Brendan Maclean left his heart on the stage – literally – during a performance at Brisbane's 2high Festival at Metro Arts.
Joined in the Sue Benner Theatre by Siobhan, a Sydney emergency services doctor, Brendan was hooked up to a heart monitor as the audience watched him react to performance not only on the outside, but the inside as well. The mesmerised music-lovers were treated to 45 minutes of raw talent, as Brendan made himself as vulnerable as humanly possible.
Starting off the set with his newest single 'Tectonic' – recognised by global YouTuber-turned-musician Troye Sivan and pop culture news site NewNowNext – Brendan's heart rate began around 130bpm (already above resting heart rate).
Reading from a small notebook of thoughts the performer took a few minutes to talk about his time in the show 'Velvet', one that he's invested his time in for the last year and performed 120 times around the world with Marcia Hines. He spoke about things one wouldn't expect to hear from someone who is travelling the world for their art form, but at the same time he made perfect sense.
He admitted to having a few drinks – and then some – before the shows, not to shake off the nerves, but to cure the boredom. He recalls hoping to forget a line or a dance move, just to make it a little different from all the other times. Not only did he reveal some things that are otherwise unheard of, he made them seem normal. He made hard-working performers seem normal, and that honesty was magnificent.
It's so easy to see actors and singers on stage as robotic and constantly energetic, but as soon as the audience learns of their weaknesses and vulnerability, something changes for the better. The relationship between artist and consumer is ameliorated.
Brendan spent the rest of his time on stage putting a Maclean-spin on artists such as: Lady Gaga, Leonard Cohen and Katy Perry, as his heart rate ranged from 115 to upwards of 150 depending on the emotion in the song and the effort it required vocally.
Brendan's performance signified something of an evolution, as the audience saw a man transform from playing a song or two on a keyboard to strutting up and down the aisles in gold pants singing 'Rebel, Rebel' by David Bowie and displaying his best dance moves.
Brendan has an undeniable knack for crowd-pleasing. His quick, natural wit combined with a dynamic, eloquent and soothing vocal ability made for a captivating showcase. And a noticeable change since seeing Brendan's grandeur performance at MELT Festival in early 2015, is a new depth in his eyes.
Five out of five tectonic plates.
