Leo Sayer

With a host of accolades under his shiny belt, the long and successful road has transformed Sussex born Gerard Hugh Sayer into the phenomenal disco entertainer and star that we know and love, Leo Sayer. His early performances displayed his creative performance style where he experimented with French pantomime style of Pierrot. Adorned in a loose white robe with big red pom-poms running down the middle mirroring his make-up complete with a skull cap, a style which he adopted for the release of his second single “The Show Must Go On” catapulting him into the UK charts at number two. Under the soft blue beams Sayer captivates the audience with his range of emotions wholeheartedly portrayed through each track. The sombreness of “Giving It All Away” accompanied solely by a grand piano tugs at your heart strings as you hang on to every word sung. The undeniable vocal capacity of Sayer, chills right to the bones as he effortlessly reaches alto in tracks such as “Innocent Bystander” and “The Dancer”. A full band including a banjo, and a string section beautifully compliments Sayer’s delicate and passionate performance. The disco era solidified Sayer’s position as a star as he fully embraced the scene, removing the skull cap and letting his sizeable afro free. With performances such as that on “Burt Sugarman’s Late Night Show”, Sayer was able to fully immerse in the disco scene. Performing his US no. 1 and Grammy Award winning single “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, accompanied by a funk band, trumpeter, trombonist and backing singers, Sayer gets lost in the moment, embracing the rhythm and letting his body speak, taking control of the mic stand as a prop, so infectious that you can’t help but dance along.
Fast forward to 2013 at Robin 2 in Bilston performing in an intimate setting resembling a festival environment, Sayer is introduced onto the stage with the familiar circus theme tune “Entry of the Gladiators” light-heartedly displaying his sense of humour. With no more than around 400 people packed into what appears to be a tiny tent, the die-hard fans watch in awe, dazzled not only by his glittery waistcoat but by his mesmerising stage presence. Accompanied by a full band, Sayer graces the stage with his notable powerhouse vocals which command the space, greeting and high-fiving members of the audience who are engulfed in nostalgia as they record footage on their mobile devices. Part way through the set, after various moments of banter Leo asks the audience “What’s my name?” to which they respond “LEO!” quickly turning into a chant as their voices fill the room. Despite being 66, Sayer definitely demonstrates age ain’t nothing but a number and as long as there is an audience he’ll be there to entertain.