEVER sings live, Kylie always does… (among other things)
Also Paula’s contributions to Spinning Around were very minor lyrics and were nearly all removed fro Kylie’s version (it was a verse about dumping a guy).
Kylie rules – at least she’s not a drugged up alcoholic like Paula!
most of you people in the states wouldn’t know a GLOBAL Superstar if one bite you on the ass. Kylie has been around since 1987, sold over 60million albums and has more the 50hits under her belt…she might done be the best dancer in the world like Paula….but un like most singers that come out of AMERICA…KYLIE is all class….she is a CLASS ACT performer….8 sold out world wide tours…hundreds of awards (even a grammy for you americans), been knighted with a QBE from the Queen….And as for Paula writting Spinning Around…she wrote on verse and that verse was removed by Kylie….You Americans need to understand Kylie has been around for over 3 decades and is a HUGE STAR world wide minus the USA/Canada. A lot of singers these days look to Kylie for inspirtation…there is only another star that has been on top of the charts as long as Kylie and that is Madonna….KYLIE is bigger then Madonna in the UK/Europe…and that says alot….
100% true
Sing it sister
:hi 5:
I get the loyalty many feel for Paula and I love most of her 80s hits, the woman was a great dancer and choreographer and I have a soft spot for her. But she cannot sing and dance live period, and I doubt she has the stamina or will power anymore to healine a world tour and do 2 hour and a half shows nightly.
Paula Abdul is just some old has been who was crap in the 1st place!! Kylie rocks..i saw her in manchester (uk) on the 2008 X Tour! lucky lucky lucky America!!!! UR soooo in 4 an amazing show..WOW!
Unfortunately for me it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to see Kylie this time around, I wish she was coming to Miami! Thats only a 2 hour drive from me in Tampa! I guess I will just have to see her in Manchester next time around!
But this Paula/Kylie debate is heinous! Ok, Paula has choreographed some of the most memorable dance routines in recent history for artists like Janet, and she had a GREAT string of hits in the late 80s-early 90s!
Kylie? Kylie is on a different level entirely! I was a fan when Fever came out but it was when I was in the UK in 07 that I got my hands on her back catalog…It’s AMAZING! And even songs like I believe in you, or love at first sight are modern day classics! When Paula can tour the world and sell out 98% of her dates, you can talk!
How the hell have these people not heard of Kylie Minogue !?, LMFAO