Steve Poltz Live Review @ The Memo
Friday the 13th Of March 2026....Popped My Poltz Cherry
Steve Poltz, aka Poltzy, has been coming to Australia for a couple of decades. He’s played festivals from Woodford to Byron and dozens of shows in between. There are a herd of Poltz fans around this country. Organically grown from his touring and the word of mouth after someone experiences an evening in the presence of this whirling dervish of folk and tales. This is folk music.
Paul Kelly stopped by to see Poltz before the gig. They have both written a song called “Petrichor”. Having PK stop by to say howdy, now that is goodness.
Mr Poltz is a master storyteller and a ball of positivity. Some of the funniest people in my life, a trio of them, Poltz made it a trifecta, just make your cheeks hurt and tears roll down your face. You are unsure if the stories are true or if they are taking the mickey out of you. That’s comedic genius as far as I know.
Poltz is a unique talent. With songs like the jumping Can O’Pop, Brand New Liver, Sewing Machine, and French Toast, it is all about the setup. The long-winding tales make everyone fall about with laughter, and I am sure some people today are seeing medical practitioners due to pulled muscles in their cheeks. It took us until about 230AM to get some shut-eye. Poltzy had electrified us with an acoustic guitar and his dear self.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-bob-lefsetz-podcast/steve-poltz
There are so many wonderful interviews with Steve online. Check out Bob Lefsetz’s podcast for a wonderful 2-hour conversation recorded in 2024. This is one of my favourite stories about Poltzy meeting Prine. Pure sunshine.
Poltz has his royalties from the song he wrote with Jewel, You Were Made….sorrry….Meant For Me. Steve told a story about being at a venue where some young woman was butchering this song….and they sang, “made for me”. He yelled out “meant”!! People thought he was being a smart ass when they argued with him about it and he said, ‘I wrote the damn song!” Supposedly he was escorted from the premises for his actions.
There was only one disappointment welling up in me as I grinned and experienced the Poltz Show. I have been to thousands of gigs and seen well over 1500 artists in my 68 years. My partner, Tina, used to work in the music industry. We were both flabbergasted that no one in all our years had told us Steve Poltz is not to be missed.
How good are Malcolm and Steve harmonising?
Supposedly, my mate Nello had told me that….it slipped past the keeper. So yes, I thought of all the times I should have seen him in the past, before Poltz and I were both in our 60s.
His voice and guitar playing are superb; he works the after-show meet-and-greet like a professional, posing for photos and asking questions of his fans. He spoke to a 7-year-old fan who had waited in line. “Hey, I am going to give you superpowers. The superpower is that you can write songs. All you have to do is think about it!”
Poltz waved his hands and cast the spell, and the child was sent on his way. He signed albums, posters, babies, and he even signed a cane. I forgot to ask him if that was a first. Knowing what I know, probably not. We gave him a hug and said thanks. He was still smiling, but he had the eyes of a man who had been on the road. Security wanted to move people on, but everyone got a chance for a photo, a hug and a word.
Take good care of yourself, Steve Poltz. You are a treasure that just keeps giving.
And everybody gets a hug….
Post Script….In 1973, I sat in the 6th row at Avery Fisher Hall watching a folk music icon I had never seen. I was 16 years old. John Prine played over 2 dozen songs and won my heart, soul and mind forever.
The Memo gig ranks up there….and that’s saying something.