NARC. #190 December 22/January 23

We’d like to draw your attention to a heartbreaking story that has really affected many of us on the NARC. team. We’ve written in our pages many times about talented songwriter Faye Fantarrow, who came up through the Sunderland Young Musician’s Project, won the Alan Hull Award for songwriting and was recently signed to Dave Stewart’s Bay Street Records label. A firm fixture on the region’s music scene, and a wonderful person to boot, Faye announced last month that she’s been diagnosed with an aggressive glioma brain tumour and there is no cure for her in the UK. She has been accepted onto a trial in California, but her treatment would cost £450,000. The support she has received so far has been amazing, and we’d like to highlight her crowdfunder as we know how appreciative she’d be of even a small donation.

Faye has battled cancer twice already in her short life, and it’s a real testament to her strength of character that she’s such a positive, kind and determined person. Keep an eye out for various fundraising events over the coming weeks, we’ll do our best to highlight them wherever we can. We all send Faye the best of wishes, the hope that her target will soon be reached, and a positive outcome from her treatment, and we can’t wait to see her back on a stage soon where she belongs. Find out more at www.facebook.com/fightforfaye2022

PREVIEWS

ARE PACKED WITH WORTHY EVENTS TO ATTEND FOR THE PARTY ANIMAL AND FESTIVE-AVERSE ALIKE. CHECK OUT A MUSICAL COMEDIAN, ROOTSY GRUNGE, CRIME WRITING THRILLS, RIOTOUS DRAG AND THRILLING CABARET...

MUSIC

ART & LIT

COMEDY

TUES 6 DEC SUNBIRDS

Beautiful South founder Dave Hemingway brings his new band, Sunbirds, to Stockton’s KU. With their sound indebted to American roots music, combined with the occasional outburst of heavy guitar melody more associated with the Seattle grunge scene, their music is open-hearted, funny and often painfully honest.

KU Bar, Stockton www.sunbirds.co.uk

UNTIL 14 JAN SOFIA

CLAUSSE

Argentinian multi-disciplinary artist Sofia Clausse presents her solo exhibition Soft Water. Her practice is a research into repetition, time, language and translation through the use of painting, paper, text and ceramics. Soft Water is an exploration of interconnections, drawing parallels with interconnected systems that surround us and flow through us.

Slugtown, Newcastle www.slugtown.co.uk

Having made waves with their early material thanks to writing duo Ben Goodfellow and Jamie Martin’s knack with anthemic choruses and ear-worm melodies, Sunderland’s Post Rome have burgeoned into a seriously exciting proposition as a four-piece, crafting an alt. rock/emo blend that’s garnered rave reviews. Support comes from two hotly tipped locals, Patrick Gosling and Hannah Robinson. Independent, Sunderland www.facebook.com/postrome

SAT 3 DEC

STEVE GRIBBIN

Hilarity Bites once again demonstrate their fingers are on the comedic pulse, with a line-up which promises to cheer up even the most hardened Grinch. Diminutive guitar-wielding satirist Steve Gribbin heads a line-up which also includes dog-obsessed outsider Zoe and the dark and surreal style of Andy Fury.

The Forum Music Centre, Darlington www.hilaritybites.co.uk

MUSIC

SAT 3 DEC SLACK’S RADIO

FUNDRAISER

Local independent radio station Slack’s need to raise funds for their 2023 broadcast license, alongside a handful of must-haves like turntable needles, so Newcastle DJ Diz will be performing a mammoth 14-hour long set live at The Lubber Fiend. Expect disco, jazz, hip-hop, dance and much more. Plus, it’ll be streamed via Slack’s.

The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle www.slacks.world

NEWCASTLE NOIR

Celebrating the very best in crime writing, literary festival Newcastle Noir takes over the City Library for a weekend of dastardly tales and fiendishly clever plot twists. Expect panel discussions and talks with a host of recognisable names including LJ Ross, David Baldacci and Trevor Wood. Runs until Sunday 11th December.

Newcastle City Library www.newcastlenoir.co.uk

In response to the representation and identity presented in Rimaldas Vikšraitis’ work currently on display in the gallery, artist Dami Fawehinmi leads a workshop which encourages participants to explore their intricate identities through the process of collage and photomontage, encouraging them to create art which is significant to who they are and where they’re from.

NGCA, Sunderland www.sunderlandculture.org.uk

Paper Tapestry

Steve Gribbin by Andy Hollingworth

DEC/JAN HIGHLIGHTS

STAGE

TUES 13 DEC DRAGGED UP IN

BORO

The amazing Curious Arts present a night of laughter, music and riotous performances, as they bring a collection of some of the most exciting rising stars of the drag scene to Middlesbrough. Expect a drag cabaret show packed with fun, with performances from Arya Quinn, Bella B. Campbell, KeeLea, Skankii Kandl and host Ginger Johnson.

Middlesbrough Town Hall www.curiousarts.org.uk

STAGE THURS 15 DEC TALK OF THE TINSEL TOWN

In this poignant, daft and celebratory spoken word event expect songs and festive visuals from Jack & Sam, while entertainment polymath Lynne Patrick defends the appeal of Shakin’ Stevens. Hosts Elaine, Rob and Steve tell tales of the Christmas 45s that get their chestnuts roasting and invoke the spirit of the season with carefully chosen spoken word performances.

G. Scott’s Gentleman Hairdressers, Newcastle

MUSIC

MON 19 DEC

WAX HEART SODALITY

Just what you need before the enforced jollity of the festive season, Teesside four-piece Wax Heart Sodality’s gothy garage rock is full of tales around the dark undercurrents of society delivered with energetic and dramatic passion. Support comes from Darlington-based Aarms, whose alt. indie sound is shot through with spoken word and shoegaze inflections.

The Forum Music Centre, Darlington www.facebook.com/waxheartsodality

MUSIC THURS 22 DEC COMMON COURTESY

It’s exciting to see a band with massive potential at the very start of their careers, and this gig at Darlington’s Forum features two such treats. Darlington locals Common Courtesy’s catchy indie rock sound keeps the listener guessing, with memorable lyrics and melodic hooks, while support artist Sarah Johnsone and her band walk the line between gritty indie and bluesy soul.

The Forum Music Centre, Darlington www.instagram.com/commoncourtesy.band

STAGE SAT 31 DEC HAPPY NEW QUEE-YEAH!

We can’t think of a better way to see in the new year than alongside creative powerhouses Mel Sproates and Mama Rhi, who present an inclusive evening of cabaret, silly dances, nostalgic hits and queer first loves, welcoming acts which range from burlesque to spoken word and lip sync. Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk

MUSIC SAT 28 JAN AUNTIE JOY

The third in a series of innovative musical events, Auntie Joy is an all-day extravaganza of music which takes the form of workshops and performances in Ryton village. The day kicks off with a two-hour improvisers workshop led by Faye MacCalman and Chris Bartholomew, followed by a unique continuous live performance also featuring Christian Alderson, John Pope and Sally Pilkington.

Holy Cross Church & Ye Olde Cross pub, Ryton www.tqzine.blogspot.com

MUSIC

TUES 17 JAN THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

The adaptation of Stephen King’s masterful novella, and a triumphant movie starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, this stage production takes the story of murderer Andy Dufresne and his unlikely friendship with prison fixer Red, to spin a tale about desperation, injustice, friendship and hope. Runs until Saturday 21st January.

Theatre Royal, Newcastle www.theatreroyal.co.uk

SAT 28 JAN BANDERWOLF

With profits going to the Northumbria Coalition Against Crime, this showcase gig will be a fine way to spend a day at The Cluny. Performers are wide and varied, and will include singer-songwriter Jenny Lascelles, hook-ridden rockers This Ground Moves, alt. rockers Paper Boats, Latin-inspired songwriter Simon Taylor and many more.

The Cluny 2, Newcastle www.facebook.com/banderwolftv

MUSIC SAT 28 JAN CONOR MICHAEL

Conor Michael is an emerging North East singer-songwriter whose deft way with a guitar and loop pedal combine to offer a lively performance. He’ll head up this gig which also features hard rock trio The Praetors and local musician Josh Heneghan, whose pop punk sound is inspired by Midwest emo.

Little Buildings, Newcastle www.facebook.com/conorcmwmusi

Ginger Johnson

Joe Absolom & Ben Onwukwe, Image by Jack Merriman

Jenny Lascelles by Tom Kimbe

MUSIC BRIDIE JACKSON @ THE CENTRAL BAR

Words: Matt Young

Making a rare outing as a solo performer, at what promises to be an intimate Central Bar performance on Sunday 11th December, composer, songwriter, creative practitioner and proud Northerner Bridie Jackson will undoubtedly bring the extraordinary voice and highly evocative musicianship she’s acclaimed

for those lucky enough to attend. At turns her music and voice are described as beguiling, quirky, unique and baroque, and Jackson always brings her own special mix to the folk canon as she proceeds, even with spare accompaniment, to enchant and electrify in equal measure. No doubt she’ll also exhibit her easy, self-deprecating rapport as she spirits listeners away into her otherworldly aural creations.

Having long held a special place in the hearts of other musicians and audiences alike, both solo and as Bridie Jackson And The Arbour, the esteem with which she’s held speaks volumes to her song writing skills. Innumerable radio

sessions, sold out live shows and national recognition continue to fill up her CV all while sharing her love of musical creativity far and wide. Due to the intimate setting tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so don’t miss this rare opportunity to see something magical up close.

The gig is also a collab with Sunderland-based We Make Culture’s Young Musician’s Project, and will see performances from up and coming artists Eve Cole and Jenali.

Bridie Jackson plays The Central Bar, Gateshead on Sunday 11th December. www.bridiejackson.com

MUSIC ARCHIE MOSS @ THE GLOBE

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

Archie Moss presents his traditional folk sounds at The Globe in Newcastle on Thursday 15th December, with superb support from North East accordion player Heather Ferrier and her newly minted trio. Going on tour to share and celebrate the upcoming release of his debut album, PH(R) ASE, Archie Moss will play his own take on traditional English folk music. After working alongside artists like Eliza Carthy, Cara Dillon and Jim Moray, and touring over the past two years across Europe, Archie Moss’ contemporary approach to playing and creation has led to a style of music that blends the traditional folk sound with modern pop music.

Support artist Heather Ferrier is an accordionist, clog dancer and composer, and since moving to the North East from Stockport she’s charmed audiences with her debut solo concept EP From The Ashes, a collection which explores the way life became during

the first Covid-19 lockdown. Her music is a mix of strong folk melodies with electronic soundscapes, displaying an alternative take on accordion music.

Archie Moss and Heather Ferrier play The Globe, Newcastle on Thursday 15th December. www.theglobenewcastle.bar

ART & LIT BREAKING THROUGH TO FREEDOM @ SHIELDFIELD ART WORKS

Words: Helen Redfern

Breaking Through To Freedom is Talia Sena’s individual creative journey through her own experience of domestic abuse to discover survival, freedom, healing and thriving. This moving exhibition places very personal poems alongside evocative oil paintings that reflect the artist’s individual experiences and open up the conversation about the devastating realities of domestic abuse for many women. The exhibition, which runs from Saturday

3rd-Wednesday 14th December, is deliberately taking place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, an annual international campaign which also reflects on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Human Rights Day.

Shieldfield Art Works, the arts organisation based in Shieldfield, Newcastle that is hosting the exhibition, is holding an evening dedicated to Breaking Through To Freedom on Wednesday 7th December, where attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the work and its themes over food and discussion, going deeper into the thought and theology behind the exhibition. The venue is where contemporary art, theological reflection and community activism intersect to promote socially engaged art that is often used to discuss, question and give voice to local and global issues.

If Talia Sena’s work speaks to you, Breaking Through To Freedom has also been published as a small book which will be available to buy at the exhibition.

Breaking Through To Freedom runs from Saturday 3rd-Wednesday 14th December at Shieldfield Art Works, Newcastle. www.saw-newcastle.org

Archie Moss

MUSIC MARTHA HILL:

SONGS FROM DRACULA THE MUSICAL @ SAGE GATESHEAD

Words: Linsey Teggert

Which immortal being who operates by night do you usually associate with the Yuletide season? Nope, not Santa, not this year! As part of their Christmas programme on Wednesday 7th December, Sage Gateshead are resurrecting a performance of musical theatre songs from Newcastle alt. pop artist Martha Hill’s work-in-progress, Dracula the Musical. During their time as one of four artists in residence at Sage Gateshead, Martha has been able to work on a musical inspired by Dracula, conjured by a weird Covid lockdown obsession with the fabled Creature of the Night. Told with tongue-firmly in cheek the musical explores themes of sexuality and gender through a fascination with the mythical vampire, in the setting of a teenager’s bedroom. Martha’s residency allowed them to learn how to arrange and score orchestral instruments as

well as receiving mentorship in musical theatre writing. This wickedly entertaining event provides the audience with a first impression of what to expect from Dracula the Musical, with songs performed by Martha and a band of musicians and singers.

Dressing up isn’t compulsory but highly encouraged, so why not don your cape and fangs and top it off with a Santa hat for this fangtastic reprise.

Martha Hill presents Songs From Dracula The Musical at Sage Gateshead on Wednesday 7th December.

www.marthahillmusic.co.uk

ART & LIT OPEN EXHIBITION @ GALLAGHER & TURNER

Words: Claire Dupree

Open exhibitions provide an ideal way for emerging artists to get their foot in the door at galleries, as well as an opportunity to sell their work; plus, they give us mere mortals a chance to see brand new work and engage with artists from our region.

Newcastle gallery Gallagher & Turner are currently in the midst of their regular Open

Exhibition, which runs until Saturday 21st January, and features 62 artists presenting over 80 pieces of work. Previous events have shone a spotlight on prestigious North Eastern creatives, and competition to be included can be fierce (over 360 entries were sifted through this year). “It’s a real eye-opener to some of the hidden talent we have in the North East,” gallery co-founder Clare Turner explains. “We are looking for work that brings us joy. And we feel we’ve got that in bucket loads this year!” A key part of the exhibition process is the opportunity to spark new relationships and strengthen existing ones. The exhibition will see the return of work by Johnnyx, whose playful prints and paintings have become popular at the gallery. Also joining the exhibition will be recognised practitioners like landscape artist Jill Campbell, the mildly surreal work of Gavin Watson and abstract artist and musician Richard Scott. Newer names on the scene include recent Sunderland University MA graduate Linda Calder and Middlesbroughbased painter and illustrator Errol Theunissen. Everything from drawing, collage and painting to print, ceramics, sculpture, textiles and jewellery will be on display, with all works available to buy.

