There is something different about Sinead O'Connor, some kind of energy or otherworldliness that radiates out from her.
It might be the potent, combination punch of suppressed rage at the world and an aching tenderness for life. Whatever it is, it pours out of her through her music and her fans go gaga for it.
The Concert Hall at QPAC is notorious for creating a stagnant, safe kind of energy and people get comfortable in their chairs, unable to move and shake and express themselves through dancing. Sinead wasn’t having any of that this night (11 March), actively encouraging punters to get up, move, yell, call out and get involved.
She came on promptly at 9pm, following on from support act Paddy McHugh. Apparently chosen for his storytelling songs, McHugh played a short set, sang with a laconic, Aussie drawl and joked with the crowd between songs. But you could tell the crowd was waiting for the main act, shuffling in their seats impatiently as the time grew closer.
Image © Callum DorwoodWhen she finally walked out on stage, the applause was deafening and the catcalls and whistles started almost immediately. She was dressed like she was heading out onto the wintery streets of Brooklyn – black beanie, long-leather jacket, collared shirt and boots. Her only nod to dressing up was a large, gold crucifix hanging around her neck and swaying gently was she wandered on.
Backed by her band of two guitarists, bassist, drummer and keys, O’Connor and her musical gang had chemistry and an easy camaraderie; it was clear they have spent much time together, with Sinead even dedicating one of her songs to one of her back-up singer’s friends.
Image © Callum DorwoodShe played old and new tracks, apologising for her rambling chatter between tracks (which incidentally the audience loved as a large part of O’Connor appeal is her raw honesty and brutal authenticity). So no sorry was necessary as it made her even more endearing and real. It truly felt like she could be your friend; an outspoken, sometimes foul-mouthed and opinionated friend but one that you could trust and that would always have your back.
There were some heart-stoppingly good, musical moments in this set. When she sang a capella with just her two female musicians, the place stopped feeling like Brisbane, and became fairytale-like. After the song finished, you could audibly hear everyone exhale and the collective breath-holding was one memory that will be hard to forget.
Her opening number literally induced foot-stomping and made it very apparent very quickly just how good her voice still is. And even though it wasn’t confirmed in the press leading up to the concert, Sinead did end up performing her iconic number one hit, ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’. It was a stripped back, breathy version that echoed on in your mind hours later.
Image © Callum DorwoodThere were a few issues with the microphone and her singing style is visually quite spasmodic and distracting, but once you made peace with the unconventional style of performance, her voice took over. There is nothing like Sinead and her sound – it’s husky without sounding like a hoarse smoker; it’s smooth without sounding flat and is powerful, compelling and magnetic.
It’s easy to see why people have been fans for decades as she has something indefinably beautiful going on. A night filled with music-making memories.
