Kerr Mercer at the Garage

 

There were a few moments last night at The Garage where Kerr Mercer tilted his head back, or slightly to the side, and just let rip, taking his already exceptionally rich, emotional, soulful and powerful voice to new levels.

It's quite the sight. Quite the sonic experience. 

Whenever this happened, my wife and I would exchange a little nod or glance in appreciation. However, there was one particular moment, during Kerr's song Soldier, when even his guitarist Adam Frame looked up in awe as his friend's voice soared beautifully. It was so nice to catch this.

Only 18-years old, Kerr Mercer has been building a head of steam for over a year, picking up some excellent support/opening slots for established artists to build his fanbase and hitting the road on his own mini tours. 

There was a real sense of occasion around last nights sold out show at The Garage. The venue looked incredible! Has it had a makeover? Or do I just always think back to when I was attending club nights as a teenager before getting a late (and very long) bus home to Carluke?

Perhaps there was a greater anticipation around the show after a fantastic feature was published on the BBC Scotland news page on Sunday morning. Journalist Jonathan Geddes brought out Kerr's humour, family values and humility in the interview. 

This is something Kerr naturally brings out on stage - whether forgetting to put his guitar on for a song, mentioning how his Mum brought him down to earth when he was hoping for a Glasgow aftershow (as any 18-year old would after a big hometown show) but had to get up at 5am for a flight to Europe to begin a tour supporting Only The Poets, or consistently thanking the audience and expressing his amazement that people showed up to see him - 'my knees are knocking backstage before every show as I don't think anyone will turn up.'

People turned up last night. I overheard a Dad talking to his daughter behind us. She had caught Kerr supporting someone and had brought her Dad along to The Garage. Dad approved - 'Aye, he's got something. What a voice!' I like to think that Dad and daughter will be having more bonding trips over Kerr Mercer gigs in the future. I hope to take our eldest to the next one after she turns 14 in June.

Anyway, on to the songs. Kerr Mercer showcased an exceptional talent for music (playing electric piano or acoustic/electric guitar), songwriting and singing. 

Setlist

1. Hurts
2. Love to Lose
3. Her
4. Best of Me
5. One in a Million
6. Never Be You
7. Jealous
8. Soldier
9. Waves
10. Handbags & Gladrags (Rod Stewart cover version)
11. Alcohol

The sense of occasion was heightened by the fact that Kerr was playing with a full band for the first time. Previous shows have seen Kerr performing solo (guitar/keyboard), or with Adam on guitar. Adam let rip on a couple of songs, relishing the opportunity to play electric guitar.

Mercer's and his band wasted no time in showing what they could do with an opening number entitled Hurts that reminded me a little of Michael Kiwanuka. With the addition of drums, Mercer said that he wanted the crowd to have the opportunity to dance, as well as enjoy his slow piano ballads. The backbeat was cool, as was the song.

Love to Lose slowed things back down, Her had one of those choruses that take off, aching with love, angst, heartache and heartbreak.

One in a Million was a stunner. Pre-show someone had handed out pieces of heart-shaped cards displaying the song title. People started holding them up after Kerr introduced the song and his band played the intro. It took Kerr a verse to realise what everyone was doing and he laughed to say he was wondering what they were and knew who probably brought them. One in a Million is a beautiful song, I fully expect it to be playing on the radio before too long.

I think it was during Never Be You that Kerr displayed some outstanding piano skills and then there was a fantastic run of 3 songs that I've got to know over the last year of catching him live.

Jealous is a heart tugging gem with Kerr pouring his heart out (as he does on every song, but the lyrics go pretty deep here). It's so well written and arranged that you could be forgiven for thinking tht it is an old classic. Soldier is soulful with Kerr really going for it and Waves seems to have been adopted as a real fan favourite. 

Kerr likes to play a cover in his sets and he opted for an older song than usual, playing Rod Stewart's Handbags & Gladrags (I've only just found out this isn't a Rod original! It was written by Mike d'Abo of Manfred Mann and originally recorded by Chris Farlowe), although Kerr discovered the song through a later day version by The Stereophonics. Regardless of who wrote it or originally recorded it, Mercer delivered it with raw emotion, like messrs Stewart and Jones. The song suited him perfectly and allowed him to attack his piano as he sang. Stunning! 

Closing with Alcohol, Kerr teased that it might be his debut single, there was no encore. Not to worry, there is A LOT more to come from this young man. 

Kerr Mercer plays TRNSMT 2025 on Sunday 13th July. Keep an eye on his Instagram for regular story updates about his shows, songwriting and plans.