Patty Griffin: Sage Gateshead

I could not wish for a better act than Patty Griffin and her three-piece band to open the N Year. The Texan-based singer/songwriter may have felt the cold before her show, but the warmth displayed by the Sage faithful soon placed fire in her soul.

Songs from her current album, Servant of Love, drove the fearless band (guitars, drums, keyboards, harmonica, piano and harmony vocals) forward to the must-hear moments like Gunpowder and power house tune There Isn’t One Way and superb gospel song Move Up.

She spoke of her Catholic upbringing, and how she likened the thrill of a child of winter’s first snow to the joy and satisfaction of putting on a good show. While Griffin ticked all the boxes, it could be argued that some of the early momentum was lost when she accompanied herself on piano for a section dedicated to her tender and beautiful compositions.

This was later regained through the performance of the night Calling Me Home, and capitalised by Heavenly Day as Griffin and band retuned to the stage for a richly-deserved encore.

The night's opening act was Frankie Lee, who provided descriptive journeyman-drenched Americana folk country. Sounding like a not too distant relative of Woody Guthrie, Lee won himself a good few fans with his honesty, and a story of his day in Gateshead.

Signs are the young man will be back, as will Griffin and hopefully her band fronted by amazing guitarist, David Pulkingham, an extraordinary talent if there ever was.

Maurice Hope