Review: Mac Demarco live @ The Ritz, Manchester

Image: Now Wave

Mac Demarco is a carefree sort of guy. From the moment he appears on the stage, uttering a mumbled introduction, he is completely at ease.

Here at an almost sold out Ritz to play tracks from his new record Salad Days (below on Spotify), it is plain to see that Demarco has developed a substantial following; despite his name and music still remaining relatively unknown to most.

The set starts with the title track from Salad Days, before a succession of tracks from his back catalogue. Those in the Ritz during the evening are firmly taken aback by the jangly, heartfelt songs from the rag tag Canadian and his band.

Storming through an hours set, the performance is well received despite obvious sound issues, tracks like ‘Freaking out the Neighbourhood’ and ‘Cooking up something good’ are greeted with boisterous cheers from the rowdy swarm who push and shove in the direction of the stage.

Dressed in black, backwards baseball cap on his head and tatty red pumps on his feet, Mac is every bit the beatnik you see on the pages of Pitchfork or the NME.

The singer is unkempt, scraggy haired and rocking back and forward, strumming his tatty guitar whilst flanked by his Canadian band members. The sound isn't great throughout the set but the momentum gathers quickly towards the end of the night.

He plays an encore consisting of slower number ‘Chamber of Reflection’, before then finishing the set with a rousing final and emphatic tune to end the evening.

During the final song, the frontman jumps headfirst into the crowd, crowd surfing whilst being mobbed by his lookalike disciples - Demarco is every bit the hipsters icon. But, his music is much more than that, his profound words are a stark contrast from his wacky personality, and that's what makes his performance so intriguing. 

Playing his only Manchester show this year on behalf of Now Wave, Demarco was gone in just over an hour. He returns to the country in the winter, namely Leeds. But perhaps after tonight's showing, the promoters may decide to book him again.

Fancy going to a Now Wave show? Head here for all their current list of events.