Mac Demarco
Scala
28th October 2013
Montreal melody maker, Mac Demarco has landed in London to kick-start his European Tour and my has he pulled quite the crowd. Having sold out this Kings Cross cavern many moons ago his fans are packed in from miles around. Hungry for something good, they get it. A quick wave hello and Mac and his band plunge into album opener ‘Cooking up Something Good’ and immediately everyone’s in sync.
Watching Mac Demarco perform, you appreciate both his skill as a song writer and the musicianship of his band. His songs are catchy, simple pieces of pop, full of lyrical wit and could totally work stripped down with Mac strumming an acoustic on his own. However bassist Pierce is the cherry on top of this tasty musical cake, bringing a funky element that feels essential to these simple songs. Macs music feels dead honest too, there’s nothing hidden behind effects pedals or matching outfits here. This lot turn up, plug in and play, just the way it should be.
Although essentially guitar pop, there’s a lot going on. In ‘Rock n Roll Night Club’ Mac adopts a deep, Elvis style croon and ‘Ode To Viceroy’ extends to a slack Pavement drawl. The dreamy tale of ‘The Stars Keep On Calling My Name’ holds the indie sincerity of Blur while mixing in the upbeat sweetness of Best Coast.
But where does this genre bending end? After rattling through the highlights of his debut 2, there’s time for a bit of larking around. Jamming the likes of Rammstein, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and even Metallica gets a good sing-along going before veering into ‘She’s Really All I Need’.
Downing his guitar for set closer ‘Still Together’, Mac reveals his inner romantic. Down on one knee, he’s holding the crowd in the palm of his hand, with everyone singing his heartfelt lyrics straight back at him with full force. As the final chorus of “Together…” rings out i wonder if this choice of set closer is more a thank you to his fans than just an ode to his beloved. Either way, following a rapturous applause, encore ‘My Kind Of Woman’ harnesses the sexy atmosphere and sends sparks flying, albeit mostly amongst the lads down the front hoping for a high five from the main man.
Dave Palmer