Live Review: Missy Higgins, Gurrumul & Emma Louise

Tonight acts as a precursor for Christmas Day lunch – it's a family affair. Emma Louise is a petite, platinum blonde babe. In hushed tones, she introduces Boy, a song about a boy who smokes too many cigarettes (guilt from a pre-gig activity kicks in). Louise shares that she saw Higgins as a 14-year-old in Brissie as she starts playing 1000 Sundowns – a dark, acoustic track from her new EP that tonight kills Jungle. Louise seems to be returning the inspiration favour to a new generation of musically inclined teenagers.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu sings in the Yolngu language and it's incredibly moving. Gurrumul then asks Missy Higgins to join him to reprise their duet of Warwu from the 2011 ARIA Awards. Higgins sings in Yolngu and it's made clear early on that tonight will be a musical spectacle.

Memories of seeing Higgins pre-Scar supporting Pete Murray at the Palais some nine years ago are exceedingly present. Missy Higgins seems comfortable as she plays a keyboard that's decorated with the remains of her dress from the Unashamed Desire video. The androgynous Butterfly Boucher is impeccably dressed in a black three-piece suit and plays a white bass. This chick is a cool unit and her banter with Higgins is effortless and laidback. Higgins admits to being nervous, as there are loved ones in the crowd, but it doesn't show. We love the old favourites: The Special Two, Ten Days, Where I Stood and All For Believing. When Peachy from On A Clear Night kicks in, Higgins shows off her jazz-scatting past. The more up-tempo tracks highlight her unique brand of geek-chic sexuality (that should be a fragrance).  

Higgins invites Butterfly Boucher to take to the stage, and she plays Warning Bell to rapturous applause. In Watering Hole, Higgins asks us to make animal noises. We are so good at barking, mooing and chirping that we are given a choice to reprise the noises for the rest of the set rather than clapping. Many oblige. Higgins invites Gurrumul to join her for Everyone's Waiting and we love it. As Warm Whispers starts the animated trio behind us audibly inhale. When the song ends it's clear tears have happened. The trio then audibly exhale, as if they have been holding their breath for the duration.

The opening chords of Scar see fans fill the aisles trying to get a closer look. The uplifting Steer evokes a standing ovation – it seems we all feel pretty damn good to be alive. It might be break-up music but good god, bring on more break-ups.