The outdoor stage on Friday featured some well established performers such as Little Mo and also The Cornshed Sisters, but I decided for a change to turn my attention to an up-and-coming singer called Lesley Roley. And you may have seen her before! If I’m not mistaken Lesley works at The Sage as an usher in the auditoria, and sometimes in the cafe, which just goes to show that you never know who you’re talking to at The Sage.
Lesley sang her own finely crafted songs, mostly about lost love, and accompanied herself with beautifully played lyrical guitar. ‘Safe as houses, hard as stone’ she sang with irony, about a lover who had gone away. The songs were sad and whimsical, and delivered with charm, especially when Lesley took two photos of the audience, reversing the usual situation where the audience does the snapping. Then out came the three friends to join Lesley with sweet tuneful backing harmonies, which reminded me of the singing of one of my favourite American rock bands ‘Fleet Foxes’. Maybe you know their music.
Lesley had the difficult spot of being the first act on a chilly day, and she cheered us all up, despite the sadness of some of the songs. Not jazz but very enjoyable. Catch Lesley for yourself, at the Durant Hall in central Newcastle next Friday 29th July, at the launch of her 2nd EP.
Ann Alex.
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