Julia Stone at St Michael's Church

Band: Julia Stone
Venue: St Michael’s Church
Date: 20th February
Reviewed By:

Melbourne was greeted on a gusty Wednesday night on the Heavenly Tour at St Michael’s Church in Melbourne, featuring Julia Stone. It seems unusual for us rockers to be heading out to a church for a gig, I felt like we were going to a church service and I’m sure all the people rubber necking as we waited in line were wondering what funky new style of church service we were attending. It seems gigs like this are big in Europe – maybe the church’s needs to raise revenue on another level these days? Makes me wonder.

　

I made my way up the little stairwell to the upstairs area and I found a pretty decent possie. The lights dimmed and the crowd fell silent but then nothing happened for a few minutes and I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact the entire room just starting talking again in loud voices until Julia came out in a radiant white frock and silver glittery shoes reminiscent of the red ones Dorothy wears. With her quirky stage presence she launched into her music which carried us away with her stunning range in vocals and cute smile after each song. Julia shared stories with us, mainly about ex boyfriends and heartbreak and whilst a lot of the punters were fanning themselves in the warm church, Julia filled the air with music about lost love yet as she says, happy to be in love at any time, no matter the outcome.

　

The band consisted of Ross Irwin (Cat Empire, The Bamboos), Ben Edgar and Ed Fairly (Goyte) who play a variety of instruments each and constantly changed areas on stage to fulfil their musical journey with Julia. By The Horns is her latest musical creativity and tonight she shares the new songs as well as the older songs and also includes a few covers before ending with My Girl with its hilarious backing vocals by the boys!

　

St Michael’s Church is a gorgeous old building, featuring old fashioned décor and lead lighting of The Last Supper with contemporary roof lights , all of which adorn my surrounds. Julia’s voice suits the church and her evocative sound carries to every nook and cranny and I find myself enjoying this creatures music and I laugh at her antics whilst forgetting I am in a church.