Melbourne Reviews

Take one excellent piano, an excellent pianist (Andrea Keller) to play it and a diva with enormous vocal talent and you’ve got everything you need for an afternoon to savour. And all this in the intimacy of a gorgeous milk bar conversion in Brunswick. Singer/songwriter Julia Messenger’s first Sunday Soiree in the Milk Bar in December sold out so she’s about to hold another one on Sunday January 25th. Yay. 

Messenger is a brilliant performer, combining sophistication and sensuality in a delivery that’s sometimes light and playful, sometimes low key, sometimes emotionally intense and always intriguing. Her line up for the first afternoon, which included a glass of bubbly and nibblies, ranged from some classics sounding fresh and also a few deeply felt original tunes penned by herself. The latter include Heartbreak, Let Me Love One More Time, I’d Like to Think I Could Have You and French Love Song. These are tuneful, searing songs with lingeringly honest lyrics you identify with immediately. She’s talented, this girl. The award-winning Andrea Keller is a stunning accompanist.

Messenger's vocal range is impressive and her voice is beautifully polished but what distinguishes her is the sheer variety of styles she delivers while staying true to something in herself. She conveys an enormous range of feelings, even in songs we’ve heard over and over again, like La Vie en Rose, Non, Je ne Regrette Rien, Falling in Love Again and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. It’s a treat to appreciate wonderful songs like this anew; it’s like you’re hearing them for them for the first time. Messenger is a delightful performer and just gorgeous to listen to.

Bookings are necessary and you can do that through Eventbrite.


Sunday Soiree in the Milkbar
Julia Messenger

Venue: The Milkbar | Mitchell St, Brunswick, Vic
Date: Sunday, 25 January 2015
Tickets: $30.00
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au