Anais Mitchell at Gateshead Little Theatre

I reported back in June 2012, that I believed that the songs of Anais Mitchell were strong enough to be performed without any frills or backing. Just her wonderful voice and her guitar accompaniment. And so it proved to be last night in the Little Theatre on the outskirts of Gateshead.

Having just arrived from London where she and Jefferson Hamer had performed at the Royal Albert Hall and had collected the prize for best traditional song at the BBC Folk Awards, she had, of course, to perform the song in question, 'Willie of Winsbury'. By her own admission she dislikes playing those songs solo as she has become so used to the vocal and instrumental accompaniment of her partner. Consequently she steered clear of the other Child ballads and performed a range of songs from throughout her career. Delving back ten years to her second album and her first visit to this part of England, she gave us 'Two Kids', '1984' and 'I Wear Your Dress'. From the folk opera 'Hadestown' she performed 'The Wedding Song', 'Why We Build The Wall' and 'Lady of the Underground'. And of course there was a selection of songs from her most recent solo album, 'Young Man in America'.

All in all, a very enjoyable set and I'm sure it will not be too long before she returns to these parts for she clearly enjoys the warm welcome she receives whenever she visits.

I should also mention her support act a young lady called Sarah Hayes who is a native of Warkworth in Northumberland, though now based in Glasgow. She performed a selection of traditional and contemporary songs and demonstrated a fine singing voice while accompanying herself on electric piano. In my view she earned herself bonus points for ending with the wonderful Midlake song, 'Young Bride'.