Live Review: Missy Higgins

Missy Higgins’ most recent album Oz is a covers album exploring some of the most influential names in Australian music.

With Oz having been released just last month, Higgins is currently doing a national tour (baby bump in tow) of the album, giving fans an insight into her inspirations, history and thoughts.

There’s an almost larrikin vibe to Higgins’ personality on stage; relaxed, joking around with the audience, not afraid to occasionally poke fun at herself. Her comfortable charm combined with a seemingly effortless talent as a musician are what have made her such an influential figure in Australian music. This recent string of shows were so much more than your run of the mill concert. From the opening cover of Slim Dusty’s The Biggest Disappointment, played by a lone Higgins on ukulele, it was obvious it was going to be a very personal, intimate affair.

Higgins definitely packed more of an emotional punch either riding solo or with the minimal addition of strings.

Joined throughout the concert by her backing band and members of the Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Higgins definitely packed more of an emotional punch either riding solo or with the minimal addition of strings. On larger, upbeat songs like The Angels’ No Secrets, or her own hit Scar, the band arguably helped make the songs larger and more upbeat, but on songs like Special Two it all came across as a bit over-polished and overdone. 

Higgins played a range of songs from her four albums, choosing to surround her tracks from Oz with her own songs inspired by the covers. Every cover seemed to be prefaced with a short and sweet story from Higgins, whether it be about her awkward fan letter to Paul Dempsey before You Only Hide or her teenage NYE experiences before Perry Keyes’ NYE. These insights into the covers chosen coupled with a near perfect execution definitely made the songs from Oz the highlight of the night, and the night itself a highlight as well.