By Matthew Taub
 |
| Photo by WGINY |
There are few signs leading to the East River Park Amphitheater
as one crosses the pedestrian bridge over the FDR drive. And by that, we mean,
there are no signs at all. After an unfortunate detour, furiously scrolling through
multiple web sites to ascertain the exact location, WGINY & co. eventually
stumbled upon this intimate and inviting venue, a tastefully designed
space on what could best be described as the lower, lower east side.
What immediately improved our mood was Mac DeMarco, glam-inspired off-kilter
pop “slacker
rock” preternatural precocious Canadian genius. Deemed a wunderkind even in the early days of Makeout Videotape
(his first ensemble, since disbanded), DeMarco has followed up with solo offerings
under an eponymous band name, starting
with mini-album Rock and Roll Night Club and more
recently with a full-length, aptly-tiled release, 2.
Appearing with his full traveling band, DeMarco, now at the
ripe old age of 23, showed off his trademark “lo-fi crooning,”
which included the use of jangly effect pedal distortions and typical juvenile antics,
on this occasion including a range of character voices, intentionally
misplaced-genre mash-up covers, and a serenade of girlfriend “Kiki” before the
audience. The crowds were brought to their feet through the entire course of
events, mobbed the stage, got kicked off the stage by security, stayed for an
encore, and met the performer after the show, since he hopped over barricades
to be taken in by the adoring masses.
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