It could’ve very easily been billed as Missy vs. the Meerkat.

On one side, the delicious Missy Higgins, complete with streaks of purple hair and a voice as pure as any other in this country. On the other was everyone’s favourite Botswana mammal.

Performing in a sold-out performance, the first of this summer’s Zoo Twilight Sessions, Higgins took the win on points.

It’s inconceivable to think Missy nearly ditched her piano following the release of her sophomore. Had a severe case of writer’s block conquered the petite Melbournian, our music scene would’ve bee a far less pleasurable place to dwell. Instead, she popped up with The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle, her most adventurous effort to date.

We can be thankful she did.

Beginning with ‘You Got A Secret Babe’ on her oversized electric, it becomes apparent that unaccompanied is how her material should be treated. Although flanked by a violin and cello, Higgins is at her vulnerable best solely with instrument in hand.

The most touching live examples of these prove to be ‘The Sound Of White’ and ‘Cooling Of The Embers’, which, as Higgins explained, were written about her late cousin and grandmother respectively.

Complementing Higgins’ soul-baring approach was the outstanding backdrop of the Melbourne Zoo. What it lacks in good vantage spots, it makes up for in charm.

It was also comprehensively packed with every gutter and patch of grass taken prior to support act Hayden Calnin – whose assured delivery added to the vibe – going on stage.

It was without doubt a family affair, a kind of Carols at The Zoo (there were fingers crossed for a Dennis Walter cameo but to no avail).

While some of the kids may have been half-expecting Santa, what they got instead was Higgins’ brother, Dave, hopping on stage in a Kangaroo suit. The siblings then accordingly unleashed ‘Watering Hole’ from her latest LP with plenty of assistance from a crowd hollering animal cries throughout.

As expected, they saved their loudest reception for the likes of ‘The Special Two’, ‘Ten Days’ and the launch single of her latest LP, ‘Everyone’s Waiting’.

There was only one sour note – the absence of ‘Scar’. Higgins and co. deciding to decline a return for the encore to perform it.

Perhaps she didn’t believe the reaction of the patrons was suitable enough to warrant one. Though, with a crowd consisting of mostly young families, you can’t expect them to be pulling down the monkey cages to get her back up on stage.

Still, after a memorable performance in such an ambient setting, it was but a minor blight.

Fingers crossed Missy will be returning for next year’s Zoo sessions. If she does, one thing’s for certain, the Meerkats – as well as Higgins’ legion of fans – will be prepped and ready to go for round two.

(On a side note, a huge thanks goes to the Zoo’s staff and the lovely twenty or so patrons who assisted yours truly when he got bogged in the carpark. Yes, that’s right, bogged, in a carpark, during Summer. Don’t think it can’t happen to you…)

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