Wednesday 20th May Mojos Fremantle – Kathleen Halloran “Nobody’s Baby” Solo National Tour supported by Helen Shanahan
Wednesday night at Mojos in Fremantle felt like one of those gigs that quietly sneaks up on you and then absolutely floors you. An iconic Freo venue that has hosted its fair share of incredible Australian artists was the perfect setting for Kathleen Halloran’s Nobody’s Baby Tour solo show — intimate, raw, honest and packed with ridiculous talent. Seriously, some people get the whole gift basket and leave the rest of us with the receipt.
Opening the night was Helen Shanahan, who was far more than just a support act — and Kathleen made sure everyone knew it. Helen’s voice had this beautiful balance of power and softness, floating through the room and bouncing from ear to ear. There was something really engaging about the way she delivered her songs; the lyrics had that infectious quality where you found yourself leaning in a little closer without even realising it.
Standouts included “Better Times” and “Blank Canvas”, both showing off her ability to tell a story with warmth and precision. With such an extensive back catalogue and a new album due in August, Helen gave the room a proper reminder of just how strong her songwriting is. Closing with her 2015 hit “Finding Gold” was a classy touch and a perfect way to finish a set that deserved everyone’s attention.
After a short break, Kathleen Halloran floated onto the stage and the room shifted. All eyes locked in. She commands attention, not in an over-the-top way, but with purpose. There is something incredibly natural about the way she holds a stage — like she is not performing at you, she is inviting you into the story.
And that is exactly what the night became. A story. A path to walk alongside her. A personal tour through her life, her influences, her family and her growth. As the youngest of nine, there was clearly a lot of love and support behind her journey, and the pride she carried for her family came through beautifully.
Kathleen’s guitar work is genuinely inspiring to watch. Effortless string work, killer vocals, full crowd engagement — all at once. Not fair, really. Someone should check the rule book.
There were plenty of highlights across the set. Her dedication to Hendrix was a clear nod to one of her major influences, while “Cost of Living” delivered a slow-burn beauty with vocals that carried serious weight. “Wolves Like You” felt deeply personal, and you could see how much the song meant to her, especially with the connection to working with Dusty and the theme of resistance running through it.
The biggest moment of the night came when Vikki Thorn from The Waifs joined Kathleen on stage for “Stolen”. The two of them whipped up an absolute musical storm, and the room knew it was witnessing something special.
The title track “Nobody’s Baby” was another standout — a genuine banger and easy to see why it is doing so well on the Australian charts (the album is sitting at number 2 on the ARIA’s). Closing with “Show Stopper”, a cheeky rock and roll number with a sneaky Led Zeppelin tail-out, was the perfect high to finish on.
Kathleen Halloran is a powerful woman, both vocally and instrumentally, with the rare ability to turn lyrics into a lived experience. Catch her if you can — even on a school night. You will be better off for it. For tour dates of this cracking show check out Tour Dates – Kathleen Halloran and keep supporting Australian Music.
