Melanie: People in the Front Row

Touring Australia for the first time since 1977, Melanie has lost none of her charm. Judging by the rapturous applause she received when she graced the stage, her presence still evokes passion. Within minutes she makes you feel like you are spending an evening with an old friend and this feeling continues as she mixes honest dialogue with a back catalogue of tunes.

Some have called her ‘The First Lady of Woodstock’; having emerged as a teenager from New York City she became a female voice of a generation. Melanie writes from her heart, sharing a piece of her soul and connecting with the people around her. There is something almost spiritual about listening to her earthy tones and sharing in her vibrant views on the world around her.

Backed by a four piece band including her son Beau on guitar, you witness a women who despite her advancing years still has a lot to say and she does so without pretence.

The audience is encouraged to sing along and they do to well known favourites such as 'Beautiful People' and her Australian number one hit 'Brand New Key'. Having only been a toddler when these songs were released, by the end I was a fan.

The journey is far from over for Melanie as she shared some new songs still scattered with a little social commentary and an honesty that could only come from a woman with a past.

By the last encore of 'Lay Down', the audience were on their feet and encouraged to chant, 'give peace a chance'. If I did not know better I would have expected to wake in a hippie commune. Encouraged to be kind and believe that we were all indeed in this together, I left the theatre with a spring in my step.

Kerry Cooper

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