Anna Reay is a 39-year-old singer-songwriter from Gateshead well known by locals for her outstanding performances and charity work. Performing at The Sage in Gateshead and St James’ Football Ground in Newcastle, Reay’s career has blossomed from a childhood dream to a reality.
Throughout lockdown, Anna Reay has been travelling the region as part of her doorstep performances, giving those shielding a beacon of light and unforgettable experience in these difficult times.
“There didn’t seem like a better time to try something new.”
In March 2020, Anna started her own project recording a weekly song every Thursday to coincide with ‘clap for carers’. As awareness of this project rose on social media, she began creating virtual greeting songs under the name Annagrams.
“I came up with the name Annagrams about a year ago as a joke but as the world was falling down around us, there didn’t seem like a better time to try something new. The arts have really struggled. We were the first ones to go and will be the last to come back so it was the perfect time to put Annagrams into action.”
After performing in VE Day celebrations and a socially distanced funeral, Annagrams became a spark of joy for the region. From these small ventures grew what has since become her celebrated doorstep gigs.
Such a sad day performing in the street for a socially distanced funeral. Lots of love to the family they made it a beautiful send off to a much loved dad, grandad, friend, uncle… or in their words written in the flowers #hero ♥️ pic.twitter.com/FV0wRga6as
— AnnaGrams (@annagramsgift) January 22, 2021
Anna Reay has been providing incredible performances to those most in need and in January 2021, made a surprise performance at Shotley Park Residential Home in Consett.
“Music not only brings joy, it awakens senses and evokes memories.”
The Christmas charity fundraiser residents are usually excited about was unfortunately postponed this year due to Covid. Instead, organisers reached out to Anna Reay, who sang from the care home’s carpark using portable speakers.
Speaking to one worker, Sue, she said the entire performance “brought tears to our eyes”.
Despite the weather being too cold for residents to listen outside, the care home’s windows were filled with smiling faces having “a lovely time.”
Part 1 Ev’s surprise #Christmas #coronavirusuk doesn’t stop #party on the #doorstep for Ev! #annagrams #rt #follow pic.twitter.com/QOJhYo6Gi4
— AnnaGrams (@annagramsgift) January 10, 2021
But her performances didn’t stop there.
“I have been booked by a hotel to surprise guests who had to shield before joining an oil rig. They couldn’t leave their rooms for 14 days for anything, everything was delivered to their rooms. So I sang to their windows from the car park… Grown men were dancing at their windows and a lot of them were rather tearful too.”
“It has made me realise the power music has on people. The ability to connect through music. Music not only brings joy, it awakens senses and evokes memories.”
From gigs at the Customs House in South Shields in 2020 to driveways and streets, “the venue is irrelevant, stage immaterial; it is about what the song means to you at that moment.”
Anna Reay has captured the hearts of hundreds over lockdown and has become the region’s sweetheart. Come rain or shine, her performances have brought a smile to each and every individual.
Madeleine Raine
Featured image courtesy of Quaid Lagan via Unsplash. Image license is available here. This image has in no way been altered.
Madeleine Raine
Mads is a 23-year-old History graduate from Newcastle University. She is passionate about current affairs and British news, with a keen interest in investigative features. Aside from this, she is an avid reader, photographer, and yogi.
Thank you for this Madeleine