Hot Meg Mac mesmerises
CONCERT
Meg Mac
Amplifier
Saturday, September 20
REVIEW HARVEY RAE
4.5 stars
Meg Mac is the hottest thing in Australian music right now. Any doubts were silenced by her stunning set at Amplifier on Saturday.
With a debut EP released last week, the Melbourne-based, Sydney-raised singer, born Megan McInerney, has seen her star on the rise thanks to memorable live performances.
Major labels jostled to sign her but she chose to remain independent, signing to Perth-based littleBIGMANrecords, and in concert it's clear McInerney marches to the beat of her own drum.
The Perth connections don't stop there. McInerney studied music at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, recorded her EP with Eskimo Joe's Joel Quartermain and has locals Rainy Day Women opening for her around the country. Their set of Shins-esque retro roots and slow-jam yacht rock included recent singles Ain't It Time? and Mrs Jones.
An eye-catching if demure beauty, Meg Mac on stage comes to life when she reaches for the big notes. She seems lost in the moment, touching the ceiling of her soul-pop numbers before busting it open on the best moments.
These were mostly from new EP MEGMAC, with the first four tracks including favourites Turning, an energetic Known Better and Bill Withers cover Grandma's Hands.
The latter in particular, the last track recorded for the release, was an indication of future directions. Taking off midway as the beat kicked in, McInerney's voice lifted an octave and she belted out the final stanza to a mesmerised room.
She continued to inspire with one completely a cappella track looping her voice to startling effect. The neo soul of Every Lie, recent Triple J Like A Version entry Bridges (originally by Kiwi band Broods) and current single Roll Up Your Sleeves ended proceedings without an encore, not that the raucous applause didn't call for it.
A unique new voice in Australian music has arrived.
