When was the last time you saw a concert that was truly different? No matter whether you only get to a handful of gigs a year or you’re a regular concert goer, you’re probably struggling to cast your mind back. As music lovers we tend to stick to the same genres, and see shows that follow a fairly predictable trajectory. They’re wonderful, don’t get me wrong. That’s why we keep on coming back. They might even blow us away. They’re just not especially unique.
You get different when you do as I did on Thursday night and accept a couple of tickets for a show you wouldn’t ordinarily buy tickets to. I was a big fan of George, Katie Noonan’s first band and Triple J darlings. Since that time I’ve watched her career with interest and appreciation. It’s always fascinating to see an artist take her career in new and exciting directions. But I hadn’t seen her perform since she was with George. I changed all that when her current three-piece Elixir hit Gosford on Thursday night.
I knew Elixir were a jazz-folk trio and that they’d recently released an album Gratitude and Grief, created in conjunction with famed poet and cartoonist Michael Leunig. However, those scraps of information couldn’t quite prepare me for a show like this. It was a real showcase for the new album. The trio opened with a couple of tracks from their first album, before launching into material from the new release. For an ordinary show, playing so much from a new album would be a hard sell. But an Elixir concert isn’t like one from your favourite rock or pop act.
Katie thanked us for giving their music “a quiet space,” a comment that really got me thinking about why this concert was so unique for me. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a show where music had a quiet space. There are always fans singing along with the performers. You sometimes hear the low murmur of the audience members talking amongst themselves and ordering drinks at the bar. It’s not uncommon to hear cheers as the audience recognizes a favourite song or a performer hits a high note. However, this really was a quiet space, with only polite, restrained applause punctuating each song. We listened attentively through each song and Katie’s explanations of the material.
The music was exquisitely beautiful, like free-form poetry without a predictable structure. Katie’s voice is just as sublime as it was when I first saw her perform many years ago. I loved hearing the way it played with the tones of Zac Hurren’s saxophone and Stephen Magnusson’s acoustic guitar. The passion these performers have for Michael Leunig’s poetry is apparent. They’re understandably proud of the music compositions featuring his poetry they created with him. Katie encouraged us to listen to his beautiful words, and even took the time to recite a particular favourite before singing it, just to we could really hone in on those lyrics.
Elixir continued to surprise me with the final two tracks, moving away from their originals for a few choice covers. I’ve never heard “Rainbow Connection” or “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” sound quite like this before, but they were breathtaking. So original, so poignant, so powerful.
This show was really like nothing I’ve ever seen before, but I loved it. Elixir create a magical, ethereal mood that really takes you to another place. Sharing a quiet space with them is something I’ll never forget.
Elixir continue their Gratitude and Grief tour in Pomona this Friday. Michael Leunig is a special guest at selected shows.
1 March 2019 – Majestic Theatre, Pomona
2 March 2019 – CPAC Theatre, Cairns (with Michael Leunig and String Quartet)
15 March 2019 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle (with Michael Leunig and String Quartet)
16 & 17 March 2019 – Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba (with Michael Leunig)
22 March 2019 – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne (with Michael Leunig and The Impossible Orchestra)
23 March 2019 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
24 March 2019 – Anglesea Memorial Hall, Anglesea
30 March 2019 – Spiegeltent Hobart, Hobart, Australia
31 March 2019 – Spiegeltent Canberra, Canberra,
5 April 2019 – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
6 April 2019 – Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads
18 April 2019 – Spiegeltent Gold Coast, Southport
20 April 2019 – Feathertop Winery, Porepunkah
21 April 2019 – Music in the Garden, Albury
27 April 2019 – The Memo, Healesville
28 April 2019 – Bendigo Autumn Music, Bendigo (with Michael Leunig)
Katie Noonan has fronted so many outfits that it can be tough keeping track of her current project. These days she’s back with her jazz trio Elixir, who after 14 years together have finally released their second album First Seed Ripening.