Gig Watch: Missy Higgins - Palais Theatre

By Anne Davis
Photos By Kathryn Lynch

CLICK HERE to buy the latest Missy Higgins album.

She has quickly, and rather abruptly, dethroned Delta Goodrem as the Queen of Australian Pop. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that Delta disappeared off the face of the earth. Because, let's face it - for the last few years - it's been all Higgins!

After a grueling few weeks on the road touring across the nation, Missy Higgins finished up a month long tour of 22 shows at her favourite home town venue, The Palais, last week.

Escaping the cold night air the audience filled the antique, authentic theatre (which recently survived being demolished, unlike it's next door neighbour, The Palace).

It really is a fantastic looking venue, with yellow toned lighting washing over the walls giving it an aura of history, like you had stepped through a time portal into a different era. 

Unlike most other big name acts these day, Missy wasn't fussed with enormous bright and flashy stage production. The setting of trees, a park bench and fake green grass made it seem like the audience were merely looking in on a talented girl and her band playing in an intimate little park (as normal as that can possibly be). But that seems to be the key to Higgins' success, an ability to make the most spacious area an intimate event. 

The song list ranged from old favorites Scar to Where I Stood, along with the glorious new classics such as Warm Whispers from her latest album "On a Clear Night" - finishing up strongly with her latest single Steer. 

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the moment Missy called for her Dad, Chris Higgins, and brother, Dave Higgins, up on stage to play piano for her. It was the epitome of a family affair, which again added to the superb intimate feel of the night. Missy's collection of songs was beautifully aided by magical lighting and sketched drawings projected behind her throughout the night, each matching the essence of each song to perfection. 

Missy and Dave teamed up again on Casualty (and in true Brother/Sister fashion) Missy did her best to make Dave feel somewhat inadequate, describing how she had once played Better Be Home Soon with him as a kid - however last year she played the same song with the songwriter, Neil Finn, in LA). Not surprisingly, Neil Finn actually plays electric guitar for Missy on a track for the new album entitled Peachy, as they share producer Michael Frome.

However, it was strangely the first song she ever wrote (the song which won her the Triple J Unearthed Competition, All for Believing) that stood out as her most haunting and personal song of the night. Better still was the version of Night Minds she played, just Missy, her piano and hundreds of ears enjoying the mellow sounds ringing through them. 

Higgins seemed more than happy to be finishing the tour in her hometown with friends and family looking on - as were the fans. A great night out, with one of Australia's most talented artists.

Overall: 95%

Missy Higgins belts out classic tunes	An Angel without shoes on!