Last time we saw Kira Mac she was rocking out at Buckle & Boots, today blonde and extremely leggy in a pair of jeans, she remains an imposing presence. Playing solo with just an acoustic guitar, her set got off to an immediately impressive start with “Bad Boys & Broken Hearts”, still possessing an extremely powerful voice, which if anything seemed better matched to this acoustic style closing on the line “you’re bad news”.
The next song saw the Stoke based songstress play a song from her eponymous EP. “Storm On The Horizon”, was reborn as an acoustic rocker and was really impressive. A second outing for the weekend for “Jolene” this time more in the traditional format but nonetheless enjoyable with Kira adding a few of her own flourishes – it finished on a large round of applause from the rapidly growing crowd. Next was a new sad song “Over You”, that featured some snappy lines, and looks to be a good addition to her repertoire. It was back to the EP for “Whiskey” , showing that the bare bones of the song still stood up with all the band stripped away.
She cut a fine figure as she played, occasionally flashing a lovely smile, Moving on to a new song “Can’t Get Enough” that apparently “everyone likes”, a wordy tune was one that will probably work just as well worked up into a big electric rocker. It’s a song that will demand attention!. Finishing with a batch of covers – “New Strings” a Miranda Lambert cover, was delivered with some aplomb and Lady Antebellums “I Run To You” which she got to sing at a country wedding was equally performed well with Kira’s voice warm, powerful and yet remaining tender. It was back to the EP for "Tiny Town" written as a retort to her Mum who said she could not run off to Nashville as she had never written a song. Written as a 14 year old this still sounded great.
Finishing with an unreleased Chris Stapleton cover “What You Listening To?”, there was almost a touch of Ashley McBryde about her as she delivered it. Well chosen and well sung only spoilt by a little feedback –
Next a countrified Lady GaGa song “You and I” proving that any song can be a country song, was transformed – this was almost plaintive rocker. Testing the singalong mood of the crowd she appropriated Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls” and unbelievably successfully turned it into a country rocker and got the crowd to sing along. Closing with a Fleetwood Mac song “Dreams”, there’s a lot of fuss about the current Lissie version , this version retained the Stevie Nicks vocal line and was just as spectacular. I know Kira likes to play with her band but a few more acoustic style shows like this would do her no harm at all.