King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, 17 December
Arriving just after the doors opened at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut on a midweek night in Glasgow, I half expected Tom McRae’s show to be intimate yet with plenty of room to manoeuvre across the venue floor to get a couple of different views of him in action for the photo gallery.
On a night of pleasant surprises, the first was the large number of people already situated in the ‘best’ spots to get their own personal view of someone who has built an almost cult like following over the past twenty-five years or so.
As the night progressed, the audience became as much a part of the show as the lead singer/guitarist/keyboard player himself.
There is a genuine warm rapport between Tom McRae and his fans. They are used to the ribbing he gives them for ‘only knowing’ the first verse (of several) and chorus of songs he has sweated blood, sweat and tears over to produce for them. What words they do know are always sung with all the gusto he requires of them, the choirmaster to the adoring choir. Everyone feels as if they are at a friend’s party having a bit of fun into the bargain.
He is happy to walk amongst them, guitar in hand with the help of a willing fan to follow him with microphone to sing along to, providing a personal touch that is often missing in other musicians only secure in their own personal bubble.
Tonight is a solo show, with a little help from support act Radhika and special guest Boo Hewerdine. It’s explained away to see how a one man show, reflecting a covid era series of online events he ran under the umbrella of Some Dark Café, might work and also, the expense of bringing a band on tour was cost prohibitive.
The setlist itself spans his recording career with a strong emphasis on his self-titled debut album which brought so many in the audience into his sphere of influence.
One man, mostly on acoustic guitar, still at odds with a lack of airplay over the years, something that hasn’t eluded Radhika due to be played mid set on BBC Radio’s 6 and Boo’s appearance on the likes of Wogan back in the day.
There are many artists who are probably more deserving of mainstream exposure than the few who actually achieve this despite less musical talent.
That edge, that continues to drive Tom McRae forward with a catalogue of music that everyone in the audience appreciates makes nights like this so special.
In an earlier post in December, I’d mentioned how Radhika might be one to look out for in 2026. Well it didn’t take that long to see her again, this time a solo artist with an acoustic guitar and a set of songs that were very biographical. Was it the setting? The audience? The last-minute call up as support? Whatever the reason she seemed more relaxed and it showed in her performance. Definitely one to look out for.
Boo Hewerdine was the special guest, Tom McRae had asked to add a wee bit additional kudos to the Glasgow gig and was a very welcome addition to the night. Boo had been able to dent the charts in the past and had also written one Eddi Reader’s hits, Patience Of Angels.
A midweek night in Glasgow. A great venue. Some great music. What more could you ask for?
