THE star of international TV hit House, Hugh Laurie, completes a UK tour promoting his latest album with a visit to Gateshead Sage on June 23.

Laurie had huge success with his debut album Let Them Talk and the follow-up release, Didn’t It Rain, is out on May 6. The new album sees the star of British comedy, who spent the past eight years in awardwinning US medical drama, House, depart the sounds of New Orleans as he follows the blues upstream and into the American heartland. Songs pay tribute to early pioneers WC.Handy (St Louis. Blues) and Jelly Roll Morton (I Hate A Man Like You) to more recent artists such as Dr John (Wild Honey) and Alan Price of The Animals (Changes).

“I have resolved to forge on, deeper into the forest of American music that has enchanted me since I was a small boy,” explains Laurie. “The further I go, the more bewitched I become – both by the songs and by the people I have been lucky enough to play them with.”

  • Sunday, June 23, 7.30pm, The Sage, Hall One Tickets: £35, £32.50. 0191-443- 4661 thesagegateshead.org