The Melbourne Encore with Missy Higgins

Photo by Tajette O'Halloran

Twenty years ago, Missy Higgins burst onto the Australian music scene with her earnest track ‘All For Believing’, a song she wrote at just fifteen years old for a high school assignment. She then went on to release her breakout album ‘The Sound of White’, a record that captured the hearts of millions across the country and embedded Higgins into the Australian music zeitgeist. Now, after 40 sold-out shows across Australia, ‘The Second Act Tour’ came to a close over the weekend in Higgins’ home city of Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Fans old and young, braved the summer rain to join in a celebration of the 20th anniversary of ‘The Sound of White’ and embrace her newest album ‘The Second Act’. 

Broken into two ‘acts’, the show kicked off with ‘Song for Sammy’, a lullaby written for her son when she was unable to get him to sleep one night. Accompanied only by her ukulele, Higgins glowed on stage. The crowd is quiet, mesmerised by Higgins’ vocals that have only strengthened over the years. The first half of the show is a rollercoaster of emotions. A journey through romantic love, maternal love and heartbreak. 

Higgins' vulnerability goes beyond her lyrics, Before performing ‘Blue Velvet Dress’ she opens up to the crowd, “this next song was written about the toughest day of my life. I had to perform at the Sydney Opera House on New Years Eve, I wore this beautiful blue dress and the show was live across Australia. Nobody knew that the same day I had separated from my partner”. It’s these moments between songs that separates Higgins from so many other performers I’ve seen before. 

Midway through ‘Act One’ Higgins is joined by her brother David and, for the first time, her sister Nicola (who was the one to send in ‘All for Believing’ to Triple J unearthed all those years ago) to perform an acoustic cover of Crowded House ‘Better be Home Soon’. A real highlight of the show. The crowd of course joined in to create a choir of thousands. 

Rounding out the first act, Higgins performs ‘The Second Act’, a track about new beginnings, forgiving oneself and letting go of what you thought you knew. “I’m a good person, Just doing the best I can” - a mantra Higgins shares with the audience. 

“Alright, go and have wee and a..sausage or something”, the intermission begins. 

For me, and I know many others, ‘The Sound of White’ has been a staple and a safe place for me. My mother would play it religiously at home. It feels nostalgic and warm like golden hour during spring. Of course at the tender age of just 6 years old when it was released, I couldn’t comprehend the depths and weight of the lyrics. As I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself relating more and finding comfort in the album 

Act 2 is the entire tracklist of ‘The Sound of White’ album. It opens with a short voice clip of Higgins at age 19 talking about how far she’s come in her career after the success of ‘The Sound of White’, Higgins admits to the crowd, “it’s a bit cringe, what am I talking about?”. But as a fan, it speaks volumes of the impact that debut album made. Two Decades later, many are hearing it live for the first time, myself included.

The title track was a heavy moment for the audience, Higgins spoke of her cousin who died at a young age when she was a just teenager. “I kneeled down in my school chapel and just spent time talking to him, and I felt him reach out”. Asking the crowd to think of someone they have lost as she performed ‘The Sound of White’, Higgins created a safe place for grief. 

Rounding out the show, Higgins performs ‘Steer’, leaving the audience with a sense of new beginnings. A theme throughout Higgins’ discography. Beyond the heartbreak, there is always a sense of hope for the future. 

It cannot be understated the impact Missy Higgins has had on the Australian music industry. Her flawless storytelling and remarkable ability to be emotionally raw have cemented her as one of the greats. Through teenage angst, womanhood, motherhood, grief and heartbreak, Higgins has exposed her innermost thoughts and strips bare to figure out what it all means. Hopefully, for many many more years to come.