Review/Photo by: Jim Clancy
It’s no secret I’ve been a fan of Sarah Yeo for several years. But even I wasn’t quite prepared for how spellbinding her recent sellout performance at The Bridge Inn in Topsham would be. The setting, a 17th-century gem and Daily Telegraph’s Devon Pub of the Year 2025, was tailor-made for her blend of atmospheric folk, rootsy country, and intimate storytelling.
Armed with her strongest album to date, The Wisdom of the Wind, and a rich back catalogue of original songs, Sarah performed for over two hours with captivating ease. Her voice, warm, clear, and full of emotional nuance, rang out through the ancient rafters.
From long-standing favourites to brand-new material, the set was a masterclass in songwriting and connection. Her latest single, Leap of Faith, is, at least to my mind, her finest yet: heartfelt, melodically rich, and delivered with the confidence of an artist hitting her creative stride. Thank Your Lucky Stars was a crowd-pleaser that had the room clapping, while Stowaway, a beautiful a cappella piece, brought a hush of awe.
Sarah teased us with brand-new songs, including Circles of the Grain and The Mothers and the Fathers, both sounding rather good to me on a first-ever listen. And with so many strong songs to choose from, some favourites (Fall For You, for one) didn’t even make the setlist – clear evidence of just how deep her songbook runs these days.
The crowd interaction was as natural as the music. A light-hearted vote to name her beloved 12-string guitar showed her playful side, while her closing number, Next Year It’s Nashville, sent us out smiling – hopeful, perhaps, but also tinged with the bittersweet thought that Devon may not be able to keep her forever.
Jim Marshall of Marshall Amps once called her his favourite singer, and it’s easy to see why. With her soulful country roots, a truly beautiful voice, and guitar work that more than holds its own, Sarah Yeo is a rare talent. Nashville may beckon, but for now, the South West gets to call her its own.
