THE LOST INTIMACY OF LIVE PERFORMANCE // STELLA DONNELLY
Stella Donnelly via Thrush Metal
Through the festoon lit windows of ‘The Picture House’ on a grey skied Thursday, locals bled into the cosy hall in Brunswick Heads awaiting the Freemantle based artist to walk out. Following her hometown support act, Mia June, who first graced the stage, the room was filled with glowing energy as Stella Donnelly walked on stage. Beginning her show solo, I was struck by the silent intimacy between us, and her. It’s not often that I, as a 5’4” meek build, can see a full-length perspective of the performers filling my ears, without being front and centre and pressed to the barricade.
For the hour following, Stella and her band entranced the audience with a truly captivating performance, engulfing us with the warmth of her music and including the audience as an active part in her show. As she leapt from the stage and willed her fans to come dance with her, it drew a strong welcomed contrast to the experience of stadium shows.
With a huge influx of international artists coming to Australia in recent months, stadiums have been filled night after night to hear artists through olympic grade speakers, just to watch them on a 60 foot tall screen. There is an obvious difference between the experience of watching your favorite artist as they stand only a meter from you, to them being raised on a stage 200 metres away.
Could this possibly be a case of quality over quantity of fans when attending these shows? It can’t be said with confidence that those attending stadium shows are more or less committed to their ‘star’. We’ve all seen starstruck fans screaming and clawing their way to the front, uncontrollably doting over their gods and goddess’ and wishing to be glanced over by the eyes of the headliner. However, I’m of the belief that thousands of attendees do not outweigh the genuine love present at smaller gigs where the true magic happens; a relationship between artist and listener.
Gone are the days to expectantly ‘stumble’ across your desired icon while at the show without purchasing a $400 VIP pass. Is the love for the idolized superstars greater than the intimate interactions between a crowded hall of devoted fans singing verses back to their creators? Perhaps the sensationalised platform we place these mega-stars on is that way due to the glorious and untouchable status we class them. Maybe Stella Donnelly is not as desirable to some as a result of her authentic core, subsequently not making her so different to you and me. Is true fame based on the measure of talent, or more so where we believe they belong? I daresay we all know the answer to that. Talent in some cases may have nothing to do with the exclusivity of class you move to as you welcome fame, and instead is more closely related to attitude and resources.
Though it may appear in bountiful supply, one resource you cannot fraud, is a loyal fan base. Whether you’re singing in an echoing hall, blind to the artist as you scream the chorus to the backs of those in the mosh, or staring at the football field sized screen with your bucket list dream show coming true; you are the life force to the artist and the heartbeat urging them to continue on.
I left that Thursday night at The Picture House with a restored fuzzy feeling in my chest and a smile I couldn’t swipe from my face. The high from a gig, be it the intimate choreographed dancing with your favourite artist or the post mosh euphoria when your legs feel both like air and lead after being squished for so long. It’s an uncommonly passionate and cherished experienced to interact with an idolised artist, promoting a gentle reminder that though you may feature them in every playlist you have, hear them on the radio and live by their lyrics, there is a likeness between us all.