GIG: KATIE NOONAN + BRIAN CAMPEAU, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Katie Noonan performed at the iconic Sydney Opera House accompanied by her band and members of the Sydney Chamber Orchestra
Exhale. That’s the sound of all negativity leaving your body and the state that the music of Katie Noonan leaves you in, which can only be described as bliss. Noonan is an enigma, in that the silky, classically trained voice she possess lends itself effortlessly to Jazz, Classical, Blues and the Beatles. Noonan also has a producer’s head and likes to be actively involved in the selection of her support acts, and even the interval music (which was Nick Drake – one of Noonan’s influences).
Support Brian Campeau sauntered onto stage looking every bit the rock star but very much the introvert. His soaring vocals and intricate finger-picking held the crowd in a dreamy silence. His ability to produce whimsical harmonics matches the powerful howl that explodes from his body. His performance is by no means conventional or commercial and the varying lengths of his tunes would not warrant commercial airplay. This is exactly the point because Campeau certainly deserves a strong cult following though, despite his magic, is a well kept local secret.
Noonan came to the stage accompanied by her husband, one of the members of her latest band The Captains along with 12 wonderful string musicians from the Sydney Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble played tracks from Katie’s solo album Skin, Elixir and a crowd participation number that took us back to the GEORGE days where it all began.
Her talent for banter is very adept and whether recounting her first time on the Opera Theatre stage (in the womb), or the contagious nature of her children in flu season, the fact remains that she has the ability to put her audience at ease. There would be many who would happily listen to Noonan sing a shopping list just to hear that voice. Having been a fan of GEORGE though never seeing them live nor Noonan in any of her incarnations, both myself and the company this reviewer took along for the evening are now certified card carrying members of Club Noonan.
Zac Hurren, Noonan’s husband on soprano sax added an extra layer of class to the show, and when he wasn’t beaming due to the sheer joy of sharing the stage with his wife, he managed to weave a sultry web over the audience. The chemistry between he, Katie and Cameron Deyell of the Captains was electric (literally at one point) and this was only enhanced by the presence of the Chamber Orchestra. Although not on stage, Maggie, Katie’s mother was present, the woman with whom Katie performed an intimate concert series and a well-received album. All this coupled with a pregnant first violinist, made this a truly family affair and one worth getting together for.
The evening’s performance was faultless. This reviewer enjoyed being transported to a place of positive musical memories and being told tales of musical collaborations with Tim Finn and Don Walker (COLD CHISEL). Australia has many talented musicians and this reviewer has been lucky enough to see many of them in action including a contingent of female artists who are powerful and outstanding.
Megan Washington managed to move this reviewer to tears earlier this year but Katie Noonan had him speechless and weepy which is certainly no mean feat. The ambience of the Opera House, the company of friends and family, the hum of excitement and the transcendent experience that is a Katie Noonan set, show that her appeal is just as wide as her magnificent vocal range. OK, Breathe In Now.
