There are few voices in Australian music that possess an ethereal magic quite like that of Katie Noonan. With a career spanning multiple decades and genres, the multi-ARIA Award winning artist joined forces with regular collaborator, classical guitarist Karin Schaupp for a show at Riverside Theatres to debut their tour based upon their collaborative album, Songs of the Southern Skies Vol 2. 

Noonan and Schaupp delivered a mix of originals, covers and guitar instrumental pieces. From the moment the show began, the beauty of Noonan’s voice was in full view, with her upper register particularly gorgeous in its strength. She sang a mix of classics and little-known songs, with her versions of Missy Higgins “Cooling of the Embers” and of Sia’s “Chandelier” early highlights which allowed her voice to soar from the outset. 

Noonan introduced her songs with the right balance of context and personability which allowed the audience to connect with her on a greater level. There was somewhat of a roughness around this; both Noonan and Schaupp were relying on iPads for the night and there were a fair few lyric and structural flubs in some songs but overall, it gave a feel of earnestness which engendered intimacy with the crowd. 

Arguably the highlight of the night was Noonan’s rendition of “Confide in Me” by Kylie Minogue. It was measured in its approach yet felt highly emotional and showed off the extremities of Noonan’s voice. Schaupp’s classical guitar also added a lightness to the song which suited Noonan’s voice and the arrangement well. 

Interspersed within the setlist were some guitar solos by Schaupp which were also very well received by the audience. “Dreamscapes”, a number composed by Tara Lynam, a former student of Schaupp, was especially well-crafted, creatively exploring all the possibilities of the instrument. 

At times, there was perhaps a little too much narrative around the songs, which meant that the show lasted nearly 2.5 hours (including an intermission). The second act did not feature quite as many hit or recognisable numbers as the first act, although Noonan’s voice was still strong throughout. The show ended with an encore performance of “Friday on my Mind”, for which Noonan involved the audience in the responsive part of the song. It was a fun and bubbly end to a great night of music. 

Ultimately, the star of the show in this concert was Noonan’s voice, although Schaupp’s guitar was an absolutely fantastic support. Some of the songs were more exciting than others but it was the beauty of Noonan’s range and register that brought the show together. Although some more songs that showed off the pure emotion that Noonan’s voice can highlight would have been welcomed, this was still a fine show which showcased a number of great Australian artists, of which there is no doubt Noonan is one. 

Rating: ★★★★

Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp – Riverside Theatres – 26^th October 2024