Review: Christina Perri’s unforgettable debut Aussie performance in Melbourne

Christina Perri @ Palais Theatre 02/06/2012
Review by Jordana Borensztajn

With a simple hanging canopy across the back of the stage and some basic pot plants accompanying the band’s instruments, the stage set-up for Christina Perri’s debut Australian show looked unusually bare.

But as soon as the 25-year-old Philadelphia singer-songwriter kicked off her set, it became clear why there weren’t any dramatic stage sets or flashy production elements.

The stage needed to be bare last night to make room for Christina Perri’s powerful vocals and raw emotion, which filled up every inch of The Palais theatre.

Opening with her catchy and angsty up-tempo tale of revenge against a former love who stomped on her heart, “Bang Bang Bang” was the perfect opener. It showcased all of the qualities that have helped Perri soar to the top of the charts; her stunning vocals, her addictive melodies and her knack for storytelling.

Despite having two charting singles in Australia (“Jar of Hearts” and “A Thousand Years”), this was Perri’s first live gig. And she was obviously excited.

“Hello Melbourne. We're so excited that you would come spend your evening with us,” she told the crowd. “I’m so honoured to be playing in Australia. You were the first on board... Thanks for showing up tonight, and hanging in there. I'll never forget it.”

Perri’s show, much like her debut delivery Lovestrong, was full of emotional highs and lows. She was dramatic, honest, cheeky, energetic, vulnerable, hopeful, and full of heart.

She sang every track with such conviction it felt like she was re-living the experience that sparked that song’s journey all over again; the pain, the joy, the hurt, the confusion, the loneliness. It felt like Perri was telling each member of the crowd each song’s story for the very first time.

Highlights were “Arms”, her Twilight hit “A Thousand Years”, the album opener “Bluebird”, her tear-jerker “The Lonely” and her Jason Mraz collaboration “Distance”. Perri also performed some oldies, some newbies and a stellar cover of The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby”.

But the song that truly stole last night’s show was her breakthrough single “Jar of Hearts” which peaked in the #2 spot on the ARIA charts.

“I really don’t know what to say about this next song, probably because there is so much I can say,” she started to explain, as she sat at the piano, all alone on stage. “One thing being, it completely changed my life. All these magical events just started to happen.”

On June 30 2010, Perri’s song featured on So You Think You Can Dance in the States. Her track rose to the top of the U.S.  iTunes chart, she signed a major record deal and off the back of her debut album and an additional single, Perri’s songs have featured on Bold and the Beautiful, Glee and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. She’s also fulfilled a lifelong dream of hooking up with Jason Mraz for a duet.

“I've decided something over these past two years. I've decide this song is not mine. You let this song into your hearts. Each one of you believed in the song, and believed in me, and that’s why I'm here tonight. So it’s not my song – it’s our song now.” And with that, Perri launched into a hauntingly beautiful performance of her biggest hit to date.

Perri’s talent is effortless; she masters the piano, nails the guitar and has a set of pipes that can leave you breathless.

It’s inspiring to see a truly multi-talented artist peak at the top of the charts. She’s deserved all the success that has come her way and we’re only one album in. Can't wait for 'Album 2'.