If The Story of Me: A Musical Journey Through My Career is the start of a new chapter in Jessica’s performing life, I cannot wait to see what comes next for this incredible musician
Presented by: Desert Rose and Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed: 14 June, 2025
There is no denying it, Jessica Mauboy is an incredible performer. She is one of Australia’s most celebrated R&B/pop artists, songwriters, and actress, with a career spanning nearly two decades. Jessica is a multiple ARIA Award-winning artist and she made history as the first Indigenous Australian solo artist to debut at No. 1 on the ARIA Charts.
At this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival Jessica Mauboy brought to Her Majesty’s Theatre a very different show to what her fans have seen from her thus far. The Story of Me: A Musical Journey Through My Career was a guided walkthrough of her life, from her childhood in Darwin, winning local country music competitions, to her time on Idol and through to now, the beginning of her journey into motherhood. Weaving country classics that shaped Jessica’s childhood (Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn) amongst stories of her family, there were times where the pacing dragged throughout these stories, with too much space between songs, causing the show to struggle to gain momentum. It wasn’t until she reached her life beyond Australian Idolthat Jessica found her stride. With some rework to the script and perhaps looking at splitting the show into two acts (pre Idol and post Idol) instead of over two hours with no interval, the flow will improve.
The biggest thing that shone through this show is Jessica’s love of music and performing. When singing, as well as talking about the meaning behind the songs that she herself wrote (especially after splitting with her previous label), Jessica’s performance became electric.
Backed by a four-piece acoustic ensemble (piano/guitar, a guitarist and two backing vocalists) the second half of this 2 hour and 10 minute show (with no intermission) was a wonderful ‘best of’ celebration of Jessica’s biggest hits. Numbers included Burn, Been Waiting, Butterfly, and Give You Love.
From a technical perspective, the lighting design beautifully captured the emotions that Jess was portraying. It was subtle where it was needed and more large scale concert-style in the bigger numbers. It was, however, the audio design that let the tech side of the show down. Mixing a show for acoustic instruments in an intimate cabaret setting is very different to mixing a show for an arena tour. Through most of her songs, the additional tracks used (synth, bass and extra vocal sweeteners) became overbearing to the live performance.
Jessica Mauboy is full of passion and love, not only for her music, but those she can share it with. If The Story of Me: A Musical Journey Through My Career is the start of a new chapter in Jessica’s performing life, I cannot wait to see what comes next for this incredible musician.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Naomi Jellicoe
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: ended
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