The Canberra Theatre Centre Playhouse was packed to the proverbial rafters for Macy Gray’s return to Canberra as part of a nine city national tour to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the release of her debut album On How Life Is.
On How Life Is was Macy Gray’s break-out album and has sold over seven million copies worldwide. The single from the album I Try became an international success and won Gray a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001.
It seemed most of those in the audience obviously had their own copy of On How Life Is, because, attracted by the promise that Macy Gray would sing every song from the album, seemed to know every lyric of every song, whenever invited to sing along, which was often.
Produced and directed by David M. Hawkins, the concert had a rock-concert vibe with banks of roving spotlights projecting out into the auditorium, and a large video screen at the back of the stage constantly changing patterns.
Macy Gray made her entrance in a dazzling blue ensemble, and after briefly acknowledging the enthusiastic welcome from the audience, launched into a rocking R&B rendition of Why Didn’t You Call Me, backed by her red-hot band which consisted of Justin Clemons on Keyboards, Alex Kyhn on bass, Joshua Conerly on Percussion and Steven Stewart on Drums.
Do Something, she sang, then Caligula, followed by Sex-o-matic, Murder, Still and Moment to Myself. They were all there, connected by exhortations from Ms Gray encouraging her audience to clap along and let her hear them sing, reminding them, cheekily, that she had “come all the way from Los Angeles, USA, to sing to them.”
Still, Moment to Myself, Can’t Wait To Meechu, When I See You, and an arresting Soul rendition of Sunny, followed.
The generous program continued, interrupted only by a dazzling drum solo from Steven Stewart which provided an opportunity for a quick change into another striking gown by Ms Gray before continuing with a succession of hits from her other albums which over the years have sold over 25 million copies and earned Macy Gray no fewer than five GRAMMY nominations.
Towards the end of the show Gray introduced a new song she’s still working on, an earwig audience participation song entitled, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, which she promised the Canberra audience it was the first to hear, before quipping “after every other audience on this tour.”
So hard to pick a favourite from this generous program. Definitely Creep, but then perhaps You Are Relating To A Psychopath, Sexual Revolution, I Try. Perhaps for the moment I’ll settle on The Letter, a poignant song with which she finished her memorable show.
Macy Gray
Playhouse – Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, Canberra
Performance: Thursday 11 July 2024
Macy Gray will perform at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Saturday 13 July 2024 (sold out). For more information, visit: www.macygraytour.com for details
Image: Macy Gray (supplied)
Review: Bill Stephens OAM