There’s nothing overproduced about Lindi Ortega. Even when backed by a band on her albums, her music is paired back and straight from the soul. This is all the more notable tonight, given that she’s playing by herself. She walks out on stage, unannounced. It’s just her and her guitar her first words are “G’day. How’s it goin?” and then she rips into it. She is unaffected and absolutely endearing.
Although the room is jam packed, it’s pretty civilized, with the front half being seated. The audience is super appreciative though, and there is plenty of whooping and hollering.
She charms the shit out of the audience. She is bought a shot and drinks it, plays a request, High, and has a yarn with some lad about signing his ukulele and forming a band with him the next time she returns to town. The crowd gave her their undeniable attention as she delighted the crowd by explaining her signature black dress and red boots, both of which she is wearing tonight. They are tributes to her heroes – the black dress to Johnny Cash and the red boots to Wonder Woman.
Every article about Lindi Ortega raises reference to Emmy-Lou Harris or Dolly Parton. This is not hyperbole. She really is that good.
Tonight’s prevailing themes are about men who done wrong and murder. She sings like an angel about some dark topics. She delivers the sultriest version of Nancy Sinatra’s Bang, Bang I’ve ever heard. The clear crowd favourite is Murder of Crows though, which she jokes is autobiographical. The song tells of a woman who prays for mercy on her soul after murdering and burying her lover. However, with the exception of High, it’s not melancholy. The songs are delivered with a smile. Moreover, she tells us it’s a triumph. Her friend Dan Hill (of Sometimes When We Touch fame) told her that “if you get a song out of it, you win” … and tonight, by that rationale, so did we.
BY MEG CRAWFORD
Photo by Andy Crawford
Loved: Her voice and the old Hollywood glamour of the birdcage veil.
Hated: The people in front filming on super-sized mobile phones.
Drank: Nothing, and wished I had – it was so hot my eyelids were sweating.
