Live Review: Thelma Plum, Woodes, Miiesha

Proud Pitjantjatjara/Torres Strait Islander woman Miiesha impressed as the first set of the night. Quietly confident, she effortlessly glided through her set, transitioning smoothly from sweet vocals to rhymes. Her songs were politically charged in content, drawing on her experience as a First Nations woman, but in style they channeled a neo-soul vibe, coming off as slick, slinky and strong. While she’s only released two singles so far, Black Privilege and Drowning, Miiesha is one to watch. 

Stepping out in a striking red kimono, Woodes wooed us with her theatrical performance. Sampling elements of her own voice, and accompanied by a drummer and multi instrumentalist, she put on a solid performance. Woodes was softly spoken but still interacted with the crowd, introducing most of her tracks and letting us know if we should dance. She pulled out her Set Mo collab I Belong Here mid set, which got the crowd on board, before previewing a new track and ending solidly on Origami and Dots. 

Gamilaraay woman Thelma Plum stepped out to a roaring crowd for opener Not Angry Anymore. It was a fitting start for the show, with the song encapsulating Plum’s journey to her stellar debut album Better In Blak, which we were celebrating tonight. 

Plum harked back to oldie How Much Does Your Love Cost? before garnering a singalong to Woke Blokes, looking at home on the stage (made easier by her homely stage setting). Taking to the stage with just a guitar, Plum began to get personal, telling us a story about how she pretended to be vegan to impress a boy, which brought us Nick Cave. Taking it down a notch, she played a beautiful rendition of Do You Ever Get So Sad You Can’t Breathe, commending the audience for their silence.

Plum is a storyteller, as evidenced in her new tracks, and she chose to lay herself bare this evening, telling us about her fears, failures and future. Thulumaay Gii was dedicated to her mum and culture, while the empowering Homecoming Queen detailed her journey to accept her identity as a First Nations woman in mainstream Australia. Title track Better In Blak was a set highlight and closed Plum's set with a spectacular singalong. 

Leaving the stage, Plum returned solo for the encore, treating us her first ever single, Father Said. She shared the embarrassing moment with Paul Kelly that brought us Made For You, before finishing on ditty Clumsy Love, which saw everyone have a boogie.