Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Scott Anderson
Kira Mac are a band riding on a crest of a wave at the minute as they continue their meteoric rise through the ranks of the rock world with blistering live performances that are catching the attention of fans, media, venues, since their debut release Chaos Is Calling way back in November 2022, I was there the first time they played in Scotland and I could tell that this Stoke based rock n roll juggernaut would slay the dragon as they played everywhere to everyone that wanted to hear good old style rock n roll that would draw us in and really take us on a sonic journey that would see this band going from strength to strength. The band takes on a new dimension as it is slimmed to a 4 piece with a raw edgy feel that sees them hitting the road and playing up and down the country starting in Leeds and winding it’s way through the UK and finishing in their hometown Stoke on the 11th May, tonight they stop off in Glasgow to bring their colossal rock show to Oran Mor and I am pleased to say that I will be bringing you this awesome show right here, right now. I was fortunate to chat with Rhiannon and the boys before the show and you can catch the interview soon, the place is rammed as the lights fade and the intro music dulls as the band strolls onto the stage to rapturous applause as Rhiannon bellows out hello Scotland which brings a huge cheer, we ready ourselves as the band launches into
Save Your Whiskey – Kira chats with us and tells us that we need our singing voices tonight as it’s Saturday night and she is ready to party as the crowd bellows out. The track the erupts into life with a sludgy shredding guitar riff that is joined by a thundering rhythm section that really gets the crowd pumped up as Rhiannon lends her powering vocals that let this track break free as the rock n roll juggernaut crashes right through the heart of Glasgow tonight as this awesome unit brings the heat. The band are just on it tonight as a cool bassline drops in with epic funk grooves that wrap themselves around this thundering opener that tells us we are in for a fantastic night of rock n roll as we stroll into –
Dead Man Walking – Kira steps up to the mic and rests her foot on her Kira Mac riser as she asks us how are we doing which brings a holler from this swelling crowd as she asks us to get ready. The colossal vocals fill the air as this epic 4 piece bring the groove to Glasgow as Joe steps front and centre and lets rip with a slick, deep, rasping guitar lick that just sets the tone for tonight’s show, the band are up for it as we feel the energy pulsing through Oran Mor tonight as this gig just rises in temperature as Rhiannon lets her impressive soaring vocals lead the charge for this fantastic track as we stand and just revel in the power of this fantastic power drenched Stoke 4 piece as we find ourselves right smack band in a sing off as Rhiannon asks us are we ready for the Chaos( see what I did there)
Chaos Is Calling – A pounding snare drum beat gets this rocking monster off the ground as the soaring vocals let this killer track come at us as this incredible track lets us know that we are getting ready for something special tonight. The pounding groove is reaching every corner of the venue tonight as the band just builds and builds with a searing groove that is letting us feel the force of this colossal 4 piece as the tempo changes pace and takes us by surprise as Rhiannon jumps from the stage and splits us right down the middle and tells us we are now in competition as we have to bellow out Hey Hey in a crowd battle that is just awesome, The energy in the room is just off the scale as Rhiannon controls the mood and really lifts the tempo as we do battle and really bring this gig to life and let her and the boys know that Glasgow is the best place on the planet and even more so on a Saturday night, we roll into a couple of new tracks with the first being
Play The Game – A new track that just tells us that Kira Mac are just getting better and better each time we see them playing live, Rhiannon tells us that this is her favourite new track that has come from the guys before the pounding rhythm section kicks off this crunching beast that allows the soaring vocals to grab our attention as this foot stomping rock n roll monster rears it’s head and lets us feel the intensity oozing from this crunching 4 piece. The bassline is dropping deep soothing grooves all over the venue tonight as the temperature just rises with this epic new offering that showcases the maturity of this band as they continue their meteoric rise through the ranks as we punch the air with sheer joy as this rasping monster leaves it’s mark on us tonight, next up is another newby
No Way Out – A pounding bass kick lets this crunching beast loose as the boys bring the groove to Glasgow tonight as the 2nd new track really catches our attention. The crisp clean vocals are just elevating this fott stomping rock n roll renegade track that is just letting us feel the sludgy, riffs pouring from the stage tonight, the epic solo is just awesome as Joe cuts loose and really brings the heat right here in Glasgow tonight as the tempo changes pace a little as this rocking beast leaves it’s mark on us tonight. The band are right up for it as we feel the energy, swagger and attitude coming at us right now, we stroll into the epic
