‘I love that accent’. Billy (lets dispense with the formality of William straight away) McCarthy creases up with laughter before asking the audience on the count of three to profess their love in true Manchester style; the shouts of ‘Bill-eh!!!’ nearly lift the roof off.

 

McCarthy is a natural at building a bond with his audience. The performance is so genuine, so appreciative of the opportunities given to him that you can’t help but he swept up in the journey.  Anyone who has seen Augustines knows McCarthy is a self-effacing, humble and infectious presence; the atmosphere is buzzing and it’s a direct line from the big man on stage.

 

When McCarthy announced these solo shows he asked for fan suggestions for intimate venues. A night of song, stories and laughter and the Night & Day Cafe is the perfect venue for a night like this.

 

The small stage at the back of the room is set with a single mike stand. A black and white projected image lights up the back wall and the it’s already packed to bursting as he takes the stage. With that trademark glint in his eye he picks up his guitar and starts the night with a gift to the fans. His favourite track from Augustines new album which, we’re told in an exclusive announcement, is to be released the very next day.

 

Taking a bottle of red wine he slowly pours himself a glass. The screen flickers into life and images from his childhood fill the wall; his mother, his brother James (the heart of so many of his songs) and his upbringing in a trailer park on the border Mexican border. As he takes us through his early life, he speaks with true affection for these humble beginnings; his is a personality that can (or perhaps has had to learn) to take the best from everything.

 

This leads to Juarez, a rousing beast of a song, and homage to home. Throughout the evening songs are extended with narrative providing private glimpses into the experiences behind them. He keeps the beat going to explain how his mother met his father, who then disappeared before he was born, before launching into the second verse; ‘Your daddy’s gone, he’s gone down south’.

 

Great storytellers have the ability to make you feel what they feel, like you’re there with them; the ability to take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, from hysterical laughter to stunned silence, often in a single sentence.  

 

Regardless of the tale; from dress wearing prison visits to personal violations in Australia to the very real dangers of working late nights in the big city, the audience are in the palm of his hand. When the devastating climax is delivered, you can hear a pin drop.

 

That gift translates to the music too. From hushed acoustic performances to riotous electric assault, he can take a room from engrossed silence to arms in the air ecstasy in minutes.

 

A solo show from an artist with a current band can often feel dangerously pretentious; like the singer has more to say than the outlet of the band allows. This isn’t the case here. Billy McCarthy clears adores his band mates and their new album should take them still further into mainstream consciousness.

 

Tales that make us laugh, cry and sing along together. It’s everything you could possibly want from a show and a privilege to be in attendance. Bill-eh, come back soon.