Gallagher & Turner’s Open Exhibition runs until Saturday 21st January.

www.gallagherandturner.co.uk

Martha Hill performing Songs from Dracula the Musical, image by Rob Irish

MUSIC GHOST//SIGNALS @ THE COMMON ROOM

Words: Cameron Wright

Ghost//Signals are the Geordie five-piece that have been catching everyone’s eye. Having ticked off a slew of big festivals over the last few years, and garnering radio play across stations like BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6Music as well as receiving lavish reviews across the

board, it’s no wonder they’re up for a celebration.

Their twinkling, dark twist on indie pop is an amalgamation of the synth inspired 1975 sound and the jangling riffs of The Smiths, which comes together as a fun, upbeat romp through indie culture. With the release of their latest album Lives Defined By Winter Skies, the band prepare for a show at The Common Room in Newcastle on Saturday 14th January. Kicking off the year in style, they’ve also amassed a hefty supply of amazing local talent in support. Audiences can expect Gothic, drum-led sounds of  William Denton

Wilde, the acoustic activism of Kieran Gallon, the swirling sadness of  Sunderland’s Labyrinthine Oceans and Teesside’s alt. Goths The Golden Age of Nothing.

In all, it promises to be a celebratory evening of dark, yet accessible sounds just perfect for the winter nights.

Ghost//Signals, The Golden Age Of Nothing, Labyrinthine Oceans, Kieran Gallon and William Denton Wilde play The Common Room, Newcastle on Saturday 14th January. www.ghostsignals.bandcamp.com

Ghost//Signals by Ian Smith

MUSIC WHITENOISE RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

Words: Claire Dupree

While Teesside four-piece WhiteNoise may still be finding their feet stylistically, they’ve put together a cohesive debut album which is shot through with a youthful enthusiasm and glimpses of real talent. The Traveller gets an official launch at Middlesbrough’s Westgarth Social Club on Friday 16th December, and it’s clear that the last couple of years have

marked a real period of growth for the band. Debut single Middle Man’s chugging riffs and driving rhythms offer something of a false impression, as they give way to the funky twang of barnstorming stomper No More which proves to be among the album’s real highlights. Conversation’s plaintive howls and anguished, spoken word interjections show a maturity and canny knack for songcraft, while Life In Ruin’s relatable storytelling style and angst-ridden vocal is curiously addictive. Pour A Pint For Me Britain is a state of the nation howl for attention; Underglow sees some impressive vocal theatrics from lead singer Cameron Young and, while it may be somewhat incongruous, instrumental track

by Lucy Bea

Message To The Floor is chock full of deliciously inventive stylistic tricks that are a real credit to drummer and lead producer Eddy Mason-Pooley.

The Traveller has a real ability to surprise, and perhaps it’s the band’s refusal to stick to a pigeonhole that makes them such an enticing prospect. Ones to watch, for sure.

WhiteNoise play Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough on Friday 16th, Middlesbrough’s Play Brew Co Taproom on Saturday 17th, NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton on Friday 23rd December and Billingham Catholic Club on Sunday 8th January. www.whitenoiseofficial.co.uk

WhiteNoise

MUSIC FERN MADDIE & SARAH JANE SCOUTEN

@ THE GLOBE

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

The new year kicks off with a bang at The Globe in Newcastle, a place where music will always find its home. In this double bill showing of Canadian songwriters, folk musicians Fern Maddie and Sarah Jane Scouten will share headlining duties on Friday 20th January.

Fern Maddie is a musical polymath from central Vermont. Having released her first EP, North Branch River, in 2020 to critical success, she launched a Kickstarter campaign which funded the release of her debut album, Ghost Story, in 2022. Fern’s music takes influence from string band music of the 60’s, dark country and experimental folk rock which she pulls together with her crisp vocals to create a distinctive musical voice.

Sarah Jane Scouten is a four-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee who uses a blend of ballad singing, soul and rock to create a form of contemporary folk that holds a lot of emotional power. Sarah Jane has developed her own version of indie Americana which is

designed to resonate with folkies around the world. Nothing evokes a story in quite the same way as contemporary folk, and she will perform tales to make audiences laugh and cry.

With both artists exploring human narratives within their songwriting, the show promises to be a fine way to start the year.

Fern Maddie and Sarah Jane Scouten play The Globe, Newcastle on Friday 20th January. www.fernmaddiemusic.com www.sarahjanescouten.com

ART & LIT THE HOME @ NEWBRIDGE PROJECT

Words: Claire Dupree

The concept of ‘home’ can be an undefinable, often transient, thing; many of us have several physical living spaces throughout our lifetimes, but equally have places we feel at home – sometimes it’s where you lay your hat, sometimes it’s just the right place at the right time.

It’s a theme that NewBridge Project will be exploring over the course of the next two years, as they consider their fairly recent move to new premises in the residential area

of Shieldfield, and ask the artists and audiences that engage with them to consider their ideas around ‘the home’.

As with everything NewBridge does, they’re keen for their programme to be participant and artist-led, so while exhibitions about artworks made within the home may be one focus, others could also include the ideas, realities and histories of housing, the migratory experience, domestic design, community and non-human dwellings.

To kick the winter exhibition off on Saturday 3rd December, they’ll be celebrating work made by local artists, makers and their own artist community, with all kinds of mediums represented from drawings and paintings, to photography, film and books, digital art, textiles, fashion, music and craft. The second part of their investigation will begin on Saturday 28th January and run until Saturday 25th February, comprising a programme of exhibitions, events, talks and workshops which explore The Home and what it means in their community and space in Shieldfield.

The Home runs at NewBridge Project, Newcastle from Saturday 3rd DecemberSaturday 25th February.

www.thenewbridgeproject.com

Fern Maddie

MUSIC

JODIE NICHOLSON @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Michael O’Neill

It’s been a rather interesting couple of years for Hurworth-on-Tees-based solo artist Jodie Nicholson. She’s been blazing one hell of a trail which has seen her supporting the likes of Emeli Sande, The Futureheads and Bernard Butler; she’s been the very first artist to grace the stage at Sunderland’s shiny new venue The Fire Station; and she’s becoming a fixture on festival line-ups such as The Great Escape, Live at Leeds and Cambridge Folk Festival. It’s quite the CV, but even a casual dive into her discography makes clear why, and it’s no surprise that her music has managed to find a home on Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 6Music (which is, as far as I’m concerned, quite the guarantee of versatility!) Off the back of this tremendous wave of momentum, Jodie is undertaking a five-date tour of the North East. “I’m playing a run of intimate shows in December with my wonderful band in some of our fave North East venues.” She says. “Expect new songs, the usual favourites and something a lil’ more stripped-back. It feels like the perfect way to round off this year.”

Jodie is supported on all dates by fellow solo singer-songwriter Joe Ramsay, whose relatable songs and indie folk vibes are also gaining serious acclaim.

Jodie Nicholson and Joe Ramsey play Durham’s Claypath Deli (3rd December), Middlesbrough’s Off The Ground (10th December) The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe (11th December), The Forum Music Centre in Darlington (14th December) and Bobik’s in Newcastle (17th December). www.jodienicholsonmusic.com

MUSIC I LIKE TRAINS @ POP RECS LTD.

Words: Matt Young

I Like Trains are art; they’re a band that have always sought out the bleak, idiosyncratic and inherently human when painstakingly piecing together their narrative odes to history. In earlier incarnations their dour, slow building epics reached crescendos of ear blistering sonic sibilance and roared with a ferocity that belied their studious and shyly affable personas.

Performing at Pop Recs Ltd., in Sunderland on Saturday 10th December, I Like Trains have stubbornly born out the vagaries of fashion and trends, their own weighty expectations and those of fans enamoured of their tumultuous riffs. I Like Trains have rearranged members and refined their sound, experimented and sought out fresh inspirations.

Humanity is doomed. KOMPROMAT is the latest release. We lie prostrate, exposed by the jeopardy of the environment, tech billionaires and corrupt politicians. Soundtracked by the seemingly resigned sounds of Leeds adopted surly voices, synth washes and Krautrock leaning beats. All we can do is wait. There is injustice. The truth is you can’t trust the truth. But behind the misery there is a shimmer, glints of change. Exploration of a new reality. Danceable mixes, hypnotic tones. Forward looking, even.

I Like Trains are not to be missed, they are a unique, sardonic and uncompromising pole star in music’s firmament. Altered but never more relevant or needed.

I Like Trains play Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Saturday 10th December. www.iliketrains.co.uk

COMEDY NEW ACTS NEW MATERIAL NIGHT @ HOPS & CHEESE

Words: Claire Dupree

Since it’s the season to be jolly an’ that, what could be better than enjoying some top class comedic action surrounded by the finest cheese and superb local brews? Trick question. The answer is, of course: nothing. Teesside chortle peddlers Hilarity Bites present another of their New Acts New Material nights on Thursday 8th December at the excellent Hartlepool establishment Hops & Cheese. As the title suggests, the night enables comedians to break out their brand new stuff on an unsuspecting audience, and also gives a platform to up and coming talent too.

Topping the bill is affable award-winning comic Pete Otway, whose energetic stage manner and original approach has seen him travel the world, while his dulcet tones are often heard on various radio stations as he hosts shows on BBC Radio 4 Extra and performs stand-up on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4. Also joining the bill is Ant Dewson, whose silly songs and mediocre piano playing will still have you giggling, and North East favourite Lee Kyle who fuses daftness with genuine off-the-cuff wit to devastating effect. Plus, expect support slots from several new acts into the bargain.

Hilarity Bites present Pete Otway, Ant Dewson, Lee Kyle and more at Hops & Cheese, Hartlepool on Thursday 8th December. www.hilaritybites.co.uk

Jodie Nicholson by Ellen Dixon

MUSIC PAVE THE JUNGLE & PALS @ THE LUBBER FIEND

Words: Matt Young

Exhibiting their own riffy, alt. rock swagger, Newcastle’s Pave The Jungle host a night full of raucous rawk promise – possibly chaotic, definitely joyful – at the Lubber Fiend on Sunday 11th December. This cobweb clearing extravaganza and antidote to the saccharine Christmas tunes we’ll be sick to death of (again) by then will see songs aired from Pave The Jungle’s previous Waiting For Nothing and Hissing EPs as well as newer material conjured up from their impassioned and assured melodic anger, vital delivery and relentlessly pounding foundations.

The supporting ‘pals’ in question feature some of the region’s best about-to-explode, on-the-cusp, play-sweat-and-be-damned DIY bands around right now. Teesside’s Onlooker shred frenetic garage rock, evoking the snaking riffs and driving beats of At The Drive In, they’re urgent and immediate with melodies to burn. Fast Blood bring their accessible punk energy and emo-tinged songs out to play; you’ll find

yourself dancing while feeling a simultaneous winsome regret and maybe slight bruising as their relatable lyrics get you right in the core. Shallow’s dirty grunge rock will thicken the air, and evocative soaring vocals and buzzsaw riffs will spin heads and kick ass, stealthily creeping energy to get close before jostling you into the mosh pit. Ferocious post-hardcore duo Mally round out the line-up, so expect the scuzz, fuzz and bathos of Dead Kennedys to bark and amuse in equal amounts.

It’s a damn fine line-up and probably contender for gig of the year. Just saying.

Pave The Jungle and Pals play The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle on Sunday 11th December. www.pavethejungle.com

COMEDY SARA PASCOE @ MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL

Words: Matt Young Highly acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor Sara Pascoe heads out on the wintery roads to perform her brand new stand-up show, dropping in at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 28th January. She’s established

herself amongst the finest and funniest of wits around, both on the live stage and on TV for many years. She’s also widened her audience further with her Sunday Times bestselling books and accompanying podcast as well as stints presenting shows on the BBC, Comedy Central and Dave.

Her sarcastic and intelligent humour is available everywhere it seems, and the mix of silly with the serious really hits hardest when Pascoe shines a light on her own personal life and experiences and reflects them back at her audiences through an absurdist, political and most importantly woman’s perspective.

There’s an effortless cool to her delivery, whether she’s dissecting relationships, sex, life’s mundanities or its more obtuse moments, skewering every subject she tackles.

Sara decided she wanted to be famous at 14 years old. Since then, she has auditioned for Barrymore, scared Pete Burns and ruined Hugh Grant’s birthday – but look at her now… (please look, she needs you to look. And clap. And laugh. And then clap again). Mission accomplished then, just remember to buy your tickets and show up!

Sara Pascoe performs at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 28th January, and later in 2023 at Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Thursday 16th March. www.saraontour.com

Pave The Jungle by Lewis Palmer

MUSIC GIRLS IN SYNTHESIS @ ZEROX

Words: Ali Welford

A standout force on the noisier end of the UK’s contemporary post-punk spectrum, Girls In Synthesis’ long-awaited North East debut comes at the end of another dire year in which their caustic, agitating sound has felt startlingly apt. Bringing their furious clamour to Newcastle’s Zerox on Thursday 8th December,

the Londoners arrive off the back of a sophomore album which internalises their taut, abrasive palette in an explosive release of zeal and pent-up indignation.

Built on twin pillars of claustrophobia and mental anguish, October’s The Rest Is Distraction marks another significant milestone for a trio whose reputation was forged by a fierce run of pre-plague singles, before being entrenched with 2020’s maiden full-length, Now Here’s An Echo From Your Future. It’s from the live stage, however, that their notoriety has stemmed most potently of all, and following jaunts opening for (and in certain cases, blowing away) everyone from Slaves

and Wolf Alice to Damo Suzuki and our own Pigs x7, this month’s headlining turn feels an unmissable proposition.

As ever, promoter Endless Window completes the bill with a pair of enticing local supports. Adding their own streak of grimy glam punk are Teesside’s refreshingly to-the-point garage rockers Rudi Betamax, while reliable rabble rousers SMUJ jumpstart proceedings with a singular brew of tuneful discord and obnoxious squalor.

Girls In Synthesis, Rudi Betamax and SMUJ play Zerox, Newcastle on Thursday 8th December.

www.girlsinsynthesis.co.uk

Girls in Synthesis by Bea Dewhurst

MUSIC BBC RADIO 3’S NEW MUSIC SHOW @ THE FIRE STATION

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show returns to the North East on Tuesday 20th December, with an event showcasing a range of musical acts at Sunderland’s Fire Station. The free to attend performance will include the sounds of Ligeti Quartet and Distractfold Ensemble.

With a series of residencies up and down the country, Ligeti Quartet have established themselves firmly as an innovative and groundbreaking group who explore jazz and orchestral sounds, honing their fascination with new music, they take elements of the classic genres and weave their audio delights into new and wondrous shapes. Distractfold Ensemble meanwhile are a group of seven performers, composers and curators who love to create and share music in a range of genres, from electro acoustic to experimental jazz. Despite their diverse musical output, as a collective they share a unique musical voice.

If you happen to miss the performances of these unique and varied artists live, the show will be recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show on Saturday 7th January.

BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show featuring Ligeti Quartet and Distractfold Ensemble takes place at The Fire Station, Sunderland on Tuesday 20th December. www.sunderlandculture.org.uk

MUSIC CRYWANK @ THE CLUNY

Words: Jason Jones

From the decision to form a project without a lick of musical experience to their name, to the unabashedly explicit nature of said name, Crywank have never done things the orthodox way. What started initially as a solo project for songwriter Jay Clayton back in the halcyon malaise of 2009 has since evolved and grown into a fuller line-up, and a steadfast partnership with percussionist Dan Watson. Drawing vast inspiration from the American anti-folk scene, Crywank pair sparse, cuttingly simple instrumentals with confessional lyrics that toy with self-criticism, dry humour, and tongue-in-cheek deconstructions of creeping paranoias and droll niches alike. Characterised by a ‘sad but fun’ sound that drips with candour and an enigmatic charm, the band’s unwavering DIY ethos (they remain self-managed even after nine albums) has helped them to build a cult following of loyal devotees and a mammoth online presence, despite the self-imposed ceiling of their post-watershed moniker. Clayton and Watson bring their distinct live show to The Cluny on Wednesday 7th December. Joining them in support will be lo-fi Canadian outfit Commuted.

Crywank and Commuted play The Cluny, Newcastle on Wednesday 7th December. www.crywank.bandcamp.com

COMEDY ALISON SPITTLE @

THE STAND

Words: Cameron Wright

Wet is Alison Spittle’s debut UK tour, coming to The Stand on Tuesday 31st January, and contains a story about a fight breaking out during an aqua-aerobics session, which serves as a perfect introduction for those unaware of the Irish comedian.

The co-host of BBC Radio 5’s Wheel of Misfortune, Alison Spittle is a giddy and excitable storyteller, as her rich imagery and surreal visuals often finds anecdotes getting waylaid by her own hysterical laughter. The joyfully energetic and bubbly comic received rave reviews from her run at the Edinburgh Fringe, praising her original material that steers away from the tropes one may expect from an upcoming comedian. With her run at the Fringe reaping glowing reviews, the comedian’s candour, charm and cyclical writing have seen her noted as one of the year’s most astute additions to the circuit. Instantly approachable, relatable and authentic, Spittle’s stage presence is as genuinely fun as the material she provides. From such a simple story, she’ll take you on a journey with wonderfully silly anecdotes and erudite routines waxing lyrical on an array on subjects, from the benign to the poignant.

Alison Spittle performs at The Stand, Newcastle on Tuesday 31st January. www.alisonspittle.com

Crywank

MUSIC THE 1975 @ UTILITA ARENA

Words: Cameron Wright

Self-deprecating indie pop group The 1975 leapt onto the scene with a kitsch collection of charming, memorable pop ditties on their 2013 debut, Sex.

Since the debut, Matthew Healy and the boys

have built traction in a way few bands of the last decade have. Now one of the decade’s biggest British exports, The 1975’s barrage of songs are rife with big choruses, infectious hooks and lyrics that have been permanently embedded on a generation. Over the years, the many sounds of the band have seen them dabble with bouncing synth pop, twinkling folk rock and even moments of garage, rock and chamber pop.

While producing a sprawling array of content, The 1975 have been a constant topic of discussion, as the polarising experiments and

outlandish lifestyle of the band have kept them at the epicentre of the conversation. The band’s recently released new album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, sees them teaming up with producer phenomenon Jack Antonoff for their most succinct and direct release in years, and they’ll bring it to the live stage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Wednesday 25th January.

The 1975 play Utilita Arena, Newcastle on Wednesday 25th January. www.the1975.com

Image by Samuel Bradley

MUSIC BIG JOANIE

@ THE CLUNY

Words:

Jason Jones

Big Joanie are, objectively speaking, one of the coolest bands in Britain today. There’s no point in arguing, it’s just a fact. The London trio, formed nearly a decade ago, have ground and grafted their way from DIY rookies to towering heroines of the punk scene, challenging a notable lack of intersectionality in the process. Black, feminist, and unapologetic, the band channel the furious spirit of the ‘90s riot grrrl movement and borrow from the synth-heavy inclinations of post-punk to craft a sound that is as nuanced and thought-provoking as it is distinct. Debut album Sistahs, released through Thurston Moore and Eva Prinz’s Daydream Library Series, catapulted Big Joanie to a streak of prestigious support slots, with the group sharing bills alongside the likes of Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Gossip and Idles, among others. Sophomore record Back Home was released in early November to a similarly enthusiastic reception, and found vocal champions in Pitchfork, The Guardian and many, many more. Urgent and propulsive in their intelligence, their return to Newcastle’s Cluny on Sunday 15th January is not to be missed. Trust us.

Big Joanie play The Cluny, Newcastle on Sunday 15th January. www.bigjoanie.com

MUSIC

JAEJA @ THE GLOBE

Words: Cameron Wright

Formed for an expedition to uncharted bluegrass territory of Iceland, Jæja are a phenomenal contemporary quartet comprised of four inquisitive young musicians from the UK, mixing influences of jazz, metal and Icelandic folk. They’ll bring their experiments on the road with a show at The Globe, Newcastle on Friday 9th December. With several releases available online, the new quartet have wasted no time creating lilting and engaging pieces that capture the sounds of the mountains, the snow and the waters of Iceland.

Despite the chilly inspiration of their melodic sounds, their music manages to be both warm and wholesome, as the collective fly through a myriad of instrumental compositions. Armed with guitar, bass, mandolin and fiddle, the energy, virtuosic talent and passion the four musicians bring is a beautiful testament to bluegrass and Iceland itself.

Thoughtful, original, inventive and dazzling, this project is an undeniable celebration of music and one that any fan of the genre will enjoy. Jæja’s night of world-building is a masterful endeavour full of personality, charm and melody.

Jæja play The Globe, Newcastle on Friday 9th December. www.jaejamusic.com

COMEDY MATT REED @ TYNE THEATRE & OPERA HOUSE

Words: Jake Anderson

If you’re in the need for a bit of a laugh to kick off the new year (and with how 2022 has treated us, who doesn’t?), then you’ll be happy to hear that local comedian Matt Reed plans on stirring up the chuckles when he performs at Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 14th January – just enough time to get over the hangovers.

Born and raised in the glorious land that is known as Sunderland, Reed has been a comedian longer than I’ve been alive, and he claims to have done it all… If he’s ridden a horse on stage I’d be surprised, although he has apparently gotten nude on stage, so it’s not out the realm of possibility.   His sense of pride for the region bleeds into his act, described as having an “everyman” style, whether it’s discussing accents or the party life of Bigg Market, his set is stuffed with funny anecdotes and skits, and he isn’t afraid to get audience members on stage or comeback with a quick retort. Having been praised for his quick wit, smart cracks and warm style, his show will be a perfect way to kick off the new year.

Matt Reed performs at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle on Saturday 14th January. www.mattreedcomedian.com

Big Joanie by AjamuX

Dike

MUSIC DIRTY DIKE @ THE CLUNY

Words: Adam Paxton

On Tuesday 6th December, The Cluny sees one of the most influential figures in today’s UK hip-hop scene roll into town.

Dirty Dike, the prolific producer and rapper, and driving force behind much of what has been good about High Focus’s output over the last ten years is not something to be missed. If you’ve not listened to him before, his sound is a mix of juxtapositions; abrasive in content and attitude, but polished and virtuosic in its production and delivery. Dike’s output, his production in particular, owes a lot to a more old school form of hip-hop; you’ll find no heavy trap or drill influences here. Instead, Dike samples from an eclectic range of influences, creating beats that are deceptively simple on the surface, but that simplicity is achieved through supreme musical maturity and

nuanced sensibility.

If you’ve heard Dike rhyme, you know how good he is, so it says a lot that his production almost overshadows his ability as an emcee. Give this show a visit if you want to hear what the best producer in the UK sounds like in his element.

Dirty Dike plays The Cluny, Newcastle on Tuesday 6th December. www.dirtydike.co.uk

MUSIC MATT DEIGHTON @ THE COMMON ROOM

Words: Michael O’Neill

Long considered one of Britain’s greatest lost talents, you may recognise Matt Deighton (who is making a stop at Newcastle’s Common Room on Saturday 3rd December) from his previous stints as the frontman of acid jazz heroes Mother Earth, or as Paul Weller’s guitarist in the late 90s, or more recently as the oft-considered

natural successor to the throne previously held by the likes of Nick Drake, Davey Graham and John Martyn.

It’s quite an interesting career arc, especially when you consider the fact that he once briefly replaced Noel Gallagher in Oasis. Although this second career as something of a Britpop Zelig admittedly makes for some eye-catching copy, I strongly advise that you don’t let that inform your expectations of his output; from 1995’s Villager through to last year’s Kids Steal Feelings, Matt has succeeded at brilliantly building upon the spirit of the genre-bending, high-quality output of those aforementioned singer-songwriters, whilst never falling into the trap of becoming too clichèd or too pastiche in his approach. It’s an all-too-tempting pitfall of many an artist who dares to pick up where legends have left off, but he makes it look far too easy.

Matt Deighton plays The Common Room, Newcastle on Saturday 3rd December. www.mattdeighton.co.uk

Dirty

MUSIC HEATHER FERRIER TRIO @ COBALT STUDIOS

Words: Ali Welford

When Heather Ferrier spoke of assembling a band back in our April issue, the natural assumption was that she’d set her eyes on adapting the electronically-tinged alt. folk of debut EP From The Ashes for the live stage. In the event, the trio she’s concocted is an altogether more exciting proposition. Complementing the warmth and lustre of Heather’s trademark accordion are guitarist

Alasdair Paul (Pons Aelius) and drummer Adam Stapleford (Taupe, Yes Grasshopper); a line-up whose dynamism opens ever more novel and contemporary doors, all while remaining true to Heather’s instinctive aptitude for rhythm and complex musical harmony. This alchemy was vividly highlighted last month by new single 5 Minute Walk, a considerable sonic and compositional leap which promises great things ahead of their live debut at Newcastle’s Cobalt Studios on Thursday 8th December.

Support on the evening comes from London-based fiddle and guitar duo Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell. Previously known for their work with Cosmo Sheldrake and Sam

Sweeney, the pair arrive hot on the heels of debut album You, Golden, another striking, emotive display of modern folk expertly pitting their own fresh material alongside a clutch of remodelled traditional tunes.

As with all of Cobalt’s Fresh Thursdays, a tenner buys you buys you some fabulous live music plus a hearty plant-based dinner, with £7 tickets also available for the gig only. We’d nudge you towards the former – but either way, this show comes highly recommended!

Heather Ferrier Trio and Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell play Cobalt Studios, Newcastle on Thursday 8th December.

www.heatherferriermusic.com

Image by Saya Rose Naruse

MUSIC THE SUBWAYS @ INDEPENDENT

Word: Jake Anderson

If you’re looking to throw yourself back into live music after Christmas, look no further than the return of exciting rockers The Subways, who return in the new year with their fifth studio album, Uncertain Joys, which releases on 13th

January, and a live show at Sunderland’s Independent on Saturday 28th January.   It’s been about eight years since the band’s last full-length LP, but they certainly haven’t lost their touch; their newest release still has the same high tempo rock sound, with standout tracks like You Kill My Cool, a 2000s indie/ garage rock throwback, which has a great kick to it and channels a playful, aggressive energy into a quick, roaring bop.

Joining them at Independent will be Gaffa Tape Sandy, who feature a punk spin on the UK’s

typical garage rock sound; check out their track Kill The Chord, which displays the hard-hitting energy that a raw and aggressive punk anthem needs. Also supporting will be local faves bigfatbig, who’ve recently released their debut EP Rockin’ and Rollin’ and Whatnot, which sees the group flexing their signature up-tempo pop punk sound.

The Subways, Gaffa Tape Sandy and bigfatbig play Independent, Sunderland on Saturday 28th January.

www.thesubways.net

Image by Laura Lewis

COMEDY JOSIE LONG @ THE STAND

Words: Cameron Wright Triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, panel show alumni and alternative comedy institution, Josie Long shouldn’t need an introduction. The mastermind comic has cultivated her underground fan base through decades of thought provoking, charming, varied and heartfelt projects, and her credits range from being a writer on Channel 4’s iconic teen drama Skins, to winning gold for Best Radio Podcast at the British Podcast Awards in both 2017 and  2018. Re-Enchantment, which she performs at The Stand in Newcastle on Sunday 15th January, marks her return to stand-up comedy and is based around the discomfort of change. The show addresses the array of adaptations Long’s life has gone through over the past several years, interweaving universal changes like ageing, parenthood and the pandemic, with extremely personal subjects such as her move to Glasgow or her recent ADHD diagnosis; the show is as affecting as it is introspective. What hasn’t changed is Long’s wholesome, hopeful brand of optimism and charm. Gently guiding us through tales of hardship and humour, the consummate professional carries the mood through personal anecdotes, political rants and hilarious observations, resulting in a show which finds beauty in the ugliest of circumstances.

Josie Long performs at The Stand, Newcastle on Sunday 15th January. www.josielong.com

MUSIC

RUBELLA

BALLET @ THE PEACOCK

Words: Michael O’Neill

Sunderland’s almighty venue The Peacock continues to blaze a trail as one of the city’s most intriguing upstart venues with one hell of an anarchic line-up led by Gothic anarchopunk royalty Rubella Ballet, who perform at the venue on Sunday 4th December. Initially forming in 1979 in the midst of the colossal tidal wave in which punk became a multi-faceted, unpredictable beast, the group found a home in the network of frenetic noise that was spearheaded by the likes of Crass and Poison Girls. Once settled, they steadfast gained a reputation for sporting neon-heavy Day-Glo stage wear, which offered something of a tongue-in-cheek contrast to their music, a Gothic and dark whirlpool of noise that grapples with the political and personal. Besides a hiatus through the 90s, the group have remained prolific and urgent, with an extensive UK tour showing they have no intention of calling it a day anytime soon. It’s going to be quite the enthralling endurance test for your eardrums, as support is provided by opinionated punk band Slalom D, melodic angsty four-piece LoGOz and genre-defying rock ‘n’ roll spoken word artists Cherry & Peesh.

