Declan McKenna: The Big Return

In an electric night of a fervent celebration of Declan McKenna’s return to music, the Fox Theater in Oakland, California, bore witness to an unforgettable performance as part of “The Big Return” tour. The 50+ date tour began in May and was split into two parts, the Oakland show taking place towards the end of the second leg. Since his 2020 album, McKenna has only released one new song in 2021 and two this year, hence the tour name. On the brink of releasing his highly anticipated third studio album, What Happened to the Beach?, set to release in February 2024, McKenna showcased both his musical evolution and the raw energy that has endeared him to fans worldwide. As the lights dimmed and the crowd’s anticipation reached a crescendo, the stage erupted with color and energy, setting the tone for a night that would blend old favorites with the promise of new, yet-to-be-released gems.

The set kicked off with “Nothing Works,” his newest song released in September of this year, a self-proclaimed “chaos-leaning” piece of music. From there, the show was a musical journey that spanned his discography. The setlist featured seven songs each from his two studio albums, What Do You Think About The Car? (2017) and Zeros (2020), with the first single from this year, “Sympathy,” at the halfway mark of the set. McKenna also previewed his upcoming album, playing an unreleased track entitled “Billy Irish.” The audience’s enthusiastic response affirmed that the anticipation for the new album is well-founded.

McKenna performed with dynamic energy, the passion coming across clearly. Dedicated fans responded to his energy by following every sound and screaming every word. Songs like “Why Do You Feel So Down” and “The Key To Life On Earth” resonated with the audience, acting as nostalgic bridges between his breakthrough debut and the forthcoming album. “Brazil,” his 2015 debut single and breakout hit was the final song of the pre-encore show, and elicited loud cheers from the crowd. The two-song encore began with a cover of George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” before the last song of the night commenced, the 2019 single entitled “British Bombs.” As the final chords echoed through the Fox Theater, the crowd was left buzzing with the energy of a night that transcended expectations. Declan McKenna’s “The Big Return” tour was a testament to the artist’s enduring appeal and the excitement surrounding his musical evolution. With the promise of a new album on the horizon, the tour marked his triumphant return and the show left fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter.