Occasionally you see an artist, and they just capture your heart in a way you'd never anticipated. Tara MacLean may be a quarter of a decade into a recording career, but as she spends time exploring her Irish and Scottish roots, the Canadian singer/songwriter has been spending more time on these shores and has been building a strong British fanbase. Having seen her live for the first time in the summer of '25, she effortlessly became an artist who captured my heart. Therefore, as she returned to the road in the UK, it was inevitable that a return to see her was on the cards – but with the slight fear that a second live experience would struggle to replicate the magic of that first time.

Before she took to the stage at the very cute Kirton in Lindsey Diamond Jubilee Town Hall, the Kirton Rock Choir warmed her audience up. A locally formed choir that promotes an inclusive approach to its recruitment, it is clear that this is a project born out of a love of community and a passion for music. Delivering anthems from the Foo Fighters, Oasis, Erasure and more, they are a wholesome opener.

After just a brief interval, MacLean, accompanied by violinist Grainne White, opens her emotional set with the sensational Sparrow. A truly touching moment, it is clear that the upcoming performance would be truly spellbinding.

The magic of a good song is that it is equally beautiful when stripped back to its core as it is when delivered with all its additional layers. This is very evident in the set that is performed. With material old and new shared, alongside a couple of well-chosen covers, the show breezes by far too quickly.

While there is no denying the beauty of opener Sparrow, there are more spine-tingling moments throughout the sets. Taken from her forthcoming tenth studio album, the lush River is destined to melt hearts. Her viral lockdown release, This Storm, saw White standing in for Catherine MacLellan in a performance that warrants its own release.

Allowing herself to emulate the younger generation by using a backing track to showcase her forthcoming release, Horizon, it is very evident that her tenth studio album is set to be her greatest release to date. That being said, it was 2019's Love Never Dies that delivered the biggest feels of the night.

Despite apprehension that the magic of that first live Tara MacLean experience could not be matched, she effortlessly proved that she is an artist who needs to be seen time and time again.

An absolute gem who delivers emotion and heart in the purest way.


May 17th - The Dolphin, Robin Hood’s Bay