Mac Demarco Freaks out the Neighborhood

by Katie Hale (she/her)

Alternative artist Mac Demarco dazzled local fans at his concert this August at the Phoenix Theater in downtown Petaluma. Demarco, a Canadian artist who plays multiple instruments, has released six full-length studio albums, all in the indie-rock genre. Due to his fame and popularity, seeing him playing live in Petaluma at a small intimate venue like the Phoenix was a remarkable opportunity for fans. His target audience consists mostly of young adults and teens, so the Phoenix was filled with Petaluma High students.

One attendee, junior Skylar Spain, said, “I was surprised that he was coming to Petaluma, because big artists never come to Petaluma, but I feel like it suits his music style, and the smaller crowd is better and more personal and it’s also nice that I didn’t have to drive far or pay a lot for the tickets.”

This is not the first time big artists have come through the Phoenix. There have been plenty of memorable performances at the theater through the years. Tom Gaffey, the general manager of the Phoenix, said, “There have been a bunch more [popular artists] but it's tough to remember them all off the top of my head: George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Mac Dre, Digital Underground, Snoop Dogg, Black Eyed Peas, Too Short, E40. Megadeth, Metallica, Slipknot, Slayer, Against Me!, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Sublime…”