Project Description
. . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . . HELEINA ZARA, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . HELEINA ZARA, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . . . . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . . PEACH PRC, Metro Theatre, Sydney, 14th May 2023 / Photo – Glen Morgan Photography . . . . . . CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
.PEACH PRC
+ Heleina Zara
@ Metro Theatre, Sydney,
13th May 2023
(Live Review)Review by Amelia Torresan
They say that trends come back around every 20 years and the revival of Y2K is no exception. Coloured sunglasses, low-rise jeans, bedazzled shirts and platform sandals all accompanied to a modern 2000’s-style soundtrack including the music of Australian pop (fairy) princess and Tik Tok star, Peach PRC and her support act Heleina Zara. The crowd donned their pinkest outfits of the night, looking like they had raided Elle Woods’ closet from Legally Blonde, some amplifying their looks with pastel wigs and fairy wings, but everyone adding a bit of sparkle with glitter or sequins, paying homage to the style of their musical icon Peach PRC.
The set was washed in a fuschia pink light, as the first act of the night, Sydney local Heleina Zara, entered the stage looking like a Y2K doll with her song ‘Emergency Exit.’ The irony of starting her set with a song titled ‘Emergency Exit’ made me laugh as the crowd screamed and shouted along to the song’s lyrics. Heleina’s stage presence was a perfect combination of innocence and sassy, very reminiscent of Disney Channel music or Gabriella from High School Musical that made it hard to take your eyes off of her as she performed. Heleina sang through her short but sweet musical discography that included her original songs ‘Cardboard’, ‘Alphabet Soup’ (which will be released on Friday 19th May) and ‘Boundaries’ as well as a heartfelt cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Paparazzi’. After just the first song, I could see how perfectly she fit with Peach’s musical style and had no doubt as to why she was chosen to join her on tour. Heleina seemed so genuine and appreciative of the fans for coming out to watch and support her. If you’re a fan of Olivia Rodrigo or Melanie Martinez, consider adding Heleina Zara to your Spotify playlists!
After a short intermission, it was time for the woman of the hour, Peach PRC, to take the stage. She emerged dressed as an ethereal fairy, sparkling in the stage lights with a pair of realistic fairy wings reaching above her shoulders to her popular song ‘Perfect For You.’ Peach PRC looked at home on the stage in pink and purple light among brightly coloured flowers (that were spray-painted by Peach herself in a Tik Tok video series) and it appealed to every single person’s inner child. The singer’s candy-sweet vocals echoed throughout the Metro Theatre, the crowd almost overpowering her on each of the songs as they sang along enthusiastically. Peach’s 2019 single ‘Blondes’ was next up on the list, accompanied by a stunning lightshow in every colour of the rainbow that really added to the fairy fantasy.
“I know you’re okay
But don’t throw out your meds ’cause you had a good day
It’s all just symptomatic”
One trait of Peach and her music that makes her so relatable to a wide range of audiences is her vulnerability to share her experiences through her lyrics. ‘Symptomatic’ addresses the topic of mental health and offers kind words of advice to anyone who listens. It is so sweet how down-to-earth Peach seems, her persona online and on stage doesn’t differ and it’s easy to tell that she’s so appreciative to have a group of fans that support her as much as her music supports them.
Switching up to a more fun and lighthearted vibe, ‘Kinda Famous’ had the entire crowd jumping around and singing along like they were at a club enjoying a classic 2000’s bubblegum pop song, with an impressive high note that Peach admitted was actually just a fluke when she was in the studio and wasn’t able to replicate again. ‘Colourblind’ followed suit; a cute, lighthearted song with lyrics that, when you paid attention, actually were a little on the sadder side (think ‘Grace Kelly’ by Mika).
The lighthearted songs came to an end for the time being, shifting into a more passionate and emotional atmosphere with ‘Favourite Person.’ Peach PRC’s vocal talent really shone through, the emotion behind the lyrics was perfectly communicated as she sang, allowing us into this space full of gorgeous, raw emotion. Tears began to flow and didn’t stop throughout the next two songs, the bright lights illuminated the faces of the crowd as tears welled in eyes and rolled down cheeks during ‘Heavy’ and ‘Dear Inner Child’ with their more melancholy topics, including not feeling worthy of love, and healing and apologising to your younger self who was forced to grow up too early or felt shame for liking certain things. The crowd cheered loudly showing their support and together their screams and shouts were like a vocal hug not only to Peach but to all who stood beside them in that moment.
‘Loved You Before’ revived the energy in the room, with a super cute and puppy love romance that reminded me of Auburn’s ‘Perfect Two’ but with a high energy, modern makeover. A cover of Wheetus’ ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ had me screaming and singing along as a long-time pop punk fan and I absolutely adored her musical spin on the popular song. The energy went up to an all time high when the next song, ‘F U Goodbye,’ began. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but a Peach scorned will absolutely make a kick-ass song (or two) about you that’s for sure.
After a fun cover of ‘Escape my Love’ by Enrique Iglesias complete with choreo, Peach PRC went into another revenge song about a certain ex-boyfriend whose career is less famous than the song written about him, ‘Josh.’ The entire crowd sang along with every part of their being, dedicating the song to their own exes and came together in a moment of solidarity against toxicity.
Leaving her best songs for last, ‘Forever Drunk’ created the ultimate dance party among the crowd, jumping up and down and enjoying themselves singing along word for word. I feel like it’s what any artist dreams of: people loving their music and genuinely enjoying themselves at their concert. ‘God is a Freak’ “ended” her set on a high, serving as an anthem for those who are proud and unashamed of who they are, even if their differences result in judgement.
When I say that Peach spoke to every inner Disney Channel loving child of every person in the room with her next song, I mean it. Covering the iconic song from The Lizzie McGuire Movie ‘What Dreams are Made Of’ the crowd went absolutely nuts, remembering the lyrics from this song from their childhood and the odd person shouting ‘SING FOR ME, PAOLO’ a reference to the scene in the movie surrounding the song. It’s like we were attending a 2000’s throwback party together dressed as we would when we were children. It was truly a soul-healing experience, well it was for me at least!
Peach PRC is a perfect tribute to the 90’s kids who grew up through the 2000’s with TV shows like The Fairies (the original one with Harmony and Rhapsody in the pink and gold dresses) and H2O: Just Add Water, Winx Club and the original Barbie movies. The show was a perfect moment in time that we could go back to a care-free childhood where our imaginations and dreams were bigger than we were. Her performance was ethereal, she looked so magical and the show was one big ball of fun and emotion. It’s giving Y2K, Paris Hilton fairy-core vibes and we were all here for it.
Check out Adrian Thomson’s gallery of the Astor, Perth show on 11th May 2023 HERE
Check out Glen Morgan’s gallery of the Metro, Sydney show on 14th May 2023 HERE
Follow PEACH PRC
Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – TikTokPress Release 29th April 2023 (below) HERE
PEACH PRC
Manic Dream Pixie EP
Out NowFEATURES SINGLES ‘PERFECT FOR YOU’, ‘F U GOODBYE’
AND NEW POP SINGLE ‘KINDA FAMOUS’Kicks off her first
Australian Headline TourAll shows sold out
Special Guest Heleina Zara
AMNPLIFY – DB
