Much had been expected from tonight’s proceedings after the divine Sarah Blasko had announced her autumn tour with a promise of a rare and intimate night, in all of the main capital cities. With high prospects, crowds entered into the cozy Octagon Theatre at UWA, with much hope and excitement gleaming in their eyes…And they weren’t to be disappointed.

After the home-brewed eight-piece chamber orchestra finished their enchanting introduction, on walked Blasko with grace and reverence, opening with All Coming Back. With no support acts on the bill, the quiet crowd stared in awe, reluctant to sway or disturb Blasko’s captivating hold. The orchestra could only complement Blasko, never to steal her limelight as they reimbursed her classics to give them, if possible, a more sophisticated turn.

Next up was the smooth, instrumentally gifted The Albatross, from her new album, What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have. “It’s good to be back in Perth,” she said with a charming smile, warming the shy crowd. “It’s nice to play in small theatres like this.” By lifting the crowd’s spirits a little further, Blasko swung into The Garden’s End with the help of her multi-talented guitarist and drummer. Blasko’s performance style is unique to her own music and she moved where the music took her, much to the likes of a string puppet mastered by music.

Announcing an intermission, Miss Blasko thanked her co-writer/guitarist/pianist Robert Cranny and the Perth-based orchestra. Joking with the crowd, she speculated how she and Cranny were from Sydney and that the crowd shouldn’t hold it against them: “We really like it here,” she said. Finishing the first segment with Amazing Things, suspense had been built by the sultry songstress about her special guest who she refused to name, not wanting to ruin the surprise.

Back after the break, a relieved Blasko came out announcing that she’d had a pleasant intermission, having had a glass of wine. Kicking things back into high gear, she opened with Don’t U Eva before unveiling her special guest. Introduced as a local boy, on stepped the blonde with a gleaming smile and a guitar circled with Christmas lights. Bob Evans, ‘the hired comic relief’, joked with Miss Blasko, about how Evans was meant to be at the Slayer gig that evening. “We should play some Slayer,” one joked as the crowd applauded. Singing as a duet, they played Blasko’s The Woman by the Well, Evans’ Don’t You Think it’s Time? and a cover of BJ Thomas’ Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. The unlikely couple harmonised uncannily, surprising the crowd to much delight. They stirred giggles and laughter when the final duet song ended with ‘Nothing’s worrying s/he’ as they pointed to each other. A grand applause was given to the Suburban Kid as he left the stage, making a u-turn as he mistook his exit point.

Blasko finished the performance with her songs from her latest album, including I Could Never Belong to You, [Explain], Always On This Line and her recent release, Planet New Year.

Ending on high note, the crowd did not leave as there was a partial standing ovation for the songstress. There were half a dozen cries of ‘I love you Sarah’, one ‘I love your wardrobe’ and a few of ‘ I think you’re awesome’ before she appeared once more, singing the very first song she released on radio, Your Way, which had a sassy bluesy feel like Joss Stone.

And just like that, she was whisked away again, leaving a permanent memory of what a spectacular night it had been.