HEADLINER: KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
SUPPORT: XANI KOLAC
VENUE: THE PRINCESS THEATRE, BRISBANE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 25TH 2026
REVIEWER: HAYLEY TREADWELL – REAL WOMAN REAL REVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREW TREADWELL – ANDREW TREADWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s actually kind of hard to sum up the experience of seeing Kate Miller-Heidke. We have been fortunate enough to see her a few times now, and with each live show we have seen she just gets better.
Her current tour is celebrating the release of her new album, The Kiss and the Abyss, which is without a doubt her best work. Kate is not someone who shies away from truth and emotion in her writing, and she certainly brings those stories to life on stage.
But before we were graced with Kate’s storytelling, the crowd at The Princess Theatre was warmed up by the mystifying, extremely talented and endearingly funny Xani Kolac. Taking the stage with her electric violin and loop pedal, Xani treated us to a performance filled with elegance and a whole bunch of fun.
The way her foot is like a musical instrument all in itself, programming the loops and tapping the pedals while dancing, singing and putting on one heck of a show, kind of blew my mind. I thoroughly enjoyed Xani’s set and was thrilled to see a line of young ladies wanting to meet her after the show!
During the break, we headed to buy some merch and I was thrilled to purchase the new album on vinyl, as well as a shirt with the amazing Tarot Card artwork from the album.
Time for the show, and as the stage lit up with gorgeous flowers and a stunning backdrop, the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey played as Kate took the stage with her musical partner and husband, Keir Nuttall.
We have seen Kate perform with her band a few times, and I loved this more pulled-back setting. I think it really allowed space for the songs to be heard in all their glory.
Opening with the first track off the new album, ‘Hidden Things’, was a beautiful introduction to the night and the new album. This is such a pretty song, but also one that gets you thinking, and Kate delivered it flawlessly.
Followed by ‘O Vertigo!’, which is always a fun song live and displays Kate’s beautiful vocal capabilities.
Another three songs off the new album, ‘Little Ants’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Butterflies’, all such different songs
Kate explained that ‘Little Ants’ was written during the time of Covid, when there was so much uncertainty in the world and we didn’t know what we had to prepare for, and this song is her plan to survive! It’s quirky, full of humour and some real home truths, which had the crowd laughing joyfully along.
And more laughter and joy followed with ‘Holiday’, which Kate described as a song about finally taking a holiday, only to discover it may not be as relaxing and beautiful as you had hoped. Kate and Keir split the vocals in parts on this one, so all the quirky little sentences that sit in the background of the album version could be captured on stage. It was amazing, and I have to say, these little moments really made the performance. They are exceptional to watch together. Kate and Keir complement each other so well.
‘Butterflies’ was another beautiful addition to the set, bringing a completely different feeling to the songs that came before it.
Xani joined Kate and Keir on stage again next for a tribute to Dolly Parton with ‘Coat of Many Colors’. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady.
Next up was the song I had been looking forward to the most, my favourite song off the new album, ‘The Muscle’.
And of course, Kate’s performance was incredible! Even when Keir had a tiny glitch, watching them work together to sort it out only added to the performance. ‘The Muscle’ is such a powerful song, and hearing it live was everything I had hoped it would be.
‘Ducks Don’t Need Satellites’ followed, another wonderfully quirky addition to the set.
On this tour, Kate has been inviting young audience members up on stage to sing ‘Caught in a Crowd’ with her, and last night 13 year old Emily was outstanding!
I can’t even imagine how nerve-racking it must be to be up there singing in front of all those people, let alone with an artist you love standing next to you. Well done, Emily. Your voice is exquisite and your performance was beautiful.
I can’t even imagine how nerve-racking it must be to be up there singing in front of all those people, let alone with an artist you love standing next to you. Well done, Emily. Your voice is exquisite and your performance was beautiful.
Following this was another song I had been eagerly anticipating, ‘Elephant’. This performance started with just Kate on the microphone and Xani on the violin, immediately haunting and captivating and moved into Kate on keys and Kier returning to the stage, and together they gave this song the depth of sound it deserves. It’s a deeply moving song and I honestly am awestruck at how she performs this live.
‘Isabella Don’t’ was next. Kate holds the most incredible note in this song and live, this was sensational! The power and control she has is something you can see the whole crowd in total awe of.
‘Love Sweet Love’ was a beautiful song, sung in dedication to a member of the audience.
‘You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore’ came next, which Kate described as “Dancing on the grave of an Asshole”. And honestly, what an introduction!
Then came ‘Zero Gravity’, with Kate talking about performing this song at Eurovision on a 5 meter pole, waving around in the air. I still don’t know how she sang while up there. Anyway, I have heard Kate perform this song live a few times, but I really loved the vibe as the song went on last night and everyone came into it, joining Kate in what was a very joyous performance.
For the final song of the set, we were treated to ‘Words’. And the treat got even bigger when, halfway through, Keir broke into ‘Paint It Black’. I thought we were just going to get a little instrumental interlude, but then Kate stepped to the microphone and, oh my goodness!
The power at which she delivered this song was thrilling! The red lights only added to the haunting beauty she brought to it, and just when I thought we were done, Kate and Keir found the perfect place to bring it back to ‘Words’. What a sensational way to end!
The power at which she delivered this song was thrilling! The red lights only added to the haunting beauty she brought to it, and just when I thought we were done, Kate and Keir found the perfect place to bring it back to ‘Words’. What a sensational way to end!
Taking a bow and making a quick trip off stage, Kate and Keir returned with Xani for an encore performance of ‘The Last Day on Earth’, dedicated to an audience member in memory of a loved one lost.
As someone who recently lost a very much loved one, I can tell you that this song will always make me think of those we lose along the way. But hearing that dedication, and feeling everything I was feeling in that moment, I was reduced to tears streaming down my face. Kate still delivers this song with so much love and I was filled with beautiful memories.
At the end of the show, Kate invited fans to come and meet her and have items signed if they wished, and I have never seen a line so long. Meeting Kate and asking her to sign the vinyl of an album I have reviewed and deeply love was very special for me, as was being able to thank Kate in person for sharing her work with us, you don’t often get the opportunity one on one to thank an artist for their music, and it got me a little choked up. It was a special moment that I will always remember.
I never take for granted the opportunities we are given to cover shows, and when it is for an artist I have been a fan of for so long, I love that my excitement is still so high that I get to really immerse myself in the experience and Kate provided a beautiful setting for this.
Thank you to Kate and her team for having us at the show. We are truly grateful and enjoyed every moment.
Until the next gig
Hayley
