MJ TikTok'd Live from Perth
A Michael Jackson fan streaming happiness from his backyard in Perth to the world, via TikTok.
My son Josh sent me an intriguing link today.
Clicking on the link, my TikTok app open to a live stream of a young man performing a dance routine to a Michael Jackson song. He seemed to be reproducing Jackson’s choreography from one of his live tour performances.
The number of people watching at the same time as me ranged between 100-400 viewers throughout the performance. Some had stumbled upon the stream and weren’t impressed but others were clearly fans who were there on purpose.
The more I watched, the more curious I became. I wanted to know more.
Here’s the deal:
Adem Jackson performs a full length Michael Jackson concert each Wednesday from his suburban backyard in Perth, Australia. It doesn’t sound like it should work, but I have to tell you - it kinda does.
His yard is quite narrow. The (synthetic?) lawn is the stage. Adam has a microphone, a mic stand and an indefatigable energy. He dances and sometimes sings along to a soundtrack stitched together from one or more of Jackson’s concert tour videos. The music is pumped across the yard via two big speakers, clearly loud enough that the neighbours can also sing along.
For up to three hours, Adem performs the King of Pop’s greatest hits, with multiple costume changes. He has the iconic costumes for Billie Jean and Thriller among others. In the breaks between songs, where during a concert, the band would play an extended intro or outro — Adem leave’s the back of the stage through a sliding glass door that leads into his house, and returns moments later wearing something new.
Loyal fans come back to watch each Wednesday. “It’s my weekly ritual,” said @tinagwen.
Adem has been a fan of MJ since 2007 and began dancing himself in 2010. He began streaming his performances live on TikTok back in December and followers know they can tune in from 2pm AWST each Wednesday to see him in action. When I asked him why he came back week after week, he told me “It’s enjoyable, and it makes people happy.”
I love that he has found a showcase for his passion and talents. His attention to detail is impressive. Without watching them side by side, I’d guess that Adem has carefully studied Jacko’s recorded performances and replicates them faithfully. Without requiring anyone’s permission (except perhaps that of his parents and the goodwill of his neighbours) he turns his backyard of green grass and blue sky into a stage where he can make people smile all around the world.
There’s something to love about that.
it’s amazing how much you know about him 😍