Kate Miller Heidke rocked out her trademark eccentric outfits at Sydney
Judging from their Sydney show at the Metro Theatre, Kate Miller-Heidke’s band must have some kick-ass rehearsals. They blended soulful tracks with jump-around happy tunes such as ‘Words’, and the crowd pleaser Facebook song which detailed an unwanted friend request from a past lover – whom Kate did not wish to be poked by…again.
The band members each rocked a completely different style. Kate’s husband Keir Nuttall (guitar) with a green velvet jacket, Steve Pope (drums) donning a shirt and tie, Ben McCarthy (guitar) in stripes and Nicole Brophy (guitar, vocals) with big hair and a leather skirt, all came together seamlessly. Every member was distinctive and their personalties added another dimension to the set. This is rare to see in supporting bands as the focus is usually solely focused on the ‘star’.
Although, it must be said that no one could upstage the star. Decked out in Sequins, Tulle, a grey t-shirt, a headpiece, pink converse high tops and her distinctive white hair, Kate was quite simply amazing. Her technical skill as an opera singer was showcased at various points to great effect: her deceptively small frame can deliver a hell of a note. She has carved a unique place for herself that allows her to showcase this often dismissed art form in a contemporary setting.
The show was sprinkled with quirky choreography that saw each member jumping up and down, dancing, telling jokes and Kate doing a rather interesting move to accompany the lyrics of ‘Can’t Shake It’ – “I do the moonwalk like I stepped in shit”. The show was perfectly balanced between more serious songs such as ‘Out and In’, ‘Space They Cannot Touch’ and ‘Monster’, with lighter songs about unrequited love in which she purrs, “I want you to touch my front bottom” quickly followed by a very creepy, deep voiced ‘I love you’ that was altogether stalkerish and incredibly funny.
Kate represents originality, experimentalism and a sense of humour that people are more than ready for. Part comedy, part opera, it was a fantastic show and I certainly wasn’t the only one smiling as the encore came to an end.
Album Curiouser is out now, and special mention must go to Leena, the first supporting act.
