Kate Miller-Heidke has built a strong name for herself over the course of her four-album career. This year, the artist took a different approach; her latest record O Vertigo! relied heavily upon the support of her fans. The crowdfunding stint she embarked on was a success, a project that allowed the singer-songwriter to successfully record and release the collection’s wonderful contents into the world.
Performing at the gorgeous Athenaeum Theatre (“thanks for coming out on a school night”), Miller-Heidke took every chance possible to show off her classically-trained skills during a setlist that consisted of a well-suited mix of old and new material.
Upon entering the theatre, one’s eyes headed directly for the stage. The decorations were stunning – vertical rows of vines were draped down on a black curtain whilst 12 white dresses were suspended in the air. Filled with fairy lights, the outfits changed colour and lit up at various stages of the night.
Support act Sweet Jean certainly lived up to their name, performing a very euphonious, intimate set. The duo of Sime Nugent and Alice Keith were a perfect choice as an opener. The delightful tracks were crowd-pleasers, particularly ‘Parachutes’.
“It’s ironic,” Nugent said before adding, “This song was picked up and used in advertisements for an airline.”
After a short intermission, the lights went down and the headliner graced the stage. Dressed in a sparkling black dress paired with a headpiece akin to a halo, the angelic singer’s back catalogue, including hits ‘Words’, ‘The Last Day on Earth’, and ‘Caught in the Crowd’, were as well-received as those off her latest LP.
At one point, Miller-Heidke was joined on stage by Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey, and she also managed to tackle two superb covers – Divinyls track ‘I’m Jealous’ (a tribute to the late Chrissy Amphlett) and Beyoncé’s hit ‘Run The World (Girls)’.
The show was packed full of humour. The Brisbane artist told a story of a Year 7 boy, who wrote to her about the song ‘Caught In The Crowd’, calling it “alright I guess”. Not long after, a lucky audience member in the front row was allowed to request a song, selecting ‘I Like You Better When You’re Not Around’, a number he dedicated to his ex-wife.
The performer’s husband Keir Nuttall (who plays guitar in her back-up band) also provided some laughs throughout the night. In particular, he performed two hilarious poems in the form of a song that had the audience in stitches.
Strong applause ushered in the beautiful and emotional ‘The Last Day On Earth’ in what seemed like the perfect conclusion to a very intimate and personal performance.
Miller-Heidke has remained a solid act and great influence for female musicians, and this O Vertigo! tour only serves to prove why she’s one of the best in the Australian music industry.
