WORDS AND IMAGES BY DESH KAPUR
‘He Launched Into The Radio And Chart Hit “Beautiful Faces” And The Very Young Crowd Erupted’,
I was catching Declan Mckenna tonight, and I was pretty excited. I have been following and liking him since he released his first single “Brazil” at the tender age of 17. Add to that, this tour has been on the back burner, due to the pandemic for quite a long time. But tonight was the night, so bring it on…
It was raining when I left Wales to head to Liverpool, but as I got closer to Merseyside and emerged from the Mersey tunnel, it was bright glorious sunshine, and that felt right. Because, do you know what, Declan Mckenna always feels a bit like summer to me, not sure why that is as he does tackle some quite full-on issues in his music, (equality, climate change and capitalism to name a few), but that’s how it feels to me, and I make no apologies for that. Anyway, I hoped the sunshine was a good omen for tonight’s show.
Entering the venue early enough to catch CMAT, it was already full to the brim with a very young crowd.
CMAT took to the stage with just a guitar, a black flowered dress and white cowboy boots. Well, a little bit of country now and then doesn’t do anyone any harm. At this point I must say I don’t normally listen to country music, but my Mum did when I was growing up and it used to drive me mad, because all I wanted to do was listen to some Indie!
But I was pleasantly surprised because CMAT was more than excellent. Beautifully crafted songs, amazing soaring vocals and she sucked the young crowd right into her world. In return, they showed their appreciation with clapping, dancing and cheering, brilliant stuff to kick off the evening. She sang songs about Fried Chicken, wanting to be a cowboy and being dumped. Well, guys and gals, it doesn’t get much more country than that! As the set came to an end to loud applause and cheers, I found myself with a big grin on my face, I enjoyed it that much. All those years of my Mum’s country records paid off, so its nurture over nature after all.
Now it was time for the young man himself, Declan McKenna, the Enfield born musical prodigy. He first gained recognition by winning the Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition in 2015.
Then he self-released the amazing song “Brazil”, a protest song criticising FIFA and the 2014 FIFA World Cup because it was held in Brazil
He released his debut studio album, “What Do You Think About the Car?” in 2017 and released his second studio album, “Zeros” in 2020, after multiple delays due to the pandemic.
Declan Mckenna is the new 21st Century Boy. Take bits of Marc Bolan, shades of David Bowie, throw in some 70’s glam, add the pop-tinged brilliance of the Beatles, put on little makeup, add a little glitter and Viola!
But that would be to simplify what is a truly talented young man.
So, as is the norm, the house music stopped, the stage music started, (if I remember rightly, I think it was “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends” by The Beatles). The lights went out and the band walked on to the stage and took their positions, then on bounded Mckenna in, what can only be described as, an outfit made from shopping in numerous charity shops. Which is not to say it didn’t look cool – white trainers, brown slacks, red polar neck, brown waistcoat and a nice silver chain to set it all off, nice, but do me a favour, next time young man, iron your pants….
He launched into the radio and chart hit “Beautiful Faces” and the very young crowd erupted, everyone bathing in it’s psychedelic joy, catchy and upbeat, with an underlying lyrical comment on social media and the anxieties it brings with it.
Mckenna was full of smiles and exuded youthful energy. His interaction with the crowd was upbeat and showed the connection that this young man has with his fans. As he worked his way through a set of songs from both albums, with synth/guitar-driven pop-rock, big choruses mixed with catchy melodies, lyrically smart and incisive, he proved that he is more than just a teen pop star; he has something to say, is smart and articulate with his words.
The night came to an end with an encore of “Daniel Your Still A Child” with it’s shades of early U2, “Why Do You Feel So Down” and “Brazil”, which brought the house down. Finishing with “British Bombs” I left the venue supremely impressed. This was a great gig and Declan Mckenna is a true talent and it will be very exciting to see what this young man serves up next.
SET LIST
1/ BEAUTIFUL FACES
2/ RAPTURE
3/ SAGITTARIUS A
4/ MAKE ME YOUR QUEEN
5/ EMILY
6/ THE KIDS DON’T WANNA COME HOME
7/ TWICE YOUR SIZE
8/ THE KEY TO LIFE ON THE EARTH
9/ MY HOUSE
10/ LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS
11/ HUMONGOUS
12/ ISOMBARD
13/ YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT
14/ BE AN ASTRONAUT
15/ EVENTUALLY, DARLING ENCORE
16/ DANIEL YOUR STILL A CHILD
17/ WHY DO YOU FEEL SO DOWN
18/ BRAZIL
19/ BRITISH BOMBS
FOLLOW DECLAN MCKENNA
FOLLOW CMAT
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
