My sister Carla doesn't really do things by halves. It's part of her charm, part of what makes Carla, Carla. She goes all in. Sometimes, it might feel like she has taken on too much, but her work ethic, creative nature and desire to leave a mark tend to mean things work out in her favour.
Carla is mentoring a young teenage band called The Cords. So she wanted an to put on an all-ages show. And she wanted it to be accessible for people with disabilities or impairments. Somewhere people could feel safe to be themselves.
I was proud to see someone standing nearby me with a white mobility cane. And I was delighted to see so many young kids catching live music from Carla and her band, The Cords and Curlew. Who knows what impact that will have on them - will they be encouraged to pick up a keyboard, guitar or pester their parents into buying a drum kit? I hope so!
Mono was the venue of choice and Noel (manager) and his team were incredibly supportive of Carla's idea for an all-ages show. As someone who has put on a number of gigs over the years, I did worry about who would buy a ticket for a Sunday afternoon matinee show!
I needn't have. Mono was packed out. The atmosphere was friendly, supportive and inclusive. Kids bought bracelets from The Cords, overdosed on Haribo and wandered about blowing bubbles.
Adults bought pin badges, records and CD's, and sampled the many beers (non-alcoholic for those of us driving) that Mono has to offer.
Kids sat at the front while adults stood around them, admiring the old keyboard that Curlew played and the way she looped and layered her voice and melodies. How did she do that?
The Cords were brilliant. Carla has been telling me so much about them. She mentors them through a course at Rig Arts in Inverclyde. Eva (15 on guitar and vocals) and Grace (17 on drums) are young teenagers who are mining C86, the Glasgow School and Sarah Records for influences. I look forward to seeing them again and hope they can record some songs soon to capture their youthful innocence and energy. Their set generated enough applause to demand an encore of The Vaselines Monster Puss. Ones to watch for sure.
On to the main act! Carla and her regular band of dreamers on the run extended to being a 9-piece band at times; veering from pure pop, to gorgeous ballads and string laden gems.
Title track Sugar Honey opened the show with a sugary rush to match the haribo fuelled kids sitting at the front of the stage. Melodies poured off the stage as Carla and co played Tempt Me and Be OK from the new album with the beats, layers and complex arrangements played beautifully.
Then there was a run of 'non-hits' as Carla said. The New Order fronted by Carly Rae Jepsen pop delight of Get Lost and the super powerful blast of Weirdo.
Man of the Minch joined the band to play violin on Impossible Stuff which was absolutely gorgeous, the little jam at the end was outstanding. Things were slowed down for beautiful ballad The Girl From Before, the melodies flowing out effortlessly.
Angus Munro then took to the stage with his saxophone for some glorious pop. One Week and Weekend Lover sounded huge. Carla then introduced You Made Us, her love letter to Glasgow, written in Queens Park during a lockdown while gazing across to the huge pink People Make Glasgow sign.
The tale of neighbours, community, friendship, anonymity and love for Glasgow poured out of Carla's soul. It's quickly become a real favourite of mine.
Gorgeous dreamy Sleepyhead was sublime, before a triple blast of glorious noisy pop as the band became a 9-piece; Attack Of The Glam Soul Cheerleaders was an outrageous stomp. Blooming 4U was defiant, euphoric and triumphant and the closing Wanting What I Can't Have was like the little sister of Primal Scream's Loaded.
A brilliant set. A brilliant day. A brilliant effort by all to bring it all together and make it happen.
You can order Carla's Sugar Honey album from Bandcamp.
Or opt for a special dib dab cherry and orange version from the good folk at Monorail.
1 comment:
It was a tremendous show! Curlew was joyful, fun and haunting all at the same time. The Cords have grown in confidence so much in the past few months and I know Carla has played a huge part in that.
Carla and her band were incredible. The atmosphere was really special and the set was beautifully curated & played with a powerhouse passion.
Post a Comment