Carbon Leaf returns to their roots with the Time is the Playground Tour

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​Carbon Leaf has been making music for the better part of 30 years, often describing their sound as “ether-electrified porch music,” after an early album. It’s the kind of music that you can sit back and enjoy, or get up and dance and sing along in harmony, depending on your mood. The band’s music has evolved over the years, including a subset of songs with a distinctly celtic flair, making them a staple across the country’s Irish festivals. But with the long-awaited release of their 2024 album Time is the Playground, Carbon Leaf takes a fresh look at their porch music style. 

Tuesday’s show featured six new songs from the new album, interspersed throughout the show with fan-favorites from across their discography. They opened with the new album’s title track, moving seamlessly through the setlist and keeping the energy flowing. This show was the first after an unexpected break in touring for guitarist Terry Clark’s rotator cuff surgery, but the band didn’t miss a beat, literally or figuratively. That did, however, lead to plenty of jokes about the difficulties of getting older. Still, the band performs like a well-oiled machine. The setlist was thoughtfully crafted and the banter entertaining. It’s the kind of performance that comes from years on the road together while remaining passionate about their craft.

The new songs and this tour feels both familiar and fresh. Singer Barry Privett’s lyrics are deeply personal and nostalgic but also relatable. The guitar and mandolin driven melodies had the audience clapping along, easily joining to sing in harmony with the band. Near the end of the set, Carbon Leaf brought out their signature one-mic setup, with all 5 members performing several acoustic songs around a single microphone at center stage before returning to ramp up the energy with a few Irish-inspired favorites. 

After a brief break, Carbon Leaf returned to the stage for a two-song encore, discussing their many previous visits to the Pittsburgh area and highlighting the variety of local venues available for artists in all stages of their careers. They finished the evening with their 2004 song “Let Your Troubles Roll By,” giving guitarist Carter Gravatt time to show off his talents before finishing the show and taking a bow to a standing ovation from the audience. It’s clear that Carbon Leaf will always be welcome to visit Pittsburgh and will always have fans here to sing along.

Review/Photo By: Aarika MacIntyre