As I arrived at Melbourne's Northcote Theatre well ahead of doors opening, it was like stepping into a faerie glen. The crowd were either dressed as faeries or as if they'd stepped out of a cottage to sing birds down from the trees like a lost princess.
After meeting people in the queue and exchanging curios amongst each other (13 January), we headed inside and readied ourselves for the opening act, Emeree and The Mood Swings.
An incredible act filled with gorgeous sing-alongs, fun dances and the most wonderful stage presence, moving back and forth, Emeree and her band made everyone feel seen and heard all while wearing an marvellous handmade outfit.
Each track by Emeree and her singers, The Mood Swings, was masterfully crafted to engage the crowd and bring the room together, with some astounding vocal highs and go-go dances that had everyone moving and smiling.
Emeree - image © Connor Mackinnon
A short intermission followed, the bands quickly changing before all the lights dimmed as the headlining Paris Paloma entered the room, bathed in a sea of reds and oranges.
As she launched into her first song of the night, 'Hunter', the crowd was immediately singing along, showing they wouldn't be a quiet audience tonight, only getting louder as the night progressed.
Finishing off the first three songs of the set was 'Good Boy', a song calling out men who perpetuate an oppressive system without realising it takes advantage of them as well; the crowd, as expected, sung back with an incredible fervour.
Paris Paloma - image © Connor Mackinnon
Although launching quickly but seamlessly into each song, Paris still took time to highlight fans in-between tracks, who were waving handmade crafts around before realising they, and a few people around the room, had been knitting the whole performance.
It was quite appropriate as Paris started singing the 'Knitting Song', a lovely track written with all the love from her grandmother and then passed along to her closest friends.
We were also treated to the backstory and inspiration behind 'Miyazaki', a song inspired by Japanese animator-filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's love of art and creating, and his intense hatred for AI, which was met with roars of anti-AI sentiment from the room.
Paris Paloma - image © Connor Mackinnon
As the song faded out, Paris told us if we made enough noise they'd come back; well, we made so much noise I lost my voice and could swear I saw the lights shake in the vaulted ceilings.
Returning from the wings of the stage, we're told to sing as loud as we can, to create a cacophony as we're treated to an amazing rendition of 'Labour', an incredibly powerful song giving strength to every woman in the room and the world demanding recognition for all the work they do every day.
As the song's sound dimmed and the house lights returned, wonderful, fanciful songs (straight from a renaissance fair) played over the PA immediately creating dance circles in the middle of the room, making sure everyone was still laughing and singing as we exited onto the street. What an incredible night.
