As the festive season gets well under way, Sage Gateshead has some treats in store to get you into the Christmas spirit.
The Overtones will kick off the week with their Christmas party, bringing some good old-fashioned festive favourites, guaranteed to have you singing along and dancing in the aisles.
BBC Radio 2 sweethearts Ward Thomas join us for an exclusive gig, showcasing their Cartwheels album, and bringing their distinctive country style to Sage Gateshead.
Following their successful run as part of Hull’s UK City of Culture tenure, The Unthanks return to the North East for a homecoming gig to round up a phenomenal year.
These are just some of the highlights coming up next week at Sage Gateshead.
Christmas with The Overtones
Monday 4 December, 7pm, Sage One
The Overtones have firmly established themselves as the number one vocal harmony group. Since breaking in 2010 with their debut Good Ol’ Fashioned Love, the group has established their reputation as an act with the unique ability to deliver consistently uplifting music infused with exquisitely crafted vocal harmonies.
Celebrating the most wonderful time of the year, with a stocking rammed full of Christmas crackers, in the shape of good ol’ classics such as White Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Let It Snow, The Overtones Christmas tour has become a staple fixture in everyone’s Christmas party season and 2017 will be no different.
The Overtones will be joining Sage Gateshead for the ultimate festive party and promise to bring the audience a night full of fun, laughter and dancing in the aisles. There might just be some surprises thrown in there too.
So put on your glad rags, bring your Christmas baubles and come party with The Overtones!
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/the-overtones46559/
John Wilson & the John Wilson Orchestra plus special guests Louise Dearman & Matt Ford and The John Wilson Chorus
Tuesday 5 December, 2017. 3pm & 7.30pm, Sage One
John Wilson’s superstar orchestra returns with their brand new show A Celebration of the MGM Film Musicals. The orchestra has established an international reputation, performing a repertoire from the golden era of Hollywood and Broadway musicals and music for the big screen.
Singin’ in the Rain, An American in Paris, Show Boat, Annie Get Your Gun, The Band Wagon, plus many more!
Joined by guest soloists and, for the first time, the John Wilson Orchestra Chorus, the John Wilson Orchestra’s joyous celebration of the MGM film musicals is an evening not to be missed.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/john-wilson-2017/
Presented by Waka Waka Africa North East
Reggae in Britain: Dennis Bovell and Friends
Tuesday 5 December, 8pm, Sage Two
Dennis Bovell tells the story of the first three decades of reggae in Britain, from the 1960s through to the 1980s, and its origins in ska and rocksteady, in words, film and music.
With his band, and archive film footage, he charts reggae’s importance in African-Caribbean culture and heritage, its place in the social and political context of the time, how it influenced other music forms and a whole range of British musicians.
Born in Barbados, reggae guitarist and singer Dennis Bovell, sometimes known under the pseudonym of Blackbeard, was one of the key figures on the London reggae scene of the late 70s and early 80s, as a solo artist and as a producer. The band Bovell co-founded in the mid-‘70s, Matumbi, was one of England’s first self-contained reggae bands. In addition, Bovell released several albums of solo dub experiments, and he participated in the BBC’s Reggae Brittania season in 2011.
Writer Benjamin Zephaniah is contributing to this Arts Council-supported project and appears on film. He was part of the school known as the ‘Dub Poets’ – poets who worked alongside reggae music.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/dennis-bovell46800/
Lau
Wednesday 6 December, 8pm, Sage Two
Lau is the pioneering contemporary folk trio comprising three of the UKs finest traditional musicians: Kris Drever (vocals, guitar), Martin Green (accordion, wurlitzer, keys, electronics) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle).
Lau has garnered four awards for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and appeared on Later… With Jools Holland. The individual members have won multiple awards and recognition for their solo work, including Kris Drever, who won Folk Singer of The Year 2017 and Best Original Track 2017 at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Lau announces the release of its first ever retrospective album, Decade (The Best of 2007-2017). A compilation of the trio’s best tracks, curated by the band and manager Tom Rose, from the song and tune suggestions of their very many fans.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/lau43814/
Benjamin Clementine
Wednesday 6 December, 7.30pm, Sage One
The incomparable Benjamin Clementine will play the iconic Sage One hall, two years after performing to a packed house in Sage Two.
Especially beloved for his emotionally charged live performances, the Edmonton singer, songwriter and poet has released his first music since 2015’s Mercury Prize winning debut album At Least For Now.
Phantom of Aleppoville was written, recorded and produced by Clementine, and follows his recent collaboration with Gorillaz on Hallelujah Money. Accompanied by a video shot by photographer Craig McDean and filmmaker Masha Vasyukova, Clementine composed Phantom of Aleppoville after being affected by the writing of pioneering British psychoanalyst Donald Winicott.
He wrote extensively about children who have experienced bullying in the home and at school, discovering that while the trauma was naturally not comparable in scale to that suffered by children displaced by war, its effects followed similar patterns. Seeing in Winicott’s writing a mirror of his own childhood experiences, Clementine chose the title to symbolise a place where children encounter such bullying.
Book Now:http://sagegateshead.com/event/benjamin-clementine44153/
Ward Thomas plus Wildwood Kin
Thursday 7 December, 7.30pm, Sage One
Record breakers, chart-toppers and country crossover stars Ward Thomas are returning to Gateshead for an exclusive Christmas show this December!
