Carol Ades at Rumba Café: A Whimsical Ode to Girlhood
It’s been five months since Carol Ades brought her Late Start Tour to Columbus on November 18, 2024, and even now, the memory of that night remains vivid in my brain (I have a pretty poor memory, so take that as you will). With the recent announcement of her England tour dates, I found myself reminiscing on the intimate, cathartic, and insanely fun night that was Carol Ades’s show.
It was a relatively warm Monday in November when fans began lining up outside Rumba Café a few hours before doors. I was surprised to see fans already outside the venue, but not so surprised to be met with such warmth and creativity from everyone there. As you walked into the venue, you were immediately immersed in excitement and nostalgia. Hand-sewn stars lined the ceiling. Fairy-sized houses decorated the stage. Fans piled in wearing dresses, skirts, sweaters, and pretty much anything on a scale of schoolgirl to fairy. I found myself transported to my childhood and all the comfort it brought.
It wasn’t long before opener Sabrina Song took the stage, filling the room with a vulnerable and delicate sound. Her voice danced around the small space, accompanied by a guitar and, at times, the intimacy of a keyboard. I had never heard of Sabrina before that night, but the way she was able to capture so much emotion through the dynamics of her voice and her relatable energy was something truly magical.
Carol took the stage next, frolicking toward the mic in her signature pinafore dress and the biggest smile. The school-girl outfit reinforced the essence of girlhood, as the crowd of fewer than two hundred screamed out with excitement. “Hey Columbus!” Carol exclaimed, as she transitioned into her opening song. The audience erupted into song as well, and this eager energy persisted throughout the entirety of the night.
With Jacob Chatelain steadily taking us through the story on drums and Madelene Eliasson strumming out the vibes on guitar, both also wearing pinafore dresses, the audience was taken on a journey of self-discovery. Carol spoke into the mic “this tour is really inspired by my coming-of-age story… and questions that I had… and why is it fair that I have to figure it out on my own?” The crowd giggled in agreement. A silence followed as the feeling of uncertainty also fell over the audience.
The juxtaposition of the thrill of getting older and the fear of figuring out the answers to so many unknowns was so perfectly portrayed by Carol’s intricate song-writing and raw vocals. Her voice ebbed and flowed with each story of growth. Moments of silence were filled with a combination of heartfelt singing, exhilarating yells, jumping (lots of jumping), hushed harmonies, and cheeky remarks. Carol made sure to personally connect with the crowd, singing directly to those of us near the front, Facetiming with a fan during a song, and acknowledging the unique journeys of her audience. Every couple of songs, she openly shared her feelings and ways of navigating each chapter of life, along with many sarcastically honest comments. The crowd’s constant relatable laughs and Carol’s ability to be so unapologetically herself throughout the night was truly the highlight for me.
The show wasn’t just a celebration of girlhood though; it was an embrace of queer love, self-discovery, and unapologetic authenticity. Carol’s journey of love, longing, and coming to terms with her identity resonated deeply with the crowd. As she vulnerably shared her experiences, it served as a reminder that we are all on our own paths of discovery, messy or beautiful, and that it’s okay to feel scared or lost. More importantly, though, we must give ourselves the grace and time we need to navigate each chapter, especially when we can share that journey with others.
For more photos from the show, view the full gallery.