Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
Doja Cat – The Ma Vie World at the RAC Arena in Perth on 22 November 2025
That’s quite a call from someone who wasn’t an archetypal fan going in. But hear me out.
On stage, the Californian artist is a different cat. The entertainer transcends the identity of a rapper and pop star, entering the realm of rock stardom and Broadway legend. Her neck-jerking, head-banging, and hair-whipping antics mirror those of an ’80s glam band, while her twerks, elongated by her flexibility, exude the sensuality of a Parisian showgirl, complemented by a full-piece band with the vibe of a Las Vegas extravagance. Her animated movements and countenance could have been taken straight from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. The switch between delicate verses and staccato-fuelled rap with crystal-clear diction is legendary.
Tonight at the RAC Arena, Doja Cat roared louder than those with the eye of the tiger, setting a new benchmark for her Australian tour. She took us on a journey celebrating her works, exploring empowerment, identity, emotional complexity, and yep – plenty of alluring, salacious themes and scenes.
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Born Amala Diamini in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist (with 19 nominations) has released five albums since her 2018 debut: Amala (2018), Hot Pink (2019), Planet Her (2021), Scarlet (2023), and her latest, Vie, which this tour is based on. With forty music videos to date, her aptitude as a performer is evident.
At 9 p.m., the lights dimmed, followed by screams louder than those at a Wiggles concert at 10 a.m. The night began with brass instruments, as three silhouetted musicians played their horns and sax. One by one, performers of a full set made their way to the 10-foot-high platform above the stage. The screams peaked when Doja Cat appeared, striding toward the crowd with vivacity and grit, as if she were walking on a Victoria’s Secret platform, standing high on a disco-illuminated stage that resembled a shipping container – only much more exciting. Wrapped in an unzipped, leopard skin livery jacket, she launched into “Cards,” the opening track from Vie. Fans bopped to the staccato and cadence of the music, singing to every word with ardent conviction. This is a concert mainly of millennials afterall.
The artist was filled with swagger, combining a rockstar look courtesy of a Peggy Sue or Hairspray on steroids – a voluminous platinum blonde wig cascading around her face and shoulders, oozing glam rock energy with a futuristic twist, true to Doja’s eclectic and avant-garde aesthetic. Her 2-inch yellow nails were meticulously shaped into stiletto points, further elongating her fingers with a sensual aura, personifying the feline-inspired purrs.
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
While still standing imperiously high on the platform, one of her most recognisable hypnotic loops played – “Kiss Me More,” the Grammy Award-winning song. The crowd, mainly females, screamed as the arena filled self-appointed backup vocalist. The performance grooved for 90 seconds, perhaps half the requested playtime – maybe SZA was needed to fill the gap.
It became clear that Doja Cat would remain high on the platform for some time, with no cheaper than WA Salvage chit-chat so far (IYKYK).
She then cooled off with “Gorgeous,” followed by a quick solo sax by the lead brass player, surrounded by two other brass players, two keyboardists, a percussionist, and three backup vocalists, all draped in purple rain. The fresh and stylish ensemble contrasted with Doja Cat’s gritty, punchy performance with plenty of smiles and laughters, knowing they had the best jobs week in week out.
After all, there was plenty of sizzle on stage, as she often squatted and bounced, teasing her fans, imitating the acts that meddled our imagination, which weren’t difficult to manifest thanks to her visual cues of pounding and thrusting. Cigi please.
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
It wasn’t until the 20-minute mark that she descended from the container to the main stage, as the lights dimmed during “Acts of Service.” Phones were out. Standing in the middle, flanked by vocalists, she swung her arms in delight, her smooth voice shining. The rap was toned down, like the studio version, offering a break from the rapid-fire delivery. The maturity of Doja Cat from Vie shone through, creating a soulful meditation. Older fans (the over-25s) relaxed, waving their phones like prying eyes of wild cats in the forest.