Scorned – Cymbal snaps bring this colossal track to us as the snare drum punches ring out and bring a deep full on bassline that just flows effortlessly through the venue tonight. Vocals are just awesome as Rhiannon lets herself wander round the stage and bring us a real cool tone that gets us clapping wildly as the boys bring the heat with a slick clean guitar lick that is wrapped in phenomenal bass tones that are giving us a real awesome feeling as this thundering 4 piece warms up and just kicks ass tonight in Glasgow as we get something a little different, an acoustic section that has been going down a storm. Rhiannon pulls up a chair and plugs in her acoustic guitar as she tells us that this segment has been really popular which brings a huge cheer from the crowd as Rhiannon begins with the classy
This Time – A sweet mellow vocal runs through Oran Mor tonight as Rhiannon settles in and begins to play her guitar as this soulful track brings a hush to the venue. We are being treated to a rare insight to this young lady and her mesmerising vocal tone as this sweet simple track just transports us to another place as the tone, tempo, groove and killer lyrics just afford us to feel the emotion oozing from this classy frontwoman tonight. the place is silent as we get a whole new section from this towering unit tonight, the place erupts with a furious clapping and hollering wail as Joe joins Rhiannon on stage as he sits and chats with us as he tunes up his guitar as the duo roll into
Say Something – A cool acoustic strumming chord oozes from the stage as Both Rhiannon & Joe settle back and really let go with a sweet guitar groove that just brings a hush all around Oran Mor tonight. The vocals are just incredible as they really deliver something special to us as we stand and just feel the real depth of this cover track thast is given a twist from this writing, performing, pals that is magical in so many ways as the crowd joins in with a chorus of Say Something that is just magical as they bring a real buzz to Glasgow tonight before we are told of a track that won then a bar voucher many years back in Manchester as she and Joe entered a student comp and won with their rendition of –
Half The World Away – The place has a real buzz about it right now as the duo tune up and get right into it as we sing along to the chorus and really feel the fun side come at us with both artists laughing and joking the whole way through this fantastic fun piece half way throiugh the set tonight, as we catch our breathe we finish this highly popular section with a classy rendition of –
Whiskey On You – The pair up the tempo as they both come through with cool vocals that just flow freely through the venue tonight as we get the feeling that this pair are so in tune with each other as they bring us this country classic with a twist as the crowd laps it up and really gets what they are all about, this is a real cool part of the show as we get to hear their fantastic vocals wharts n all. The stage is cleared and we are joined by Vernon & Loz as they take their positions as we chat with Rhiannon as she tells us that we are going to try something new as she brings us a cover of Alanis Morrissette’s
You Ought To Know – Kira chats with us and tells we need to join in with the chorus and sing Fuck in the middle part of the track which bring s a huge hell yeah fro us. The crunching beast unfolds as Joe lets rip with a shredding guitar riff as Rhiannon comes in with her epic vocals that let this monster come to life as the rhytym section hits us with a sweet clean snare drum beat as the bass just drops cool grooves all through the track as we ready ourselves to bellow out the chorus as the place just bursts into life with real vigour. the tempo eases for a bit as Rhiannon oozes in with a cool vocal rap as this rumbling beast builds and erupts with a bellowing chorus from us as the boys bring the heat in this colossal cover that just keeps giving and giving as we stroll into
Hit Me Again – Pouring from the stage comes a shredding power drenched guitar riff that is joined by a pounding rhythm section that jusr explodes from the off as this fantastic outfit really captures the essence of this venue. We get ready and stamp our feet to this crunching rock n roll classic as the band just flicks the switch and brings out the big guns for this killer track that is fast, furious and full of swagger as the band pulls out all the stops and shows us why they are going from strength to strength with every show that they bring us, I was fortunate to witness them in Edinburgh in 2022 being the only media outlet invited to their maiden Scottish show and I knew that they would be ones to watch and boy was I right as they have just climbed to the dizzy heights of rock n roll stardom. I was lucky enough to chat with Max(Manager) and tell him that they are just growing and forming into something special, I think he was pleased with my comments, lol, up next is
