It's an odd framework to consider a chart-topping, quintuple-platinum selling album, with multiple hit singles to its name to boot, as underrated.
This, however, is the paradox that wraps around Delta Goodrem's second studio album, 2004's 'Mistaken Identity'. In any other world, you'd consider the album's rap sheet a roaring success.Long casts the shadow, however, of its predecessor: 2003's 'Innocent Eyes', which went an eye-watering 15-times platinum in Australia alone and remains one of the highest-selling Australian albums of all time.
The last time Goodrem was in the Sydney Opera House's hallowed Concert Hall was to celebrate that album, performing it in its entirety and revelling in her biggest hits. Now, almost two years later, she returns (14 April) to reckon with its darker, moodier and messier younger sister.
Image © Nicole Ainsworth
Her full band are once again on hand to flesh out the original arrangements including guitarist, fiancee Matthew Copley, and the Muscat sisters Christine and Sharon (aka Sister2Sister) on backing vocals. Unlike the 'Innocent Eyes' show, round two in the House sees an eight-piece strings section joining the fray.
It's a pitch-perfect addition to the performance, which makes its presence felt in the early stages of the album playthrough as they swell beneath 'Out Of The Blue' and soar on the title track. They complement Goodrem's vocals too, which seemingly have grown stronger and stronger in the ensuing two decades.
Many of tonight's songs are being performed for either the first time since the original 'Mistaken Identity' tour or, indeed, at all. This alone makes it more of an intriguing prospect than the 'Innocent Eyes' show, which was largely dominated by songs that have been set staples for Goodrem's entire career.
Image © Nicole Ainsworth
The constant key changes of 'A Little Too Late', co-written by Take That's Gary Barlow, feel more fleshed out and cohesive in the live environment – all while Goodrem seeks out front-row devotees to sing the "doo-doo-doos" with.
'Miscommunication', which Goodrem jokingly dismisses as "everyone's CD skip", is one of the night's rough diamonds: part piano-pop, part trip-hop and entirely the kind of experiment that could only come in one's late teens and early 20s – like wearing jeans with a dress, for instance.
That's another key thing to draw from when watching Goodrem perform this album. This, bear in mind, is a 40-year-old woman reliving some of the darkest and most confronting times in her life.
Even taking away the context of her Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at 18, being thrust into a public spectacle at such a young age inevitably carries its own traumas and grief.
The fact she can speak to her audience in 2025 about this period with such poise, eloquence and even good-natured humour – including anecdotes about Snoop Dogg's security, her self-described 'terrible' music videos and a fan who found her family home in the Yellow Pages – speaks volumes about the woman's character. To perform these songs is to, consequently, reclaim them.
Image © Nicole Ainsworth
There's more surprises, like the all-grown-up Cody Simpson subbing in for old flame Brian McFadden on the long-distance duet 'Almost Here', and a shower of butterfly-shaped confetti cascading down on the audience during 'You Are My Rock', an ode to her brother Trent.
The encore, then, effectively speed-runs a medley of non-Mistaken cuts, including big sing-alongs of 'Lost Without You' and 'Born To Try'. As Goodrem is dancing barefoot atop a grand piano, however, the ultimate takeaway of the 'Mistaken Identity' show begins to sink in.
This young woman was a cultural punching bag for most of the start of the new millennium, lest we forget. She was incredibly uncool – too clean-cut, too nice, too much like her film character Alison Ashley.
Yet, she's always been the bigger person. She's always put the music, and those that have bonded with her music, at the forefront of her career. Yes, Delta Goodrem is cringe – but she is free.
More photos from the concert.