The fans had been awed so far. Doja Cat is the queen of flaunt, doing so with athleticism, flexibility and sexuality. She squatted and wiggled her hips with a sensual dexterity, bouncing and riding up and down, simulating whatever she’s simulating- perhaps venturing into MA15+ territory, yet always maintaining absolute class.
But it wasn’t all visual and lyrical titillation. Who would have thought (not this writer anyway) there would be solo guitar performances in a Doja Cat concert, in songs like “Paint The Town Red” and “Need To Know,” as the lead guitarist stood high above the platform, even drawing rock god gestures from the crowd. Not bad for a rap concert.
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
The show heated up even further by the second half – both literally and figuratively. She removed her jacket, exposing her sweaty body and the “v v v” tattoo on her chest. The glittery, form-fitting bodysuit hugging her silhouette became more evident, while the purple corset at her waist accentuated her curves. The flames became more frequent in the background, producing a dramatic juxtaposition with the artist.
The best scene of the show was during “Need To Know,”. Her back arched horizontally on the catwalk with her knees bent. She then rose gradually, juxtaposed with the fiery explosions and sparks in the background. All that was missing was the theme track of Judgment Day – it was like a scene from The Terminator. She continued her forward projection to the edge of the catwalk, headbanging to her own rap, while flames continued to spurt.
By “Wet Vagina,” the crowd dived into deranged mode, screaming louder than Metallica performance a fortnight ago – culminating in multiple sonic climaxes. Fans would have been OK if the show had ended then, all lying in satisfaction. But there were more hits to come, such as “WYM Freestyle,” an intense performance with the electric guitar in overdrive, while she crawled on stage like a character from Cats, continuing into “Demons” with the same vibe.
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
It didn’t matter which songs were played; fans sang and danced along to every lyric. The guitar solos kept coming, possessing Doja Cat as she crawled on the floor again and again after flaunting her booty with the twerks of the year.
Then came the favourite moment – the tingling beat of “Boss Bitch.” Returning to the high platform, she reminded the crowd who was boss. “I’m a Bitch, I’m a Boss.” For three minutes, over 15,000 people pretending to be “bitches and bosses” joined in. As for this writer, I wished it lasted ten minutes, given it’s a flex track and a symbol of empowerment.
“Say So” capped the night of commercial hits, and the show finished with “Stranger” and “Jealous Type”.
Doja Cat delivered far more than expected across multiple genres, some undefined. That’s why the Ma Vie World Tour is Perth’s concert of the year.
The Tour continues across Australia. Tickets are available from Live Nation Australia
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Doja Cat in Perth 2025. Photo by Sheldon Ang / Sheldon Ang Media
Setlist The Ma Vie World Tourin Perth
Cards – Scarlet (2023)
Kiss Me More – Planet Her (2021)
Get Into It (Yuh) – Planet Her (2021)
Gorgeous – Scarlet (2023)
Take Me Dancing – Scarlet Deluxe (2023)
Woman – Planet Her (2021)
Acts of Service – Scarlet (2023)
Agora Hills – Scarlet (2023)
Make It Up – Scarlet Deluxe (2023)
All Mine – Scarlet (2023)
Ain’t Shit – Planet Her (2021)
Paint the Town Red – Scarlet (2023)
Silly! Fun! – Scarlet (2023)
Juicy – Amala Deluxe (2019)
Need to Know – Planet Her (2021)
Streets – Hot Pink (2019)
Wet Vagina – Scarlet (2023)
WYM Freestyle – Scarlet Deluxe (2023)
Demons – Scarlet (2023)
Tia Tamera – Single feat. Rico Nasty (2019)
AAAHH MEN! – Scarlet (2023)
I’m a Man – Cover of The Spencer Davis Group
Boss Bitch – Birds of Prey Soundtrack (2020)
Say So – Hot Pink (2019)
Stranger – Scarlet Deluxe (2023)
Jealous Type – Scarlet Deluxe (2023
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank revolutions per minute, Live Nation Australia Doja Cat for the media accreditation
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Metallica, Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, Leo Sayer and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
