Chelsea Wolfe + Emma Ruth Rundle [Folk Metal]
Event Page: Official | Archive
Date/Time: Fri 2022-06-17 20:00
Venue: Manning Bar, Camperdown NSW 2050
Links: Spotify [ERR] | Bandcamp [ERR] | Setlist [ERR]
Chelsea Wolfe and Emma Ruth Rundle (ERR) seem to hold the answers to life that no one has yet asked. Fans have been waiting since 2021 to see the duo after multiple delays due to everything around us. It finally happened, and despite Covid getting in the way again, Sydney was blessed with these wonderful women sharing their being with us all through music.
Standing outside the Manning Bar, the queue spanned at least 100m on this chilly winter night. Some lovely people behind me politely ask if the queue is for Chelsea Wolfe. Not being 100% sure myself, I comment that whilst I am not 100% sure, the gothic + metal attire was the only clue I was holding on to. It was a lovely crowd, full of diverse, expressive, individuals, couples, groups, friends, friendly goths, and wise metalheads.
There was hardly any room to move within the Manning from t minus 0. I thought to myself that the patronage was exceptional. Indeed, fans had been waiting a while for this. Sadly, following the previous city tours, both Chelsea Wolfe's band and Emma Ruth Rundle had fallen to illness. A few cities missed out on ERR.
It was such a delight to hear that ERR had recovered enough to perform in Sydney. Seeing her enter the stage, it was apparent the tour had been tough on her. Imagine not being able to perform after waiting 1+ year for this opportunity and travelling all this way. It was the first time she was performing in Sydney as well. This pain was visible on Emma's face and soul. However, being the true musician she is, she humbly gave a beautiful, intimate performance. Shifting between keyboard and guitar, shifting to face the audience directly and away to the side per switch.
I think everyone wanted to hear more from ERR even after a few songs. But she has that effect on everyone in any situation in my opinion 🙂.
Chelsea Wolfe humbly entered some time after ERR's set had finished. On the stage were various guitars, mesmerising lighting and fog, and a teacup 💙. Unfortunately, her band had also succumbed to covid and it was just a solo show from her (made known via FB beforehand). Whilst this was disappointing to miss out on the rest of the band's amazing musical talent, it was totally understandable. I could feel a lot of weight resting on Chelsea's shoulders as she bears the expectation of an eager crowd.
Chelsea's set felt truly unique and intimate. Both ERR and Chelsea Wolfe are known to be genre bending, however, seeing both artists (especially Chelsea) unplugged in this light felt like a treat. It was a view into her process, a chance to fully explore her vocal gifts, and being able to separate the noise, pedals, effects, with what ultimately counts - the artist and her words.
That is not to say that it was just all acoustic and unplugged. A few tracks utilised reverb and one track in particular was looped to a trance like state with lightning set to match it. There were a few covers, some songs from her I had never heard of, and some from her more popular releases like Hiss Spun as well. I noticed someone next to me, recording some of Chelsea's set on an old VHS camcorder. One can compare the nostalgic, warm tone of an analogue medium to the intimate and close show we had with Chelsea that night.
I think both musicians turned an imperfect, unideal, pained night into one of intimacy, trueness, and utter captivation that is innately present in their words, music, and their presence on the stage. I have a huge amount of respect for this.