Images of countless bodies mashed together, tangled amongst a hot sweaty mess with the overarching phrase beckoning audiences; “come with me, you know me, feel free, peachy”. These images are of course synonymous with Peaches, the queen of electroclash and freethinking controversy and the title track for her latest album Rub is no exception.
Although it’s perhaps what audiences have come to expect from the performance artist, when Peaches descends upon Australian shores as part of her Rub/RubRemixed world tour later this year, fans will be treated to many different variations, with the ‘Teaches of Peaches’ taking on a whole new lesson plan.
Returning to our shores for a variety of headline shows in December, what can audiences expect from Peaches in 2016? “I’ve really been enjoying touring this time around, I love the show right now and I’m so happy with its development. Our first show on this tour was pre the release of the album, since then, the development has been really incredible. I’m still working with my two Australian dancers and we’ve come a really long way”.
In terms of stage production Peaches adds, “It’s definitely a huge spectacle, mostly songs from Rub with some classics sprinkled in as well”. Thankfully, the pull back to our shores was an easy one, “There are so many great fans in Australia, and just so much excitement”, with the singer adding affectionately, “I love performing there”.
Although it’s been 16 years since the release of The Teaches of Peaches the focus on body positivity, free and forward thinking, is perhaps even more at the forefront with both Rub and RubRemixed. “My whole thing is…”, begins Peaches with a clear passion for the cause,“I just want people to feel comfortable in their bodies, feel comfortable with themselves and have nothing ever deter them from that”.
It seems the literal ‘Teaches of Peaches’ still resonate with fans on a global scale, with her latest albums and artistic outlets creating a whole new generation of devoted ‘students’. “I’m finding out a lot of the people who were Teaches of Peaches fans were quite young at the time and couldn’t see shows”, reveals a surprised Peaches.
“I mean, people are coming up to me saying they’ve been fans since they were 12 or 14, it’s amazing.” As an inspiring figure, Peaches it seems, moves seamlessly through time as individuals continually gather to ‘rub’ up against each other and fall at her feet, eager for true controversy and expression of thought.
When thinking of Peaches, Rock Opera is certainly not the first term that springs to mind, however, with her one woman show, Peaches Christ Superstar the eclectic queen is stripping back and stepping into the spotlight, performing the extravaganza for the first time in Australia at the Mona Foma festival in Hobart in January 2017. Behind the sensual lyrics, eccentric downbeats, raunchy videos and spectacularly in your face choreography, lies a phenomenal voice, and Peaches Christ Superstar is a rare opportunity for fans to experience her true vocal range.
“When I started doing Peaches, I wasn’t interested in just being seen as ‘the female singer’ and I made sure I didn’t sing a lot on my first album – the real message would’ve been lost. I mean… I really enjoy the way I can bust out something and still surprise people. A lot of the time when people see me live, they comment ‘oh hey, I didn’t know that you could actually sing’. ‘Peaches Christ’ is a chance for me to really showcase that.”
But why this particular production? “It’s a Rock Opera, so there’s actually no speaking in between, which for me was always interesting. I find the story compelling, not as a religious thing, but just as a person who had a good idea. Someone who was misunderstood, which happens so many times in so many situations. I wanted to do this, and I wanted it to be a one woman show.”.
Performing the musical in its entirety, accompanied only by pianist Mathias Susaas Halvorsen, her exceptional vocal range is truly tested. “The challenge for me was the fact there are so many different voices and there’s real passion behind the performances.” Adding further, “It was an exercise in vocal arrangements asking myself first of all, ‘can I do this?’”. The answer of course being: yes, yes she can.
Thankfully, Australian audiences will soon experience every aspect of the extravaganza that is Peaches. Some fans will perhaps prefer to join in for a sweaty front row chorus of “whose jizz is this?” (a secret Peaches “will never tell”), whilst others may favour a chorus of the ‘Superstar’ kind. Nevertheless, the world as we know it, needs Peaches now more than ever.
Peaches ‘Rub’ Australia 2016 Tour
Friday, 9th December
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Metro Theatre
Saturday, 10th December
Meredith Music Festival
Meredith
Sunday, 11th December (Sold Out)
170 Russell, Melbourne
Moshtix
Tuesday, 13th December
170 Russell, Melbourne
Moshtix
Thursday, 15th December
The Tivoli, Brisbane
Ticketmaster
Wednesday, 28th December (Sold Out)
The Gov, Adelaide
Oztix
Thursday, 29th December
Southbound Festival
Thursday, 19th January
Peaches Christ Superstar at MONA Festival
