Lisa Mitchell

Lisa Mitchell - 28th May 2010

After just watching Lisa Mitchell live for the first time and seeing her at the Forum in Melbourne, i felt compelled to write a review and share with my friends about it.

I first heard off Lisa Mitchell back in 2009 when Coin Laundry came out. At the time, i gave her no attention as i felt it was silly to sing in a washing machine (superficial and cynical i know). Along came 2010 and the Big Day Out was an opportunity to get a glimpse of this artist that many have praised. However, due to a friend arriving late and having to check in our bag, by the time we were through the gates, Lisa Mitchell's set was over.

One late night i was up late watching a Channel V when Oh! Hark! came on the TV set. I was amazed at the sound of her voice and the lyrics she preformed in her song and instantly liken her to Sarah Blasko, who happens to be my favourite female artist at the moment. Of course Blasko has this trance like hold over me with her voice sounding like a siren, Mitchell could easily fall into that category as long as she keeps showcasing her delicate, yet delightful to hear, voice. However, i digress. I downloaded her album (off iTunes of course *cough*) and started listening to her music. I enjoyed every second of it, without much of a low point in the album, consistently living up to each songs expectations. Cue May 28th.

It had been a rainy day in Melbourne on this Friday evening, as i headed into the city for my first live performance of Lisa Mitchell. On the way picked up a lovely Caramel Latte, which i happily drank on the way, listening to her album, Wonder, all the way in. Upon arrival, i did happen to treat myself to a couple of scotch's at the front of the theatre, and ended up finding myself near the front of the standing area about 10 deep. To this date is the closest I've ever been to an artist. Two support bands came on before Lisa Mitchell, and their sound set the prefect tone for the rest of the evening...a nice blend of adult contemporary with the harmony of just simple, basic musical sounds. After arriving at 7:30 and seem to be waiting forever, 10pm came around and along came the young lady of the moment.

Sitting down at the Piano, cleverly sneaking on stage as the other musicians took their spot. The start of the show seemed surreal as a musical box played on the piano Lisa was sitting at. Then came the first keys played on the keyboard and we were treated to a nice opening of Oh Nostalgia. Her simple demeanor was shown and she let the piano and her voice do the job. In fact, after the performance was over, this was the one song that stuck in my head. I noticed from the outset her voice was as clear in her album as it was live, which gained huge points from myself. Its one thing to have it modified to sound good on a album, but if you can't replicate it live, it seems such a waste.

Lisa then stood up and said hello to everyone, which is all ways a nice and courtesy treat from the artist. A bit of humour was involved in when she asked people not to throw coins on the stage as she sung Coin Laundry. I felt the start was a bit lacking as it sets up the song, but she got into it as it went along. Her quirky movements were on show through out the song and she danced along to it. And no one threw a coin on stage. Her movements would stay for her other songs and she delicately moved about the staged, and was a delight to watch her quirkiness, for a lack of a better word.

Between songs there were shouts of 'I love you Lisa' and wolf whistles, which she looked perplexed with. A short 'Thank you' with a confused tone was the response. Remembering this girl is just 20 years of age, she held her composure well. However, as the night progressed and she kept coming out with the songs off her album Wonder, it seemed as if she was uncomfortable with the direct compliments thrown at her. This I'm sure she will learn in time to accept. Red Wine Lips, Stevie, Neopolitan Dreams just to name a few were outstanding. The thing i liked most about it was she let her music do the talking as oppose to any form of special effects or choreography.

Oh! Hark!, my favourite song, came and went as did other songs including Clean White Love, Pirouette, Animals and back on the piano for Valium, a beautiful love song which i thoroughly enjoyed. Half way through the show, on stage came her close friend, in Lisa's words, 'Alex Gray'(for the love of me i can not remember). For the first time in the evening Lisa actually looked like to be enjoying herself as her friend came on stage, which was disappointing as a fan. Of course we are happier with our closest friends, but this seemed more of a relief that someone was there by her side. They then preceded set up a song together with the banter providing some comic relief at times. Together they sung out a Beatles song (again, i forget) and got the audience involved with some whistling. However, I'm not a fan of 'audience participation' but generally fans do, and responded in kind. The song let it self down as their voices seemed to cancel each other out and was hard to understand what they were singing.

As the show crept closer towards the end, Lisa Mitchell left the stage for a break, only to return 2 minutes later with 3 other female artists, Jessica Warren, Zoe Hoftman and someone i clearly forgot (i got distracted by the fact she wasn't wearing a bra, but she should have been. Enough said on that). Also the name of the other artists could be wrong as well, as i have trouble remembering all the finer details. Together they did are marvelous cover of Like a Prayer by Madonna that was absolutely breath taking, and had to be seen to be believed. All four artists shone and complimented each other well. A fitting way to end the night, as Lisa Mitchell belted out one more song (i use belted as a very loose term with her delicate voice) and that was the end of it. No grand farewell, a simple 'Thank you Melbourne, Good Night' just like her music.

Overall, the experience was worth the money spent and providing a good night out. The crowd, however, was mainly Couples or groups of young women which kinda put me out of place there. Upon leaving, i heard other patrons refer to her lack of chemistry with the band, however, if you look at it here is a 20 year old women on stage with musicians who, some looked, twice her age. This can be intimidating for a young person at the best of times in any given field, let along in front of a 1500 plus crowd. She didn't say much to the band. At the end of the day Lisa Mitchell did what i feel great artists should do - let their music do the talking. There was no spectacular light effects or storyline to the evening, just simply Lisa Mitchell doing what she does best.

Out of 5, i give her a 3.75.

Mr G