Declan McKenna Live
I’ve been listening to Declan since I was about 12, but my real obsession began when he released his album Zeros. It dropped when COVID was still plaguing the world, which meant I was spending hours upon hours staring at my wall, and listening to music. The first time I heard Zeros, I was obsessed. I couldn’t stop listening to it. Now, when I think back to quarantine, his music is what soundtracks that weird, nostalgic time in my life. So when he finally announced a tour for the album, I bought tickets immediately.
The first Declan show I went to was in October 2022 at Metro—my favorite venue—and I went with my sister. I remember the show starting with the opening chords of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” which just so happens to be one of my favorite Beatles songs. Then Declan came onstage in a holographic onesie and sunglasses. Iconic. His outfits are always on point, but that night’s look especially nailed the retro space vibes of Zeros. Declan doesn’t just perform his music—he embodies it. Every movement feels intentional, and the energy in the room mirrors what he’s building on stage. I walked out of that show confident it was the best concert I had attended.
Since then, I’ve seen Declan live two more times, and every time, he brings that same energy. My favorite of the three was in Indianapolis, where I had fast-pass tickets and got to be right up front. Being that close to the stage made everything more intense—in the best way. You could see every detail of what was happening, and it made me appreciate his performance even more.
What really makes a Declan McKenna show unforgettable isn’t just his voice (which, by the way, sounds just as strong live as it does recorded) or the visuals. It’s the connection he makes with the crowd. If you’ve seen him live, you know exactly what I mean. The energy he brings is unmatched. One second, he’s sprinting across the stage during “British Bombs” ( he goes absolutely crazy for this one), and the next, he’s slowing things down for “Be an Astronaut” or “Make Me Your Queen,” and still making it feel like a shared, intimate moment. He knows how to get the crowd to match his energy and ensures everyone is having just as much fun as he is.
Even after three times, I’m still longing for my next Declan McKenna concert. Declan knows how to get a crowd involved, and that’s so important to the concert experience. Declan isn’t just a songwriter, he’s a performer, and that’s what makes his shows so special.
When people ask me who my favorite artist to see live is, I never hesitate to say Declan McKenna. His shows and music remind me why I love live music in the first place.