Where does an unsigned band with only one EP featuring five songs get the balls to headline an extensive three-month tour in the dead of winter?
And how did they amass such a huge cult following, filling up every venue they hit with audiences singing every single lyric to each song?
“Mr Cadillac” has almost 3 million streams on Spotify, and the video has 36K views on YouTube.
These are questions I needed answered ever since I witnessed the phenomenon that is Mac Saturn.
When I caught them as the supporting act for Dirty Honey in September at Club Soda, I made two claims; if they ever came back to Montreal, I would definitely see them, and I wanted an interview.
I also said that I would no longer be writing reviews as I wanted to focus more on interviews, but in this case, I made an exception.
Proudly hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Mac Saturn has every magical element it takes to make a great rock band. Insanely talented musicians oozing with personality and a frontman that has a magnetism that cannot be denied. (Carson Macc)
When I got to L’Escogriffe, I found him sitting at the bar sipping on an Apperal spritz and felt his electricity before we even spoke.
Walking around with his cocktail glass and a devilish grin, looking like a rock ‘n’ roll Dionysus, he offered me the orange slice from his drink, and I knew exactly what I was in for. (The interview went a little off track, but that’s rock and roll).
As soon as Macc exploded onto the stage, opening with one of my favourites, “Diamonds,” the anxiously awaiting fans began to dance and sing along in a state of ecstatic frenzy. And they did not stop until the very end. It was super hot and sticky inside the tightly packed bar L’Escogriffe as Macc lasciviously exclaimed, “Montreal, this is the wettest we’ve ever been!”
Did you know that the planet Saturn generates more heat than it receives from the sun? For Saturn, that is twice as much, which is more than any other planet. I’m no astronomer or meteorologist but a few nights earlier, Montreal was hit with -42 temperature and on Tuesday night it went up to +2. So blame it on the pheromones or that untamed, elusive thing they call rock n’ roll, but Mac Saturn definitely brought the heat.
As I scanned the crowd at the packed L’Escogriffe, I felt a strong “Almost Famous” vibe as the dress code was mostly vintage. There were gorgeous girls in crop tops and short shorts and boys in groovy retro denim and leather (and everything else in between), huddled around the stage, mesmerized by the sexy firecracker that is Carson Macc.
Did you ever feel really high and then try to think back and realize you didn’t even smoke anything? That’s what a Mac Saturn show feels like. I was so swept away by the whole crazy energy that I didn’t bother taking notes. I was crammed between the stage and an amp, trying to take photos while people were dancing and shoving me. A fight broke out.
Girls reached out to touch Macc’s hands as he pointed and posed, preaching passionate words to further hypnotize us. His lithe frame gyrating in a stylish 70’s glam suit, oversized sunglasses and probably the best shag hairstyle out there right now. Perched on the edge of the stage, leaning forward, pointing his long fingers with enough rings to make Liberace jealous, Mac Saturn took us all on an interplanetary trip that we would never forget.
From the super funky bass line of “Mr. Cadillac” to the delicate guitar work on “Ain’t Like You” and my favourite “Plainclothes Gentleman” (which they saved for last). I was blown away by the band’s musicality, especially Mike Moody on lead guitar. Channelling a Jimmy Page vibe with his long dark curly hair and intense playing style.
They played “Working Harder” for the encore to a chorus of Olé Olé Olé from the frenzied fans, clapping and stomping, which the band truly appreciated. Macc exclaiming; “God Damn it Montreal! This will not be the last time!”
Mac Saturn unleashed an explosive extravaganza of soul, funk, rock, blues, sex, attitude, humour and chaos that I have not witnessed in a damn long time. If you still haven’t checked out Mac Saturn, you’re missing out.
And I once again made two claims. I will see them perform again, and it will be in a larger venue.
Supporting act was Billy Tibbals, born in the UK and now based in Hollywood. The band had the right style and energy to warm up the crowd. Late 70s, early 80s combination of punk, glam, and classic rock, which was really fun and refreshing to see from such a young artist. His debut, single “Onwards and Upwards was written and recorded in his parents’ garage during lockdown.
