Halifax is fast making a name for itself in hosting some of the best gigs in the North, with the epic Piece Hall line up getting stronger each year, tonight was the turn of the town’s historic Victoria Theatre to get in on the action.
Declan McKenna has quietly risen to the dizzy heights of fame and now finds himself one of the most sought after festival acts, playing a number of different festivals across the UK this summer, and has found the time to do a solo tour, with the first night being at this beautiful theatre.
The crowd reaction as McKenna entered the stage was immense, having gathered a huge following since the release of his first album back in 2017 ‘What Do You Think About the Car’. His songwriting has taken a different direction and his overall approach to songwriting and the structure of his work makes him seem so much older than his 25 years.
McKenna delivers, he was born to be on stage, a cool demeanour which cannot be said for the hoarder of screaming female fans who are nearly combusting with excitement as he kicks off with ‘Sympathy’. The songs are catchy, with melodies that stay with you long after you have listened to them. The style is eclectic, difficult to categorise, genre bending, but each one played with meaning.
Some of his work is politically charged, and takes a tongue in cheek look at the current state of a whole variety of subjects. Fourteen songs in and we are treated to perhaps one of his best, ‘Brazil’ a song that has been stuck in my head for the last 7 years. The lyrics are cleverly crafted around a moreish melody that works perfectly, and it was a treat to see this played live and in such an intimate venue, as McKenna now dominates much larger stages.
The evening ended with a three track encore, but I am certain most fans here would have happily stayed all night to listen to McKenna, who thrives in a live setting. You can catch this electrifying show at YNOT festival next week where McKenna plays the main stage on Saturday!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DECLAN MCKENNA’S LATEST TOUR HEAD HERE
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