Last night, LA’s alt-pop star Emei lit up the stage at the University of Sydney’s Manning Bar as part of Someday Soon Fest, celebrating 50 years of the iconic venue. Touring Australia for the first time, Emei brought an electric, sparkling energy that instantly endeared fans, both new and old.
Opening acts J. Tajor and William Singe had already won the crowd over with their infectious R&B sound. Singe’s take on Tinashe’s viral hit ‘Nasty’ and a fan-fave cover of Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’ had the room enthusiastically engaged, priming the audience for the headlining act.
Taking the stage with captivating confidence, Emei kicked things off with her alt-pop banger ‘That Girl’, instantly grabbing the audience’s attention with her ethereal voice and waist-length plaits that swayed with every beat. Fans screamed in delight as she transitioned seamlessly into viral hits ‘Irresponsible’ and ‘Better People To Leave On Read’.
In true international artist fashion, Emei gave her best shot at an “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!” before catching a cute surprise from the crowd—a plush koala quickly christened Steve “Owen”/Irwin, much to the delight of her fans. After signing a merch tee and tossing it into the crowd, Emei announced she would be joining the audience on the floor, taking the night to a whole new level of intimacy.
In a heartfelt and captivating moment, Emei gathered fans around her as they sat cross-legged, campfire-style, on the floor. She serenaded them with ‘The Moon Represents My Heart’, a touching tribute to her Chinese American heritage. The crowd, completely mesmerised, watched in awe as Emei’s performance took on an almost dreamlike quality, making for one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
After returning to the stage, Emei made it clear she wasn’t just all soft edges—“I’m petty too,” she joked before launching into her hit single ‘You Are Bad’. The energy surged as she followed up with an upbeat and playful cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’, sending the crowd bouncing with enthusiasm.
Throughout the night, Emei kept fans dancing, swaying, and losing themselves in her catchy pop anthems, a mix of well-loved hits and some unreleased gems. As the evening drew to a close, the crowd was nowhere near ready to say goodbye, erupting into cheers and chants until Emei returned to the stage for one final song, closing the night with the energetic ‘Scatterbrain’.
From start to finish, Emei’s charm, talent, and magnetic stage presence made for a night to remember. Her global rise has been swift, and with her debut Australian tour, she’s already winning over a dedicated following across the country.
Image credit: @juiceboxjpg
