Last night saw Andrew McMahon take to the stage at London’s Bush Hall in what could only be described as a show of force.
No one could have foreseen the horrific events which took place in Manchester less than 24 hours earlier. It’s an event which has rocked both the music community and our nation as a hole, yet it remains an act of intimidation our nation refuses to be silenced by. In a world where headlines are dominated by terror and misery, music remains a positive force to be reckoned with. Tonight was about more than just another sold out show for the US rocker. It was about defiance.
“I don’t mean to start things off on a dark note but it’s a fucking tragedy.” remarked McMahon. “Music is what’s gonna heal us. Thank you for showing up, and thank you for not fucking caving into the fear.”
Music holds the power to heal, to educate and more importantly, the power to unify – a message that was sung from the rafters. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness (a stripped down setup that included accordion clad percussionist, synth maestro and all around Lennon-esque stage figure Zac Clark) provided the perfect antidote in the most intimate of settings.
Opening the show with a thundering piano intro that’s become synonymous with McMahon’s sound, the lyrics to “Fire Escape” were sung at such a volume, half of Shepherds Bush undoubtedly now know the new material in its entirety.
“Music is what’s gonna heal us. Thank you for showing up, and thank you for not fucking caving into the fear.” – Andrew McMahon
Ducking and diving through almost three decades worth of material, the winding set list took the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane whilst avoiding the show becoming a nostalgic gimmick.
Soaring fan favourites including “The Mixed Tape” and “Holiday From Real” were intertwined with comedic chit-chats and welcome slip-ups. “I think she’s much too thin…” began McMahon with a laugh,“Hang on, what happened there?! I mean, she was pretty thin at that point in time but…” Charisma a-plenty, McMahon was in his element, playing the role of the seasoned frontman impeccably whilst adding a personable edge to proceedings.
Things took a somewhat hilarious turn as the recognisable chime of a FaceTime rang out over the crowd. Inviting the caller’s wife on stage through the medium of video, McMahon began a sweet little rendition of “Swim“, blowing kisses at the phone (now positioned ontop of his piano) and declaring “Kate, you’re in your husband’s phone as ‘Temp’ – buddy, you have a temporary wife?!”
Throwing in a soulful rendition of Empire Of The Sun’s “Walking On A Dream“, the show was closed to the sound of upcoming single, “So Close” (a track that could easily be turned into a right old dance floor banger) and audience cries of “La La Lie“.
In times of trouble, fear and threat, music delivers a message that words often can’t. Nothing could reiterate that sense of defiance more than the euphoric chorusing of Bush Hall’s audience last night. We’ll sing it loud and we’ll sing it clear. The power of music will always prevail.
Check out the latest single “So Close” below and pick up your copy of Zombies On Broadway now.
