From 1997 to 1999, Lilith Fair was one of the most successful touring festivals in America. Founded and headlined by Sarah McLachlan, it was a showcase of some of the worlds finest female singer/songwriters. Sarah brought the festival back earlier this year, however it didn’t prove quite the success as its predecessor, with quite a few dates cancelled. This proved good news for us, however, as it gave Sarah a reason to head back down under, bringing along an abridged version of the festival entitled “A Taste of Lilith”.
Unfortunately, the other international portion of the evening – Court Yard Hounds (Martie Maguire and Emily Robison of Dixie Chicks) – cancelled their appearance, but the lineup that remained was still an impressive one. First up were The Verses, fronted by former Killing Heidi bandmates Ella and Jesse Hooper. With a backing band found in Melbourne’s Even, they prove a highly capable live act. Their debut album Seasons translates beautifully live, and Ella Hooper sounds better than ever. With Killing Heidi the voice of her youth, The Verses shows Ella matured, with a sound she was born to play.
Speaking of sound, from The Verses all the way until Sarah left the stage, we were presented with not only some of the best sound the Enmore has ever heard, but a fantastic light show, too! The technicians in both departments should be commended. Single “Want Anything” and “Settle Down” were of particular mention, with the appropriate “Running Away” closing out their set.
The ever quirky, always entertaining, impeccably talented Kate Miller-Heidke followed the band, opening with “Our Song”. I’d never had the pleasure of experiencing a KMH performance in its entirety, and I have to say it was the highlight of the evening. Her ability to win over (AND hold) a crowd is truly impressive – there were genuine signs of disapproval when she announced “Words” as her final song (though a brilliant guitar jam pushed the set passed its alloted time).
The majority of Kate’s set featured husband Keir Nuttall on the guitar, with Kate occasionally bringing on board instruments such as the tambourine (“Politics in Space”) and the keys (“Caught in the Crowd”, which featured Nicole Brophy). Highlights of the set included the hilarious “Facebook Song” and the beautiful energetic number “Dreams (I Love You)”, a track ‘about unrequited love’, which once again featured Kate on the keys, and showcased Kate as much as a theatrical performer as a singer. Bring in lyrics like “I want you to touch me on the front bottom” and you can’t help but get sucked up in her humour and delight in each track she presents. She even debuted some ‘muted singing’ in a new track. You’ll have to see her live to know what that means. And let’s not forget the fact that this girl can SING!
On hand to play plenty of tracks from her extensive backcatalogue as well as her new album Laws Of Illusion (her first in 7 years), Sarah McLachlan wasted no time, opening the set with her ridiculously successful number “In The Arms Of An Angel”. Presented solo on the piano, you could have heard a pin drop as the respectful crowd took in every note, leaving plenty with a pile of goosebumps. Two supporting female vocalists were gradually introduced into the set, and Sarah moved onto the guitar for “Building a Mystery”. Tracks off her new album included “Loving You Is Easy”, “U Want Me 2” and “Forgiveness” and went off well with the crowd, although it was the older favourites that naturally received the best response.
Highlights inluded “Adia “, “Sweet Surrender” and “Stupid” – which was an insanely powerful number, complete with a bit of strobe lighting and extended jams. Like Kate, Sarah showed off her quirky side – however it proved a little more awkward – “… so it turns out I like sex… a lot… I’m in public I really shouldn’t say these things”.
“Hold me Down” ended the main set and Sarah returned for an encore with “Long Way Down”, “Better Than Chocolate” (complete with xylophone and a group dancing up the front), “Truth Be Told I Tried My Best” and closing out the night with “Because the Night” – featuring guest vocals by Nicole Brophy and Kate Miller-Heidke.
While mostly routine, Sarah’s set and dialgoue felt sincere, and it was a true joy to experience the iconic singer/songwriter live. There are few as talented. But as Kate proved herself to be a truly hard act to follow, I have to say her intoxicating performance definitely won out the night – a night of some pretty high standard, beautiful music.
P.S. Will someone tell Fiona Apple to come back to Australia please?
