REVIEW: Christina Perri, Palais Theatre, Melbourne 2nd June 2012

04 June 2012

Ok. So. I have to confess that the main reason I wanted to see Christina Perri is that I have a significant crush on her. She's pretty. She's brunette. She has tattoos. And she can play guitar at a level that doesn't surpass my own skill level. What's not to like?

PHOTO GALLERY: Check out all the incredible snaps from the gig here!

So, it was with no 'real' expectations that I skulked through a drizzly St Kilda to see her play at the Palais on Saturday night.

Waiting for me when I got there was an eclectic crowd. I saw sports scarves, fur coats, multiple piercings, and a lot of kids. Glee and So You Think You Can Dance have clearly had an effect on Ms Perri's fanbase.

Opening the show was Sydney-based-but-Tasmanian-raised-singer-songwriter, Jordan Miller. His job was to warm up the crowd. How do I know this? Cause he mentioned it several times and spent most of his set coaxing the crowd into roaring appreciation. Despite this seemingly forced behaviour, however, Jordan appeared to be genuinely happy to be there. He reminded me a little of John Mayer but with worse guitar and a better voice. If that makes any sense.

His songs lacked variety, but all-in-all, it was a nice way to kick off the show.

After a short intermission, during which the ladies' lavatories developed festival-sized lines, Christina Perri hit the stage to the thumping drums of opening number, 'Bang, Bang, Bang'. Dressed in black boots, black stockings and a black dress, she looked a bit like an edgy Gabriella Cilmi.

At this early point of the set, I realise that the drummer is in the wrong band. His heavy hitting would be much more at home in a band not fronted by a cutesy songstress. That being said, the entire band is very tight and well-rehearsed... and do well to hide the fact that they're slightly mismatched.

'Black and Blue' is up next. It is one of the better songs of the evening. But Perri's lack of animation is disappointing. She is fairly still and is made to look boring by her fellow band mates. Unfortunately, this theme will continue throughout the evening.

The next song is 'Distance' her new duet with Jason Mraz. He does not make a surprise appearance and her guitarist fills in on vocals.

After a few more songs, Perri introduces another new song. It's called 'Crazy' and it's a Mexican themed number complete with trumpets. I love the energy of this tune. So does the crowd. It's followed by an unlikely cover of the 1963 Ronettes classic, 'Be My Baby' which also goes down well with the crowd. The evening is starting to look up, I think to myself as she kicks into one of her hits, 'A Thousand Years'.

Unfortunately, it's not to be. From here on in, the songs are standard at best and her lack of enthusiasm is bringing everyone else down. Never is this more apparent than when she asks the crowd to get up and dance. Most oblige, but I can tell that everyone is thinking the same as me... 'practice what you preach!'.

The band take a quick break, then Perri returns alone for 'Jar of Hearts'. She tells the story of how it came to be then launches into in a heartfelt performance the hit. She really can sing. And is truly stunning. I just wish she had the personality to match.

The band return and they finish the show with 'Tragedy' and 'Arms'.

Overall, I was kinda let down by Ms Perri. But having said that, I'm more than happy for her to try and redeem herself next time she's in town.

Review: Ryan Yip - The Take 40 Team
Photographer: Kate Wehl