Jessica Mauboy - The Star Event Centre, Sydney

Jessica Mauboy is no doubt a talent but at this lacklustre venue (see my other BLOG for my issues with the Star - lack of parking, fire exits, atmosphere and the list goes on) something seemed a little off. One the mix of her own songs versus cover songs was interesting, no doubt Pop a Bottle is an instant hit but some of her other tunes fell flat and not to mention the usual music oppose to a live band was very hit n miss.

So to the set list, it felt rushed at the start like she had heaps of songs and just really want to belt them all out in a flash. Up/Down and Burn opened up and felt a little less impressive with the band than on the radio with slick production behind them. The next 8 songs came with little audience involvement or interaction. She spoke seldomly until the end when their was an over long and Jesus speech which made me cringe a bit.

Then came a new costume and some covers. Her first ever Australian Idol audition was revisited with a snippet of "I have Nothing", the BIG Whitney tune. It was great and the crowd ate it up.

Next cover "Time after Time" was great too, the older folk in the room (and their were many - the crowd was very diverse - GAY/Teeny Bopper/Timomatic/Guy Sebastian's Bro/Sarah de Bono (who - you ask - a Voice finalist who's career is still yet to take off despite Delta and the crew thinking they were amazing/Old folk out way too late for a Friday and other randoms) and even I sang along to the chorus.

Nathaniel her support act joined her on stage for a duet and then came my personal highlight for the evening the Sapphires medley. Man that was a good film and part of me thinks this is the type of music Jess really likes, I really can't see her wanting to be Australia's answer to Beyonce. I somehow think that is Sony's plan but Jessica who also won a Telstra road to Tamworth country singing comp does fit better in a retro style vibe and the oldies again loved it sick.

She sang another few new songs before an obvious and unneeded encore with Inescapable and Pop a Bottle (Fill me Up) featured. Pop a Bottle could be her biggest and best hit to date, it's fun it's catchy as all hell but still to me her best moments are her covers. Sorry Jess but your voice is so strong and solid that these Beyonce reject songs just don't seem to work especially with a live band.

Jessica Mauboy a great talent but not sure where she will go from here.

Here are some highlights: