Artist: Kira Mac
Venue: Llandudno: Motorsport Lounge
Date: 8 December 2023
"I am running out of good things to say about Kira Mac and the fact they are all such nice people just adds to the appeal."
Since bursting on the scene some twenty months ago, with the song ‘One Way Ticket’, I have seen Kira Mac live more times than any other band, whether supporting someone else or playing headline shows of their own. It feels as though they have been on the road continuously, finding time to release the debut full-length album, ‘Chaos Is Calling’, along the way. Having never been to Llandudno before, I decided to make the trip for my final live event of 2023.
The Motorsport Lounge is a curious little venue, just a few minutes’ walk from the train station. The other two shows on this very short tour had been sold out, so it was also nice to see a very healthy turnout in the seaside town on a fresh Friday evening at the beginning of December. When I saw Kira Mac in May they showcased some new songs, so it was great to find they were still included in the set tonight. The likes of ‘Save Your Whiskey’, ‘Play The Game’, ‘No Way Out’, ‘Farewell’ and ‘Climbing’ follow the same kind of musical blueprint as the material on ‘Chaos….’, in that they are all up-tempo, energetic and in-your-face. Every one has a big hook that is high-impact and they fit seamlessly amongst the more established bangers. During the past few months, the band has been operating as a four-piece and I was certainly interested on the run up to the gig, to see how much of a difference it would make to the show and whether the songs would need to the tweaked in any way. On the evidence of tonight’s proceedings, the change has not knocked the stride in any way and all the songs were attacked in the usual way and had the same levels of intensity.
Joe Worrall (guitar), Bret Barnes (bass) and Rhiannon Hill (lead vocals) owned the little stage, from first song to last and it was difficult not to get drawn into the infectious nature of the music; so I just went with the flow, whilst trying not to drop my camera or pint. ‘Dead Man Walking’, ‘Chaos Is Calling’, ‘Hit Me Again’, ‘Scorned’ and ‘Mississippi Swingin’’ had a hundred extra enthusiastic backing singers, and when the set came to an end, with ‘Downfall’ and ‘One Way Ticket’, the room was buzzing for a long time afterwards.
I am running out of good things to say about Kira Mac and the fact they are all such nice people just adds to the appeal. A new album is due in 2024 (I am assuming containing some or all of the new material aired tonight), along with another UK headline tour in April. Whether the band continue as a four-piece remains to be seen, but I’m sure the performance levels will still be the same. See ya down the front.
Review and Photos: Dave Bott
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