Estère Proudly Proclaims My Design, On Others Lives

You might assume that the music someone makes alone in her room in her pyjamas might not stand up to being performed live on stage. And for assuming so in Estère’s case, one would have made an ass out of you and me.

Seemingly arriving from another galaxy, from a dimension far far away, Estère was a vision in her astro buns and silver space dominatrix ensemble complete with electric blue wings. The high priestess herself had clearly descended upon us and church was now in session.

There were no crystal balls present (just a large, spinning disco variation hanging from the ceiling – does that count?) but from the moment Merk came on stage, it was evident that this was going to be an evening of gigs to remember.

Merk (or Mark when he’s off stage) and his keyboardist Josh, drummer Sean and bassist Matt were clearly the sort of well-mannered boys you wouldn’t think twice about bringing home to mama. And weirdly aptly, the evening’s setlist could’ve just as easily been the beloved soundtrack to a cult prom movie you trashed in your formative years, brimming with just the right amount of unpretentious vulnerability (courtesy of Merk’s amazingly controlled yet so blatantly honest vocals) and endearing awkwardness to fill even the most misunderstood of misfits with a little hope. From the likes of Manchuria— perfectly depicting those trying, teen years — to the upbeat Lucky Dilemma— where things seem ok just before they turn to absolute custard — all the way to Treehouse Club— where your heart broke for the protagonist as he reached out to hold his crush’s hand only to be rejected — to the synthy goodness of I’m Easy where the underdog finally finds a version of himself he likes… Merk may have abandoned us after tonight to go off to Denmark to record his new album but he’s certainly left us with more than enough to tie us over while we eagerly anticipate his return.

Then, it was time for the main event — a little Electric Blue Witch Hop.

A magnificent multi-tasker, watching Estère perform can be likened to watching an experienced circus plate spinner. From seemingly pushing random buttons on her synthesiser and sampler to having a bash on the ‘bongos’ through to picking up and playing an electric guitar to very casually spouting a little French, this spitfire of a show-woman kept all the plates in the air so effortlessly, it was nothing short of a wonder to witness.

Charismatic and tirelessly theatrical, the crowd lapped up every dance move, every beat, every handcrafted, heartfelt melody that escaped from Estère’s lips. With songs like I Spy that seem to be imbued with her essence in every note, to the bop-inducing Pro Bono Techno Zone, just when you thought she couldn’t possibly impress you any further, she showed off her rapping prowess in Gun Kid and took you on a journey to the Caribbean in Rent.

Words don’t seem sufficient to describe the marvel that is Estère but if I had to pick one to express the sentiment left behind as the sonic high priestess bid us goodnight, it would be — awestruck.

Deborah Raj

Click on an image to see a photo gallery by Reuben Raj:

Estère’s Setlist:

1. Unafraid
2. Control Freak
3. I Spy (from the 2014 album Estèreby Estère)
4. Pro Bono Techno Zone
5. Gun Kid
6. Rent
7. Jellyfish Stings
8. Grandmother
9. Ambition
10. Flashlight
11. Nomads
12. Guilty

Encore: L’ouiseau dans l’étoile