LIVE REVIEW: PEACH PRC AT THE ENMORE THEATRE 06/04/2024
PHOTOS CREDIT: DARCY GOSS
I’m still on a high from last night, dancing around to ‘Secret’ in my kitchen on this glorious Sunday morning, wishing I had long, pink mermaid hair and that my house was completely luminescent. What a time the Secret PRC Tour was!
Before the doors even open, you can tell it’s a Peach PRC show with the line-up a sea of glittery hair, fairy wings and fan-made signs that read ‘If God is a woman, it’s PEACH PRC.” I love how you can attend one of her shows alone, and without fail leave with new friends that you never expected to spend the whole night dancing with. There is such a strong sense of community with Peach fans and absolutely all are welcome and celebrated.
The floor was packed from the get-go, and whilst we waited one fan at the barricade lifted her Tinder up for us all to watch as she swiped, the crowd erupting into celebratory cheers whenever she’d get a match. One woman on the upper level of the Enmore donned LED rainbow wings, and paraded them around whilst the entire venue applauded her with the most beautiful enthusiasm. The first few fans in line had slept overnight amidst the heavy storming that hit Sydney this week to secure their spot at the front - the unwavering dedication only grows with every show I attend, and it’s a fanbase unlike any I’ve seen for any Australian artist.
Carla Wehbe wasn’t just the perfect opener for the night, but one of the best I have ever seen. Her vocals are phenomenal, so unique and incredibly controlled. Every song was what I call a ‘no-skip situation’ - had they been playing on my Spotify, I’d have kept them on an endless loop. ‘It Hurts to Love You’ was the best opener, commanding the crowd straight off the bat. Wehbe followed with an unreleased track, ‘Gentle With Me’ which needs to be released immediately ( please and thank you) and ‘Introvert (with extroverted expectations)’ - a holy trinity to start off with, encompassing relatable lyrics, undeniably beautiful music and that down-to-earth, best friend vibe that Carla brings to the stage. Her cover of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ had not just myself, but the entire venue floored. Her completely unique take on it brought the house to stand still, in awe of her talent and true appreciation for the art of music. To close her set, Wehbe performed ‘You make me sick,’ during which fans gifted her flowers. Such a sweet gesture that is incredibly rare to see for an opener, and goes to show the love for Wehbe is strong and will only continue to grow as she becomes more and more prominent on the Australian music scene.
When it was time for the main event and the lights dimmed, our eyes were met with several iphone videos of Peach PRC projected onto the stage screen. Zooming in and out of them, we saw intimate footage of her backstage, on the road, getting dressed up and just living her best pop-star life. The music started, the pink lighting going wild in the best way, and the first notes of ‘Perfect for You’ echoed through the venue, received with insanely loud cheers and screams of admiration. Peach PRC graced the stage in another of her stunning creations, a pink bodysuit and corset, topped with a resin fairy top piece, all embellished with shiny silver and pearly jewelry, including a silver garter and her staple platform shoes.
Peach presented a compelling narrative of pop prowess and artistic imagination, captivating her fans with a setlist curated just for them, traversing emotional depth and of course, sonic pop diversity. From the infectious allure of ‘Blondes’ to the introspective ‘Colourblind,’ Peach's stage presence was nothing short of mesmerizing from start to finish, especially when she connected with her fans. Moments like her putting a fans’ Pride Flag on her mic stand and holding a gifted teddy bear throughout her acoustic set are what create such a strong love for Peach.
A defining moment of the night came with unreleased track, ‘Touchy Subject,’ an emotional one among fans as Peach unveiled a deeply personal glimpse into her life experiences. Even during the “sad ones” as she calls them, they are part of what unites those who listen to her music for more than just fun, but a way to feel heard, validated and not alone. Her entire couch set was so intimate and beautiful, and despite her thanking the fans for “bearing” with her whilst playing the guitar, she executed her acoustic songs gracefully.
Collaborative highlights included a wonderful rendition of MUNA's ‘Silk Chiffon,’ featuring Carla Wehbe, underscoring Peach's ability to cultivate transcendent musical moments and to give the crowd exactly what she knows they’ll love.
When Peach left the stage to prepare for her pole number, a loud voice recording bellowed “get your tipping dollars ready for Peach PRC!” The crowd went wild, myself included as I had no idea this was part of the show this tour, and she emerged amidst an almost fully black stage, save for the deep red backdrop behind her. She stood under a single spotlight, dramatically lighting her silhouette amidst a light smoke that graced the stage. It was a strong yet delicate display of grace and precision. The technical prowess was complimented by the artistry she infused into every movement, with fluid transitions and impeccable control, she transformed the pole into a canvas, painting a vivid picture of expression and emotion. This was such a unique dimension to the show and something only Peach brings to the stage.
The setlist's diversity was further accentuated by Peach's reinterpretations of iconic pop anthems, such as Hilary Duff's ‘What Dreams Are Made Of’ and Cascada's ‘Everytime We Touch,’ which was the encore and offiical closer of the night that had every single body jumping and singing with everything they had! Peach's distinct stylistic imprint is put into her covers, and she never fails to breathe a new life into them.
As the evening reached its crescendo before the encore with the anthemic ‘God Is A Freak,’ Peach PRC solidified her status as a preeminent figure in contemporary pop, leaving an indelible mark on all fortunate enough to witness her pink, ethereal sonic odyssey. If you haven’t had the chance to see her yet, make sure you’re ready for the next tour because it is truly an unmissable experience and a flawless 101 in pop magic!
