Jun 5

Jun 5 Review: Mac DeMarco at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Canadian rockers had everyone swimming in sound on May 11 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

Mock Media took the stage first with a convicting sound, resembling a blend of Talking Heads and The Clash but uniquely their own. Evan Aasen (guitar/vocals), Garnet Aronyk (bass/keys), Austin Boylan (guitar/vocals), and Ben Smith (drums) made their instruments blend seamlessly, yet were able to play to each other's individual strengths. Their motions were fluid and their sound was stout, fueling the crowd as the night went on. And the stage setup with Smith and his drum kit front and center, aligned with all the other members, proved visually appealing.

After the opening set, the stage went dark and the house lights went up, drawing focus to a minimalistic horse painting on stage. Chatter among fellow concertgoers of how far they’d traveled for the show, how long they had been looking forward to it, and how thought out their outfits created a sense of urgency and anticipation for the main event: Mac DeMarco.

As lights dimmed, cheers erupted as the headliner and his band took the stage with elegance and confidence. Before a single note was played, DeMarco generously introduced his bandmates Alec Meen (keys), Pedro Martins (guitar), Daryl Johns (bass), and Phillippe Melanson (drums).

DeMarco’s stage presence was soft and kind, making it feel as if he truly did appreciate everyone who was there, and his sound was a beautiful contrast to Mock Media. As the first selection, “Shining,” ended, he went into one of his most streamed songs, “For the First Time.” As the opening chord rang out, screams of excitement swelled and the crowd's energy shifted.

DeMarco filled his set with theatrics and conversations with his fans, making it feel like we were in a much smaller room. His demeanor during these small bits felt lighthearted and somewhat reminiscent of a young Robin Williams, offering a revealing peek into his world and his mind.

This show brought the feeling of perpetually being in love. Adding a bit of lighthearted fun to the set, DeMarco introduced many songs with, “This song is called ‘My Kind of Woman,’” regardless of what followed to create anticipation for one of his most well known songs.

As the set progressed and the band's chemistry continued to develop, a spotlight shone on Martins during “Rock and Roll” as he ripped into a guitar solo that had the crowd on their feet — raucous energy that nicely contrasted with the band’s otherwise soft and spacey.

As the night came to a close and the ensemble exited the stage, swells of cheers were made for an encore. The crowd was not done with DeMarco and, to no surprise, he was not done with them. The band took the stage again with one of the encore songs being, yes, “My Kind of Woman.” The anticipation he had created for this track throughout the show was resolved and was welcomed by cheers, laughter, tears of joy, and embrace.

Keeping the audience hanging on his every word, DeMarco’s performance was unlike anything I had ever experienced. He’s not only an incredibly talented musician, but an unreal storyteller as well. In turn, this show wasn’t just a performance — it was a transportation into another world: Mac’s World.

(Photos by Connor Burchett)