Australian singer-songwriter, Katie Noonan, embarked on a national tour of Jeff Buckley’s Grace album, performing at the Northcote Theatre to a packed house. Her support act, Georgia Fields with the Andromeda String Quartet, were deserving of a standing ovation. During Georgia’s performance, she created her own live loops for her pieces and impressively winged the set without a set list.  Her voice sounded angelic and otherworldly; a mesmerising blend of control and chaos, which nicely harmonised with the string quartet. It was wickedly fun and pitch perfect. 

Katie Noonan literally lit up the Northcote Theatre with her soulful vocals and magnetic stage presence. When arriving on stage with her 5-piece band, her aura was invoked as the beaming lights reflected off her glittering silver dress, setting the tone for a shimmering evening and one of only a few standing-only performances. 

Her  soulful tribute to Jeff Buckley was moving. Performing Mojo Pin, Grace, Last Goodbye, So Real, and Lilac Wine, she honoured Buckley’s spirit while reimagining each song through her own ethereal tone and emotional nuance. Between tracks, Katie reflected on what she called, “18 months of weird,” speaking candidly about the challenges she has faced, including navigating perimenopause. With warmth and humour, she celebrated the power of sisterhood; turning vulnerability into strength through her heartfelt music and storytelling.

I absolutely loved it when Katie sung with her shaker – treating the instrument like a best friend, as they danced the night away together. As the final notes faded, the crowd rallied in quiet awe, united by Katie Noonan’s raw honesty and transcendent artistry.

Written by Adriana Perri @leblondefox for Pen To Paper Media