Rubella Ballet, Slalom D, LoGOz and Cherry & Peesh play The Peacock, Sunderland on Sunday 4th December. www.rubellaballet.com

MUSIC PEALIE’S BARN FUNDRAISER GIGS

Words: Claire Dupree

With a desire to create a grassroots hub for music, art and culture in North Yorkshire, Pealie’s Barn has earned itself legendary status among local musicians and residents, thanks in no small part to the eponymous Pealie’s dedication and passion to see the project through. An 18th Century hay barn turned music venue located on Cockleberry Farm near East Cowton, Northallerton (where Pealie himself grew up), the conversion of the venue has been a labour of love, and musicians and audiences who’ve spent time there wax lyrical about the set-up, from carefully chosen musical acts to a well-stocked bar and warm atmosphere. Since October the venue has been forced to close while an essential planning application is submitted to the local council, and any means the venue has of generating income have disappeared. So this month, Pealie is taking his Barn on tour, with a series of shows in Teesside to raise money for the fundraiser to keep Pealie’s Barn alive. The first gig takes place at The Quakerhouse in Darlington on Friday 2nd December, featuring performance from James Gray Robson among others; plus a co-pro with Darlo label Butterfly Effect Records takes place at The Green Room in Stockton on Saturday 17th December featuring soulful fuzz rockers (and Pealie’s Barn house band) Scruffy Bear, alt. rockers Nalgo Bay and more tbc. www.pealiesbarn.co.uk

Josie Long by Matt Crockett

MUSIC THE FAMILY RAIN @ THE CLUNY 2

Words: Maria Winter

Blues rockers The Family Rain kick off their 2023 musical journey with a highly anticipated mini UK tour, appearing at Newcastle’s Cluny 2 on Sunday 29th January. Comprised of three brothers: William, Ollie and Timothy Walter, their harmonic diversity creates a unique soundscape, and their live show is spirited and energetic. They’ve amassed a firm following thanks to an array of notable performances, including supporting The Rolling Stones at Hyde Park.

After splitting up in 2016, then announcing their return in November 2019, The Bath-based brothers have continued to release dynamic singles which have firmly embedded their musical style in the indie rock world, with more of an emphasis on heavy rock features

including distinct guitar riffs and vocal effects. In particular, the tracks Death In Slow Motion and Head In A Hornet’s Nest resemble the likes of chart-botherers Arctic Monkeys thanks to massive choruses and stadium-sized melodies.

The Family Rain play The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Sunday 29th January. www.facebook.com/thefamilyrain

MUSIC THE CASINO BRAWL @ THE CLUNY

Words: Cameron Wright

The Casino Brawl take to The Cluny’s stage for a night off noise, anarchy and rock ‘n’ roll on Thursday 29th December, as they return to reclaim their crown as one of the most exciting bands in the region.

The Newcastle-based band first burst onto the scene in 2006 and enjoyed a career of European tours, explosive live shows and two

sold out headline slots at O2 Academy. Their post-hardcore sound, with plunging guitars and pulse stopping screams, was amplified in a live setting and the band’s energy revved up the carnage beautifully.

Separating in 2012, the band’s hiatus has stretched for a decade, but their raucous effect still looms over the North East. A return to the scene sees a reinvigorated band pick up their clash of melody and emotion for what promises to be an epic reunion.

Support for the show comes from Newcastle riff rockers Headcage, who combining gentle, almost crooning vocals over the top of building, poignant rock music. Also joining the bill is one of the region’s most exciting heavy acts, Rituals. The band have been garnering phenomenal traction of late thanks to their huge choruses, damning riffs and devastating vocals, and their live presence speaks for itself. The Casino Brawl, Rituals and Headcage play The Cluny, Newcastle on Thursday 29th December.

www.thecasinobrawl.bandcamp.com

The Family Rain by Stewart Baxter

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS

STAGE

Laurel’s in Whitley Bay reprise Reece Connolly’s Antichristmas, in which a pair of down on their luck millennials take up a challenge from a bloke in a red suit outside the offie, who wants them to deliver a baby in return for a suitcase full of cash (19th-23rd Dec). Also at Laurel’s, Just One Step Fringe Musical Theatre company offer up a ‘filthy’ and delicious Christmas Comedy Cabaret (4th Dec). Expect anarchic, anachronistic cabaret and comedy from Carmen & Dick at the Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe (4th Dec); there’s more variety at Sage Gateshead, where Curious Arts’ Winter Cabaret features alt. drag artist Ginger Johnson, performer extraordinaire Jaii Andrew and the magnificent Carmen, who will all be joined by DJ Lady Annabella (15th Dec). At The Cumberland Arms expect drag, music, comedy, dance and drama with a mission to educate and entertain at Jonathan Wells-Lee’s Christmas Spectacular Variety Show featuring special guests including drag queen Velvet Snätch, nostalgic ‘band’ Hot Mess, ex-stripper turned nu-age shaman Bambhi Llambhorgini and a very naughty pantomime dromedary, with profits going to East End Women (11th Dec). There’s more burlesque joy courtesy of House of Trixie Blue at Prohibition Cabaret Bar’s Christmas Burlesque Special, featuring the sensational Sapphire Whiskers (16th Dec). For the little’uns, alternative takes on classic stories come in the form of Joss Arnott Dance’s magical Tin Man at Dance City (14th Dec), in which the rusty character makes new friends as he comes up against the Wicked Witch in the deep dark wood, complete with a commissioned score from award-winning composer Anna Appleby performed live by ensemble Psappha.

Over at Northern Stage, their headline production is Laura Lindow’s take on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, in which young Geordie lass Hatty Rabbit embarks on a magical adventure through the city’s streets in the classic good vs evil caper, complete with puppets and original music from Katie Doherty (3rd Dec-7th Jan). Alphabetti Theatre’s artistic director Ali Pritchard has enlisted the help of children from Hotspur Primary School to present their production of Song of the Goblins, a fantastical family adventure which explores just who lives in those green metal boxes that apparently house telephone wires (spoiler: they’re actually goblins) (13th-31st Dec). The Star & Shadow Cinema’s The Tree of Life introduces youngsters to climate concerns in a story with lots of songs and participation performed by local storyteller Chris Bostock (28th Dec).

Live Theatre present two festive treats; the spellbinding Wintry Tales (for those aged 4+) features everything from lonely polar bears and snowy supermarkets to revolutionary elves and snowball-firing robots (4th-23rd Dec), while Wishes On The Wind’s tale of chance encounters, self-sabotage and musical endeavours is a tender and romantic comedy for 14+ (8th-18th Dec).

Looking for something a bit more traditional? Top of the (Christmas) tree is The Adventures of Robin Hood In Cooksonville at South Shields’ Customs House where brave outlaws and men in tights ride roughshod over the Sheriff and his evil henchman (until 7th Jan), or try the magical family Santamime at The Witham in Barnard Castle and meet Grudge the grouchy gnome (19th Dec). For fans of spooky tales, Christmas Gothic at Middlesbrough Town Hall features a dark and spectral woman telling haunting tales of the festive season (7th Dec)

L-R: Jaii Andrew performs at Curious Winter Cabaret, image by Matt Jamie, The Sorcerers Apprentice cast by Pamela Raith Photography

IT MIGHT BE THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SEEN ELF TOO MANY TIMES ALREADY (ACTUALLY, IS THAT POSSIBLE?) AND CAN’T STOMACH PANTO, THE SEASON CAN BE SOMEWHAT OF A CULTURAL WASTELAND. BUT NEVER FEAR, THERE ARE STILL FESTIVE TREATS IN THE REGION FOR THE DISCERNING SOUL! LET US GUIDE YOU THROUGH SOME OF THE BEST...

COMEDY

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and the region’s funny folk are out en masse. Perennial silly sausages Lee Kyle and Sammy Dobson present their Family Christmas Show at The Stand, which lovingly rips off It’s A Wonderful Life with plenty of songs and hilarity for those aged 6+ (10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 28th & 29th Dec); and for adults, Christmas cheer is offered up in spades courtesy of The Stand Christmas Special shows featuring Nicola Mantalios, Ryan Cullen, Raul Kohli and Larry Dean (15th-17th Dec). Also at The Stand, Matt Reed’s Xmas Knees Up will feature the good and the great of the region’s comedy circuit (18th Dec). If you can’t get enough of Matt Reed, he’s overseeing Hot Potato Comedy Club’s Xmas Special at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre alongside Jojo Sutherland, Tal Davies and Andy Askins (17th Dec); the gifted MC also turns up at Catch 22’s Christmas Special at ARC in Stockton, alongside BGT semi-finalist Jonny Awsum and British Comedian of the Year 2021 Jeff Innocent (9th Dec); and busy boys Matt and Jeff pop up again at Big Mouth Comedy Club’s Christmas Special alongside provocative comic Fin Taylor at Middlesbrough Town Hall (10th Dec), with a further night of chortles at the venue on 3rd Dec, line-up TBA.

At Stockton’s ARC, brutal comedy night Beat The Gong Christmas Special features twelve hot and hilarious new acts at the mercy of the audience (2nd Dec); and there’s more Christmas peril at the appropriately named Metroland Live: A

T-B, L-R: Tin Man, Martin Stephenson, Lee Kyle & Sammy Dobson

Christmas Peril at Laurel’s in Whitley Bay, where you can expect laughter, profanity and dastardly sketches (28th-30th Dec). Across the water at South Shields’ Customs House, Jason Cook’s Christmas Comedy Club will welcome big names, huge laughs and a few surprises to boot (19th Dec).

If it’s unscripted giggles you’re after, look to the best in the biz as The Suggestibles Impro Pantso takes over Northern Stage for a couple of nights of epic misadventures (15th-16th Dec); and there’s more improvisational daftness – this time for families –at Hilarity Bites’ Discount Comedy Checkout Family Show at Bishop Auckland Town Hall (3rd Dec).

MUSIC

If tradition’s your thing, Great North Museum: Hancock encourage you to dance, sing and enjoy festive refreshments at their Great North Nights: Christmas Ceilidh (16th Dec); and Star & Shadow Cinema’s A Mummer's Winter Ceilidh will feature Storytellers Streetband’s seasonal family show mixing ceilidh with theatre and storytelling, while also exploring global warming issues (22nd Dec).

It simply wouldn’t be Christmas without RNS: The Snowman in Concert at Sage Gateshead (22nd -24th Dec), and there’s more festive loveliness with Paul Smith and friends (3rd Dec), Eliza Carthy (3rd Dec), Martin Stephenson & The Daintees (9th Dec), Kate Rusby (15th Dec), Paul Edis (17th Dec) and Jez Lowe (23rd Dec) among many others.

Newcastle’s Globe have a handful of great alternative shows, including ska-punks Goodsprings (10th Dec); drum and bass and face-melting futurism at Curves’ Jungle All The Way (17th Dec); and Jazz Coop’s Xmas Party sees performances from Blue Jazz Quartet with Rivkala and Byker Hillbillies topped off with a jam session (18th Dec).

Among the delights at The Cluny throughout December, we’d draw your attention to Martin Stephenson’s two night Christmas bonanza (21st-22nd Dec) and the ‘wild and riffy’ rockers The Peevie Wonders’ celebration alongside neo-soul artists Kate Bond and Frankie Jobling (20th Dec). There’s more manic sounds at Little Buildings where joycore scamps Kkett bring beguiling songwriter Bugman and alt. electro/indie artist MXYM to the stage (9th Dec). And round the corner at Cobalt Studios, have a right ol’ festive knees up with The Baghdaddies (16th Dec) and join in the festivities with a Christmas Choir Celebration (17th Dec).

If it’s tunes of a heavier nature that are floating your boat, head on down to Trillians’ Imperial Christmas gig with Blame Yourself, One Million Motors and Last Case Scenario (21st Dec); or the superbly titled Shitsmas show with ‘scum rockers’ The Shits, noisy hardcore rockers Frisk, hardcore punks Rat Cage, heavy rockers Heavy Sentence and dirgy artists Louse at The Lubber Fiend (16th Dec).

Over at Sunderland’s Fire Station, things get rockier with The Futureheads and The Lake Poets performing alongside more regional talent (2nd Dec); the illustrious tones of Richard Hawley take over the venue for what’s sure to be a sell-out show (12th Dec) and much-loved harmonious pop band The Cornshed Sisters will regale with carols and Christmas pop hits (17th Dec).

There’s bound to be a festive hit or two when celebrated folkies The Young’uns present their Christmas shindig at The Witham in Barnard Castle (9th Dec); and South Tyneside producer Harbourmaster provides a line-up of thoughtful new wave from Amateur Ornithologist, chamber pop band Railway Club and indie songwriter Eve Cole at South Shields’ Sea Change (2nd Dec).

Things get twinkly down in Skinningrove Village Hall near Saltburn, where Teesside’s folky, bluesy and country-tinged

band Peg Powler headline, alongside Americana-infused folk artist Dale Husband (17th Dec). If that’s too shiny and happy for you, A Dark Dark Christmas will see J.P Riggall’s alt. noir rock project Weathership head up a show which also includes The Purnells at NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton (17th Dec); and the annual Idiot Savant Christmas Pageant returns to Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough for a dose of post-punk garage sounds courtesy of Pellethead, electro spoken word from Faithful Johannes and dream rockers Sorry Escalator (23rd Dec).

OTHER EVENTS

In the ‘other good stuff’ bracket you’ll find festive flicks, crafty markets, community fun and much more.

If you’re looking for quirky, crafty or unusual gifts there’s a slew of markets across the region. Check out a wonderful selection of curated artworks at The Wormhood Pop-Up Shop in the Ouseburn Valley’s Bottleworks (1st-6th Dec); there’s a vast range of diverse stalls, plus food and live music at Pineapple Black Christmas Market (2nd-3rd Dec); indie crafts at Make More Market at BALTIC (3rd Dec); Sister Shack curate an eclectic collection of local artisans at The Cumberland Arms Christmas Market (3rd Dec); the Orbis Community in Gateshead present an afternoon and evening of open studios, workshops, tattoos, crafts and more at Vane Gallery (10th Dec); and there’s arts, crafts and bric-a-brac at Star & Shadow Cinema Christmas Market (11th Dec).

For a fun day out, take the family for a wander around the Saltburn Ice Trail in the town centre, where ice carving, festive performances and walk about theatre will engage young and old (17th Dec); and if the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for a festive flick at loads of venues across the region including Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema, Gosforth Civic Theatre, ARC in Stockton and Gala Theatre in Durham, where old faithfuls like It’s A Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, Elf, Die Hard, Home Alone, Frozen, Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas will be shown throughout December.

Kate Rusby

INTERVIEWS

LINSEY TEGGERT TALKS TO IAN BLACK ABOUT CHALLENGING HIS LISTENERS, SELF-CHARACTER ASSASSINATION AND TINNIES WITH ZZ TOP IMAGE BY

ANDY MARTIN

When Ian Black, aka SLUG, set about making his third album, he wasn’t thinking about how he could please and impress his fanbase. “I wondered if I could make an album where people who listen to my music ask, ‘are you sure you want to do this?’” he recalls.

Black had been thinking about albums released by revered artists that had largely been rejected by their respective fanbases. Tranquillity Base Hotel And Casino by Arctic Monkeys, Lou Reed’s Berlin and Leonard Cohen’s Death Of A Ladies Man, to be specific. “My friend Lucas Renney said Berlin

sounded like Andrew Lloyd Webber on bad drugs having a breakdown. That sounded amazing to me!”

