Few artists have managed to grasp the dexterity in songwriting the same way Angie McMahon has. I'm still not entirely sure how I discovered her music, but when it came in to my life, I needed it the most, and I'll forever be thankful for that as it continues to steer me through a multitude of emotions and life journeys.
Following a particularly messy breakup in '23, when Making It Through came on shuffle whilst hiking in the Welsh mountains, its earth shattering lyrics suddenly set everything in to place as I sat on the side of the grass verge and had a profoundly grounding moment. The lyrics speak for themselves. "I froze like the whole world was ending. Exposed, holding my own panic, pretending. And I know now that we needed the ending. You were never gonna stay. Just making it through is okay".
As a self proclaimed music obsessive, no other artist has had such an effect on me, dealing with all aspects of depression, anxiety, heartbreak and self-discovery, her music is realising that everything will actually be okay in the face of adversity - a true voice of this scarred generation.
Live, it's like stepping into a world where vulnerability meets power, where raw emotion is cradled by a voice that is both tender and fierce. As the lights dimmed and Angie took the stage, the room was immediately enveloped in that atmosphere with an intimacy that only she can create.
Joined by her wonderful band, opening with "Fireball Whisky" the tone was set with her characteristic blend of introspection and strength. "Saturn Returning" and "Fish" both followed from her recently released album Light, Dark, Light Again - a record that as its title suggests is a journey through the cyclic patterns of life's ups and downs. A reminder that everything's non-linear, but no matter how difficult we initial perceive things to be, eventually they come full circle.
"Keeping Time" is the first taste we get from her debut album Salt as its angsty guitars were met with explosive vocals and crashing percussion before the hopeful and progressive "Divine Fault Line" tells the tale of coming out the other side of a rock bottom episode as the healing begins.
It's this acceptance that runs through the heart of her music and has ultimately become our indulgent form of collective therapy. Evident in her empowering rendition of "Letting Go" as its life affirming mantra "It's okay, make mistakes" reached a climatic crescendo, swallowed by the racing guitars and thunderous percussion.
Having been lucky enough to see her perform acoustically at Glastonbury this year, and knowing how endearing it was to hear the songs stripped back, it brought great joy to see Hannah McKittrick return to the
stage to duet with Angie on Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" as the crowd fell silent as they clung on to every word - a track that sadly holds as much relevancy today as it ever has.
Between songs, Angie’s banter with the audience continued to be endearing and genuine. She spoke about the stories behind her songs, giving fans a glimpse into her creative process from coming off antidepressants to eating more Tryptophan. The audience responded warmly, offering words of encouragement and applause including some humorous birdsong in anticipation of 'If You Call' to a beautifully rendered vocal refrain on "Making It through" that seemed to take Angie aback as she beamed behind her guitar and soaked up every moment.
With no encore the night was concluded with fan favourite "Pasta". The song’s introspective lyrics about self-doubt and longing resonated strongly, and Angie’s delivery was nothing short of mesmerising. Through its blistering vulnerability that proved to be as relatable as it was moving, as the song reached its crescendo, it was impossible not to be swept up in the emotion of the moment as her frantic guitar strums and explosive vocal prowess echoed through the sweltering room.
Angie McMahon’s live performance is an experience that far transcends a typical live show. It’s a journey through the highs and lows of human life, delivered by an artist who is unafraid to bare her soul on stage. Her ability to connect with the audience, both through her music and presence is what makes her live shows so unforgettable and this was no exception. Those lucky enough to be in attendance certainly left with a renewed appreciation for the power of music to heal, uplift, and to demonstrate that there is always a light in the darkness.
Angie Played:
Fireball Whiskey
Saturn Returning
Fish
Keeping Time
Divine Fault Line
Reckless (Don't Be So...) (Australian Crawl Cover)
Slow Mover
Letting Go
I Am Already Enough
Black Eye
Serotonin
Blowin' in the Wind (Bob Dylan Cover)
Just Like North
Untangling
If You Call
Exploding
Making It Through
Pasta
*****
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