Steve at The Sage

 Even after 40 odd years we still come back for more; refusal to grow up or just an appreciation of good music well played?

Whatever the reason it was Steve Hackett time at Gateshead's attractive Sage complex. Slight aura of school assembly about the venue but once you notice the Tshirts, grey hair etc, you know that you are on safe ground. Even saw a Moribund the Burgermeister shirt which brought a chuckle to my features. Bumped in to an old school/college mate; we didn't quite manage a chat and the intended interval meet never materialised.

Our party of two were effectively in the Stalls, at the back with a sloping floor leading directly to the stage (it helps all of us who have " a 4ft restriction on humanoid height" placed upon them).
Informed by post, Steve was to play two sets without a support band - solo stuff to start and Genesis Revisited in the second half with a 15 interval in between.

Unfortunately he started with my favourite track, Spectral Mornings, doing it justice but it's such a rousing piece of work, I always think it's more suited to encores or at least later in the show. With a new album and gold Les Paul in tow, he played various tracks from Wolflight, the most accomplished being Love song for a Vampire. A lot of these tracks were accompanied by some smart harmonies from Steve, Roger King, Gary O'Toole, Rob Townsend and the bass player who's name escapes me. They drifted between a sort of Gerry Rafferty type background vocal to almost Crosby,Stills and Nash. This was somewhat spoiled when Nad Sylvan got in on the act moving from lead vocal to harmonies. 'Everyday' allowed Steve to spread his wings as did Star of Sirius. As I recall Icarus Ascending and Tower struck down just about ended part one - the whole first half went off very well.

Short break for calls of nature and mobile and we are back in our seat to hear Foxtrot material Get 'em out by Friday and Can-utility and the Coastliners open proceedings to great applause. Off the top of my head we were blessed with marvellous renditions of Musical Box, The Lamb lies down on Broadway, Cinema Show, the acoustic After the Ordeal from Selling England ending with an encore of Clocks and a magnificent Firth of Fifth. Good value, 7.30 till 10.30. They don't write stuff like this anymore. Shame.