Hellfire & Holy Water – We kick off with a crunching guitar lick that brings in a deep pounding rhythm section that just delivers a cool funky beat to this track. The vocals are strong, deep and really grab your attention as this soaring anthem like track bursts into life and really lets us feel the energy oozing from Oran Mor tonight. The tempo is a real foot stomping beat as the soaring vocal gets us singing tonight as this fantastic 4 piece just wraps itself around us tonight as we feel the real raw vibe coming from the band tonight as we just watch and feel the music take us to another place as this gig really puts a smile on everyone’s face tonight, up next
Never Going To Stay – Rhiannon lets her colossal vocal lead the charge in this bass laden beast as the track comes to life with a punchy fist pumping groove that has just brought the venue to life. The snare drum punches are filling the air as the track comes for us with a snarling guitar riff that takes this track off to somewhere else as the band wraps itself around us tonight and really lets us know that they have really enjoyed themselves tonight, as Rhiannon says we are Northern Northerners who know how to party and she says that this has been the best night of the tour which brings a huge cheer from this swelling crowd, we are nearing the end of the set as we come to the business end of the the show with the epic
Mississippi Swinging – Joe is up on the Kira mac riser as he slays the guitar riffs and really brings a swagger to us tonight as the pounding rhythm section brings the noise. The soaring vocals are tearing through the venue tonight as this fantastic 4 piece really gives it to us straight tonight as we sing along and throw our horns in the air, the tone, slick grooves and real musicianship are glowing as this outfit are showing what hard work can do and they are proof that it can work. The whole show has just been awesome and just tells me that my punt in going to see them 2 years ago was worth it, next is
Farewell(New) – A thundering rhythm section erupts from the off as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as this foot stomping rock n roll beast rips the roof off of Oran Mor tonight. The soaring vocals are just incredible as Rhiannon brings depth and real energy to the room tonight as she strolls around the stage and lets us know that they really appreciate us coming out tonight to watch them do their thing and what a show they have given us. The tempo changes pace ever so slightly as the bassline drops meaty funk grooves all over this high energy rock track that is just delivering everything and more, we roll into
Climbing – Cymbal snaps get this killer track off the ground as a solid snare drum beat kicks in and off we go as the bassline drops epic funk tones all through the intro. The vocals are just doing their thing and giving us clear, soaring tones that let us know that this lass from Stoke is the real deal as everything seems effortless and simple as she steers her band right through the heart of Glasgow tonight. The tone is a real sludgy, grunge affair as the pulsing rhythm section is controlling the groove from the back of the room as we feel the energy pouring from the band tonight. the gig has ended and the band leaves the stage or so we thought as they return for their encore of
Downfall – Kira thanks us for coming out and supporting them on their journey as they have come so far in a short space and really appreciate our time before they rip into a shredding power drenched intro that brings Rhiannon’s vocals into play as this foot stomping beast kicks off with a pounding snare drum beat that lets this track breathe. The crunching riffs are wrapping themselves around us as the temperature rises and we feel the energy taking over the venue as the boys drop killer grooves all through the venue as this incredible night of rock n roll builds towards their last track and it is one that got them on the road to stardom and it is
One Way Ticket – A soaring guitar riff kicks things off as the simply stunning vocals tear open the venue as Rhiannon lets us feel the tempo running through Glasgow tonight. The venue is buzzing with energy as we watch this impressive outfit really bring the heat to us tonight, bassline is dropping sweet, clean grooves all over this colossal track as we have witnessed something special tonight as this rock n roll outfit really shone for us and I am sure that they will be back real soon.
Kira Mac –
Rhiannon – Vocals
Joe – guitar / Backing Vocals
Vernon – Bass / Backing vocals
Loz – Drums
Setlist –
Save Your Whiskey
Dead Man Walking
Chaos Is Calling
Play The Game(New)
No Way Out(new)
Scorned
This Time(Acoustic)
Say Something(Acoustic)
Half The World Away(Acoustic)
Whiskey On You(acoustic)
You Ought To Know
Hit Me Again
Hellfire & Holy Water
Never Going To Stay
Mississippi Swinging
Farewell(New)
Climbing
Downfall
One Way Ticket
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