POST CONSCIOUS FEELS
Campbelltown Arts Centre’s Conscious Presents was a vibe, to say the least. With guest DJ MK-1 and local hip-hop veteran L-FRESH the LION taking charge of proceedings, the best of the West was indeed on show. Having completed the Conscious project in the past year, five artists took to the stage to display their latest work.
Mirrah kicked the night off with a set full of self-love and positivity anthems. Perhaps most impressive was her rendition of Hold On, an ode to the frustrations of consumerism. The track was the crux of her set, balancing her work as equal parts expressive and introspective. Mirrah’s aptitude as an entertainer was also evident, using anecdotes and sporadic freestyles to keep the crowd engaged.
Mirrah @mirrahreflects (Image: Christopher Woe Photography @christopher_woe)
Next up was Jessica Jade, whose silky voice had numerous crowd members insisting that her version of Brandy’s I Wanna Be Down was better than the original (not a word of a lie). Her single Taste really brought the energy, making good use of the ‘explicit language’ signs outside and introducing a fresh change of pace from her more mellow work.
Campbelltown’s own Rebecca Hatch was third on the mic, with her smooth vocals shining through on cuts like her single Leeway. Undoubtedly her best track, Hatch crooned atop the spacey, rhodes-driven track amongst a host of other singles. Performing a variety of released and unreleased work, the up-and-coming act blessed the crowd with a set of R&B bliss.
Rebecca Hatch @rebecca.hatch (Image: Christopher Woe Photography @christopher_woe)
Nardean took the stage next, using some very Handmaid’s Tale-esque imagery to open her set (and borderline freak me out). With our own Clarissa Mei on backing vocals, the singer-rapper touched on everything from love to questioning tradition within her own family. Not afraid to defy stereotypes or norms, Nardean’s genre bending set was a testament to her vocal versatility. Magic indeed!
Nardean @nardean__ (Image: Christopher Woe Photography @christopher_woe)
Zeadala finished the concert with a more organic and intimate performance. Singing about inequality, relationships, and motherhood, she added a unique perspective to the night. The whole crowd was in the feels during her performance of Alan Walker’s Faded, which was first performed to her by students she had met during songwriting classes as part of the Conscious program.
With Zeadala’s set wrapping the night up, the inaugural Conscious development program comes to a close. Local hip-hop is alive and well, and with an all female lineup for Conscious Presents, we know our girls are working hard to become Western Sydney household names.
A very special thanks to Danielle and everybody at Campbelltown Arts Centre for putting the event on. The community would not be where it is without your support!
