In October 2025, Australia’s live-music scene lit up with the return of the festival series formerly known as RnB Fridayz—now reborn as Fridayz Live. Headlined by Pitbull and Mariah Carey, the shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth marked a potent mix of nostalgia, high-octane party music and fan culture.
For Pitbull’s set in particular, the hype delivered in full: his signature hits, pyrotechnics, crowd participation, and an unexpectedly large phenomenon in the audience—fans dressed up as him. An ocean of Baldies were spotted all over the nation. The black-tie balded fans had been waiting over 13 years for Mr Worldwide to return downunder, demonstrating appreciation for Mr Worldwide himself.
Here’s a breakdown of what made this performance stand out.
The Performance: Energy, Hits & Showmanship
Pitbull delivered a high energy set turning familiar tracks into large-scale communal moments. He drew from a deep catalogue: “Don’t Stop the Party”, “Timber”, “Hotel Room Service”, “Give Me Everything” were all expected and delivered. In Sydney, showers hit the show leaving the artists and crowd drenched, but it didn’t stop them from enjoying the party.
Critics felt Pitbull stole the show. Although Mariah Carey brought her vocal prowess, Pitbull’s set seemed to resonate more strongly with the crowd’s party energy.