Anticipation grows on a Tuesday night at the Toff – a timeslot usually reserved for residencies and up-and-comers rather than one of Queensland’s finest pop troubadours.
If you’re wondering where the hell Megan Washington has been for the past three years, you ain’t alone.
Since turning out a remarkable 2010, she’s gone MIA with barely a show or recording surfacing. Apart from the odd wrestle with Qantas, you’d hardly know she’s still about.
In actual fact, she’s been busily recording in London (plus she’s got a new dog), and tonight proves a showcase for her new wares in a venue thrice as small as she usually fills.
As expected, there’s not a single rotten apple in her batch of fresh tracks.
The first of the newbies (nameless at this stage) weaves Washington’s poppy stylings and underrated range over a playful ‘80s groove. ‘Limitless’ treads a similar path, giving all indications her new material will be infectiously danceable indie-pop.
‘Skyline’ is also a noteworthy cut that hints at a slight country-ish feel.
On stage Washington cuts a relaxed and attractive figure, especially with a cherry bob cut and a cutesy fringe that covers much of her sight.
She is, however, forced to deal with more than a few hecklers, particularly a group of unattractive folks near the entrance who seem more interested in mindless chatter than anything that’s happening up on stage.
Another duo of new tracks – ‘Consolation Prize’ and ‘My Heart Is A Wheel’ – sees the petite frontwoman digging into the realm of relationship pain, with the latter moving a hip or two with its driving bass/drum build.
There is, of course, time for a few hits, though surprisingly no room for ‘Holy Moses’. ‘Cement’ and ‘Sunday Best’ enter near the end of the set, while ‘Rich Kids’ rounds out the encore.
They’re all lovingly delivered, however it is (another) new track – ‘To Go Or Not Go’ – that proves the night’s highlight.
After being forced to do a restart thanks to the aforementioned hecklers, she proceeds to swoon a silent room with just a keyboard and her flawless delivery. Gorgeous.
Being her first show in nearly two years, there’s some slight (very slight) sound issue kinks. Regardless, it’s a very welcome return from one of our most talented – and likable – female pop vocalists.
