One of the best things I heard at SXSW Sydney last week was in a conversation between Hamish Blake and Ben Shewry, founder and head chef of Attica.
"People will pay to see others believe in themselves".
The quote was attributed to journalist and rock critic Greil Marcus. Although, I've also seen it attributed to musician and songwriter Kim Gordon.
Either way, the more I’ve sat with it the more it resonates.
It’s not just about paying for a performance or experience.
It’s about paying for belief, for conviction, for the raw energy that someone radiates when they are fully immersed in their craft.
This holds true across the spectrum—whether it be on the sporting field, or in the kitchen of a favourite restaurant, or at a stage show or concert. But it also holds in a great novel, or album, or television show, podcast, or film.
What we are really drawn to is the authenticity, the commitment, the self-belief that bleeds into these works.
It’s about witnessing years of discipline, resilience, and grit come to life. Their belief, alongside every moment, every note, every word, every roar of the crowd, every victory and every loss, feeds into the creator's story.
That’s what we are paying for, because, in some way, it reflects the belief we want to find in themselves.
Every creation is an act of belief. And that belief is contagious.
We get to buy into a piece of that person’s belief in themselves, in their ability to make something meaningful. And we get to walk away with the shared moments, memories, and stories.
We want to see others believe in themselves because it reminds us that it’s possible to believe in ourselves. Whether we realise it or not, we’re paying for that feeling. And when it works, it’s worth every cent.
Now, where is my copy of Daydream Nation?
