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SummerTyne Americana Festival

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Dates: 17-19/7/15
Website: http://www.sagegateshead.com

My Saturday night involved a stunning acoustic performance by Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal in Sage 1; this was the fifth time I have seen Rosanne live at Sage and it was both the best she has ever sounded and the most at ease and laid back she has ever been; ingredients for a rather wonderful evening. The two joked between them and told the stories of the songs and of life, family history and travels, so much so I was almost sad when she stopped storytelling to resume singing! Lots of songs from The River And The Thread made an appearance, as did acoustic, stripped back versions of some more well known offerings. Standouts included When The Master Calls The Roll, Long Black Veil, Ode to Billie Jo, Tennesee Flat Top box, Seven Year Ache and I Don't Know Why you Don't Want Me. Normally the latter is more upbeat so to hear it in a different way allowed the lyrics to really shine. She also, through her performance of "Western Wall," prompted me to purchase the CD of the same name by Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Rosanne has a gift, not only as a writer and singer, but in singing the songs in a way which allows them to tell a story, to take us with her on a journey; we certainly shared one with her for those two hours. Again, all too soon it was over, greeted with another incredibly well deserved standing ovation. With luck she will be back again soon and maybe The Wheel will make an appearance next time...Rosanne?

Incidentally it transpired that unbeknown to any of us, Rosanne had been one of us, in the audience, watching Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, the night before. I thought there was something rather lovely about that; that she had the opportunity to share SummerTyne with us in two different ways.

As these shows came to an end, friends drifted into Sage 2 for an unforgettable performance by Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, which had the whole audience on their feet, dancing. At the same time, many of us were enjoying a great acoustic performance by another new name to me, Black Feathers, who stopped us in our tracks as soon as we reached the Concourse and heard them on stage. Another band I will be looking out for!

Sunday proved to be an action packed as Saturday had been. The Outdoor stage began with Mush, whilst a film about mouth music was screened I n the lounge. We enjoyed an excellent performance by Scottish group the Bevvy Sisters whilst a film was shown showing songs from the secret garden. Daytime performances inside and out included The Lost Brothers, John Lewis, Bap Kennedy, The Hallelujah Trails and JD and The Straight Shot. There was also another cruise featuring Rob Heron and Anderson East plus a family Gospel music event with The McRary Sisters and it was lovely to see so many children involved.

Mid afternoon everyone was up and dancing to New Orleans band Dom and the Ikos, who, for a short while at least, had us all feeling like we were on Bourbon Street. However, the highlight of the afternoon was a new bluegrass band, in their first ever UK performance; Della Mae, led by singer Celia Woodsmith, who delivered bluegrass, country, blues and jazz sounds, reminiscent at times of The Be Good Tanya's. Songs such as Boston Town, really showed what they've got and earned them a standing ovation. The last time I saw standing ovation like that at the outdoor stage was for Eve Selis, who went on to sell out Sage 2. I sincerely hope the same could happen for this very talented band!

Moreland and Arbuckle and Zervas and Pepper, who, strangely enough, I had last seen opening for Eve Selis last summer led us brilliantly into the evening's line up with songs from their two CDs.

The McRary Sisters returned to open for the wonderful Cedric Burnside, about whom everyone who attended was talking afterwards; it seems it was another wonderful performance in Sage 2. There was also a Late Lounge featuring The Bevvy Sisters, Hannah and the Relatives and Lisa Mills, which I believe will be appearing on Under The Apple Tree.

Over in Sage 1, a very different performance was taking place. Opening the show was Jace Everett, known to many for singing the theme tune to HBO series True Blood. Of course this song made an appearance as did several from his newest CD. He chatted a lot with the audience; There could be no doubt that he is very genuine. Interestingly, he admitted himself it is hard to distinguish what kind of country rock he plays, so he has decided he just plays good music. I don't think anyone in Sage 1 would disagree.

The final headliners of the weekend were British duo, The Shires. I love their CD, Brave, but was a little nervous that live their sound may veer more towards pop. I needn't have worried. They delivered a flawless performance, in which they sounded even better live. Accompanied by a very talented band, the pair sang both separately and in perfect harmony. Unexpected inclusions were a fantastic cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams and another of Islands In The Stream. That was banter with the audience, Ben announcing that from the number of people singing along he suspected that most of their CDs were sold in the north-east. Their set raced by, as we were treated to a live performance of most of the CD. Nashville Grey Skies, State Lines, Made In England, Brave and Friday Night (which Crissie declared could be any night, really) all had the audience tapping their toes and some up dancing. It was Tonight which got everyone up and joining in with the woah oh ohs, which continued as a chant until they returned to the stage for an encore, seeming genuinely touched. I have to admit, there was something very special in the air as we all chanted them back out. Indeed, Ben took footage on his phone which has since appeared on Instagram! Suffice it to say that The Shires impressed me immensely and I will definitely be seeing them again!

Just as we thought the best of SummerTyne 2015 was over, we were proved wrong. As we exited the halls, we were greeted by the wonderful sound of Jess and the Bandits, who had the honour of being the final special guest to close the weekend on the Concourse stage. A huge crowd gathered to listen and watch and this was one of the biggest crowds there had been all weekend. Jess sounded even better than the day previously. She had us all singing along, tapping toes, clapping, dancing, smiling; her performance brought everyone present together one last time that weekend, in a celebration of all that had been shared for three days. She enabled us to all leave on a high, rather than feeling flat that it was all over; fitting that it should end as a celebration of music, the reason we were all there in the first place. It was also a fitting reminder that as much as we love seeing artists we know well, there is a special kind of SummerTyne magic, hidden until the moments when we fall in love with the music of an artist we are hearing for the first time. What a weekend! It really brought home to me the meaning of the saying that we lose and find ourselves in the things we love.

Sage Gateshead truly did surpass themselves this year and I think all that remains to say is a huge thank you, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of everyone who enjoyed all or some of SummerTyne 2015. Thank you to the organisers, the staff who kept everything running like clockwork all weekend and to the amazing artists who shared their talents with us. I already can't wait to see what 2016 holds in store but I do know the dates are confirmed; July 22-24 - put them in your diary! Eleventh SummerTyne, we're ready and waiting!

Helen Mitchell