My sister Carla played The Rum Shack on the Southside of Glasgow on Friday night. I don't say this lightly, but I think it was the best I have ever seen her play. I am in no doubt that it was the best audience response I have ever heard Carla generate. During the show was fantastic, but the ovation at the end was exceptional. I knew that Carla wasn't playing an encore, but the crowd literally demanded one. The roar was constant, until Carla came back onstage with Paul Kelly to busk a version of Ivor Cutler's I Worn My Elbows.
Carla and her fantastic band of Lesley McLaren (drums), Paul Kelly (bass), Thomas Woods (guitar) and Katie Lindsay (keys) played an energetic show, encompassing new album I Think That I Might Love You (though not in order) and "non-hits" Get Lost, Number One (Poster Paints) and a rip roaring finale of Lights In The Dark. They looked like they were having fun, lost in the music, creating waves and layers of sound, super confident in themselves and each other.
Between songs Carla was in good form, thanking support acts Clay Rings and Peak, before going on to say with typical self depreciating humour that "they make me feel like a f**king dinosaur!" There were tales of co-writes, touring in a heatwave and more. Towards the end Carla highlighted that it had been her first proper solo tour since 2018. The small matters of COVID, a Poster Paints album and Since Yesterday documentary definitely had a part to play in that. But Carla also took the opportunity to highlight that sales of records and T-shirts on the merch stall were crucial to helping her break even.
Carla places great emphasis on paying her band. Add in van hire, hotel accommodation and expenses ... touring a 5-piece band isn't cheap. Look at the rise in labels investing in singer-songwriters ... it's a lot cheaper to put them on the road.
Part of Carla's new merch caught my eye. A Carolina blue T-shirt with black handwriting in capital letters proclaiming THIS T-SHIRT FUNDS MUSIC with Carla's signature underneath and a couple of star doodles. Straight to the point. Say it loud and say it proud!
By the time I waited until the end, Carla was sold out of medium sized T's! Thankfully they are on pre-order from her Bandcamp page and I look forward to receiving it in time for my summer holiday.
Buying merch makes a huge difference to bands. So, if you ever needed a reason/excuse to get a new T-shirt, here is a cracker to consider. Or visit the online store of one your favourite bands/artists.
CLICK HERE to read my review of I Think That I Might Love You
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