Feeling like an invite-only house concert, fourty or so lucky punters were entertained by the lovely Laura Jean and friends.

It sure was cold on Saturday night, that may have explained the small turn out. That can be a good thing at The Front, it means everyone gets somewhere to sit or a space against the wall at least in full view of the acts and there certainly wasn’t a queue for the loo or the bar. Kicking off a little later than usual at 9 pm (local act was unwell), I got comfortable with a glass of red (it’s good for your heart you know), and was ready to hear Brisbanite Tom Cooney in the flesh after hearing good things about the Australian Music Prize shortlistee and his debut album Presque Vu. From start to finish, Tom was mesmerising. Armed with his acoustic guitar and intricate plucking, earnest lyrics and warm voice, he’s not just another male folkie with a guitar – there’s something about his music that draws your near. His set included Mountains In The Sky (with Laura Jean on backing vocals), See Your Face, and closed with I Choose, revealing his glorious falsetto. Thank god for Tom Cooney – what a gem!

For a Laura Jean groupie, this was a much anticipated gig. Joined by partner Jen Sholakis on drums/guitar and Biddy Connor on piano accordion/keyboard/viola, the multi-talented “electrified trio” played a host of new material on their east coast New Songs tour. Trading her usual acoustic guitar in for a pastel yellow electric Gibson she won in a competition, Laura spoke openly to the group about being sleepy, the cold and op-shop bargains, including the pink jumper she was wearing (she scored it at an Essendon op-shop for five bucks), between songs. Laura sang with her eyes shut through most of her new tunes; Valenteen, Noel, Australia (where she mentioned she’s probably the closest she’ll ever be to Kevin here in the capital) and Spring. Even threw in a few covers including Kath Bloom’s When I See You and Neil Young’s Helpless. Her sweet yet fluid voice weaved through her signature story-book song writing and classical folk melodies, with Anniversary being the only track performed from second album Eden Land. But not until the crowd got a say – Laura sheepishly asked for any requests after she unplugged her guitar. It was unanimous, the crowd asked for Yellow Moon and she delivered.

No “Where the bloody hell are you Canberra?” digs from me, I was more than happy to have Laura Jean and friends all to myself, well almost.