Well, I said I’d be back at the Sage last weekend and I was. Three times. Now I don’t want to give the impression I spend all my spare time there, as last weekend was rather unusual. On Saturday morning I went along to my normal session with the Acapella Stellas: a group of about 20 ladies of various ages and backgrounds who gather together to sing. It is great fun and a way to improve your vocal technique as proper training is given and there are opportunities to perform in community settings. On Saturday night I was back at the Sage with the family to see the Northern Sinfonia with conductor Stephen Cleobury perform some Vivaldi and notably Allegri’s “Miserere” a beautiful piece with stunning choral work. I heard some music that night I didn’t think I would enjoy, and walked away a fan. Live classical music is so much better than it is on CD or Spotify.
Sunday, again, back at the Sage. But this was a very different musical beast, the “Massed Brass Bands” : the Reg Vardy Band, NASUWT Riverside Brass and the Shepherd Group Brass Band
near blew us away with the energy coming off that stage. So much brass on there! They played in a way only a massive brass band can, ‘Olympic March’, ‘Jupiter’ and a taste of Latin-American music with ‘Libertango’ and ‘West Side Story’. Guest soloist: Rob Buckland was a treat with some unusual work on the saxophone. You really had to be there!
Coming up: Sonic Boom Six at the Cluny on Monday 6th February, also considering glam metal band “Black Rain” at Trillians Rock Bar on Thursday 9th February. I’ll not post their Myspace here, as you will find it quite easily. A bit sweary for this blog!
I’m in the mood for some comedy and so I will be checking out the listings of the Grinning Idiot Comedy Club, as I’ve had some great nights there, and the Stand which has only been open a few months in Newcastle, is well worth a visit. We saw Phil Jupitus and Frankie Boyle there last year and their regular act Gavin Webster (every Sunday night) is a Geordie classic.
http://www.thegrinningidiot.com/comedy_calendar.html 
https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/
Black Rain
