Kate Miller-Heidke

So, I rock up to the uber-chic venue, The Oxford Arts Factory on Oxford St. only to be stared out in the ultimate cool-off with the various members of staff, including Ken doll-esque bouncers and pouty girls at the door, who, might I add, almost wouldn’t let me in…I dunno, I don’t think I scored a victory in said cool-off.

Anyways the whole lead-up was worth it to see Ms Kate Miller-Heidke (as in hide-key, NOT Hi-dickie, as she promptly informed us), who has had me from the get-go with her first single, 'Space they Cannot Touch' from her first, Telegram EP release.

But before being graced with the presence of said Brisbane lass, we are first treated to some entertaining musical entrees.
Both Saving Grace and The Rhinestone Band hail from Sydney, which excites me for future reference: names to look out for around the street press.

Though the comely front-man, Sam, has headed off to the depths of South East Asia for six weeks and the next gig won’t be til December, pay heed to my praises! Included in the mish-mash line-up of Saving Grace is a hugely talented cellist, who manages to exude such elegance while she’s playing, (which, I reckon is pretty tough to achieve when straddling a large, unco looking instrument) that I am totally enraptured. The band has such a good energy while playing, they’re a great scene setter for what’s further in store.

So, I digress to The Rhinestone Band, who I, at first, assume is a one-woman show, akin to the likes of Ani diFranco. This woman is an absolute powerhouse vocalist, she and her band really go off. Highlights from their set included a crazy little ditty about acclaimed playwright, Barrie Kosky, incidentally named “Kosky’s Song”

Only low point in the set is when aforementioned front woman (sorry, have no idea what her name is) shooes off her band to perform a fairly lacklustre song about pirates. All in all this band have great chemistry that is celebrated by a suitable impressed crowd.

So, even though I had previously never heard either band before, it gives me great faith to see such a wealth of talent out there.

If cool is the buzzword, then let me say that the gorgeous and vivacious Kate Miller-Heidke, is cool personified: she struts out onto the stage dressed to the nines in the dinkiest little dress; captivating us all with her masses of stage presence.

Miller-Heidke hails from an opera background and from some of the notes that she hits (and the length of time for which they are hit) it’s hard to ignore this remarkable singing prowess.

As much as she has become the overnight success that she has (countless ARIA nominations will do it for ya) her tongue remains firmly in cheek. At one point she sings about her family’s encouragement of her blossoming talent in 'Career Advice', which is really just a big Australian Idol payout (“You should really go on Australian Idol, they’re even letting fatties on, so you should be fine…”.)A trendy bunch of twenty-somethings, whose taste only leans towards that of the ultra-chic, receive the song with rapturous enthusiasm.

The journey continues as she touches on the existential, singing: 'Ducks don’t need satellites'… and I realise that she’s really getting to the heart of some poignant issues.

The pace then changes, with an announcement that she is going to pay tribute to a great Australian legend. At first, many possibilities run through my mind, but least of all, the great Farnsie (aka John Farnham) and his classic hit, 'You’re the Voice'. But she makes it her own, with a mash up styled along the lines of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and that voice of hers nearly takes the roof off! I also welcome the timely inclusion, what with the election actually nearing and all…

All in all, the set goes on for an economically pleasing hour and a half, and includes an encore of her first (and my personal favourite) single, 'Space they Cannot Touch', which leaves me all goosebumpy…

Upon leaving the depths of the ultra-chic, Oxford Arts Factory, I feel as though my coolness has drastically elevated thanks to the funky grandeur experienced with Ms Miller-Heidke, et al.

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