Mac aka Megan McInerney took over Melbourne’s Forum for two shows, Friday & Saturday night, filling the grand theatre to the roof.

Meg Mac has been blowing away crowds with her majestic and powerful vocals since 2014 when she took the title of the Triple J Unearthed winner for the best of fresh new talent. And she has been proving that right ever since.

McInerney has been building a collection of work to be adored over the last few years and now is a force to be reckoned with. Releasing her debut EP, MEGMAC, in 2015 had her deliver massive songs like Roll Up Your Sleeves, Grandma’s Hands and Every Lie. But this year was going to be her biggest one yet. It was time to make the debut album. Titled Low Blows, released earlier this year, it is stacked with a whole lot of soul and distinction.

As smoke machines cranked up and the lights dropped out the crowd got their vocal chords warmed up. The audience welcomed the artist’s band with a large cheers, then Meg Mac herself. She was dressed to impress, with what has become her signature, a wide brimmed hat. Next, she took to the microphone as the crowd was waiting in anticipation.

Turning opened the set, her voice was enormous as it burst throughout the venue. “I love you Meg” was shouted from every corner of the theatre and that love continued to generate as she transitioned into each song. Graces Gold and Know Better were up next and as each song started to play a roar of cheers erupted in appreciation. It was during the latter that the complexities of her vocal range shone. The smooth tone and compelling range was completely mesmerising.

As the vocals for Every Lie bounced in, it was the crowd’s turn to make the most amount of noise. Her first song still resonates strong emotion with her audience. The fierce track was delivered with authentic presence, confirming that she has mastered the true meaning of performer and artist.

It was time to take the crowd through a part of the journey that is her latest album, Low Blows, starting with Cages. “Known as The October Song” she says, the chorus really came alive on stage. The piano moments through out really opened it wide open like every strong-willed ballad does.

Brooklyn Apartment was next, and as she explained it was written when she was in America surrounded by the relentless sounds of Brooklyn. This moment displayed her diverse song writing and unique insight with translation of her real life moments. Shiny Bright continued this notion. The minimal track, just her and a piano at first was the faultless moment.

Next up was something that was quite special. A performance that she has uploaded exclusively to YouTube, called Saint Philomene. It showed her musical and technical abilities by building and looping vocals to create a choir like sequence. The immense track had everyone’s attention, singing and clapping along, clearly a crowd favourite.

She shared Low Blows, the title track of her debut and the name of the tour, an example of the evolution of her unique style. It sounds fresh yet still holds the thread that is her music. You could see the crowd really enjoying the show and getting their sway on, even though not knowing all of the lyrics.

It was a good point to start to wind down the set. Morning and Never Be followed and brought all the sass, transforming everyone’s Friday night into this joyous occasion. Not an easy task. It appeared that that was where she was going to leave us. But we all knew better. She wasn’t going to leave us hanging with her biggest track by far to come.

Finishing with Roll Up Your Sleeves left a lasting impact. Meg Mac‘s explosive vocals, again, glorifying why she is one of if not the best Australian vocalist. Her conviction in each song was bold and profound but this song was by the champion of the set.

Photos: Liz Stephens