REVIEW: John Grant - Gateshead Sage

The American performer has been a regular visitor to the sumptous Gateshead venue in recent years, this time promotiing his latest album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure,

An opening salvo of songs from the mid-life crisis record, Geraldine, Down Here and the title track is followed by introducing his ace band, including the wonderfully theatrical Siouxsie & The Banshees drummer Budgie.

The electro noir pulse of Pale Green Ghosts follows, a high point of a show that ends the main set with the lacerating Queen of Denmark, gloriously potty-mouthed GMF and Disappointing, which shows off the barrell-chested Grant’s voice to its fullest.

Encores include Voodoo Doll, and two closing piano ballads, Drug and Caramel which show off his keyboard skills and the dark timbre of that voice once again, which betrays the singer who has battled well documented drink, drug and depression problems in the past.

Grant’s latest album has completed a brilliant trilogy along side The Queen of Denmark and Pale Green Ghosts - where he goes from here is anyones guess.

- Ian Monaghan