Project Description

MEG MAC

+ Fergus James

The Forum Theatre

04/05/19

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Kelsey Hentschel

Photographer: Len Panecki

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Check out the full Gallery HERE

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On Saturday 4th May, Meg Mac graced one of Victoria’s most popular theatres, The Forum, to play another show on her Give Me My Name Back Tour. Spanning 15 dates across Australia & New Zealand, I was lucky enough to snag a ticket to see the powerhouse vocalist at the sold-out Melbourne show! Opening the show with her up-beat song, ‘Ride It’, Meg graced the packed-out venue with her undeniably impressive vocals. Donning her signature wide brimmed hat and an all-white outfit complete with frills.

Meg Mac, aka, Megan Sullivan McInerney is one of those rare creatures in the music industry today who not only can hold a torch to their own studio recordings but are actually 10 times better in person. I kept finding myself in shock by the sheer force of her voice. I honestly felt it in my soul.

Before playing her song ‘Every Lie’, Meg explained the song was about discovering one lie and then finding out more and more lies. Meg played many of her songs from her debut album, ‘Low Blows’, like ‘Grace Gold’ and ‘Didn’t Wanna Get So Low But I Had To’. It’s interesting to see the difference between Meg during song and in between song. We go from hearing roaring vocals exuding from an electric confident woman, to a shy girl saying “Thank You” under her breath.

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Mac is set to release new music soon, thus we were treated to the title track from the new album. “I’m going to play you a new song” Meg said, “This is a song called Hope, but it’s not a hopeful song, it’s a sad depressing song about the dark side of hope”. ‘Hope’ is the title of Meg’s highly anticipated new album set for release in June.

Then came the song ‘Cages’, which is affectionately known as the “October” song. The audience joined Meg in screaming “I REMEMBER BACK TO OCTOBERRR”, and although I was unfamiliar with this song before the show, I listened to it on a loop on the car ride home, and I suggest you do the same. It’s beautiful.

On stage alongside Meg was her 4-piece band and her two back-up vocalists, one of which is her sister, Hannah. It was warming to see the moments Meg strutted over to her sister to harmonise and join vocal forces. Notable mention to the keys player who was bopping, singing and dancing to the extremes. I was having so much fun seeing him enjoy himself that much.

As the show progressed Meg warmed up more to the crowd and became more talkative in-between songs. She expressed her joy in playing in Melbourne as it was her hometown show, explaining how excited she was to be able to sleep in her own bed!

“I realised earlier today that this is actually my fifth time playing The Forum”, the crowd cheered! Melbourne really does love Meg, and it’s evident through her five sold out shows at this venue.

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The second half of the show saw us hearing more songs from Meg’s upcoming album.

We got to hear the lead single ‘Give Me My Name Back’, a song stated by Meg is for “everyone who’s ever lost an important part of themselves”. Followed by ‘I’m Not Coming Back’ which was only released last month, a song the singer wrote about a friend who only calls to talk about herself, and my personal favourite ‘Something Tells Me’.

While Meg shined throughout the whole show, Meg’s most notable vocal moments were the final choruses and outros of most songs where Meg and her back-up vocalists often harmonised and created powerful finales.

“This is my last song, but it might not be” giggled Meg as she performed her 2015 hit, the upbeat crowd favourite ‘Never Be’.

Coming back out for two last songs, we got to hear her in-demand Triple J cover of Tame Impala’s ‘Let It Happen’ and the ever-so popular ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’. I was utterly blown away by Megs performance. Unlike Macs song ‘I’m Not Coming Back’ I will definitely be back! Can’t wait for the new album! 10/10!

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Check out Len Panecki‘s gallery of the show here

Connect with MEG MAC

@ OneBigLink

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