Terra Rouge | The Leadbeater Hotel
@kickonentertainment
After months of preparation and excitement, it was finally the night to celebrate the release of Melbourne’s favourite rock princess, Terra Rouge’s, new single “Couch Song”. Hosted at the Leadbeater Hotel in Richmond, alongside special guests Lara Bauchanan, C ME and Terra Rouge’s backing band, The Red Backs, fans knew they were in for a special evening as soon as they walked into the venue. At the door, guests were gifted with a show bag filled with treats, like a zine capturing the experience of the show, a little drawing and a friendship bracelet handmade by the singer herself. Every inch of the room was decked out with things to do, each stall presenting itself as different spaces in the home of Terra Rouge. There was the kitchen (the bar), a vanity for makeovers, a yearbook to sign and the stage taking place as her living room. The room buzzed with laughter and excitement, creating a magical sense of anticipation for the show ahead of us.
The first artist to grace the stage was Lara Buchanan, joined by her backing band. In celebration of the gig taking place on Friday the 13th, each member was dressed up in white clothes smeared with blood, Lara herself dressed as Carrie. She was wearing a tiara, and she told the audience that the person with the most energy would win the crown. Immediately, I knew I had to step my game up, but it wasn’t hard to be completely immersed in the set. Performing some of her tracks such as “Those Who Didn’t” and “Jupiter”, Buchanan effortlessly weaved a liquid gold dreamscape with her honey sweet vocals. Soft melody’s and thrumming drum beats fluttered the hearts of everyone in the room, and in contrast to the blood stained white dress, it was impossible not to be hypnotised by the singer. During the song “I Have a Compass”, the band encouraged the audience to participate in the bridge by clapping in time and singing the lyrics “Pick up the phone”. As the outro faded away, the band beamed, radiating in the joy of the crowd. I, of course, won the tiara and proudly paraded it around for the rest of the night.
Between sets, we found ourselves doodling some tat designs and signing the yearbook, and before we knew it, C ME had taken the stage. Celeste Morgan wrapped the audience around her finger as she danced and bodied her music, rich bass lines made it irresistible to move along with the singer from the dance floor. Her and her band shared a flawless, kinetic wave-length that glided through their whole set, effortlessly blending together and encapsulating the whole room. Smashing out tracks such as “People I Know” and “Twenty/Twenty” from her new EP, “3182”, C ME left the stage with a long lasting impression. Funky beats with exciting vocals and the attitude to match, she is not an artist you want to miss out on!!
Finally, after much anticipation, it was time for the Terra Rouge Experience to begin. The show started in Act 1,”In Love”, with a narration from the singer herself, introducing the crowd to the story that was about to unfold in front of them. The Red Backs kicked into “Sunset Smile”, and immediately the venue was alight. In the middle of the stage, there was a dark, leather couch that the singer was lounging on, the band positioned to frame her. You could see the excitement and energy flowing out of her as she moved and jumped around the stage, her happiness being absorbed by the audience as they all swayed along. The first act concluded with “Let it Burn”, when suddenly a telephone rang from behind her. She sat back down, answering the phone, only for it to be her ‘boyfriend’ dumping her for someone else.
The lights dimmed as she slammed the phone back onto the receiver, the crowd erupting in applause. The words “I’m so fucking over it” dreamily sighed out of the speakers, as my personal favourite track, “Fuckboy” began to play. Act 2 detailed the heartbreak of being betrayed and used by a shitty man, each songs’ lyrics teeming with rage, surrounded by gritty yet uplifting guitar riffs. “Two Faced” was one of the crowd's favourites, as they sang the chorus back to Rouge as she gleamed under the soft hues of the stage lights. Another voice over began to play, detailing how after dyeing her hair and getting new piercings and tattoos, she had felt as though she had shed her old skin, and now it was time to re-emerge after her heartbreak. The curtains drew to a close, and the band began to play a rhythmic, instrumental transition song.
As Act 3, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Baby”, began, the curtains drew open to reveal the singer in a shimmering black gown, greyscale flowers climbing up the bodice, as the lush bass line of “Deals with the Devil” vibrated the room. Rouge prowled the stage, her soulful voice winning over the hearts of the mesmerised listeners. Following up with “I’m Not Gay (I Just Like Kissing Girls), it was finally time for what everyone had been waiting for. “Couch Song” opened with a resolute guitar riff and a cymbal softly crashing as a build up, before slamming into an anthemic chorus. The lyrics, “I won’t miss your fucking face, you were my biggest mistake” were sung between striking chords, making it almost enchanting to bang your head along to.
To say the night was anything less than perfect and wholesome would be a major understatement. Good tunes, glitter, dress-ups and a theatrical performance from Melbourne’s favourite rock princess fostered an intimate space for all of her friends and fans. If you haven’t already while reading this, you better go stream her latest release “Couch Song” (or perish from my own hand)!
Review by: