Meg Mac Gears Up for Debut Dublin Show and London Performances

Australian singer-songwriter Meg Mac is set to make her mark in Dublin this week as she prepares for her first headline show in the city, along with two performances in London. Despite being relatively unknown in Europe, Meg has established herself as one of Australia’s premier musical talents. This week marks a significant moment in her career as she takes the stage at the iconic Whelans in Dublin on September 2, 2023, followed by shows at The Lexington and Omeara in London.

Born in Sydney, Meg is the daughter of Irish immigrants from Cork and Donegal. Her Irish heritage plays a significant role in her music and identity. Earlier this year, she participated in the Misneach Festival in Sydney, a notable celebration of Irish culture that featured prominent artists such as Dermot Kennedy and The Frames.

Meg first gained recognition in 2013 when her track “Known Better” was selected for Triple J’s Unearthed program. Since then, she has received numerous accolades, including being named Unearthed Artist of the Year by Triple J and receiving nominations for the ARIA Music Awards. Her debut album, “Low Blows,” released in 2017, debuted at No.2 on the ARIA Chart, followed by “Hope” in 2019, which also made the top ten. Her latest album, “Matter of Time,” released in 2023, marked her first number one album and earned her further nominations at the ARIA awards.

With a new album titled “It’s My Party” on the horizon, Meg spoke with David Hennessy about her upcoming performances and the significance of her Irish roots.

Anticipation for Dublin and London Shows

Expressing her excitement about returning to Ireland, Meg reflected on her previous visit when she opened for Jacob Banks. “I literally flew into Dublin that day, played the show, and flew out,” she said. “I haven’t been to Cork since I was a kid, so that will be nice.”

Playing at Whelans, a venue with a rich history, excites her. “Every single person asks me, ‘Where are you playing?’ and they say, ‘Oh my God, you’re gonna love it,’” she noted. Despite feeling nervous about her debut show in Dublin, Meg is eager to connect with her Irish audience, many of whom she expects to be family members.

With her performances in London, she is keen to expand her reach outside of Australia. “I haven’t done that much outside of Australia. Europe and the UK are territories I haven’t been in that much, so it feels like it’s time to do that,” she said.

Her Musical Journey and New Album

Meg attributes her passion for music to her family, where music has always been a central part of life. “My parents both just love music. My mum was always playing the accordion and piano. Everyone in my family can sing,” she explained. Her sister, Hannah, has been a backing singer for over ten years, highlighting the familial support that has accompanied her journey.

The title of her upcoming album, “It’s My Party,” reflects her current outlook on life and music. “I feel like I’m at that point in my life where there’s no point in doing stuff if it’s not fun,” she stated. The album features a single titled “He Said No,” inspired by John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” told from the perspective of the person left behind.

In her creative process, Meg often collaborates with her family. For the music video of “He Said No,” she used time-lapse footage taken by her father, a retired pilot. “It’s really cool to incorporate what he’s done into what I’m doing,” she mentioned, showcasing the personal connections that influence her work.

As Meg prepares for her shows, she reflects on her early career, where she wrote her first songs without any expectations. “I didn’t have a manager, a record label. I didn’t even understand how the music industry works,” she recalled. This innocence in her beginnings allowed her to create authentically, a feeling she strives to maintain as her career evolves.

With her debut Dublin performance and upcoming release of “It’s My Party,” Meg Mac is not merely stepping onto international stages; she is embracing her Irish roots and carving out her place in the global music landscape. The anticipation around her shows signifies a promising chapter in her career, blending her Australian identity with her Irish heritage.

The single “He Said No” is currently available, and Meg Mac will perform at Whelans in Dublin on September 2, The Lexington in London on September 3 (sold out), and Omeara in London on September 4.