Camille O’Sullivan: Love Letter @ Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide 4/3/2025

Camille O’Sullivan, the acclaimed Irish singer and storyteller, is renowned for her spellbinding interpretations of songs by legendary artists. Tonight, she presents Loveletter, a tribute to dearly departed icons such as Shane MacGowan, Sinéad O’Connor, and David Bowie, alongside a selection of songs by some of her living favourites. Accompanying her is longtime collaborator Feargal Murray on piano and vocals. Early in the evening, Camille sets the tone, telling the audience that this performance is about love and remembering the legacy of those we’ve lost.

The night begins with Summer in Siam, a poignant rendition of The Pogues’ song, written by Shane MacGowan. MacGowan, who passed away in late 2023, shared a deep connection with Camille—not only did she record his final duet and performed Haunted, another of his compositions, at his funeral. Tonight, her performance of Haunted—originally recorded by MacGowan and the late Sinéad O’Connor—starts with a delicate, restrained approach before building into a passionate and deeply moving climax.

The last time I saw Camille perform, she dedicated an entire set to Nick Cave, another artist she deeply admires. Tonight, she delivers a stunning rendition of Jubilee Street late in the first set, a performance that is both manic and electrifying. It’s a brilliant version, showcasing Camille’s ability to match Cave’s intensity and power. The first set closes with a gorgeous take on the late Kirsty MacColl’s In These Shoes, performed with warmth and playfulness.

The second set opens with a cover of Declan O’Rourke’s Galileo. I had never heard this song before tonight, but its heartfelt lyrics and Camille’s exquisite vocals won me over instantly. Much of the second set is dedicated to the brilliance of Sinéad O’Connor, as Camille fondly recalls meeting her early in her career. She performs two songs about motherhood—My Darling Child and This Is to Mother You—before later delivering 8 Good Reasons and Take Me to Church, both from Sinéad’s final album.

Camille then shifts to two David Bowie classics: Where Are We Now? and Quicksand. A devoted Bowie fan since childhood, she performs these songs with particular tenderness, making them among the night’s most heartfelt moments.

I have seen Camille perform a few times, and she has always been exceptional, but tonight was the best I have ever witnessed. Her raw emotion in Haunted, the haunting beauty of her a cappella rendition of Brel’s Amsterdam, and the manic energy of Jubilee Street were truly mesmerizing.

Fortunately for the audience, she ran overtime in the second set, closing with Anthem by Leonard Cohen, Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, and finally, a tender rendition of Billy Joel’s Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel). I hope she returns to Adelaide soon—I would love to hear her perform an all-Bowie setlist.

Adelaide Festival Review By Richard De Pizzol

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