An opportunity to see Merrill Nisker aka Peaches IRL is something everyone should experience at least once in their life.
A Peaches' gig mixes generations, pay-grades and social status, and is simply about leaving your inhibitions at the door to DANCE.This gig – at Brisbane Powerhouse as part of OHM Festival (17 February) – was nostalgic for many as she was performing in full her highly acclaimed breakthrough record and musical masterpiece, 2000's 'The Teaches Of Peaches'.
Opening with 'Set It Off', there were no introductions or safety warnings – you were now in Peaches world, baby.
The crowd were instantly feeling like the coolest kids in school as Peaches took complete control of the stage, performing to tattooed misfits covered in glitter as well as middle-aged women who rarely leave suburbia.
Image © Lachlan Douglas
You should always expect many outrageously fabulous costume changes at a Peaches gig; tonight featured her ode to a hot-pink mermaid from Studio 54, back-up dances dressed as giant vaginas and of course a fan favourite; Peaches in a Thank God For Abortion black leotard.
Soon it was time for crowd participation; while performing 'I Feel Cream' from her 2009 record of the same name, Peaches started her famous 'crowd walk' – it felt like I was in the process of witnessing a biblical act – with the crowd carrying her so graciously, there was a huge connection from artist to crowd which is rare at the best of times.
However, armed with a sense of humour, she did warn the audience that "if she fell, they would be to blame", but carried on anyway as everyone surrounding me was dancing; and there were minimal phones out which felt wonderful in the era of technology we're currently in.
Image © Lachlan Douglas
It didn't feel like a celebration of the 20-year anniversary of the release of 'The Teaches Of Peaches', but rather a masterclass of what a vast and quite frankly genius body of work Peaches has accrued – it was an honour to witness the impact of her work live.
Next up on the wild visual and audio experience was a sexually driven Cirque du Soleil performance between two of the back-up dancers, which would make most blush.
The theatre dimmed the lights as Peaches performed the sexually-charged 'Sex (I'm A)' (a cover of Berlin's 1983 hit) as the two dancers fully absorbed themselves into the performance and certainly did add to the experience – something I'm still thinking about 48 hours later.
More fan favourites were added to the set list including the heavy vibrations of 'Lovertits' as the crowd swayed with our Dear Leader – who could've convinced us to join her cult by this point.
One ironic moment I had witnessing this display of genius mixed with madness was a patron wearing a N95 face mask – while COVID is still very much present, there was nothing on this night that could save you from absorbing and breathing Peaches into your soul.
Image © Lachlan Douglas
Next up it was time for Peaches to bring out the big guns – the topless back-up dancers dressed as vaginas followed by a very bonding sing-along to 'Shake Yer Dix' where the vibe felt more like a New York City illegal warehouse rave than the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Peaches bid the crowd a farewell, but we all knew the night was far, far from over. For the encore, she offered the crowd the pure ecstasy with the finale of 'F... The Pain Away' – a personal favourite tune thanks to the wonderful scene in Sofia Coppola's 2003 film 'Lost In Translation'.
It took my breath away with the euphoria felt throughout my bones and the connection with the crowd this tune gave me live. Then just like that – the gig was over and I was scrambling how I'd ever recover.
