Saint Levant review – Palestinian pop star makes Australian debut to an ecstatic, sold-out crowd

Melbourne Town Hall
Even slight hand gestures elicit screams from his rapturous fans, at a show that brings politics to the party – and ends with a cameo from his father

Melbourne Town Hall is packed on a Tuesday night for the Australian live debut of Palestinian pop star Saint Levant.

His stage name is a spin on the luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent and he arrives on stage – the first night of two on a sold-out Australian tour – in an opulent, double-breasted white suit. Cries of longing send his birth name echoing through the hall: “Marwaaaann!”