Concert Review: Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - SWEAT Tour - Columbus, OH

On a steamy Friday night in Columbus, the SWEAT Tour, featuring Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, turned Nationwide Arena into an electrifying celebration of club culture and electronic pop. 

Opening act Shygirl set the tone with her distinct electronic house sound and commanding stage presence, performing her hits “Nike”, and “encore”. 

Troye Sivan opened with “Got Me Started,”. Known for its choreography, the performance was a standout moment, perfectly blending nostalgia with the fresh sounds from his new album, Something to Give Each Other. Tracks like "My My My!" kept the energy high, while later moments, like “In My Room,” featured a clever stage design with a massive bed prop, adding a playful touch.

Charli XCX’s entrance was equally spectacular, with a massive cubic brat banner dropping to reveal her in a stunning, yet effortlessly cool outfit—complete with her signature sunglasses and a veil. Her opening mashup of “360” and “365” segued into fan favorites like "Von Dutch" and the infectious “Club Classics.” Charli's performance was nothing if not a visual feast, full of high-octane energy that transformed Nationwide arena into a boiler-room rave. 

Among the highlights was Troye’s performance of “One of Your Girls,” which featured the now-iconic lap dance from the music video, bringing the heat to the already sweaty crowd. 

Troye Sivan’s backup dancers brought a magnetic energy to the stage, with their eclectic, industrial-inspired movements blending rigidity and fluidity in a way that was truly captivating. Their choreography during "One of Your Girls," added layers of heat to the already electrifying performance.

Charli kept the energy high with “Apple,” where she selects a fan at each show to perform the apple dance, and Columbus’ “Apple Girl” absolutely ate in her performance. Charli also paid homage to her pre-brat era with performances of hits like “Unlock It” and “I Love It,” a nod to long-time fans.

The set design was just as immersive as the performances, with an industrial-themed runway that featured upper and lower levels enclosed by a cage. At one point, both Charli and Troye performed beneath the runway, their on-screen visuals flashing alongside strobe lights to create a club-like ambiance that engulfed the entire arena.

Charli and Troye’s friendship took center stage when they came together to perform “2099,” an epic collaboration that lifted them high above the stage on a platform. The duo wrapped the night up with a crowd-shaking performance of “Talk Talk (Remix),” turning Nationwide Arena into an all-out dance party. The flashing strobe lights and club-like ambiance created the perfect backdrop for the finale, making it feel less like a concert and more like a full-on rave.

From the eye-popping visuals to the industrial set design, everything about the SWEAT Tour perfectly captured the essence of contemporary pop culture and the vibrant spirit of the electronic music community.