BestGigLargeAustralian singer-songwriter Stella Bridie on MUNA summoning an in-body experience.

Stella Bridie: The best gig I’ve ever seen was MUNA at the Metro Theatre in 2023. A group of us flew to Sydney for a joint birthday trip and caught the only headline show they were doing in Austrailia. Our flight got delayed and we ended up racing across the city to dump our stuff at a hostel and made it just in time for their set.

It was sweltering weather and we were packed inside the venue, very sweaty, slightly out of breath. And then the second the intro music started, it was like One-Direction-circa-2014 mania from the audience. I was so completely in my body for the entire set, which I think is actually the whole point of pop. It’s not about transcending, it’s about being aggressively present. And it’s also about hearing the stranger next to you turn to their friend in between every song and go, “Oh my god they are so hot oh my god oh my god.” God bless MUNA.  ❖

Stella Bridie’s Speaking Terms EP is out now.