So, the Sunderland native began his mission to make an album that would challenge the listener, without just releasing ‘bad’ music. With his previous records, 2015’s RIPE and 2018’s Higgledypiggledy, Black developed his art school approach to music with an eclectic palette of pop, indie, rock and surf all held together with a healthy dose of groove. With new record, Thy Socialite!, it was time to throw some classic rock into the mix.

MUSIC

“I wondered what would happen if I took the really cheesy bits of my own record collection, the less indie audience friendly stuff: Toto, ZZ Top, Sweet, Def Leppard, and merged it with that SLUG sensibility. I wanted to amuse myself really, and amuse the people who have followed my music so far. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t just want to make music that was bad, but I love that element of risk. If you’re playing it safe, then you’re doing it wrong.”

The result is still very much a SLUG record in a wonderfully weird way, but with added pomp and a cheeky wink to hard rock theatrics. It’s an idea that could have easily become a novelty pastiche, but, as with every musical genre that Black turns his hand to, he weaves it so deftly into the SLUG sound that it seems it’s always belonged there.

Black’s venture into classic rock territory is nowhere more apparent than on opener Insults Sweet Like Treacle and closer Cut Of Your Jib, cleverly bookending the album to take the listener along on this new journey from beginning to end. Glam rock stomper Insults Sweet Like Treacle is dedicated to the dearly missed Dave Harper, drummer in Frankie & The Heartstrings and Pop Recs Ltd.’s founder, while Cut Of Your Jib is pure riff-heavy stadium rock.

“I’d never recommend this to anyone, but my wife was on a night out, so I decided to get some tins in and watch a full ZZ Top gig on YouTube. In that haze of drunkenness, as I walked to the fridge to get another tin, the idea for Cut Of Your Jib

popped into my brain and hooked itself in there. I remember finishing it in the studio and thinking maybe I’ve gone a bit too far with this one, but then one of the members of ZZ Top died the day after I finished it, and I thought, well, that has to go on the album now!”

It’s not just the music of Thy Socialite! that revolts against modern trends; lyrically Black decided to experiment with what he refers to as “self-character assassination”. Seeing messages of positivity and inspiration in a lot of current music, he decided to do the complete opposite, or as he bluntly puts it with a knowing laugh, he decided to make himself “sound like a twat.” “Times at the moment are so gloomy that people want to write music that cheers people up or makes them feel good about themselves – take the Self Esteem album for example – it’s brilliant and I understand why people find it uplifting. I really can’t do anything as good as that inspirationally, so you need people like me to come and write songs, knowingly of course, that go the other way. People say I’ve got quite a dark sense of humour, and that bleeds into a lot of the writing I do.”

Citing John Waters’ films, Brian De Palma’s Phantom Of The Paradise and the follow-up to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock Treatment, as inspiration for their “campy, acidic humour”, the Ian Black of Thy Socialite! is very much an outlandish, satirical character. He’s the influencer you love-to-hate, the partygoer who always wants to be in the spotlight.

It’s all part of Black’s journey to create something challenging, but it’s all presented with a wink and tongue firmly in cheek. “I like the idea that people can look at the more acidic lyrics and wonder which ones are completely made up and which ones are thoughts I’ve had personally,” he explains. “We all have those thoughts; they can be as fleeting as a couple of seconds and then you check yourself. It’s all part of being human.”

While Higgledypiggledy saw Black going it completely alone in terms of production, Thy Socialite! sees regular SLUG collaborators David and Peter Brewis of Field Music step back into the fold. Not only did the brothers get involved with some of the arrangements and in the mastering and mixing stages, but this record will be the first release on the Brewis brothers’ new Daylight Saving record label.

The new album will of course have its live debut at Pop Recs in honour of Dave Harper. “I need to make it as flamboyant as possible because that’s what Dave would have enjoyed,” Black laughs, before discussing his plans to attempt three costume changes during his set – he’s previously only managed two.

“The live gigs will be really just about melting faces, which is always on the agenda, but I like people to come and have fun at my gigs. Although I have a tendency to be negative and to send myself up, I’m happy to be someone’s 60 minutes to just forget about the world for a bit and enjoy themselves, for me that’s what the live experience is about. I just want people to come and enjoy it...then get some tins and go and watch ZZ Top on YouTube and make up their own songs.”

Thy Socialite! is released via Daylight Saving Records on 20th January. SLUG play Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Saturday 18th February. www.slugband.co.uk

I WONDERED IF I COULD MAKE AN ALBUM WHERE PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO MY MUSIC ASK, ‘ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS?’

FOLK IS QUEER

Cobalt Studios presents the wonderful world of queer folk on Saturday 17th December, which features a range of performers including organiser, and previous artist in residence for Sage Gateshead, Holly Clarke. She spoke about her own personal journey with both queer and folk identity.

“I struggled with the idea that my identity was kind of split in two; I was a folk musician, I was a closeted queer person. And it was not because I didn’t have people around me or family that wouldn’t accept me, it was the fact that I was still figuring myself out and how folk aligns with my identity. I had done all kinds of LGBTQ+ showcases during COVID and that was a wonderful platform for me. It was nice to finally be a musician and actually say these two identities come together.”

Holly commented on the history of queer identity in folk music. “People have assumed that this is about men and women, when actually all it takes is looking at it through a different lens. I wanted to start finding the queer themes in folk song; there have been queer people on this folk scene for a long time that have not been open about it. And actually, it’s okay to be open about it. Folk songs are about the story of the people. It needs to tell our story as well.

“I want people to look at some of the most well known folk songs and actually see that there is a queer narrative to be found and I want to showcase the musicians; I want kids to come

along, so they can see that queer folk musicians do exist, and we need to tell kids that it’s okay to be queer on the folk scene.”

Anna Hughes and Jess Howard are two of the musicians taking part in this celebration of folk. The pair discuss why the themes are important to them. “We agree that queer identity has definitely been hidden for too long! We’re not doing this strictly because we’re queer – it’s a happy coincidence that we love each other’s music and have a great time playing together. But the opportunity to express our identity in its most raw, comfortable form, in venues that celebrate and accept us for the whole of who we are is amazing.

“We are both at stages of our lives where we are comfortably ‘out’ but that still has challenges – as young women in a male-dominated field you have to constantly push barriers. It can get tiring at times to have to explain and advocate for your own identity. The industry does need to be more inclusive, and we’re proud to be able to perform in this setting.”

The duo explain what audiences can expect from their sound. “Our stories aren’t particularly told in a traditional folk ballad format, but all songs tell a story of some kind. We use electric guitar, fiddle, harmonium, synth and vocal harmonies. We’re just going to keep playing what feels good. The feeling of warmth you share during a gig with an audience – we want to keep that burning.”

Folk Is Queer featuring Maddie Morris, Anna Hughes and Jess Howard takes place at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle on Saturday 17th December. www.cobaltstudios.co.uk www.hollyclarkemusic.com

T-B, L-R: Anna Hughes, Jess Howard by Maria Maza, Holly Clarke

ABBIE FINN TRIO

MARIA WINTER SPEAKS TO THE LEADER OF SOPHISTICATED JAZZ ENSEMBLE ABOUT NEWCASTLE’S JAZZ SCENE AND THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM

“I always like to emphasise that we’re a cordless trio as that’s crucial to our sound. We’re a punchy, percussive cordless trio featuring heavy improvisation.”

Durham-based jazz ensemble Abbie Finn Trio have passionately drawn from their love of the North East to explore various musical sounds within their new album, On Pink Lane. As this is their first album comprised wholly of original tunes, I spoke to ensemble leader Abbie Finn, who shed some light on her inspiration behind the compositions and overall adoration for the jazz genre.

The title is inspired by Newcastle’s Pink Lane, a street which has become synonymous with all things jazz in the city thanks to the infamous Jazz Café, it was only fitting that the album honoured its momentous reputation. Similarly holding a dear place in Abbie’s heart, the Jazz Café was the place where she first met her fellow ensemble members, Paul Grainger (double bass) and partner Harry Keeble (tenor saxophone) through participating in regular jam sessions. The building is now home to Prohibition Cabaret Bar, which will be the location of the album’s launch on Thursday 12th January.

Comprised of nine unique tracks, On Pink Lane creates a beautiful soundscape of musical diversity, whilst regularly returning to the album’s core – the art of jazz devised through exquisite improvisation. Abbie noted how this assortment of sound is central to her identity as a musician: “Being a drummer, I like to get varied genres and areas of jazz on the album, so we’ve got a funk tune, a Latin tune and many other different vibes.” These elements are present within each track, giving them a true sense of identity through thoughtful construction. This individuality is also enhanced by a reflection on Abbie’s personal experiences, such as on Mirador de Los Poleos, which is a ballad illustrating an idyllic viewpoint location in Tenerife. “I visited this place at the start of the year with my dad. It was such a moving experience seeing the clear sky and shining stars, so I have a deep connection to this track,” says Abbie. The graceful yet elaborate saxophone entry perfectly

BEING A DRUMMER, I LIKE TO GET VARIED GENRES AND AREAS OF JAZZ ON THE ALBUM

sets the scene, followed by a slow introduction of the other instruments: beginning with a soft and rhythmic bass line and finishing with percussion playing rolling cymbals to create a captivating Spanish feel.

Whilst the musicians strive to avoid any type of effects during performances to capture their organic sound, The Labyrinth exhibits obvious manipulation including prominent echo on certain parts. Engineered by Ray Beckett at Blank Studios, he effectively created a mysterious atmosphere through these effects. To enhance this further, Abbie used mallets on the toms, creating a muffled sound and uncanny undertone.

The jazz scene in Newcastle has always been a flourishing environment for musicians, and the connectivity amongst the scene allowed Abbie to meet a variety of people, some of whom have collaborated on the album: “There are so many different influences within the album they are difficult to pinpoint,” she says. The friendly nature of Newcastle has inspired the trio to reciprocate that camaraderie through their music – a central intention behind the album’s formulation. Providing relaxed, enjoyable gigs, they want audiences to simply sit back and soak up the tranquillity jazz music offers.

As a collection of harmonious jazz material that illustrates Abbie’s exceptional compositional skills, On Pink Lane displays traditional jazz techniques including heavy improvisation and rhythmic concepts, whilst also introducing the listener to wide-ranging sounds which are seamlessly interwoven within each track.

Abbie Finn Trio launch On Pink Lane on Thursday 12th January at Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Newcastle. www.abbiefinn.com

Image by Ken Drew

THE DEVIL DANCED IN OUR EYES

Writer and performer Jonluke McKie is on a journey of discovery with his new one-person show The Devil Danced In Our Eyes. He’s setting aside his familiar role as a theatre director and taking to the stage for this “half gig/half play”, as he describes it. It’s his story, you see – not entirely autobiographical, but inspired by real events. “I wanted to perform and explore my own story as a young gay teenager exploring my sexuality online which overall was a really positive experience.”

Finding it nerve-wracking at times, Jonluke knows he’s in good hands with director Amy Golding and co-writer Allison Davies alongside a really great experienced team, and describes the experience as “liberating to let the director role go and just be the performer.” He’s come a long way to find the confidence to move from doing a lot of music secretly in his bedroom to performing his own original live music on stage, encouraged by others along the way to share his talent with the world. And so he’s combining the escapism of narrative theatre with the very immediate, live, personal experience of a singer-songwriter gig. With acoustic guitar, vocals and loop pedal, Jonluke hopes to create a personal connection with his audience as he produces soundscapes and musical score live as a background to his funny and moving story.

The story centres around 15-year-old Jamie, who’s left to his

own devices to scroll through the digital realm including the occasional adult chatroom, when his grandad dies and his mum stops coming out of her room. Exploring sexuality and the effects of mental illness on a family, this multi-layered show blends humour with more serious themes, as Jonluke explains: “Trust me, there’s always humour in exploring sexuality and the characters are funny, complex and multi-faceted. This play is an emotional, entertaining, enjoyable night out, a safe space to confront some of the things that happened to me and to say things out loud that I’d never said before.” As a recent dad, Jonluke sees the world and indeed the play differently now, recognising there’s a fine line between not allowing your kids to explore their identity on the internet, which is an important outlet for many queer young people, and exposing them to the dangers and risks online. And so we follow Jamie during an important year of his life, as he comes to understand a culture that he was a part of but he didn’t know anything about, with the visually exciting and striking backdrop of live animation from AV specialist and VJ Simon Cole.

The play will tour pubs, libraries and theatres, and Jonluke is hoping to reach different audiences and is keen to experiment with what happens when he goes to more unusual places. “The stories I tell often explore class. I’ve tried to get those audiences into theatres and now I’m seeing what happens when we go out to them.”

The Devil Danced In Our Eyes is performed at Alnwick Playhouse (30th Nov & 1st Dec), The Exchange in North Shields (2nd Dec), Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham (3rd Dec), Central Bar in Gateshead (7th Dec), Gosforth Civic Theatre (8th Dec), Middlesbrough Town Hall (8th Feb), Gala Theatre Durham (11th Feb), Blyth Library (15th Feb), Cramlington Library (16th Feb) and Live Theatre, Newcastle (17th & 18th Feb). www.jonlukemckie.com/devildanced

CATCH THE SPARROW

MATT YOUNG TALKS TO THE COMPOSER, ARRANGER AND VOCALIST ABOUT HER FUSION OF EVOCATIVE MELODIES AND FOLK STORYTELLING

MUSIC

by Tia Ylinen

ITS FIVE TRACKS ARE A FINELY LAYERED, POETIC ODE TO HER NEW HOMETOWN

I love the delight in discovering, by chance or fate, beautiful sounds that resonate deeply. One such recent discovery for me has been Dutch singer-songwriter Catch The Sparrow’s delicately delivered, richly narrated songs. That such spellbinding vocals and sparse orchestration exist in a time of daily global turmoil seems incongruous. However, taking a beat, time to breathe and be present is a welcome way to observe the world from a fresh perspective.

Catch The Sparrow, the pseudonymous folk project of Suze Terwisscha van Scheltinga, both as a solo performer and collaboratively, began formation when she was an undergrad in the Netherlands studying jazz. “I studied vocals at the conservatoire there and while I was doing that I realised that I was really interested in Baroque music. But that’s not really something I could study in the Netherlands itself. So I started doing some research towards the end of my studies there, whether I could study abroad somewhere and that brought me to Newcastle.”

Despite Brexit and the pandemic Suze soon moved and found herself holed up in the UK, following her graduation, enduring various lockdowns and remote study whilst undertaking her Masters. Encouraged to explore the traditional folk of Northern England and the Celtic regions, her focus on narrative and storytelling led to uncovering music that melded well with her own contemporary approach to songwriting, particularly in the song Farewell/Here’s The Tender Coming, an evocative union of two songs created across the generations. Her music is also informed by the limitations Suze and her housemates experienced during lockdowns. “We just went for

long walks through town, kind of exploring our surroundings, the best way we could at the time. Obviously moving to the North of England, you get an idea of the history, it’s kind of such a shame that that a lot of people ignore this place, because it’s wonderful.”

