From the moment she stepped on stage, waving her tambourine, hands and back painted with black and white patterns Kimbra was completely entrancing. She’s a strange but perfect mix of Billie Holiday or Sarah Vaughan jazz vocals with the spunky stage presence of Katy Perry or a more innocent Amy Winehouse, not to mention a little quirkiness from the likes of Bjork. This fusion of styles became immediately evident in Kimbra’s music, which seems to refuse to stay within the boundaries of a single genre.
From the saucy jazz-funk beats of her opener Call Me to her rock encore single Samaritan Kimbra defies categorisation, ensuring her varying set list had something to please everyone. While it’s difficult to distinguish any absolute highlights, some of the more unique songs included Marigold, which added some tribal-style beats to the mix, and Plain Gold Ring a slower homage to the smooth female jazz vocalists of the 1950s, sung while silhouetted by a single spotlight.
Kimbra’s signature vocal loops and electronic samples were featured heavily, probably most recognisably in one of her earlier singles Settle Down while her set finale Break showcased her impressive belt abilities, holding a single note while the rest of crowd held their breath in disbelief. Backed by her solid support band, Cameo Lover, the single being debuted in Kimbra’s latest set of gigs, was a definite crowd favourite with its infectious tune and light-hearted message to “Open up your heart”.
While she is yet to develop a repertoire of stage banter, Kimbra maintained a strong connection with the crowd. Perhaps overly appreciative, she thanked the crowd for their support and encouragement on multiple occasions in a tone much humbler than required for someone with this sort of talent.
Whimsical and all-round delightful, Kimbra’s set flew by in no time leaving the crowd hungry for more. Sadly her EP is yet to be released but with a dedicated and growing fan base it’s almost guaranteed to be a hit.
