Reflections of a shared stage
Last Saturday, I hosted and curated my first ‘The Listening Room’ event in Kentish Town, London.
An in-person, artist-centred gathering where we talk about creative processes and all the learnings that arise from living a creative life to the fullest.
While I hosted and performed, I shared the stage with two wonderful women: Lizzie Campbell and Little Lore, who mesmerised the audience with their awesome music, lyrics and stories behind the songs.
It was an incredible night for so many reasons, but I thought I’d share some of my most important reflections.
We are no one without one another
I love bringing people together through facilitation and event organisation – creating spaces for people to shine in their talents gives me real joy.
I also think that this is the way I handle a lot of my social life.
In these moments, I have a role, and that changes everything. The energy flows outward rather than in all directions at once. I’m not trying to track conversations, read the room socially, or figure out where I fit. I know exactly where I fit. And from that place of clarity, I can actually give more, not less.
And being on stage with the other two women was incredibly fulfilling.
Leaning into each other's strengths meant that we could learn to let go and dance in the moment.
This meant that the energy in the room felt magical.
Strangers started to talk to each other in a very natural way.
The silence in the room as the artists shared meant we could hear every breath and every chair squeak.
Singers felt like they were channelling something from a higher realm.
Of course, I planned the flow of the night, but I genuinely think that a lot of the experience came down to the art of letting everyone shine in their own greatness and holding space for them to be seen.
The way we approach things, the way we let go of control, can mean that something other than logic guides us, and on a night of creativity, I definitely felt that the spirits of creativity were guiding us last Saturday.
The audience is an active part
I have always wanted to offer a space where the audience felt an active part of the concert.
Not because they would fear to be picked, like in a stand-up comedy..
I know people (me included) who are terrified to be picked aha.
But in a way that they feel that they are not there to worship the artist; instead, they are there to bring the act of sharing art to life.
Meaning, art comes even more to life when it’s shared.
When it becomes more about the work and the piece rather than who made it. Because - I think - we are all creators and receivers, and how beautiful to step in these roles knowing that both are so important.
In-person events will save the world
I love being able to work online.
It means I can be flexible and travel.
Yet, there is something so special about coming together in person, and it’s not just me saying it.
In a city like London, where you can be surrounded by millions and still feel anonymous, a space to slow down, meet strangers and reflect together feels quietly radical.
I can’t tell you how many people I spoke to at the event and outside who crave for such spaces and opportunities.
In a grounded, vulnerable, down-to-earth set-up, we are also all reminded that creativity is our right and something that we all have.
It is not exclusive or elitist.
And so there is also something to say about the venue where I ran the event.
A quirky, rustic, wooden, super warm, cosy space in Kentish Town that is just so aligned with the values of the event.
Excited, yes, but the work begins now
It will be a beautiful journey to keep this alive. Having run a yoga studio for four years and with many years of experience running events, I know that it takes commitment and work.
But I trust that this offer is so unique and so needed that it will evolve naturally with time.
I’d like to develop an approach that will be new for me: fully leaning into trust and letting go of any sense of ‘push’, which is often a quality of mine when trying to get things done.
So a lot will come down to my approach — and the people I choose to bring onto this creative journey.
That part, I don’t take lightly.
Join us for the next event
If you are in London, join us for our next event on Saturday, 6th June!
The theme is TAKING S P A C E and giving ourselves permission. (Every event has a theme btw that the audience and artists reflect on).
On a personal note, I have a new song called ‘Monsters’ coming out on the 18th June.
One of my favourites!
You can pre-save it here and help spread the love 🧡