If you’ve ever been to the Northern Star Hotel in Hamilton, Newcastle you’ll be familiar with the unusual nature of the performance space.

The room is dimly lit and sayings like “a turkey never voted for an early Christmas” haunt every available inch of wall space.

Before 10pm every night, the performance room doubles as an Irish theme restaurant. It’s not exactly the kind of environment you’d expect to be conducive of the rowdy crowds normally required for a “pumping” gig.

Many a performance artist has left the Northern feeling bruised by a crowd who’d prefer to sit than to stand, let alone dance or bounce around.

Notwithstanding this – Sydney support band Regular John managed to get the ball rolling and looked completely at home on stage. Their set was tight and practiced and their fast, heavy, sound made for an appropriate juxtaposition to the main act.

On the road to promote her debut self-titled album, this was apparently Laura Imbruglia’s first headlining gig in Newcastle. She took to the stage with a furrowed brow and a hidden grin, which she occasionally flashed at the crowd, and played with a confidence and style that was all her own.

As most first-time visitors to the Northern Star are, she was also amused by the bizarre sayings that cover the walls.

Prior to the launch of this album, Imbruglia performed primarily as an acoustic solo act. Now on stage with two other musicians (a drummer and guitarist, affectionately referred to during the performance as “Nick” and “Stiff”) she seemed at home with a rockier sound.

At times it rocked. At times it was bluesy. At times it bordered on country. But throughout, her songs were linked by a thread of self deprecating humour.

Classic titles like My Dream of a Magical Washing Machine and Lettuce and Anarchists give some indication of the kind of music she makes.

Imbruglia’s lyrics are a mixture of wit, introspection, pointed nonsense and extended metaphor. Her style is crazy yet uncomplicated and you can’t help but be charmed.

I’m not ashamed to say I left the pub that night with a CD and T-shirt. Well worth seeing.