Also teaching herself the intricacies of home recording and production, she began writing in earnest. It was only after finishing her Masters that she got to know people she’d met online in person. “There’s quite a lively folk scene here. I’ve been getting to know people more and more. A lot of people I worked with on the EP I met in person or through other people at the Uni, like the person who produced the album, David de la Haye,” and fellow local contributing talents Ceitidh Mac on cello, Andy May on Northumbrian small-pipes and harmonium, and Mera Royle on harp. Suze elaborates: “Sometimes you just have to be bold and ask people that you don’t actually know.”

On the EP Winter Flowers as a project, she says: “It’s very satisfying to just finally release it. Finishing is a way of ending something.” Its five tracks are a finely layered, poetic ode to her new hometown, crafted over time. Soaring melodies beautifully capture a heartfelt love of the landscape’s expanse, gloom and all, and the strong character of its people, past and present. The winter cold is given icy clarity, tiny flowers thriving despite the snow. Never was there a more apt metaphor for a region as hopeful as ours.

On Thursday 15th December you can savour a live performance at St. Andrew’s church. Expect an intimate and at times fragile sound that harbours bigger ambitions and deserves to be heard far and wide.

Catch The Sparrow releases Winter Flowers EP on 2nd December. They play St Andrew’s Church, Newcastle on Thursday 15th December. www.catchthesparrow.nl

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SHANNON PEARL

ROBINSON TALKS TO THE ETHEREAL FOLK ARTIST ABOUT HER SOUND ART PROJECT WHICH TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THE BEAUTY OF THE NORTH EAST COAST

Taking the definition of art to one of its most natural yet difficult conclusions, it seems like local multimedia artist Shannon Pearl enjoys avoiding the easy route when it comes to her work.

Already developing a strong reputation for both her visual and sonic art, Shannon returns with Ghost, an exploration of one of her favourite topics; that of heritage.

“I live by the coast and can’t help but feel inspired by the North East coastline,” confirms Shannon, “it’s such a natural place of wonder and beauty and I just wish more people could visit it and feel the same inspiration that I do.”

Taking the region’s natural beauty as a starting point, and using it as a basis for connecting with those who have gone before us, Ghosts is a project which deeply considers the premises of space and time and asks the big questions about what it means to be alive. “Ghosts started off as a project which partially thought about those who lived in the North East before we did; who were they and what would they think of the way we live now? At the heart of the art is the question about connecting and communicating with the people and the places of the past.”

Starting off the Ghosts project in the auditory medium (there are four glorious vocal pieces at the heart of the work), Shannon’s first task was to try and record the spirit of various places along the North East coastline. “In some moments I would record some of the actual sounds that I heard in each of the places I went to, and at other times I would try to sing and create the sound of the ambiance and atmosphere that I heard. I was trying to capture the spirit of the place, as well as recording live sounds that one day would be ghosts themselves.”

Building on top of the ambiance and soundscapes, Shannon then used a combination of visual art, stills, photography and

physical items like pebbles or grains of sand to complete a fully three-dimensional piece that captured the heritage of a location. “I think of this art as trying to capture the moment and the space of that place in one snapshot, so I tried to create pieces of art that weren’t just about vocal loops but also about reflecting the feeling of the place by using images and materials from the location. The intention is to use the art to help people transport to these places and be inspired by them in the way that I am.”   Shannon explains that she was at times overwhelmed by the possibilities of what each space could be. “Sometimes it felt like these huge jigsaw puzzles in the way that I was trying to line up sounds and imagery and art and vocals and physical items.” The resulting sound art project bristles with both huge ideas and minute detail. Released online and exhibited in two venues in Sunderland from Thursday 8th December, Ghosts is a hugely ambitious combination of art and sound, which at the heart talks about the importance of remembering that one day we too will be ghosts; “We have to remember that we are all part of nature, and nature’s natural cycles.”   Shannon Pearl debuts Ghosts at Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland from Thursday 8th December, moving on to The Good Apple Cafe in Sunderland from Thursday 15th-Thursday 22nd December. www.linktr.ee/shannonpearl

DAMIAN

Image by Martintype

TV DEATH

“I personally knew it was meant to be because when went I for my audition, my Uber driver tried to get me to join a cult,” John Gair drolly chuckles as he recounts how he came to play guitar and synth for local psych punks TV Death. “If there’s a prescient sign for joining a band, it’s probably that one.”

In fairness, an attempted brainwashing in the back of a taxi feels like an appropriately absurd introduction to life with a group who have pulled at loose threads on topics as disparate as the uneasy lure of retro-futurism and the gnawing phantom of delusional parasitosis in their opening salvo of banging singles. Characterised by a gritty bombast and a canny perceptiveness for the crumbling world around them, the quartet – comprised of Gair, Jack Burlison on guitar and lead vocals, Robert Owens on bass, and drummer Andrew McAskell – have been turning heads with a slew of releases that hint towards an irrepressible promise.

Now, in collaboration with Newcastle-based label Daemon T.V, the band have committed their first six singles, along with two new songs, to cassette. Welcome To The Feast is a retrospective EP that is more of an acerbic statement of intent than it is any kind doe-eyed, self-congratulatory pat on the back “It’s quite a fitting name,” Owens explains. “It’s a compilation, it’s almost like a feast of everything we’ve done so far, everything we’ve got to offer. Come to the table, this is what we’ve got.”

And what TV Death are peddling, for the loyal and the uninitiated alike, is an awful lot. From the itching, stomping urgency of Crank Bugs to the swirling melodrama of new track

Dogged Sound, with its propulsive melancholia like a mid-century horror B-movie on amphetamines, Welcome To The Feast is a body of work that enthrals and provokes at every twist. But it is also one stoked by a discontented compulsion. Elsewhere, the band lament for the inanity of the selfcannibalism that has come to define the North Eastern political landscape across recent debacles (“You’ve got all these people who have sworn blood feuds against the Tories and then all of a sudden they’ve voted one in because they’ve been hoodwinked”), while Vultures sees Burlison turn his astute sardonicism on the “weird glorification” of serial killers and other such devils in mainstream pop culture. Anybody who stumbled across a half-cut reveller dressed as Jeffrey Dahmer this Halloween can surely empathise.

In short, TV Death are a band with plenty to say, but they say it with such an endearing curiosity and thorough affability that their voice is only likely to louden with time. With that in mind, it’s apt that the four-piece have found such kindred spirits in Daemon T.V.

“They do things in a really good way,” Owens offers. “They’re so DIY with everything, and they’re mega-inclusive with everything. It’s just a really nice situation to be in. It’s always nice to buy a physical copy, but it’s good that it’s coming from a good place with good people.”

And perhaps that sentiment best sums up the working relationship that the two TVs, Death and Daemon, have cultivated on this latest project; properly decent people making properly decent music.

TV Death launch Welcome To The Feast via Daemon T.V at The Engine Room, North Shields on Friday 16th December. www.tvdeath.com

THE BAND ARE CHARACTERISED BY A GRITTY BOMBAST AND A CANNY PERCEPTIVENESS FOR THE CRUMBLING WORLD AROUND THEM

JASON JONES CHATS WITH THE LOCAL PSYCH PUNKS ABOUT THEIR ACERBIC DEBUT EP

Image by Jacobs Photography

BENJAMIN AMOS

“Music was everywhere in my upbringing, I think I played music before I liked it. I was raised playing pianos and violins, learning my scales and progressions, I had all that embedded before I learnt to like it.”

This was the life of Irish songwriter Benjamin Amos. With an innate musical knowledge, the artist was busking on the streets of Belfast from an early age, eventually fronting indie rockers The Good Fight, winning awards and enjoying the ride. His next project, Sullivan & Gold, was met with similar praise, and saw Amos tour the UK, sign to an independent label and support Ghostpoet and Two Door Cinema Club. Only taking the experience semi-seriously, Amos recalls feeling underdeveloped and unprepared, ultimately relocating to the North East and becoming a school teacher.

Over the years, Amos has kept his creative spark ticking, dabbling in projects scattered across the local music scene, such as his recent series of singles with Durham rapper Faithful Johannes, yet it is only now that Amos returns for a full-scale, and particularly personal, debut album. Letters was conceived after the purchase of Rod Judkins’ novel The Art of Creative Thinking, and Amos’ vision began to snowball as he conceived the story of Letters.

“This album is a journey realistically. If you’ve got a huge pile of letters, there’s the ones we’ve sent, there’s the ones we’re writing, there’s the ones that will never get sent and then there’s the ones that are still to be written. I think we’ve all got those letters,

those stories, whatever they are. For me, these stories have been written over 10 years, there’s moments from the indie band days, then there’s moments of a quiet walk in a Durham forest. You can hear the age across the album, as well as the honesty.”

Through the record’s runtime, the intimacy and honesty of the recording is as charming as they come. With snaps and crackles picked up across his bedroom studio, it is these imperfections that add an earnest flavour to Letters that pairs beautifully with the stories they soundtrack.

“I’ve always struggled finding that spark. I’ve been able to churn out love songs, but they’re so easy to see through. One of the things I saw as an open door, in honest lyrics, was singing about stuff I might have found silly. The album is full of ‘boring’ little details, like cleaning out the kids’ room, finding a new alcove to wander across, Autumn leaves or even accidentally discovering our baby’s gender. I got into a flow with this album and I couldn’t stop. It’s full of uncool little things, but you realise that they’re exactly the things that make us.”

Surrendering to the organic nature of the process, Amos stepped away from scrutinising over guitar tones, flawless production or anything that felt inauthentic. The result is a genuine, folksy world of humanity and people, drawing from the harmonies and textures of Fleet Foxes or Sufjan Stevens.  This beautiful and natural experience  expands further as Amos takes the album on tour, stopping off at a couple of local venues in December. Relishing the improvised, less regimented sounds of the band, this is Amos at his happiest, pure and unflinching.  Benjamin Amos releases Letters on 2nd December. He performs at Claypath Deli, Durham on Saturday 10th and Bobik’s in Newcastle on Sunday 11th December. www.benjaminamos.bandcamp.com

IT’S FULL OF UNCOOL LITTLE THINGS, BUT YOU REALISE THAT THEY’RE EXACTLY THE THINGS THAT MAKE US

Image by David Cavan

KATE BOND

MUSIC

Founder and trailblazer of the sub genre ‘fuck you soul’, Kate Bond is a Yorkshire girl who found the North East as her home away from home. Taking musical influence from her punk rocker mum and jazz musician dad, her melodic upbringing sculpted an indulgent sound which seeps with mind-stroking tendencies of neo-soul soundscapes.

Having described her music as an “angsty exploration of women’s true desires”, Kate Bond was elected as one of BBC Introducing’s tips for 2022, and with the year drawing to a close she’s set to make waves with the much anticipated release of new track Divide & Rule, which is also the title song of her upcoming EP.

Her music is shaped by the relationships around her, and Kate explains the wholesome situation that incorporated the phrase ‘divide and rule’ into a song idea: “The tune was inspired by a ‘wine mum moment’ when watching emotive yet frustrating headlines unfold on the television.” Her mum shouted ‘it’s divide and rule’ at the news, cementing a feminist inspiration for Kate to build from.

An underlying political sentiment is nothing new for Kate Bond and her musical career. A founding member of North East Women in Soul Music (NEWISM) and regular representative for women in the industry, Kate Bond’s last release, We Just Want To Be Loved, was a moving homage to survivors of the rape culture in UK universities.

“I’m hoping to make a connection with Divide & Rule,” she explains, and it becomes evident there is another layer to her music. An easy-listening sound, her new track swells with sparkling synths and vintage reverbs, marrying old-school soul and modern pop in a unique partnership. Creating a community and safe space with her music, Kate emphasises her excitement for 2023 when talking about playing her new works to an audience: “I miss gigs. At the moment, I’m doing one a month… I used to gig all the time – too much if anything!”

Earlier this year Kate relocated from the North to inner city life in London. Despite the statement of a big move, she expressed it wasn’t without its troubles and described the early days of settling into a new environment and a job doing corporate admin as challenging, and feeling stifled by a lack of creativity. Totally unafraid to stride clear of the status quo, she broadened her horizons and settled into a new job in a music school – a much more fitting atmosphere for her talent!

While she may be prepared to show London what she’s got, she’s also keen to remind the North East of what we have missed, and she’s planning a return to Newcastle for Boiler Shop’s Smoove & Turrell Bros. Circus show on Saturday 17th and the Peevie Wonders’ Christmas Celebration at The Cluny on Tuesday 20th December.

Kate Bond releases Divide & Rule EP on 3rd February. She plays Boiler Shop, Newcastle on Saturday 17th and The Cluny on Tuesday 20th December. www.facebook.com/katebondmusic

HECTOR GANNET

MATT YOUNG SPEAKS TO AARON DUFF ABOUT HECTOR GANNET’S POETIC NEW ALBUM

North Shields’ Hector Gannet release their second album The Land Belongs To Us in January and I caught up with songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Aaron Duff on a dark November evening to discuss his music, nature, the local music scene, a ‘big secret’ and lots more.

It’s an easy conversation, he’s a local lad and his welcoming tone lets us dive right in when I ask how it came about that he – as the songwriter – came to form Hector Gannet and augment his songs with other musicians rather than keeping things just solo. “I think I always had the band in mind really. When we started, my old band had split up and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, basically. I had this archive footage of North Shields in the 50s that had my grandparents in and I was compelled to write some music to that.”

This resulted in a 45-minute soundtrack for which Duff needed a band to soundtrack the footage live as a BFI project, and he duly recruited drummer Jack Coe from his previous band and a “floating line-up” of others, including Joe Coady (bass) and Martin Wann (guitar), who “kept showing up” and eventually stuck.

So far Hector Gannet have garnered a slew of praise and radio play for their debut album, numerous singles and the EP released so far. They’ve also toured both solo and as a band with friend and former schoolmate Sam Fender, Sea Power, The Felice Brothers, Lanterns On The Lake, Pete Doherty, Kathryn Williams and folk legend Richard Thompson. The local musicians in particular bonding strongly to inspire each other

and build solid relationships. There’s a real momentum here which makes the release of The Land Belongs To Us a big deal to many.

Duff’s songwriting is a poetic mix of odes to the region’s landscape, people, fauna and our coexistence within that ecosystem. There’s existential consideration, love and appreciation of the past too; feeling positive despite concerns with the climate crisis when lessons need to be learned fast. When asked about his inspiration, Duff explains: “I don’t think I would want to put things across overtly. Lyrically it’s just sort of looking backwards and forwards (simultaneously) and history is one of those things you shouldn’t ignore, because you can learn a lot.” Which brings us around to one track, the tenderly treated Blue Murder by former Lindisfarne member Alan Hull. A long-standing live favourite that Duff concedes he’s “never really kind of got the subject matter of” – until now. It’s a sparkling rendition describing being at the end of your tether emotionally but treated in a way the listeners’ own interpretation is valid.

