Some of Scotland’s top musicians brought the “wow” factor to Dundee Rep on Saturday as hundreds turned out to pay tribute to Michael Marra.
A hugely emotional night ended with a deserved standing ovation for the artists, who included Scottish stars Dougie MacLean, Eddi Reader, Karine Polwart and Rab Noakes.
An Optimistic Sound A Tribute To Michael Marra, also starred Scottish poet Liz Lochhead, the McKenzie sisters and Riley Briggs of Edinburgh band Aberfeldy, alongside local acts AMWWF, the Hazey Janes, Sheena Wellington, Rod Paterson, Kit Clark, Peter McGlone, the Reel McKay, Kevin Murray, Stewart Ivins, Derek Thomson and a rare but superb cameo from the legendary Saint Andrew.
There was even an appearance by Michael’s famed ironing board, which he used as a keyboard stand.
The wonderful Dundee occasion also rubbed off on some of the visiting acts, who one by one staked a claim to have roots in the city.
Dougie MacLean lived in Shepherd’s Loan and was at Bell Street Tech, he told us, while Eddi Reader announced her great-grandad had a shop in the Overgate and Karine Polwart spent long hours in the city with a former boyfriend.
The three McKenzie sisters, meanwhile, visited their grandparents in Dundee at least every month.
The concert was underpinned by Michael’s daughter Alice, who not only organised the show but also compered the evening, sang solo and backing vocals and even helped rearrange the stage as she introduced the acts.
It was Alice who set the tone for the evening with a beautiful solo performance of Humphy Kate’s Song, before some stunning performances. Alice was moved to apologise for saying “wow” after nearly every song, such was the standard.
While still mourning the death of Michael, the Marra family had determined the theme of the night was optimism and there was humour aplenty, particularly when the wonderful Saint Andrew brought laughs galore with his performances.
The heartwarming finale, which saw all the performers join him on stage, had every voice in the auditorium joyfully singing along in unison to perhaps Michael’s most famous song, Hermless.
The closing song, All Will Be Well, was also delivered by Alice, with help from all.
Afterwards Dougie MacLean said: “It was wonderful to be here, in Dundee, for this concert for Mick.
“We did the one in Glasgow and that was great but there was something much more relevent about it being here, with all his pals and all the people in.
“The humour and everything, everybody gets it more.”
Eddi Reader said: “I was just amazed. What I really noticed is that the songs actually sail over every personality. It was just wonderful to hear those words and those melodies.
“Michael has donated those songs to this life and they’ll live forever. Long after we’re gone people will be singing them.”