Over the lockdown period, unable to perform with my band, I started recording a series of videos to keep my creative spark alive. I covered songs I’ve always loved by artists I’ve always admired, showcasing my musical versatility and wide range of appreciation for various genres.
For my daytime work, I’m a full-time music teacher at a bustling secondary school. I adore my job and feel I’ve finally found my happy place in the most rewarding career I’ve ever had. However, the demanding teaching schedule leaves little time for my creative life. Playing every weekend in a busy band like The Beer Pigs further restricts my studio time and prevents me from developing and recording the songs I’ve been writing for years.
The extra life I’ve squeezed into my existence has allowed me to release my solo albums over the years, but it’s all thanks to my incredible and supportive wife and family. To maintain my creative flow, I’ve had to make some sacrifices and many late nights.
Last December, two significant events occurred. I performed a solo show at the Saabat Art Gallery in South Bank, showcasing songs from my solo albums. The show was well-attended and critically acclaimed, boosting my confidence and fueling my desire to create more. A few nights before that, I played a few songs at The Queens in Eston, celebrating my son’s 18th birthday. He had no idea I was bringing my guitar and piano to the pub. It was a delightful surprise for him to walk into the room and join in what was originally planned to be a 30-minute sing-along. Two and a half hours later, the entire pub was still singing along to all the classics I played, and the landlord, John, asked if he could book me for future events.
I informed him that I usually don’t do this and that I’m just the quiet keyboard player of The Beer Pigs. John insisted on giving me a date for January 24, and I tentatively ventured into the world of being a solo artist. When the day of the gig arrived, the pub was packed, and the night couldn’t have been better. I then performed a charity night for Marske United Football Club, and by the time of the next gig at The Queens, my confidence and enjoyment for playing these types of gigs had skyrocketed by a hundred percent.
I’ve been contemplating leaving The Beer Pigs for quite some time now. Lately, I’ve been struggling with the physicality of carrying heavy gear into venues and the volume levels on stage. Until I have a knee operation later this year, I’ve had to sit down to play my keyboard. I’ve been playing with the lads since I was sixteen, and the thought of leaving my band was unthinkable before this year. However, I firmly believe that change can be positive, and I now feel that this is the opportune time to step away and try something new. The band will continue with a new keyboard player, the incredibly talented Phil Scarr, who has occasionally stepped in for us over the years. I couldn’t be leaving the keyboard duties in better hands, and I wish my old friends all the very best for the future.
This exciting opportunity certainly reignites my passion for music. I now have ample time to be incredibly creative. I will have the opportunity to record my new album, ‘The Ring Of Gullion’, and complete the videos for ‘The Hermitage Suite’. My diary for The David Mackin Solo Show is rapidly filling up, and I am eagerly anticipating the chance to perform songs that I believe will captivate any audience and encourage them to join in singing and dancing.
Having played around the UK for over three decades and observing the diverse musical styles of other bands, I firmly believe that I can contribute something truly unique and innovative to the music scene. I intend to perform songs that have been popular for the past six decades but have yet to be covered by many artists. My live performances will be filled with unexpected surprises, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase these songs in as many venues as possible. I will continue to play in Redska where I perform classic 2-Tone songs from bands such as Madness, The Specials and Bad Manners. Some of the lads from this band will be creating a new cover band called The Local Legends and we have some gigs booked throughout the year. This will be a refreshing new type of covers band that is another exciting venture for me.
In 2025, I intend to embark on a fresh journey in a direction that I should have ventured into years ago. I genuinely hope that you will accompany me on this exciting experience.
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