His own songs fit perfectly around this central cover. The rousing The Eighth Day in particular. “It’s based on a childhood memory of staring up the night sky and the stars and suddenly becoming, like, totally overwhelmed and frightened by feeling so insignificant.” It’s this mix of respectful awe that permeates throughout the album perfectly which makes it essential listening.

Catch the band at their special Hibernal Festivities in Alnmouth and Hexham in December (if you can get a ticket!) Oh, and ‘that big secret’? I’m bound by silence on that too, but it’s huge… and will be announced soon!

Hector Gannet release The Land Belongs To Us on 2nd January via Guga Records. www.hectorgannet.com

Image by Leigh Anne Elliott

FLETCHY

ADAM PAXTON TALKS TO THE NORTH EAST RAPPER ABOUT THE POWER OF INDIVIDUALITY AND HONESTY ON HIS NEW RECORD

Art as a means of escapism is nothing new; both for the artist and the audience. That said, something does not have to be new to be vital and, in a sense, timeless. Shangri-La, the new album by North East rapper Fletchy, is living proof of this. It is hip-hop that speaks to the essence of what the genre, at its best, has always been; escapism, and the power of words. Production from Stottie Fingaz is simple but classy; the rap is rap, no frills, just bars.

“When I put my pen to the pad I’m subconsciously escaping, nothing else matters at that moment in time, it’s pure bliss,” Fletchy shares, and it’s plain to see in his body of work. If there is one thing that emerges throughout the course of this album’s ten tracks, it is just that; a love of hip-hop as a means of escapism. Peppered with samples from Carlito’s Way, these snippets of Al Pacino’s characters attempt to escape from the life he had built for himself contribute to the overall theme of the record.

On the topic of the record’s subject matter, Fletchy elucidates his desire to “speak what’s on my mind, and I know there’s people that can relate to some of the stuff I rap about. I keep it real, I may brag about this and that but there’s no lies.” This is refreshing, as so much of hip-hop has become about presenting an image of a gaudy, shallow lifestyle, Fletchy displays a desire to share what is genuinely important to him in the hopes that it speaks to people.

Fans of an older breed of lyrically denser hip-hop, with simple but slick beats that serve as a blank canvas for an MC to tell a

story will feel right at home with this album. Opening track Conquest drops the gem ‘It’s in my heart, live for the art, charging my arteries / Rocking hard til I drop, I’m hip-hop to the death, raw as it gets’, which seems like a mission statement for Fletchy, as the rest of the album continues to sound like a love letter to his medium.

Regarding his decision to stick to what he loves, bringing an older school brand of hip-hop than many of his peers, Fletchy explains: “I’ve never jumped on anyone’s bandwagon or tried to ride on someone else’s hype. I’m proud to be an individual. It’s okay to stand alone and be yourself.”

His body of work so far lives up to this mantra: Fletchy isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here, but what he is trying to do – and has succeeded in doing – is crafting something timeless, that will hold up whenever listened to.

And this is far from the last we will see of this MC. “I can’t ever see myself stopping. I hope to leave behind a part of me that will live on long after I’m gone.”

Mission accomplished. Fletchy releases Shangri-La on 20th December. www.fletchyandstottiefingaz.bandcamp.com

I KEEP IT REAL, I MAY BRAG ABOUT THIS AND THAT BUT THERE’S NO LIES

Image by Little & Large Media

SOLASTALGIA REFERS TO A PARTICULAR TYPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISTRESS, A FEELING OF GRIEF FOR WHAT WE ARE LOSING FROM THE WORLD

EAST COMPOSER ABOUT HIS NEW ALBUM WHICH EMBODIES FEELINGS OF FUTILITY AND FRUSTRATION AT CLIMATE INACTION

Ebb is a recording project for North East composer Timney, which sees the musician go down different sonic avenues while exploring themes he is passionate about, such as that of our natural world. Previous releases have seen the artist experiment with sampling and field recordings, but new album Solastalgia (his fourth) puts focus on recorded rock music, creating an instrumental post-rock experience.

The change of approach happened naturally according to Timney: “I agonised over the last record, and spent far more time on the computer than playing instruments. Two years on, this album is a little less optimistic and embodies feelings of futility and frustration at climate inaction, the instrumentation reflecting that – it quickly became obvious that this set of songs was taking a more straightforward trajectory, so I decided early on to work with that as a premise and head towards an album with more of a rock orientation and a focus on energy and riffs.”  The change is immediately noticeable from the first song Brutal Mysticism, a power-hungry sounding opener that tears through with its crushing riffs and all-out attack of drums on the dark instrumental. I asked Timney about his choice to make Solastalgia a mostly instrumental project. “I am not a singer, so I express myself musically, and I am drawn to the way that it can express without words.”

What words Timney does use he utilises the best he can, and importance is given to track names: “As I was starting this process, I was reading Edward Abbey, lamenting the loss of wild places to industry and commerce. He speaks of a ‘brutal mysticism’, in which he would lose himself in the desert and face dehydration and exposure to really try to viscerally

experience nature and wildness whilst we still have it. He describes the Anasazi people living free on the land, and the sorrow he feels as he kayaks Glen Canyon for the last time before the Colorado river is dammed and the world within the canyon is flooded and lost forever. It is, in microcosm, what is happening at present to the whole Earth. My song Anasazi represents the joyful abandon of a time before industrial scale destruction.”

He goes on to explain more about the album’s title: “Solastalgia refers to a particular type of environmental distress, a feeling of grief for what we are losing from the world, and an odd kind of nostalgia for what we still have, but are going to lose.”

These thoughts and ideas flow into the music itself. “As a surfer and climber, I spend a lot of time in wild environments, and it is evident year on year how things are changing.” Timney’s experiences in our natural world are brought into this music through field recordings: “I manipulate those sounds to use as textures in a mix. I believe in the responsibility of art to reflect the zeitgeist and address contemporary issues, and it is for that purpose that I use my platform as a musician.”

Solastalgia is a beautiful project which encourages the listener to take note of much more than just the music, the artist’s advice to the listener is as profound as the music: “Pay attention to the world around you; experience it, protect it, be present. Or at the very least – just enjoy half an hour of riffs and big, roomy drums!”

Ebb releases Solastalgia on 21st December. www.ebbinstrumental.bandcamp.com

JAKE ANDERSON TALKS TO THE NORTH

SKINNY LISTER

If you are looking for a feel-good night out, you can’t go wrong with Skinny Lister. The purveyors of the finest shanty folk will soon return to the North East in support of their fifth album, A Matter of Life & Love, with a date at Newcastle University on Friday 9th December.

This year has been a bit of a whirlwind for the British outfit. “We did a tour earlier this year with Less Than Jake. We had a bunch of festivals; we’ve been to Europe a couple of times, and we’ve got the UK tour coming up. So, we’ve filled it nicely,” explains vocalist and guitarist Dan Heptinstall. “Amongst all that, we have been writing new material as well; because we’ve got our eye on the next album for next year.”

During the pandemic, co-vocalist Lorna Thomas gave birth to the newest member of the Skinny Lister family, daughter Bonny. This change in dynamic has added some challenges to life on the road during the band’s recent European tour. “I think it was a 10-date run that took in Germany and Switzerland. It was great catching up with old friends, and it’s good to be on the road,” explained Dan. “We’ve got Bonny with us, and that does bring some logistical headaches with it. Lorna’s mum was on tour with us in a separate vehicle with Lorna and Bonny. It’s a slightly different way to tour, but it works so far – touch wood.” The addition of Bonny to the Skinny Lister family has also become a source of inspiration for the group’s songwriting. “It’s

such a big thing that I think it kind of changes your outlook generally on life. If you’re a songwriter, I think that it inevitably influences you in some way,” said Dan.

One of the band’s most recent singles, Embers, is a timeless, heartwarming, and somewhat emotive slice of Celtic-tinged folk. The song is so memorable that it makes the listener want to charge their glass and have a good old singalong. “It’s one of those songs about getting together with a bunch of mates, having a beer, a drink, a sing, and maybe remembering those that are not with us anymore. I just wanted to create a warm communal singalong feeling, a bit like a folk club that we used to go to,” said Dan. “When I was singing it, I could envisage being back in a room full of people singing. It did give me goosebumps when I was recording it. It’s a beautiful song,” adds Lorna.

Those attending the band’s upcoming shows will perhaps get a taste of the group’s forthcoming new album. “We will be test running a few new tracks on the tour. It’s always nice to have tried some in front of an audience before you go into the studio and get them down,” confirms Dan.

The band are clearly looking forward to returning to Tyneside. Dan concludes: “We’ve been going to Newcastle since day one. It’s always a good crowd. We always try and get it on the schedule if we’re touring. We can’t wait to get back there in December.”

Skinny Lister play Newcastle University Students’ Union on Friday 9th December. www.skinnylister.com

I JUST WANTED TO CREATE A WARM COMMUNAL SINGALONG FEELING, A BIT LIKE A FOLK CLUB THAT WE USED TO GO TO

ADAM KENNEDY TALKS TO DAN HEPTINSTALL AND LORNA THOMAS ABOUT SKINNY LISTER’S FORTHCOMING NEWCASTLE SHOW

LISTINGS

THE BEST OF THE REST...EVEN MORE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY, ART AND FILM TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST THIS MONTH

THURSDAY 1ST DECEMBER

GENERATION

Uninhibited rock trio, support from noyou and Escher // Bobik’s, Newcastle

NO MORE BENIGN SKIES

Exhibition from accomplished North East photographer. Runs until 4th January // The Exchange, North Shields

PAUL ROSE

Legendary blues guitarist // Harbour View, Roker

THE BAND FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION

Old school punks, with support from Percy and San Niguel // NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton

FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER

CLIPPING

Critically acclaimed hip-hop trio // World Headquarters, Newcastle

PLACEBO

The band are back with a new album and a cracking back catalogue // O2 City Hall, Newcastle

PROVENANCE

Lone Wolf Promotions presents a great three band bill of local artists including Provenance, Alistair James and Cameron Young // NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER

BEIRUT GROOVE COLLECTIVE

Collective of vinyl DJs, crate diggers, music obsessives and artists known for spinning distinct sounds // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

GIANT WALKER

Hard hitting rockers, with support from Hawxx // Head of Steam, Newcastle

MR BEN & THE BENS

Melodic tales of Northern life with an indie pop vibe // Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland

FEATURED //

Paul Smith

The Maximo Park frontman presents an afternoon of solo songs and surprises, with special guests and hand-picked support acts // Sage Gateshead

POST ROME

Emo pop rockers, with support from Patrick Gosling and Hannah Robinson // Independent, Sunderland

PUNISHMENT OF LUXURY

Well respected local post-punks, with support from Rubella Ballet, Klammer, Cazimi and Cherry & Peesh // Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough

STRAYS

North Shields indie rockers, plus support from Super Burner and Sha Rivari // The Globe, Newcastle

THE GREAT MARKET CAPER

The Grainger Market throws open its doors for another night of live music, comedy, street food, drinks and more. Entertainment comes from India Arkin plus festive laughs // Grainger Market, Newcastle

THE

REYTONS

Indie rockers // NX Newcastle

THE SUGGESTIBLES

The improvisers present their School of Improv // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER

LET SPIN

Cutting edge post-jazz quartet, support from Ceitidh Mac // Bobik’s, Newcastle

TUESDAY 6TH DECEMBER

THE

QUEERS SUPPORT UKRAINE

A night of queer cabaret performances raising funds for the humanitarian appeal in Ukraine // Dance City, Newcastle

TWO POUND TUESDAY

Little Buildings’ excellent value live showcase, featuring noise rockers Mally and classic hard rock band Circus // Little Buildings, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 7TH DECEMBER

HARDWICKE CIRCUS

Alt. indie rock band // Trillians, Newcastle

JAKE DIAZ

Established singer-songwriter, plus support from heavy rockers Arachnarok, indie band Reservoirs and crust-metal band Anti-Bastard // NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton

THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER

AN EVENING OF SHORT READINGS

A celebratory evening of prose and poetry from some of the Lit & Phil’s most talented creative writers // The Lit & Phil, Newcastle

EMMA WILSON

Nationally established North East-based blues singer // Harbour View, Roker

SHOE CAKE COMEDY CLUB

Featuring improvisers The Discount Comedy Checkout plus support // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER

ABBIE OZARD

Bedroom pop artist, supported by Marketplace // Bobik’s, Newcastle

BALIMAYA PROJECT

Sixteen-piece supergroup performing a fusion of traditional Mande music and contemporary jazz // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

NINEBANKS

Pop punk, supported by Coastlines and The Neolectrics // Independent, Sunderland

NINE BELOW ZERO

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Third Degree, supported by Charlie Austen // The Cluny, Newcastle

FEATURED // The Territory

Partially shot by the Uru-eu-wau-wau people of the Brazilian Amazon, filmed over the course of several years, The Territory offers an authentic portrait of an Indigenous community’s daily life and struggle against encroaching deforestation // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER

AMELIA COBURN

Folk songwriter // ARC, Stockton

A NIGHT OF ACOUSTIC MUSIC...

