Amanda Palmer reimagines her life in music

KILLING IT: Amanda Palmer wooed a crowd of fans with old and new tunes at The Cabana in Napier last night. Photo/Anneke Smith.

If there was ever a reason to leave the comfortable confines of your home on an overcast Sunday evening it would be singer-songwriter and New York Times bestselling author Amanda Palmer.

Held at The Cabana in Napier, New Zealand's oldest music venue, An Evening with Amanda Palmer was everything and anything that you'd expect it to be.

She opened with her voice and ukulele only; stealing everyone's attention as she belted out a cabaret-styled rendition of Ella Fitzgerald's 'Makin Whoopee' atop a wine barrel. Yes, you read that right; a wine barrel.

Turning the crowd into a choir the intimate show's start soon turned into a sing-along as she roamed through the crowd singing Radiohead's debut single 'Creep' before finally settling on stage behind the piano.

It was here that she began an elegant ascent into her career's history of music, taking the audience through old and new, highs and lows and all the while making time to divulge her innermost thoughts.

In My Mind, The Killing Type and The Bed Song were each showcased by Palmer who never once faltered in pitch, expression or energy.

The evening show, which also featured songs from the recently-recorded acoustic version of her album Theatre is Evil, 'Piano is Evil', comes after a five year lull in releasing new music.

In an impromptu break, one of many throughout the night, Palmer explained she was writing new music in Australia with her husband and child, and had landed the gig in Napier while visiting friends in the region.

"I think this might win the prize for most random gig ever," she laughed a few songs in.

Almost all of those in the audience had travelled to see her perform, some from as far as Queenstown; a testament to the kindred spirit shared between fans of her work.

Bigger on the Inside was one of the last songs of the night and moved many, if not all, to tears as she recalled past abuse from the public and the loss of a close friend to cancer; only to wrap the night up with the theatrical and upbeat Ukulele Anthem just minutes later.

In the middle of the show Palmer made a request, a plea, to those in the room that they continue to seek live music. And if her talent is anything to go by, they'll most definitely fulfil that request.