Wild screams from fans and confetti cannons a plenty, Declan McKenna delights his audience with all the charm and charisma you’d expect from this generations rock-pop prodigy.
Lights dim to the soundtrack of ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, which is sung with an excitable joy by McKenna’s audience, conceivably reminiscent of the reception McCartney and co may have grown accustomed to. Opening with ‘Beautiful Faces’ and ‘Rapture’ the energy is high from the offset. Awash with huge choruses ‘Zeros’, the long-awaited follow up to Mckenna’s debut album, is a leap of progress that dazzles his audience live, adding to an already prolific catalogue of material.
As the first confetti cannon erupts and sprinkles down onto Coventry’s sold-out HMV Empire there’s an expectation that this performance is going to be big. And that’s exactly what it is. Oozing charisma Mckenna with his sparkling gold telecaster and glittery face paint streaks delivers on a variety of levels. The heartfelt chorus of ‘The Kids Don’t’ Wanna Come Home’ and groovy keys of ‘Isombard’ create a wholesome and fun atmosphere that the audience relish.
Welcoming CMAT onto the stage for a playful duet, ‘My House’ and ‘Make Me Your Queen’ allows for a natural crest in what has already been a tidal wave of an evening. Ciara’s voice is a welcome addition to these tracks which are given a new lease of life through her country-pop charm and soothing vocals. As the pair interact with their audience, fans fuel the silly sense of humour generated. If it’s not handing over what can only be described as a masterclass in fan art or a more unlikely political figure in cardboard mask form, it’s jokingly booing Declan’s celebration of some favourable Tottenham Hotspur news.
The atmosphere created holds up right until the show’s climax. A six-track encore features a fan-requested rendition of ‘Brew’ and welcomes back the confetti and bouncing. The instantly recognisable riff of ‘Brazil’ is a welcomed old school favourite, whilst the explosive chorus and fiery lyrics of ‘British Bombs’ act as the perfect ending to a joyously magical night.
