Artist: Kira Mac
Venue: Chester Live Rooms
Date: 17 May 2023
Next stop… The World
Rhiannon Kira Hill (vocals), Joe Worrall (guitar), Alex Novakovic (guitar), Bret Barnes (bass) and Max Rhead (drums) are Kira Mac. I have now seen the band live six times during the last ten months and championed their cause since day one. Back-to-back shows in Chester and Blackpool provided the opportunity to see how much progression had been made, since the last time I saw them in November 2022.
Though not quite sold out, both shows had healthy attendances and gave testament to the bands ever growing popularity. Billed as the ‘Downfall Tour’, it was the chance to re-visit the excellent ‘Chaos Is Calling’ debut, as well as showcasing some brand-new material.
Straight out of the gate with the high impact ‘Hit Me Again’, there seemed to be an added enthusiasm to proceedings. These were the first two dates of the tour and it was as if Kira Mac had been away for years rather than months, such was the reception that was afforded the five-piece. ‘Scorned’ was the first new song aired and is also the most recent to be released to radio. It carries the same kind of ‘Chaos...’ vibe and though only available for a short while, many seemed to already know every word. Other new songs included ‘Farewell’, ‘Play The Game’, ‘No Way Out’ and ‘Climbing’, and these sat nicely next to the more established crowd favourites such as ‘Hellfire And Holy Water’, ‘Dead Man Walking’, ‘Chaos Is Calling’ and ‘Back For More’.
The energy levels throughout were incendiary and everyone was clearly having a great time. Joe and Alex traded riffs and solos, whilst Bret and Max locked in tight to hold down the groove. Hard not to miss Kira front and centre. As well as having a voice that draws comparison to the likes of Janis Joplin and Ann Wilson, she is also a very personable and engaging front-person. It is impossible not to be drawn into the Kira Mac sound and if the new songs are anything to go by then album number two should be a cracker. Introducing so much new material into the set is a clear indication of the band’s confidence, as well as highlighting a strong creative mantra. ‘Save Your Whiskey’ (another new song) and ‘One Way Ticket’ brought things to a close and seventy minutes had passed in the blink of an eye.
Kira Mac will be heading into Europe for the first time in 2023. Next stop… The World!
Review & Photos: Dave Bott
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