Frost just loves The Sage, at Gateshead. Well, we love the area and all it has to offer full stop.
So here is the autumn programme, should anyone be in the area, or even feel like heading up to catch some of the folk, roots and blues from both sides of the Atlantic.
September kicks off with The Colin Holt Band and Snake Davis returning off the back of their sold out show last year. Next up is Anderson East, a huge hit at SummerTyne Americana Festival 2015. Loudon Wainwright III is joined by Chaim Tenenbaum on 24 October to add that extra Americana feel as well as songs that are heart-warming, hilarious, intensely personal, and indefinably ingenious. Adding a Canadian take on American roots are the multi-award-winning Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys serve up old-time music.
The Black Crowes’ excellent guitarist Luther Dickinson makes an exclusive appearance in the North East on his Blues and Ballads UK Tour, while the bluesy Tony Joe White gets you down and dirty with his swampy, Cajun tinged guitar. Returning to Sage Two is Ryan McGarvey. His heavy but blistering blues guitar is already turning heads and you can witness him for yourself on 8 October. Walter Trout and the legendary Robin Trower, see to it that we are not left short of superb talent and excellent songs.
The Sage’s Folkworks programme will sort folk-lovers out, but will also satisfy those with a thirst for inventiveness and alternative spirit. Martin Green, brings together Becky Unthank, Adrian Utley from Portishead and Mogwai’s Dominic Aitchison, to present Flit. A show which he is taking to Edinburgh Fringe and that also includes BAFTA-winning animators whiterobot (Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson).
Fay Field and The Hurricane Party along with The Furrow Collective represent a new wave of folk talent. They have both already gained big fans and in The Furrow Collective’s case been nominated for BBC Folk awards. At the other end of the scale Ashley Hutchings of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Albion Band brings a show which spans his entire career and demonstrates his influence on generations after him. Also returning are the North East’s own Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell with The Lindisfarne Story.
2015 Folk Singer of the Year Nancy Kerr and her Sweet Visitor Band perform in Sage Two in September and later in the month she is joined by ‘English folk original’ Robb Johnson who is touring his new album A Reasonable History of Impossible Demands. Not to be outdone, BBC Radio 2 folk award nominated Ange Hardy and Lukas Drinkwater show you why they are two of this generations most in-demand performers with their live shows accented with Ange’s innovative and subtle use ofloop pedals to build layers of vocal harmony. Karen Matheson, meanwhile, adds a welcome Celtic connection to September as she showcases her impressive vocals.
To find out more about these gigs or make a booking visit www.sagegateshead.com or call Ticket Office on 0191 443 4661.