Under Australian singer Troye Sivan’s spell, the multitude of voices in 9:30 Club swelled to a powerful wave unified in love, acceptance and empathy.

Sivan’s aura surrounded and encompassed all in attendance, evoking passion and emotion from each and every member; setting the tone for the meaningful night that lay ahead.

With his debut album, Blue Neighbourhood released last December, Sivan kicked off his first world tour in January, and was fondly greeted in the nation’s capital with two consecutive sold out shows March 7 and 8. 

Sivan put on a show like no other, conversing with his audience between songs, telling personal anecdotes, accepting artwork from the crowd and borrowing a lucky fan’s hat.

The singer attracted a diverse crowd consisting of members of the LGBTQ community as well as love struck preteens, fan girl-ing mothers and dedicated fathers. All were there for one thing: to be a part of a unique musical experience; one of no discrimination, no worries, no hate.

That alone was beautiful in and of itself.

Sivan accomplished a feat not even many of the most experienced performers can achieve; he related to his audience, not just at surface value but on a deeper level.

He understood firsthand the struggles of being gay in an often times homophobic society. He too went through difficulties with his identity. He knows what it felt like to be different and to more importantly, not understand entirely why.

During Monday’s show—as Sivan recounted during Tuesday’s performance—Sivan helped an audience member, Kelly, come out to her mother about being bisexual, all by reading aloud a handwritten note she had given him on stage. After the show, Kelly and her mother embraced in tears and “I love you’s,” something that Sivan reflected on as making himself cry tears of joy.

Sivan and his audience were one in that evening: a unified being rooted in determination for change, passion for equality and hope for a bountiful future.

His words of love sung in his songs made no distinction between gender, race or sexuality. It was a message intended for all.

“Heaven,” a song in which Sivan explains his early uncertainty about his future upon concluding that he was gay at age 14 (“Without changing a part of me, how do I get to Heaven?”). He dedicated the song to all the “warriors” present in the crowd, his fellow members of the LGBTQ community.

With this, countless couples kissed their significant others. These were embraces with no discrimination present; no judgment.

After the energetic opening act Shamir, Sivan smugly walked up to the mic, greeted by thundering applause and screams. The performance began with the second track off his new record, “BITE,” then after an excited wave to his audience, transitioned to “for him.” and “FOOLS” before his first of many spoken interludes.

With every song, the pure happiness and joy radiating off Sivan was tangibly present. He was all smiles, infusing a significant charge of positive energy to the venue, and his fans responded appropriately.

All voices joined him in the singing of “FOOLS,” “SUBURBIA,” “WILD,” and “TALK ME DOWN,” while also being entranced by his first time live cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Love is a Losing Game.” Begging him for an encore, Sivan returned to the stage with “LOST BOY” and “YOUTH.”

His charisma and down to earth nature makes Sivan, 20, a perfect example for not merely a musical genius and effective entertainer, but a social leader. Through his music, Sivan softens the hearts of even the most close minded; he conveys his message of acceptance and happiness to all who take a moment to listen.

He and the incredible support of his fans strive to  bring peace and love to this world—the peace and love they all yearned  to see in their own lives at one point or another.

Someday we will live in a society free of discrimination, one filled to the brim with compassion and acceptance, and Sivan is undoubtedly a key figure at the root of this movement.

Featured Photo Credit: Australian singer, songwriter, Troye Sivan performing at 9:30 Club. Troye wore a hat from one of the concertgoers throughout the event. After receiving a multitude of gifts while on stage he said, “I feel like you guys are like Oprah.” (Cassie Osvatics/Bloc Reporter)

Jordan Stovka is a freshman journalism major and can be reached at jstovka@icloud.com.