If you haven't heard the name Mk.gee, you need to learn his name and with good reason.
Exploding onto the scene with his echoing samples and plucky guitar, accompanied by drop-ins of eagle screeches, he has graced Australian stages as part of his debut world tour for his album 'Two Star & The Dream Police'.Walking through the doors of Melbourne's Max Watts (7 December) excited fans stood, waiting for an hour and thirty minutes before Mk.gee took the stage. The choice not to have an opening support is typically not what is expected at a show, but this only made punters itch even more why they were there, even though they were packed in like sardines all waiting for a glimpse and a joint "woo" any time there was the possibility of the show starting.
This choice really made Mk.gee's presence heavily felt throughout the venue once he made his entrance accompanied by his touring band: Andrew Aged (lead & rhythm guitar) and Zack Sekoff (drums, percussion, samples and bass).
Falling right into 'Dream Police', it established the atmosphere almost instantly. With winding, '80s guitar riffs and booming drums, this track really showed off Mk.gee's intricate guitar work.
Backlit by piercing white lights, the band's silhouettes delivered an ethereal performance that brought the album's intricate layers to life with loaded guitar riffs.
Moving through his set seamlessly, the mystery of who Mk.gee really is was kept alive. With very little to say, he introduced his band, said a few words throughout his set, but it really was about the music.
The set featured heavily his recent discography, playing notable tracks like 'Lonely Fight', 'I Want' and 'Rylee & I', the stage bursting with red. From stillness to collective dancing, Mk.gee's popular track 'DNM' caused such movement that he performed the song four times throughout the night, and each time it was met with more and more excitement.
With layered guitars and harmonised vocals, he performed his latest release 'Rockman' before finishing with 'Are You Looking Up'. What seemed to be the end of his set, it was the first encore chant I had heard in a good while. Coming back to the stage, he performed the long awaited 'Alesis', then 'DNM' and 'Rockman' each once more.
Aside from just the stunning combination of musical talent, hard-hitting lyrics and a gentle voice, Mk.gee's music isn't just what made the performance. Lighting director Jacob Fishman (Jack Harlow, Diplo) and audio technician Mike Sapienza (Noname, Bully) enhanced the experience.
The sound was nothing but clean, and the lighting amplified the branding of Mk.gee that really enabled the experience of the music. With a flashing lightshow of white and red lighting throughout, there was only a handful of times one may have caught a glimpse of the artists' faces, but continuously highlighted the audience and their experience.
This wasn't just a gig, it was a journey. Mk.gee transported the audience into the peaks and valleys of 'Two Star & The Dream Police', leaving everyone awed by the world he has created. A remarkable debut, and one that cements his place as an artist to watch.
- written by Gabby Zgrajewski
