To say Meg Mac has a solid fanbase would be an understatement. The first of four consecutive sold-out shows at the Corner, Meg Mac fans were lady-buns in black jeans, fellas in daggy jumpers, loved-up couples, and a handful of heeled ladies who weren’t too cool to rock up early and cheer on the opening acts. A strong girl power vibe hung in the air like a secondary smoke machine, enhanced by the selection of female support acts. Wilsn opened the night donning a leather jacket and singing immaculate blues-styled folk, which had the crowd swaying and gave couples the chance to snuggle up even closer.
Sophie Lowe was next, with a smooth voice pouring through the venue. It was Lowe’s first time performing in Melbourne and she was beautiful to watch; songs like Breathe, Crazy, At Least I Try and Pink Flowers, were matched by sultry dancing. Her cover of Robyn’s With Every Heartbeat was a crowd favourite.
At exactly 11pm, the red drapes were pulled aside and Meg Mac emerged like a goth queen in a sequined cape, enveloped in ethereal yellow light. She opened with the harmonious Be My Friend, which fans responded to with maniacal cheering. Mac’s powerful voice and vocal range was astounding. It’s hard to believe that such soul could come from a 25-year-old Melbourne singer. There was such substance to Mac’s vocals that made your heart sting.
Along with the amazing vocals, Mac’s stage presence was captivating. She owned the stage and the crowd reacted positively, clapping along to her first single Known Better. Favourites such as Grandma’s Hands and Roll up Your Sleeve incited passionate sing-alongs – the two teens in front of me mimed the song to one another with no shame. Sadly after a 60-minute set Mac swung her sequin cape behind her and left the stage. She briefly returned for an encore of her Like a Version cover of Broods’ Bridges, but it wasn’t enough to feel completely sated.
BY SHANNON MCKEOGH
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: The girl power vibe.
Hated: The long gaps between acts.
Drank: Just a house red please.
