‘Sorry about the photographer, I don’t know who he is,’ Leo Sayer told the audience at York Barbican on Friday night.

Poor Stuart (one of York Calling’s finest photographers) was ejected from the gig after snapping a paltry seven shots. It wasn’t for lack of professionalism – Stuart had clearance from the venue and spoke to the front row audience beforehand. But it annoyed Sayer, who had form in the grumpy stakes. (Remember when he swore his way through security walking off the Big Brother set?)

By Miles Salter

But the show must go on, and for the most part Sayer was the consummate performer. His 1970s heyday was behind him – he scored numerous big hits between 1973 and 1980, but he sang, for the most part, very well. He looked older now, his elfin younger face (he could have been in Lord of the Rings) replaced by the drooping jowls of a 78-year-old.

The surprise of the evening was what a fantastic harmonica player Sayer is, deftly escorting his band with melody. One of the highlights was a musical battle between Sayer and lead guitarist Dave Day, the two musicians sparring off each other. Day’s band members were uniformly excellent, even if their black onstage attire was somewhat mismatched.

There were signs of his shadow side, the insecurity that often dogs performers. ‘I hope you like it,’ he said more than once when introducing his songs. The screen at the back of the stage showed dozens of photos from his career during the second half, in case anybody forgot how successful he was.

The audience, though, were enraptured. Men in their late sixties and early seventies mouthed the words to songs of love and devotion. Sayer, who fooled around and played the joker (his early career included use of a ‘clown’ persona) had the audience in the palm of his hand. When he told a story about going backstage to meet a celebrity, he said ‘well you never know if it’s going to happen.’ A lady near me and my friend said, utterly seriously, ‘no, you never know’. We laughed a lot, but she was caught up in the moment, transfixed.

Leo Sayer played at York Barbican on Friday 30 October 2026.