REVIEW: Mac DeMarco's Sold-Out Show at The Eastern Lives Up to the Hype
The influential indie artist captivated ATL fans from start to finish
Fans from all over Atlanta packed into The Eastern last week for a sold-out show with one of music’s most beloved voices and creatives: Mac DeMarco. What they got was a stripped down but wildly entertaining set complete with his signature instrumentals, charmingly strange personality, and a dash of energy in just the right places.
DeMarco began the set with simple introductions to each of his band members before launching into “Shining” off his latest record Guitar. From here, he ran through various highlights from his lengthy discography (even including a track off his nearly 9-hour compilation album One Wayne G). These songs remain timeless years or even decades after their initial release. Watching an audience become emotional over hearing songs such as “For the First Time” and “Moonlight on the River” in a live setting was captivating on multiple levels.
However, anyone in attendance would easily say that Mac DeMarco’s stage presence and random, oft-disturbing musings stole the show. Whether it’s launching his microphone in the air, yapping about his Yorkshire, or telling the audience how badly he wants their skin, you never knew what to expect when the lights went down. My favorite bit, though, was randomly introducing songs as “My Kind of Woman” because everyone in the venue reached for their phones instantly, not picking up on the bit even on his 3rd or 4th run of the joke.
Alas, after the show ended with “Chamber of Reflection,” DeMarco and his band gave an encore with the highly-anticipated “My Kind of Woman” alongside an “O Canada” interpolated reprise of “Freaking Out the Neighborhood.” With a nearly 30 song setlist, fascinatingly funny stage antics, and a deep connection to his huge fanbase in our city, there’s not much more you could ask from the legendary Mac DeMarco.
Article and photos by Mikey Smith. Please credit @mts2.photo or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.
