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Missy Higgins – Munro Martin Parklands – 11 May 2024

Missy Higgins has played Cairns for the past two years so for the third year in a row she has ventured north and this time with a very special two set show.

When arriving the que to get in was still half way around the block when local songstress and absolute talent Amber Farnan had already begun her support set and upon entering this was the most packed Munro Martin Parklands had ever been, that says a lot about the power of Missy’s music in this cost of living crisis.

The idea of a two set show was an interesting one with the first set a mixture of her back catalogue and her new album The Second Act LP, which is set to be released in September this year.

This first set began with mainly Higgins solo, this allowed her to turn this vast outdoor venue into one that seemed more intimate, like the jazz clubs she referred to throughout the set, I have never seen this transformation happen so successfully in the thirty years I have been a music journalist.

The mix of melancholy, heartbreak and celebration of the first set was truly moving especially as she speaks about her divorce and the words and music that were born from that experience.

The highlights of that set were her new song You Should Run which explores how complicated post divorce relationships with small children are and he jazz Fusion The Cactus That Found the Beat

The second set the Sound Of White part of the concert of course held no suprises except the order of the songs. What made this so special was the telling of the stories that lead to these songs being created, it was truly an amazing experience.

This show held on a cloudless rain free night in the autumn weather of Cairns could not have been any better, it was amazing to see the multi generational audience of young children their parents an their grandparents all enjoying the show. it is a testament to Higgins music connecting with people of all ages and cements her place as one of the best songwriters of her generation

I absolutely cannot wait for Missy Higgins jazz fusion inspired album of 2026, of course I have no idea if that is her plan…but I wish she would make it happen…as the world could use a little more joy.

Missy Higgins new album The Second Act will be released on the 6th of Septmeber and is available for pre-order now HERE