Mac Demarco // Aviva Studios, Manchester
Unmistakably mac: A Gently chaotic homecoming show ★★★★★ (5/5)
Mac Demarco at Aviva Studios
15th November 2025 — After six years away, Mac DeMarco returned to Manchester for two sold-out nights at Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space. What unfolded was a warm, honest, and at times surprisingly intimate performance that showed how much he’s shifted over the years. It didn’t feel as though he was trying to recreate the chaotic humour of his earlier tours; instead, there was a sense of someone who’s grown up a little, without losing the glimmer of mischief people expect from him.
Tex Crick, a longtime collaborator on DeMarco’s label, opened the gig with a set of gentle, piano-centred songs that floated through the huge industrial space, setting a relaxed, inviting tone. His quiet charm fit perfectly and was warmly received by the audience.
DeMarco nonchalantly wandered onstage around 9:15pm to a huge reception, easing into the night with “Shining,” a track that immediately drew the crowd into his familiar lo-fi sway. With his usual blend of softness and offbeat humour, he moved comfortably between older favourites and more reflective new material. One moment he was introducing the new song Sweeter with a shy, “I really like this one.” The next, he was leaning into cult classics like a slowed-down, almost mournful reinterpretation of Ode to Viceroy, offering a glimpse into how his songwriting and persona have deepened since the early, VHS-hued days of his career. Other highlights, such as Salad Days and Chamber of Reflection, sparked the night’s loudest sing-alongs.
While the crowd was enthusiastic, the energy had a curious split. Long-time fans danced, shouted, and swayed, while clusters of younger attendees filmed quietly on their phones. The pacing of the show was one of its quiet achievements. Rather than front-loading the hits or leaning too heavily on nostalgia, DeMarco arranged a set that shifted naturally between contemplative moments and raucous highs. The blend of new material with beloved classics made the night feel like a connection between his early and current sounds, a portrait of an artist refusing to stagnate.
Mac DeMarco’s Manchester weekend wasn’t just a long-awaited return, it felt like a gentle reintroduction. He’s older, calmer, and more introspective, but still wildly charismatic when the moment calls for it.
