Foto: Anne-Marie Forker
On a chilly Valentine’s Day, Jason Derulo took the stage at Unity Arena as part of The Last Dance World Tour. From the moment Derulo stepped on stage with the opening performance of "Sexy For Me", the tone was set for a high-octane, crowd-driven party. Derulo never let the energy dip throughout the night. Drawing on his extensive catalogue, including well known hits and newer songs, he kept the arena buzzing with a mix of nostalgia and danceable beats. Crowd favourites such as "Whatcha Say", "Talk Dirty" and "Swalla" ensured sing along moments that kept the connection with the crowd going.
The visual spectacle was a core part of the concert, with its celestial backdrops and neon shapes. The production was spectacular and leaned heavily into theatrical design: dazzling lighting cues, vibrant video backdrops and swift costume changes sustained excitement, although at times it felt a bit disjointed. Moments of pyro, explosive beats and sleek choreography gave the show a spectacular flair. There were a few calmer moments, such as "Marry Me" where the razzmatazz of the visuals were reduced to a simple blue background and only Derulo on stage. Here he could show off his vocal falsetto and talk to the crowd, though there seemed to be a reliance on backing tracks during some of the intense choreography. It was during the slowed-down sections that Derulo’s control was evident—crisp in the highs, confident in the falsetto, and engaging in the narrative moments between tracks.
Overall, it was a high-energy, glittering night filled with hit after hit, and this writer has never heard so much screaming at a concert in her life. It celebrated Derulo’s career so far. Having hinted that his career will change after the Last Dance tour, it will be interesting to see what the next chapter brings.
