Sunday 31st July

Singers in the sunshine

Just as eating alfresco can be very pleasant, so too listening to music in the open air has a particular frisson

Sunday morning and Artsin pulled up a chair on the decking by the river and chilled out with some fine singing artists.

An idyllic view: a peaceful, lazy river, water lilies, willows and leafy canopies casting cool shadows on the rich green turf. A beautiful setting for some beautiful music.

Folk singer Faye Brotherhood delivered a lively set of her tantalising songs, captivating the birds in the trees with her strong clear voice.

Songs full of life and passion, melodies that bounced around the stage, gave us half an hour of transporting delight.

Basking in the hot morning sunshine, Faye's music was up lifting. Charming to listen to, with lyrics laden with wit and imagery, her set was better than a cup of finely roasted coffee.

Faye was followed by a young band I had heard a few times before. Aspects of Infinity played some of their own songs and some covers. Olivia Cresswell's lead vocals shone out as brightly as the big yellow globe overhead.

When acoustic singer Samuel Hutchinson appeared on the stage, I was particularly pleased. I have seen this superb artist many times and I have to confess that I am an ardent fan. He sings some of the most delightful songs I have heard on the local circuit, both his own compositions and his well chosen covers.

His tribute song to the recently deceased Amy Winehouse was particularly potent. His rendition of The Beatles Norwegian Wood was completely sublime.

Sam is blessed with one of the finest male voices you can hear in our local cadre of singers. What he does with it, is to deploy it as a finely tuned instrument. Backing his singing with able guitar playing, he can deliver a set of transportingly lovely pieces of music.

Warm July sunshine, fine music, a cold beer and a peaceful setting - not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning, I have to say.

The stage was at The Gate Hangs Well less than a mile outside of Syston village; if it's a trip out of the city into rural leafyness with a good pint and some scrumptious pub grub, this large hostelry with loads of spacious grounds is a good bet .. and plenty of live music is a bonus too.

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Faye Brotherhood

Aspects of Infinity

Samuel Hutchinson

The Gate Hangs Well at Syston