22 year old twins Catherine and Lizzy made history with their stunning major label debut when it reached the top spot in the U.K. Album charts, by becoming the first ever UK country act to achieve the feat. On top of that extraordinary achievement, the album stayed in the top five for three weeks: a rare accomplishment.
Written in Nashville in 2014, Cartwheels, was the song that kick started the entire writing process for the album. Reflecting on experiences of young women (and men!) everywhere, it tells the sad tale of someone who refuses to accept that a relationship is over. The heartbreaking story is brought to life by the sister’s stripped back vocals and beguiling harmonies.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/ward-thomas46874/
Gem Arts presents
Bollywood Jazz
Thursday 7 December, 7.45pm, Northern Rock Foundation Hall
Bollywood Jazz is an amazing new Indo-Jazz music fusion event, inspired by the songs and instrumental music of Bollywood films.
Supriya Nagarajan, Carnatic Singer, band leader and Artistic Director of Manasamitra, has worked with different line-ups to develop the current Bollywood Jazz incarnation, which includes James Cave (piano and cello); Matt Redman (bass guitar and multi-instrumentalist) and Beau Stocker (drums).
The foursome have been working together over several months to forge an exciting, adventurous, occasionally playful new sound. This is what Bollywood Jazz is all about, bringing audiences something riotously unique and totally original. They do not seek to create an “authentic sound”, rather their aim is to develop a new musical genre from two very different cultures. An early trial performance at the Bradford Literature Festival, attended by an enormously diverse audience of different cultures and ages, which included Bollywood and jazz fans alike, was a huge success. Be among the first to experience it.
Bollywood Jazz is presented by Manasamitra, a Yorkshire based arts organisation delivering a range of South Asian arts and cultural experiences in traditional and innovative ways. The company’s work is stimulated by ideas, forms and aesthetics from India located within a contemporary British context. Working collaboratively with diverse disciplines and cultures, bringing together the skills and talents of different artists and genres, they aim to create new and exciting content.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/bollywood-jazz/
John Bramwell…Leave Alone the Empty Spaces Tour
Thursday 7 December, 8pm, Sage Two
The former I Am Kloot vocalist, songwriter and guitarist fronts a 6 piece live band, uniquely including piano and cello.
John has been performing as a solo artist and band member for over 30 years. His distinctive guitar and vocal style first made an impact worldwide at the backend of the 90s, when he fronted 3 piece I Am Kloot. The band have released 10 albums, over an almost 20 year history, each one a brilliant showcase for the vast catalogue of songs John Bramwell has lovingly created.
I Am Kloot were Mercury nominees in 2011, with their album Sky at Night, which was produced by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter from Elbow. The follow up, Let It All In was equally as successful reaching the Top 10 albums in 2012.
Leave Alone the Empty Spaces is John’s first collection of songs since then. This show will feature much of that new album, as well as the finest songs from his back catalogue.
Classical Season 2017/18
The Sixteen: Glory to the Christ Child
Friday 8 December, 7.30pm, Sage One
Harry Christophers conductor
The Sixteen
One of the world’s great choirs, The Sixteen are familiar to many as ‘The Voices of Classic FM’.
Their annual Christmas pilgrimage touring the UK’s finest cathedrals sells out year after year, and it is a privilege to welcome them to Sage Gateshead with a programme including Poulenc’s Christmas Motets and other festive choral works from the 16th century to the present day.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/the-sixteen-glory-to-the-christ-child/
Cara Dillon – Upon A Winter’s Night
Friday 8 December, 8pm, Sage Two
Come and join the exceptional Cara Dillon for a night of Christmas songs in what will undoubtedly be a magical and memorable festive experience.
Having recorded her highly anticipated Christmas album Upon A Winter’s Night, Cara and her band will be performing classic carols, Celtic hymns and other Christmas songs to celebrate and share in the Christmas spirit. A tradition in the making.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/cara-dillon-upon-a-winters-night/
Samling Masterclass and Concert
Saturday 9 December, Masterclass 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Concert 5.15pm – 6pm, Sage Two
Italian baritone Claudio Desderi and award-winning pianist James Baillieu join internationally renowned soprano Joan Rodgers CBE, to pass on their knowledge and experience to some of the finest emerging classical singers and pianists.
This public masterclass is followed by a short concert in which eight Samling Artists show what they have learned from the masters.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/samling-masterclass-and-showcase/
The Unthanks – Orchestral With Army Of Generals
Saturday 9 December, 7.30pm, Sage One
Capping another adventurous year in spectacular, dramatic style, Mercury nominated Tynesiders The Unthanks, with the orchestral arrangements of their instinctive, self taught pianist Adrian McNally, take an symphonic exploration into their best loved material, plus new work specially devised for these shows, including the moving forthcoming release, Hymn For Syria.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/the-unthanks-orchestral-with-army-of-generals/
Inspiration Choir and Royal Northern Sinfonia – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Sunday 10 December, 3pm and 6pm, Sage One
Enjoy a mixture of sacred and secular in this year’s Winter concert.
The massed voices of Inspiration Choir together with Royal Northern Sinfonia celebrate the anticipation and excitement of the season of Advent, mixed with popular songs for the holiday period.
There’s something for everyone in this yearly favourite.
Book Now: http://sagegateshead.com/event/inspiration-concert-10-12-17/