‘The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’: Hundreds Gathered To Dance To Kate Bush’s Classic Hit
Hundreds of Kate Bush fans gathered for the annual ‘The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’ on Saturday, in honour of the singer’s classic hit on her birthday and to raise money for Women’s Legal Service NSW.
“Today means to me, showing women that we come together to support an end to domestic violence. [We] support mental health — showing all women and men that you’ve got support if you really need it. And never ever think you’re alone. Today is a classic example,” super-fan Tina told Junkee.
Charbel, one of the event’s main dancers, was overjoyed that the event could go ahead after two years of cancellations. “It’s just good to get out and just be around people who are like minded and are not going judge you and, you know, just wanna have fun”.
Dancers wore red dresses as a tribute to the music video of Kate Bush’ debut single ‘Wuthering Heights’ in 1978. Bush was only 18 when she wrote the Emily Brontë inspired song, and created the famous choreography and dance moves in the video, which were symbolic of her ghost character in the lyrics. At the event, fans copied Bush’s kicking and swaying choreography in unison.
The success of ‘Wuthering Heights’ led Bush to become the first female artist in the UK to achieve a number one song that was self-written. And Pitchfork awarded ‘Wuthering Heights’ third spot on the list of greatest music videos of the 1970s.
“I loved Kate since I was probably in primary school since The Kick Inside album. So yeah, [she] someone I grew up with. The ‘Cloudbusting’, Hounds of Love album got me through the HSC. And it’s great to see the resurgence with Stranger Things,” a fan said, who had travelled from Canberra to attend Sydney’s event.
Kate Bush’s timeless hits have made an impact on younger generations too. Her song ‘Running Up That Hill’ recently made a comeback on Netflix’s TV show Stranger Things.
“I was so ecstatic to hear ‘Running Up That Hill’ play on that episode of Stranger Things. It’s awesome to see that it has taken flight and become its own thing for a whole new generation,” a young Kate Bush fan told Junkee.
“I think it’s cool. I mean, it’s a great song. So anything that gets it any kind of awareness is cool…I mean, it’s been overplayed of course but you know, it’ll come and go and it’ll just sort of become a classic it deserves to be,” another young fan said.
The annual event was inspired by a 2013 performance art work by Shambush in Brighton, England, and now takes place in cities all around the world.
About the singer, Charbel said Kate Bush means being able to “express yourself and to be yourself and not have to hide from the world” and just be “kooky, quirky and silly”.
“She’s an enigma. I feel like everyone needs to know about Kate Bush. Her music’s amazing. Lots of like artists that I listen to, like say Björk…or Cocteau Twins, they had lots of inspiration from Kate Bush songs,” another young fan said.
“I just love her energy. I love how free spirited she is. I would call myself a bit of a free spirit in many ways. But yeah, just super excited to be here. And I love seeing so many diverse people here just embracing our music and just having a great time.”