Lisa Mitchell @ The Quarry,Perth (14/11/10)

Mon 15th Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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Still touring on the back of her LP Wonder released in July 2009, the question arises; Does Lisa Mitchell have another album in her? The beautiful surrounds of the Quarry Amphitheatre provided a spectacular backdrop for what should have been a night of wonder, but instead, it was to leave some wondering.

Georgia Fair provided adequate and at times beautiful harmonies and were a worthy support act for the main event. Mitchell, at the tender age of 20, has left the curse of Australian Idol and forged an exciting and noteworthy career. Her claim to fame; the simple but catchy Coin Laundry has apparently spurred many a fan to throw a coin on stage. This is seemingly an awkward but necessary element of Mitchell’s engagement with her audience. Predictably, Mitchell did not disappoint fans with her reminder to exercise caution with gold coins.

It may be a glaring example of inexperience, or simply a struggle to translate the innocent and unique beauty of Wonder to the stage but it was ultimately a rather laid-back, casual and bland affair, where lyrics were seemingly missed or forgotten and songs lacked the richness and beauty of their recorded counterparts. There were elements of the performance in which Mitchell truly shone, in particular, the quiet splendour of Love Letter, the adolescent angst of Stevie, and the haunting shades of See You When You Get Here. The performance lacked clarity and direction however, and seemed to meander along rather than invite the audience to become a part of something truly special.

As Mitchell played song after song of well-worn and well-played tracks from her album of 2009, the audience could be forgiven for wondering if they might catch a glimpse of a fresher, less ‘tired’ side to Mitchell. The country-esque Better Left Unsaid was a glimpse of what may be to come for the young singer-songwriter, however it was ultimately underwhelming, screaming with potential as yet untapped.

This performance was an example of the trials and tribulations of youth, inexperience and awkwardness with some joyous moments peppered into the mix. Mitchell’s songs may not yet translate to the stage in all their glory, but the potential of this young woman is boundless. One can only hope she can hone her skills and abilities so she can truly shine in the coming years.

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