Missy Higgins is an enduring force in the music world, a vocal powerhouse and captivating storyteller.
Presented by: Frontier Touring
Reviewed: 31 May 2024
Twenty years ago, a young singer-songwriter with a talent for heartfelt storytelling through song and a unique sense of style exploded onto the music scene. This year, Missy Higgins celebrates her first album, The Sound of White, while also introducing her newest upcoming album, The Second Act, due for release in September 2024.
There is no support act — those lucky enough to nab tickets to the sold out tour have paid for pure Missy. The performance is split into two parts. The first act features Missy, her guitar or piano, and occasionally backing vocalists. Missy sang some of the songs to be released on her new album, while sharing stories about how the songs on this album were borne from her divorce and subsequent dive into single parenthood. Missy spoke openly about the pain of lost relationships and navigating divorce when children are involved, and her songs approach these topics with her typically poetic yet truthful lyrics and soulful melodies. The first act also featured a number of crowd favourites, selected for the night from a poll on social media. While the setlist here varies with each performance, crowd favourites on this particular night were All For Believing (Missy’s very first single) and Where I Stood.
The second act of the show was a celebration of the 20-year anniversary of The Sound of White album. Missy performed the album in its entirety, accompanied by a talented live band of guitar, drums, double and electric bass, trumpet, keys, percussion and cello, with many of the musicians also doubling as backing vocalists. The band was tight, not only working together seamlessly, but also clearly having a great time. Missy frequently acknowledged and thanked her band, as well as the backstage crew and sound and lighting, showing respect for the village required to put on any sort of production.
It was a special experience to see The Sound of White album performed live and accompanied by stories by Missy of how many of these songs came to be, such as the story of how The Special Two was written as an apology to Missy’s sister, or The Sound of White was written in memory of Missy’s cousin who passed away when they were both teenagers. Missy’s storytelling and interactions with the audience were as honest and authentic as her songs, and much of the time it just felt as though you were sitting down to have a chat with her.
Throughout the entire performance, Missy showed time and again that she is an enduring force in the music world. Her older songs have stood the test of time with their emotive, lyrical and musical quality, while her newer songs show more maturity and wisdom while retaining her iconic sound. Vocally, Missy is a powerhouse, and time and experience have only sweetened her vocal skills. Furthermore, she sang, chatted to the audience and told stories for the entire show with no sign of vocal fatigue.
While you may have missed out on tickets to this remarkable tour, fans old and new alike must keep an eye out for the release of The Second Act album, which, if the small taste we received is any indication, will be her most raw and emotive yet.
Reviewed by: Kristin Stefanoff
Photo credit: Nighthawk Creative
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: ended
More News
