“It’s just crazy to be here,” the somewhat nervous artist noted, before the likes of “Black Privilege”, “Drowning”, “Hold Strong”, the currently-unreleased “The Price I Paid”, and a cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” were accompanied by a small spattering of twin, turning an already masterful performance into one of the festival’s veritable best. As the audience stood transfixed, mesmerised by the powerful electronic beats, swirling sound woes, and – of course – Miiesha’s truly gorgeous vocals, it was clear that she was as pleased to be at WOMADelaide as we were to see her. There is still time to get your tickets and catch a session – the festival runs until Sunday night, 31 August 2014 – check out the festival program for all the details.An Aṉangu and Torres Strait Islander woman, who first made music-lovers stand up and take notice by way of “Black Privilege”, 2020 saw Miiesha truly kick things up to the next level, with her debut album Nyaaringu, undoubtedly raising expectations for the evening’s set. Reaching #28 on the Australian charts, the record features interludes from Miisesha’s grandmother, while the overarching tale of her journey from Woorabinda to her current station in life plays out.Īrriving onto the stage after her band mates – consisting of a drummer, keyboardist, two vocalists, and Perry (off to the side) – rapturous applause complemented her presence, with the sound of her grandmother’s voice in “Caged Bird” soon giving way to her slick, soon-to-be iconic vocals. Much fun was had by all and once again I left inspired. This is the third year I’ve attended the Queensland Poetry Festival. The Bell Divers rounded out the first session, rocking the house with their foot tapping beats juxtaposed with their, at times, melancholy lyrics.Īfter a brief intermission, Cyril Wong charmed us with his candid conversation and self-deprecating humour and we ended the night enthralled by the haunting sounds of McKisko with ‘Berlin influences’ (table topic – the merits or otherwise of melodihorns). If you have not seen Warsan perform live you are missing something truly special. Sarah Holland-Batt opened the show with her classy, hard-hitting prose and then we were blown away by Poet in Residence Warsan Shire’s moving performance. The ever sunny Pascalle Burton (MC for the evening) greeted us with positivity and puffy sleeves (the latter sparking much debate at my table – everyone’s a fashion critic after champaz). Then we all eagerly took our seats in the Judith Wright Centre’s Theatre Space for the opening night gala, Needlepoints of Light. I was there – it was moving.īoth ladies performed their award-winning pieces – raw, confronting, visceral, deep, intelligent and ultimately powerful. Next the 2014 Thomas Shapcott Award went to Krissy Kneen for her manuscript ‘Eating My Grandmother’. You can actually read the acceptance speech Krissy intended to read on her blog – she didn’t read it, but most was said. The night began with the announcement of the winner of the 2014 Val Vallis Award, Chloe Wilson’s poem ‘Not Axe Nor Fox’. You can read the full transcript of ‘Not Axe Nor Fox’ at Cordite Poetry Review. Last night festival season for bookish and arty types kicked off here in Brisbane with the opening of the Queensland Poetry Festival.
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