Bertie Blackman

It was one of those hot and sweaty nights in Melbourne last week and Brunswick street was well and truly buzzing. The Evelyn was located in the heart of all the excitement and loud music streamed from its doors onto the street. The chalkboard on the exterior of the old looking building read Bertie Blackman, the name of one of Australia’s premier songstresses who hails from Sydney.

Blackman first made her mark on the music industry in 2002 when she released her debut EP Blue Sky Pueblo but it wasn’t until 2004 when she released Favourite Jeans that Australia really started to take notice. A few years later and with the hit album Black under her belt, Blackman took to the stage in Melbourne accompanied by a three piece band and supported by two glorious up and coming acts; Armen Firmen and Sparkadia. What followed was a unique and truly unforgettable performance.

Armen Firmen was first on stage but I wasn’t lucky enough to catch these guys doing their thing. Although, judging by reports shooting around the crowded room, the band did a top job of opening the night’s festivities and set the bar high for the acts that followed.

Sparkadia was also absolutely firing. Playing its brand of straight up rock n roll, it managed to win over the crowd and make some new fans (myself included). It closed the set with its upbeat, poptastic and oh so catchy single Morning Light and it hasn’t left my head since. The track is a good indicator of the band’s sound and philosophy. It’s very positive, melodic and it will have you singing along in no time to the catchy choruses.

Finally the time came for Ms Blackman to grace the stage and from the moment she walked out to tune her guitar, the crowd starting roaring. It was clear from the way she dressed and held the crowd’s attention that she had a very individual style and approach to music. This was made even more obvious when Blackman played what appeared to be a Mercedes hubcap as a drum! To the crowd’s amazement and pleasure, the improvised instrument produced an outstanding sound but another highlight of the evening was when Blackman set aside her hubcap and shared the drum kit with a fellow band member. There’s no doubt about it. Blackman certainly is versatile!

The performance itself was mind blowing and the set list was top shelf. Packed with singles such as 'Hold Me Close', 'You Kill Me', 'Fast Bitch' and 'Television', it was impossible to avoid singing along to so many of the tunes that have plagued the radio over the last two years. Another favourite was 'Rats' from the debut album Black and the night was concluded with the appropriately titled 'Last Song' also off the stunning record.

I was slightly disappointed not to hear 'Favourite Jeans' but that was soon forgotten. I left the scene with a smile on my face and that unmistakable feeling you get when you know you’ve just witnessed something astounding.

Share this review on Facebook