To witness k.d. lang perform is to witness vocal perfection. In the entire time k.d. has been coming to Australia the consistency is that you could hear a pin drop when she sings. The audience is always completely silent. They are stunned, they are in awe of one of the greatest voices of a generation.
k.d.’s first Melbourne show was special. Not only was it the first show of the tour, it was the first complete performance of her signature album ‘Ingénue’, her musical masterpiece from 1992.
It was also k.d.’s first own show in five years. k.d. lang last toured with her last musical diversion case/lang/viers with Neko Case and Laura Veirs. Unfortunately, Australia missed that tour. However, the project was included in this show when k.d. performed ‘Honey and Smoke’ from their 2016 album.
Being the first show of the tour the occasional sound issue arose but the technical issues didn’t faze the barefoot performer.
The show opens with a complete rendering of the ‘Ingénue’ album live. k.d. didn’t talk to the audience between the songs instead choosing to give her fans a live replica of the album experience. It was stunning, especially ‘Miss Chatelaine’, completely with the barefoot ms lang prancing across the stage.
‘Ingénue’ never felt like a classic at the time. Over time, it grew to stand head and shoulders above other albums of the day, including her own work. This is THE k.d. lang album everyone should own. The song ‘Constant Craving’ inadvertently even influenced The Rolling Stones. After the release of ‘Anybody Seen My Baby’ (1997) Jagger and Richards added additional credits for k.d. lang and Ben Mink to their song after Keith’s daughter pointed out to her dad that The Stones had ripped off ‘Constant Craving’.
This show is historic. We may never see this album performed from start to finish ever again in Australia. For k.d., some of the songs have never been performed live.
The show is a time capsule. From start to finish including encores there isn’t much change out of 90 minutes but in that time k.d. manages to not only give her fans her best but also Canada’s best. Neil Young’s ‘Helpless’, Jane Sieberry’s ‘Love Is Everything’ and the song that should be Canada’s national anthem ‘Hallelujah’ from Leonard Cohen are also in the show. She also drops by her own 2011’s ‘Sing It Loud’ and 2008’s ‘Sing It Loud’ for a moment and ends of one of her live only performances ‘Sleeping Alone’.
If you have never seen k.d. lang, you need to see this show. If you have previously seen k.d. lang you must see this show.
PHOTO GALLERY: k.d. lang live at The Plenary, Melbourne, 18 July 2017 by Ros O’Gorman
k.d. lang setlist Melbourne 18 July 2017
Ingénue Album, 1992
Save Me
Mind of Love
Miss Chatelaine
Wash Me Clean
So It Shall Be
Still Thrives This Love
Season Of Hallow Soul
Outside Myself
Tears of Loves Recall
Constant Craving
Honey and Smoke (from case/lang/viers, 2016)
I Dream of Spring (from Watershed, 2008)
Sing It Loud (from Sing It Loud, 2011)
Helpless (from Hymns from the 49th Parallel, 2004)
Love Is Everything (from Hymns from the 49th Parallel, 2004)
Encore 1
Hallelujah (from Hymns from the 49th Parallel, 2004)
Encore 2
I Confess (from Sing It Loud, 2011)
Sleeping Alone
k.d lang Australian dates
18 July, Melbourne, The Plenary
20 and 21 July, Melbourne, State Theatre
23 and 24 July, Perth, Riverside Theatre
26 and 27 July, Sydney, ICC Theatre
