Sarah Blasko sold out two nights at the Factory Theatre many months ago but for her second show on Sunday night, it was a miracle that the venue was as packed as it was. Little more than an hour earlier, an extraordinary storm hit the venue with such force that the rain was pelting down, streets were flooded and lightning was flashing above as concertgoers entered the venue. 

The rain meant that there was a sense of triumph when Blasko made her way onto the stage, as she entered to strong applause. She started the set by performing the entirety of her latest album, I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain, as a means of promoting some of her newest material. The album is a strong work, which allows Blasko’s distinctive voice to shine and is very much in keeping with the style of her older work, so this did not feel at all out of place. 

The power of numbers like “Bothering Me” immediately set the tone for the night, with Blasko’s vocals punctuating through the Factory Theatre venue. Blasko has quite an ethereal and earthy tone and this came through during the set as she showcased the breath of the album. 

She moved onto her song “Goodbye” which was performed as a duet with Jack Ladder and done very well. The two voices combined excellently with their voices blending perfectly to create a great sound through the venue. The acoustics in the small theatre were fantastic which really allowed the nuances of Blasko’s voice to stand out. 

The final two songs on the album “To Be Alone” and “Divine” were arguably the strongest, with Blasko showing an emotional vulnerability in her lyrics that defined her battle with love and faith, both of which had a significant presence on the album. 

Blasko has a unique manner when on stage, and this was apparent during the show as she interacted very little with the audience. This, however, meant that she fully immersed herself in the music and gave a very inward performance, which worked well given the size of the space, but some more connection could have enhanced the experience of the music. 

After Blasko completed the performance of the ten songs of her new album, she moved onto some of her older numbers after a quick costume change (she remarked that she received compliments on her jumpsuits on both nights but wouldn’t disclose the brand because she didn’t want to give a free endorsement).

As she moved into her biggest hits, the crowd really started to warm up. “We Won’t Run” was particularly well received, with Blasko showcasing a fragility and beauty in her upper register that the song brings out so well. Her final numbers were particularly special and notable for their use of the effects microphone, which Blasko used to belt out some elongated high notes during “I Wanna Be Your Man” and “I Awake”. It showed great range to Blasko’s voice and to the set and it was a great way to end the night. 

Overall, Blasko gave a fine performance and showed why she is one of Australia’s most loved vocalists. Her new album featured some lovely material and fit in well with Blasko’s sound and style. The audience were perhaps looking for a little more connection, given that the concert was quite inward-focussed but even so, left very happy. And a word must go to Blasko’s band who did a great job at backing her up. Ultimately, a great night and a wonderful showcase of Australian music. 

Rating: ★★★★

Sarah Blasko – Factory Theatre – 17^th November 2024

Photo credit: Marcus Coblyn