Paul McDonald didn’t just release a new album last week—he released a weight. At the packed-out Skinny Dennis in East Nashville, the longtime local favorite gathered friends, fans, and fellow musicians for a celebration that felt more like a soulful exhale than a standard album release show. Backed by his band The Mourning Doves, McDonald played So Long to the Dark Side in full, offering a live rendering of the journey that shaped it: one marked by loss, resilience, rediscovery, and ultimately, joy. (Earlier this week, we caught up with McDonald to talk about the making of the album, the healing process behind it, and why this show marked a full-circle moment—read our Q&A here.)
Before the band played a single note, the crowd packed in tight around curving stage, a sea of familiar faces ready to lift McDonald up. The set opened with “Never Coming Down,” a defiant burst of forward motion that set the tone for the evening. From there, McDonald launched into “New Lovers,” an older fan favorite that quickly turned into a full-on singalong, with voices rising as one. The connection between artist and audience was immediate and intimate—less like a concert, more like a reunion.
With The Mourning Doves firing on all cylinders, McDonald and company ran through every track from So Long to the Dark Side, weaving in moments that underscored just how deeply his music is rooted in community and connection. Midway through the set, opener Maggie Koerner returned to the stage to lend her vocals to “Unwind,” adding soulful depth to the song’s lush harmonies.
A few songs later, McDonald’s wife, singer-songwriter Leah Blevins, joined him for a moving back-to-back performance of “Higher Power” and “Star of the Morning,” two of the album’s most heartfelt tracks. The latter drew a wave of appreciative cheers before McDonald leaned into the mic with a grin and shouted, “Let’s get rowdy!”—launching the crowd into a joyful frenzy with the groove-driven “Forgiveness.”
That joy never waned. Fueled by a high-octane, four-guitar energy (McDonald saw the demise of the first three guitars to broken strings), the night unfolded as a celebration of grit and gratitude. He poured himself into every note, especially on the title track “Dark Side,” which served as the emotional climax of the set. Its soaring vocals and gritty textures captured both the weight of McDonald’s past and the thrill of finally shaking it loose. And just when it seemed like the show was over, McDonald returned alone with his acoustic guitar for a single-song encore.
“Good Time” brought the night to a tender close. Before playing it, McDonald shared a story about his late mother. When she learned she was sick, he’d asked her what she wanted to do with the time she had left. Her answer? “Have a good time.” That memory now lives in the lyrics, and in this final moment, the crowd stood hushed, soaking in McDonald’s honesty and vulnerability. It was bittersweet and beautiful—the kind of ending that lingers.
For McDonald, this show wasn’t just the launch of a new album; it was the turning of a page. So Long to the Dark Side isn’t just a title—it’s a declaration. Surrounded by friends, family, and a supportive community he now calls home, McDonald proved that the darkness may leave a mark, but it doesn’t get the final word. On this night, light won.
Listen to So Long to the Dark Side:
On Spotify:
On YouTube:
CONNECT WITH PAUL MCDONALD:
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What hearing protection do we use at concerts? The Loop Switch2:
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