Sage

Day one of our half term break took us to Gateshead for the Sophie Ellis-Bextor concert at the Sage which the songstress delivered in fine voice and with surprising energy over the ninety minute show featuring tracks from her last two albums, a disco finale of old favourites, and a spellbinding acoustic encore performed from the balcony; less memorable were the support group Lock (three rock chicks whose enthusiasm outstripped their talent) and the post show drink at the Piano & Pitcher across the Tyne on the Quayside (whose price for a round of two drinks outstripped the tenner I had optimistically fished from my wallet).