Orchestral twist on pop classics

TICKETS are now on sale to see Sophie Ellis-Bextor team up with a live orchestra at Sage Gateshead.

After the Murder on the Dancefloor star performed her hits with an orchestra – and her band – for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall in London, its success has inspired her to take to the road so that fans across the UK can share the experience too.

And Geordie fans will be able to hear the results of her unique collaboration when The Song Diaries Tour stops off in the region on November 25. With tickets now released for sale, the concert in Sage One is set to be in demand as it offers a one-off chance to hear power-packed orchestral versions of Ellis-Bextor pop hits and disco songs, including her famous Murder on the Dancefloor; Take Me Home and Get Over You.

A spokesman said: “As one of British music’s most recognised and distinctive vocalists, the only question must be why the mix of Sophie EllisBextor alongside a sumptuous live orchestra hadn’t happened sooner.”

Tickets recently released to see Nick Cave at the Sage on June 23 have already sold out and disappointed fans of the Bad Seeds frontman can only keep fingers crossed for returns.

Other upcoming dates worth a mention at the music venue include the return of the BBC Radio 3 Free Thinking Festival from March 29-31 and, in the summer, country music legend Kris Kristofferson. The American actor and singer-songwriter famous for the likes of Sunday Mornin’ and Help Me Make It Through the Night will be performing with The Strangers in Sage One on June 17.