It seems the height of cynicism when artists abandon their roots in pursuit of the almighty dollar. In the world of popular music the transition from intimate theatre or festival gigs to stadium rock shows defines the move from an authentic emphasis on great music, to 'music as spectacle' or a commercial exercise.
At least, that's the reaction I've been bracing for this year. And it's a viewpoint I sympathise with. In the past I've been one of its most fervent proponents. But this year I've had to take pause. One of my favourite musicians has made exactly that transition.
My 2007 started with a live music binge. I'm a Missy Higgins fan, and was thrilled to see her perform live on four occasions. First up was the Point Nepean music festival. Next came two gigs on consecutive nights at St Kilda's Palais Theatre. Then there was Live Earth, where she performed alongside a socially-aware supergroup comprising Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly and John Butler, before returning later for a hit-heavy solo set.
After two albums, Higgins deserves to be remembered as one of our great singer-songwriters. Her melodic ocker tones issue with great power from her deceptively diminutive frame. Her persona is open and engaging — she could be anyone's little sister. Her lyrics lack poetry, but shimmer with truth and insight. Her melodies soar.
It seems little wonder Australians have taken Higgins to heart. She is a celebrity with substance. Regardless of her fame, she's always maintained contact with her roots. This, after all, is the girl who invites her father and brother to perform on stage with her when she plays her home city of Melbourne.
But since the release of her second album, On A Clear Night, 2007 has become the Year of Missy. Her TV appearances rank alongside Kevin Rudd's in frequency. She's graced the covers of numerous music and pop culture magazines. Her singles 'Steer' and 'Where I Stood' have saturated radio play lists.
Talk about overload. Who could blame some former fans for accusing her of selling out? To top it off, she's about to set sail on her second national tour of 2007, performing bulky, indoor stadium shows.
That's right: stadium shows. This last point gives rise to speculation that Higgins' celebrity persona may have outgrown her artistic integrity. The shows are billed as being in 'intimate theatre mode', but unless you