Live Review: Steve Poltz

Hobart audiences were treated to an intimate and high energy performance from Steve Poltz, as part of his 20 date tour across the country, in a sit-down show at the Republic Bar and Café in North Hobart.

Poltz is an American singer-songwriter, popularly known for the hit track You Were Meant for Me, a mid-90s hit and collaboration with American songstress Jewel. Now on his 17^th tour of Australia, Poltz is a seasoned performer and instantly charmed the audience with The Ballad of Tommy and Marla, a contemporary folk song complete with guitar strumming and references to smoking dope and snorting crystal meth.

In between songs, Poltz continued this storytelling with comedic ease, recounting tales of life on the road and his extensive travels of the globe. These moments are key to Poltz’ performance and add to the experience.

Poltz’ plays to a niche crowd in the modern folk world. His lyrics often encourage the audience to sing-along, laugh and not take things too seriously. There is the occasional moment of beautiful lyricism amongst the silliness, and these brief moments expose Poltz’ underlying talent for capturing the more serious side of life.

At times Poltz diverges from the expected completely, surprising listeners with an intricate guitar solo performed while seated on the side of his guitar case. A beaten, stickered testament to Poltz’ life on the road. This performance is followed by Check Your Head, a sentimental track which filled the room with an approving silence.

Toward the end of his first set Poltz performs Kickin It Old School, a vocal track comprised of beatboxing and loops. A welcome addition late in the night.

The audience was receptive to all aspects of his performance and it’s no wonder he has toured so extensively in Australia and abroad; his music has lasting appeal for the right kind of audience, an audience Poltz found in Hobart.