My Experience Of National Mackem Day
On 12 August 2025, I had the incredible honour of performing at National Mackem Day at the Sheepfold Stables in Sunderland. For those unfamiliar, a "Mackem" is someone from Sunderland, a term derived from the local pronunciation of "Make Them" – "Mak EM." It's a celebration of our city, our culture, and the pride we take in being from Sunderland.
I was asked to perform my song All Ships Rise, and I'll be honest: it didn't go the way I'd hoped.
When Things Don't Go to Plan
I struggled with the lyrics, couldn't hear the music clearly, and didn't feel fully prepared. I stumbled on stage, caught myself mid-fall, and fought hard to appear confident. In my own eyes, it was one of the worst performances I've ever given. I left the stage feeling disappointed and frustrated with myself.
But what happened next was completely unexpected.
The crowd rose to their feet. The applause was overwhelming—louder and more heartfelt than anything I've ever experienced. Despite my own feelings of failure, they genuinely enjoyed the performance.
A Powerful Lesson
It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, confidence and connection can matter more than perfection.
As I reflected on the experience, I realised it perfectly ties back to the ELMS Method: "It's not about never falling—it's about how you rise, even when you feel you've failed."
That's the lesson I took from National Mackem Day.
What the Audience Saw
While I was focused on every mistake, every missed lyric, every moment of uncertainty—the audience saw something different. They saw:
- Courage - Someone willing to get up and perform
- Authenticity - A real person, not a polished performance
- Recovery - How I caught myself and kept going
- Connection - The emotional truth of the moment
- Pride - Celebrating Sunderland together
This disconnect between my internal experience and their external perception taught me something crucial about performance and leadership: we are often our own harshest critics.
The ELMS Method in Action
Looking back, I can see all four pillars of The ELMS Method at work:
Express - I showed up and expressed myself, even when it was difficult. That took courage.
Listen - If I had listened more to the room's energy rather than my internal critic, I would have felt their support sooner.
Message - The message of All Ships Rise resonated with people because it speaks to something bigger than perfection—it speaks to resilience.
Switch - When I stumbled, I switched modes. I recovered. I kept going. That's what mattered.
A Celebration of Sunderland
The event itself was a fantastic celebration of Sunderland and its people, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it. National Mackem Day is about more than performances—it's about community, identity, and the shared pride we have in where we're from.
I very much look forward to returning next year and bringing even more energy and pride to the stage. And this time, I'll remember: it's not about being perfect. It's about being present, being real, and rising when you fall.
