Thelma Plum and the Brown Snake: Concert Review

There’s something special about being able to see someone’s hometown show on a tour, especially if their hometown is also a home for you! Tonight, we attended the final show of Thelma Plum’s I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back tour in the place she’s grown up! Her love for the city and its people was palpable and paved the way for an atmosphere that was completely positive in the crowd and on-stage. This gig was the perfect example of what happens when you find your people in the world: even if you went alone, you still felt like part of the family in supporting one of our own!

This is what happened at Thelma Plum’s I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back show at The Fortitude Music Hall on November 16th, 2024.

The Slingers

To open the show, Melbourne band The Slingers took to the stage. The five-piece band showcased a range of their songs, including a few tracks from the debut album Sentimentalism. Their set list made a great first impression, with their country rock style embellished by the thick Australian accent of singer Robert J Mahon, creating a sound that seems uniquely their own.

The Slingers play country, but not like our grandparents listened to – they’re more like if The Paper Kites played up a hard rock sound more than their lighter folk sound. The band is comfortable letting their talent shine through, with each song giving time to play up the instrumentals and create an authentic rock atmosphere that allows the audience and musicians to really embody the sound of music, uncomplicated by greater meaning. That doesn’t mean that the lyrics aren’t also insightful and honest to the human experience – they most definitely are!

If you’re confused by country music’s sudden grip on the music loving population but don’t want to miss out on those big musical experiences, but are not quite sure where to start, I’d recommend easing into the genre with some tracks by The Slingers!

Fave song: Down to the Bone

Thelma Plum

Often, I’m let down by seeing Australian artists. I arrive early to line up with a group of about thirty other devoted fans. We can easily crowd the barricade and the dance floor remain largely empty even as the first support artist is taking to the stage. I look around and wonder how we can treat our own so poorly by failing to show up and show our support in those early moments. It leaves me embarrassed of the fan community and woeful that the performing acts don’t feel appreciated.

Tonight, was the complete opposite.

As I arrived, it warmed my heart to see a line around the block for Thelma, the type that’s usually garnered by international acts at The Fortitude Music Hall. Fans quickly packed the main floor of the venue and by the time I got my drink and got to the balcony area there was no empty space to slot in. I managed to get a good view standing behind others, but the capacity in which people showed up from the get go warmed my heart through how it demonstrated the enthusiasm and love Thelma’s audience as for her.

Thelma celebrated her most recent album by starting the show with Wiseman, the opening track. Her music continues to be soulful, evocative of the human experience but with a spark of optimism that occasionally builds the courage to show its face. When she’s not being sincere, there’s sense of sass and the feeling of being too cool, like in songs Nobody’s Baby and All The Pretty Little Horses. (There's actually a surprising amount of songs about animals in her collection!)

As a Gamilaraay woman, Plum’s music has often been used as a way to raise her voice on the intricacies of navigating life in a country where racism and sexism has such a strong grip, even today. Some of the older tracks that casual listeners will be more familiar with touch on these themes – Woke Blokes and We Don’t Talk About It are frustratingly relatable as a woman while Homecoming Queen and Better In Blak are some of the best commentaries on modern racism in our musical landscape.

However, the featured songs from her latest album, while unable to completely forego these themes, provide a personal perspective on more general concepts like love, loss and forgiveness. Golden Touch stood out as a particularly beautiful moment, where Thelma was comfortable to show her vulnerability and demonstrate how music not only consoles us in difficult experiences, but gives us an avenue to reclaim our power when we’re ready.

It would be remiss of me to conclude this without mentioning the charisma of Thelma as a performer, not just a singer. Vocally, she’s incredible. But she’s also sweet and funny, pausing to chat with her fans and share personal anecdotes in a sarcastic, playful way that is so incredibly charming. Constantly responding to ‘I love you’s from the crowd, or ‘allowing’ us to observe her sipping water, or regaling us with stories of her school days, Thelma is witty and her fans love her for it. I remember seeing her for the first time at Groovin The Moo in 2019 and wondering why she seemed so scared when she was such a fantastic singer. Now, Thelma owns the stage proudly and couldn’t look happier to be there, sharing her life with us through music. When she says, “I love you too!” she actually means it!

Fave song: Koala

Sounds Good?

With infectious positivity and an incredible vocal talent, you won’t be able to get enough of Thelma Plum! But, maybe listening to some of these acts can also fill your bucket:

Budjerah – Budjerah is an outstanding young performer hailing from Fingal Head, NSW. He and Thelma are alike in their moving lyrics, powerful vocals, and their ability to charm the crowd with off-the-cuff quips that the audience loves to eat up.

Kita Alexander – This ARIA Music Award nominee delights fans with her transcendent performances. She has a down-to-earth attitude which highlights her joy of singing and dancing for others when on stage. With plenty of relaxed tunes to listen to, she’s worth trying out on a sunny Sunday arvo.

Angie McMahon – Congrats to Angie for her recent J Awards win, taking out Australian Live Act of the Year. I saw both her and Thelma Plum for the first time at the same festival and it’s heartwarming to see so much success in their careers this year! Angie’s emotionally honest music and lyrics and ability to connect with a crowd mean you don’t want to miss your chance to see her!