NORTH SHIELDS: Percy Park RFC

Tuesday 24th July, 2018

7:30pm

Event information

Steve Pledger has an enviable reputation as a talented and dynamic performer. BBC Introducing have called his music "beautiful, authentic, unblemished and wonderful”.

With writing that ranges from fragile reflections on love and loss to blistering commentaries on current social issues, his songs pack an emotional punch, both recorded and on stage.

Steve’s musical influences are many and varied and include Graham Parker, Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam, Martyn Joseph, Van Morrison, Ryan Adams, Don McLean, Springsteen and others.

Following on from his 2012 debut album ‘14 Good Intentions’ Steve released ‘Striking Matches In The Wind’ in April 2015 which according to R2 Magazine’s 4* review is “[music] authentically expressed in a voice with genuine appeal... a direct route to the heart.”

In 2016 ‘Somewhere Between’ was released and immediately received not only plaudits from critics but also FATEA's Album Of The Year 2016 Award and FolkWords' Best Album From A Male Artist 2016 Award.

Engaging as his recordings are, it is as a live artist that Steve excels; his performances as compelling and thought-provoking as they are refreshingly and beguilingly honest. He is a performer who is fast becoming one of the UK's outstanding contemporary singer/songwriters.

Making a guest appearance at this gig is rapidly-emerging acoustic artist Anne Sumner from Croydon. Her voice has been likened to Tracy Chapman, Sandy Denny and Joan Armatrading and her thought-provoking and engaging songs have had airplay in Australia, Canada, the US and across Europe as well as the UK.

Anne’s latest album ‘Beacon’ has been receiving plaudits from the acoustic music press and radio stations since its February launch and her North East live début is eagerly awaited.

An unmissable evening of superb music from two exceptional singer/songwriters.

[Steve] “Poetic, knowing, clever, thoughtful and melodic; the world would be a far better place with more of this stuff." (8/10)

Americana-uk

“Steve has the voice & song writing ability to get straight to the heart. The entire album (Striking Matches In The Wind) is just a piece of wonder.”

Rick Stuart, Roots & Fusion

“’14 Good Intentions’ shows the formidable range & depth of Steve Pledger’s lyrical & melodic talents. Tender, thought-provoking & assured… an album to be played again, & again.”

Stewart Henderson, poet & broadcaster

[Anne] [“Anne’s] voice has a weight, a timbre, that draws the listener in and the lyrics are written with such heart-tearing honesty that it is almost impossible not to be drawn in to the point of crying.”

Rick Stuart, Roots & Fusion