Featuring very special sets from Martha Hill, Holly Rees and Lauren Stone // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

A NIGHT OF SHORT FILMS

Newcastle Film Club present a night of networking and short film screenings // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

AYNSLEY LISTER

Contemporary blues guitarist // The Cluny, Newcastle

EMMA ROBSON

North East singer-songwriter, supported by Imogen Bose-Ward // Bobik’s, Newcastle

LOST VOICE GUY COMEDY SHOWCASE

Featuring performances from Scott Bennett, Micky P Kerr and Louise Young // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle

NEUROFEST

Raising money for local neurodivergent charity Tees Valley Buddies, the line-up includes Afraid To Sleep, Daisycutter, Brass Eyed Dragons, Manfrog, Stu Blackburn, Sadie Joan and more TBA // NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton

THE WANDERING HEARTS

British folk Americana trio // The Fire Station, Sunderland

SUNDAY 11TH DECEMBER

ELDA WITH FAYE MACCALMAN

Acoustic sounds mixed with live electronics and soundscapes, support comes from John Pope and John Garner Duo // The Globe, Newcastle

THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER

A COSY NIGHT IN…

Featuring Iris Brickfield, Lady Caroline Mary and Nicky Rushton // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

CHRIS DIFFORD

The award-winning lyricist performs alongside special guest Boo Hewardine // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle

COSYS EX

The North East collective perform a fusion of genres, with players taking inspiration from folk backgrounds as well as contemporary electronic and jazz influences. Support from Jen Mac and Ladies of Midnight Blue // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

DAVE DITCHBURN, ROD SINCLAIR & STEVE HALL Jazz blues brilliance // Harbour View, Roker

FELT NOWT

Stand-up comedy from Anja Atkinson, Kerris Gibson, Steffen Peddie and host Si Beckwith // The Engine Room, North Shields

THEY LIVE

John Carpenter’s horror classic that exposes the monster called capitalism // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

VIPERTIME

Spiritual jazz and post-punk influenced improvised sounds, plus support from Awen Ensemble // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER

ANDREW CUSHIN

Fast rising local indie songwriter, supported by Komparrison and Gone Tomorrow // KU Bar, Stockton

IMOGEN

Eclectic North East musician, supported by Ernie // Bobik’s, Newcastle

SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER

CURIOUS WINTER VOGUE BALL

An unforgettable celebration of the North East’s LGBTQIA+ culture // Dance City, Newcastle

SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER

FELL

Jangly guitar pop and pastoral folk sit alongside psychedelic freak-outs and krautrock rhythms // The Old Coal Yard, Newcastle

GOOD VIBRATIONS

DJ Lady Koo’s ‘early bird’ club night featuring vintage pop, Northern soul, ska and reggae // The Cumberland Arms

MARTIN MCALOON

The founding member of Prefab Sprout will perform a selection of hits from the band’s extensive archive, celebrating over 40 years of his brother’s writing // The Cluny, Newcastle

MARY WALLOPERS

Irish folk group // The Cluny, Newcastle

THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER

OUT OF YOUR HEAD

A non-competitive spoken word open mic night // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

THE OUTTAKES

Five-piece experimental rock band, with support from The Timewasters and The Revolution One // Bobik’s, Newcastle

TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER

THE STAND NEW YEAR SPECIALS

A variety of local funny people take to the stage to usher out 2022 and welcome in 2023. Expect performances from Sammy Dobson and Carl Hutchinson and pals. Runs until 31st December // The Stand, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 28TH DECEMBER

GET HIP!

Featuring proto-punk, glam and rhythm ‘n’ blues influenced band Thee Dagger Debs // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

THURSDAY 29TH DECEMBER

SHIPCOTE & FRIENDS

Local favourite Americana storyteller, with support from Gem Andrews // The Globe, Newcastle

SATURDAY 31ST DECEMBER

NEW YEAR’S EVE COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA Stand-up comedy courtesy of Steffen Peddie, Catherine Young, Kirsty Davies, Psychic Stu and more // The Central Bar, Gateshead

FRIDAY 6TH JANUARY

TWELFTH NIGHT PHANTOMS AT THE PHIL Supernatural story stalwarts Gail-Nina Anderson, Sean O’Brien and Simon Morden offer up a traditional feast of post-festive fright // The Lit & Phil, Newcastle

FRIDAY 13TH JANUARY

EXTRA LIFE

Experimental band from New York, supported by MOPCUT // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle

SUNDAY 15TH JANUARY

NEPTUNE FROST

Sci-fi punk musical set between states of being – past and present, dream and waking life, colonised and free, male and female, memory and prescience – Neptune Frost is a call to reclaim technology for progressive political ends // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

SUNDAY BY THE FIRE

With Sam Baxter and Merle Harbron // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY

A COSY NIGHT IN

With Bridie Jackson and Gem Andrews // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY

BREATHER

An evening of drone, loops and skronk poems, with support from Firas Khnaisser and Culver // The Lit & Phil, Newcastle

SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY

ELECTRONIC MUSIC OPEN MIC NIGHT

A space for electronic music makers to share ideas and collaborate // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

RACHEL FAIRBURN

The ‘rock ‘n’ roll comedian’ presents her new show, Can I Be Awful? // The Stand, Newcastle

TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY

FEATURED // The Wingmen

Featuring Baz Warne (The Stranglers), Paul Gray (The Damned), Leigh Heggarty (Ruts DC) and Marty Love (Johnny Moped); a musical union that somehow manages to sound like the sum of all of those legendary bands, yet also nothing like them // The Cluny, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY

BLACK COAST

Five-piece metal band, supported by Cut Short // Bobik’s, Newcastle

THURSDAY 26TH JANUARY

EARLY JAMES

Alabama songwriter whose sound is a glorious patchwork of dark blues, contemplative jazzy folk, Western country, murder ballads and lovestruck piano tunes // The Cluny, Newcastle

GREY GARDENS

The classic documentary chronicling the reclusive life of high society dropouts and cousins of Jackie O, Big and Little Edie Bouvier Beale // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

FRIDAY 27TH JANUARY

EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON

Americana songstress, with support from Alisa Amador and Violet Bell // The Globe, Newcastle

SATURDAY 28TH JANUARY

JACK CARROLL

The comedian and actor’s new show Walking Funny includes observations on life coping with cerebral palsy in the modern world // ARC, Stockton

THE VAPORS

New wave band, supported by Sharp Class // The Cluny, Newcastle

SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY

CROWLEY

Retro pagan rock, supported by LN and Spelk // Little Buildings, Newcastle

MONDAY 30TH JANUARY

FALSE HEADS

Rock and punk trio // Independent, Sunderland

FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS

Raucous folk punk // Newcastle University Students’ Union

TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY

FERN BRADY

Witty and acerbic, the comedian brings her new show, Autistic Bikini Queen, to Durham // Gala Theatre, Durham

REVIEWS

DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE, PENANCE STARE @ STAR & SHADOW CINEMA, NEWCASTLE (15.11.22)

Words:

Lee Fisher

Things are changing with the TUSK crew but if tonight is any indication, they’re still bringing Newcastle the good, good stuff and long may that continue. It’s been a few months since I last saw Penance Stare and they’ve mutated and evolved in fantastic ways. The earlier stuff still sounds immense – slamming from Seventeen Seconds-style intricacy to huge riffs, with Gill’s drums thundering beneath Esme’s fierce guitar. But there’s been a shift towards a sound that’s more ‘noise rock’ than metal, that sweet crunch and wail, as heard on new tracks like An Impact and amazing closer Soirée, a properly astonishing track that sees Esme abandon her mic to stomp and howl across the stage, overcome with angst.

Divide And Dissolve arrived with a reputation for sombre, brooding riffs but nothing prepared me for just how warm and humble they are, with guitarist Takiaya Reed’s chat between segments somehow encompassing gratitude and hope but also frustration, anger and tips for dealing with your racist uncle. Their music was overwhelming –punishingly loud and immersive (clothes flapped) but never simplistic. Reed’s looped soprano sax sequences had me pondering a D&D/Angel Bat Dawid collaboration. The interplay between Reed and drummer Sylvie Nehill was near-telepathic (they rarely took their eyes off each other as they played) and the set gained momentum and intensity until it was a cathartic, almost Swans-style industrial grind. Absolutely huge. Absolutely vital. We got an encore – apparently a rarity – and I think my organs shifted around. A truly joyful night, full of hope through noise.

RACHAEL DADD, TOBIAS SARRA @ COBALT STUDIOS, NEWCASTLE (18.11.22)

Words: Ali Welford

With (excellent) tour support Maja Lena struck down by illness, the floor is left to local artist Tobias Sarra as tonight’s sole opener. It’s an opportunity he seizes with aplomb, using his extended slot to debut an assortment of material assembled in Norway for his upcoming sophomore record. Composed primarily of keyboard vignettes and classical suites adapted for synth, it’s the richness of Sarra’s voice which nevertheless proves most compelling, vaguely recalling the distinct, sensitive tones of Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas.

Setting aside an exquisite catalogue spanning the better part of two decades, Rachael Dadd likewise has her focus set firmly on the present. Essentially a full airing of Kaleidoscope on shuffle (the sole exception being The Bridge, the title track from the album’s companion EP), tonight’s performance is an all-in show of conviction in a truly bewitching body of work. Among the finest records released by anybody in 2022, Rachael animates its luscious widescreen folk arrangements with the aid of a dynamic backing trio, capturing every ounce of deftness and harmonic wonder held within mini-marvels such as Join The Dots, Ox and Ghosts. Sublimely crafted and flawlessly executed, they’re illuminating renderings from an artist leading the way in the UK’s contemporary folk scene, whose next trip up North can’t come soon enough.

DEAF HAVANA @ WORLD HEADQUARTERS, NEWCASTLE (15.11.22)

Words: Cameron Wright

For a band who have stated that they seldom felt comfortable on the stage, or even that the performance was an afterthought, Deaf Havana’s show tonight communicated a completely different narrative.

Goofing around, joking with band mates and punters alike, this was a new band on stage.

Moved last minute from NX to World Headquarters, the intimate venue was a stark contrast to what the audience anticipated, with the band mentioning upfront that it had been quite some time since last playing a concert that size.

With sharp vocals and an arguably sharper band behind it, the night was a rousing success. Tailored specifically to the most recent discography of the band, James lead the crowd through a literary of sombre tracks with a distinctly earnest undercurrent.

Imperfect, it faltered from a temperamental sound system, an unpolished stage presence and what some argued as an imbalanced set, the concert wasn’t without its question marks, but for those open to the band’s latest shift in sound, it was nothing short of fun.

With a vocal that cuts through a mix regardless of whatever battering instrumental is behind it, James and the crew delivered huge choruses and tight musicanship from start to stop, making the intimate venue the perfect space for the newfound rawness of the band to resonate more personally than they have in recent years, marking an exciting new chapter for Deaf Havana.

Deaf Havana by Jason Hayles

(04.11.22)

Words: Mark Corcoran-Lettice

Tonight’s support bill is a good and bad of the Sage Gateshead: the good coming from opener Late Girl, a current Artist In Residence at the venue. A fixture of the experimental and electronic circuits in town in recent years, her iterative approach to her work has seen her steadily evolve her live set to combine a sly humour with an increasingly incisive social critique, her collage-like, purposely homebrew sound work making for a fascinating, bizzarro window into the world outside. The conviction and warmth of Late Girl’s performance is sadly missing in tonight’s debut of audio-visual symphony NXS8. Man Power (as the regrettably named alter-ego Bed Wetter) provides synth pulses and bass hits that offer sporadic momentum, but between the smothering orchestral score and the vacant, overlit industrial fetishism of the visual component, it’s the unhappy bringing together of many deeply talented people for no discernible purpose.

Drawing from 2020’s Lamentations album, William Basinski’s performance pulls at a tension between beauty and extremity. Drawing from the more distorted, rough-hewn end of his tape loop manipulation, his elegies are laced through with a sense of real, palpable fury as Basinski tears apart layers of choral vocals and crackling orchestral samples – a fading vision of the world we stand to lose. Leaving the stage with an unreleased mix of piano composition Melancholia II, it’s a necessary and beautiful moment of reflection after the bruising, urgent heft of the Lamentations material.

JOHN CALE, LIZZIE REID @ PLAYHOUSE WHITLEY BAY (31.10.22)

Words: Michael O’Neill

Trying to condense the staggering legacy of John Cale into the confines of a live review is quite the task, but let me put it simply: if he didn’t perform on one of your all-time favourite albums, he likely produced it. Glaswegian singer-songwriter Lizzie Reid, on her first support tour, opened with a beguiling half hour set of phenomenally crafted songs, an arresting performer with a breathtaking command of the craft, it was the perfect tone-setter for a deep dive into a spellbinding songbook. Those well-acquainted with Cale’s work will not be surprised to hear that note-perfect renditions of crowd-pleasers were completely off the table (spoiler: no Velvet Underground) with Cale opting to instead

deconstruct and remould deeper cuts from his solo work into bold new modern shapes, allowing them to sit perfectly alongside cuts from his upcoming LP Mercy which characteristically succeed at sounding both like classic Cale and yet unlike anything he’s done before. All in all, it was a profound testament to why has cast such a great shadow over the last sixty years of alternative music, and why he has remained such a relentless force of nature, always keen to push ahead instead of resting on his laurels, and always seeking to push the boundaries as far as they’ll allow.

PART CHIMP, GHUM, IRKED @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (12.11.22)

Words: Dominic Stephenson

First on the bill were local five-piece IRKED. Advised that this was their last gig for a while, frontperson Helen Walkinshaw’s rocketing howls took centre stage, while serrated, winding riffs crashed into each other at breakneck speed. A solid send-off until they return.

There’s been some seriously talented support acts afoot recently but they don’t come much better than GHUM. The gothic punk quartet have been filed under ‘must see’ since I discovered Saturn in 2019 and they lived up to every ounce of expectation. Opening with the wailing guitar of Rivers, tumbling drums slung into the noirish hypnosis of Some People. They have a penchant for explosive choruses and it was a pleasant surprise to hear dynamic early tracks 1000 Men and Get Up. This darkwave-encrusted post-punk is bound together by a meticulously tight rhythm section, while sizzling riffs, thumping bass and Laura Guerrero Lora’s sumptuous vocals forge a rich, ethereal soundscape. There was still time for the entirely Spanish-sung Perro, a real highlight, before closing with the pulsating Saturn. Formidable yet accessible, GHUM will be an unmissable prospect when they return to Newcastle.

Noise rock favourites Part Chimp have been in the business for more than two decades, bar a five year split, but this was only their second foray to Tyneside. Minus a bassist on the night, they patched any holes with duelling guitarists that spawned some truly titanic riffs. There’s not many bands that can groove with such intensity and the trio constantly threatened to teeter into sludge metal territory. Despite an encoreless climax to the confusion of some, this was brutal, cathartic and seriously loud rock music.

WILLIAM BASINSKI, BED WETTER, BRICE & NOVAK WITH ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA, LATE GIRL @ SAGE GATESHEAD

John Cale by Adam Kennedy

PUSSY RIOT @ THE CLUNY 2, NEWCASTLE (11.11.22)

Words: Nat Greener

If you’ve been following the contemporary wave of riot grrrl enthused feminism, then you would have heard of Pussy Riot. The performance art collective first surfaced in 2012 following members’ arrest and imprisonment in response to their protest against the re-election of Russian President and alleged war criminal, Vladimir Putin. Hailing from Moscow, the lo-fi outfit clasped Newcastle’s Cluny 2 with their latest political production, A Riot’s Guide. The demonstration is an authentic offshoot of their original street art heritage, incorporating new hip-hop influences with a modern dance pop flare.

A defying exploration of genre bending sounds, Pussy Riot’s Russian chants for freedom juxtaposed with the experimental inclusion of electronic beats, heavy riffs and chilling vocals - occasionally accompanied by a flute composition. Their uniquely anarchic layering of punk performance impactfully counteracted an eeriness brought on by soft harmonies.

Over the years, the activist ensemble has had a rotating amalgamation of ten to twenty members; this event was an immersive and intimate experience, sharing the stage with only four – Diana, Olga, Taso and Maria. Disguised by pseudonyms and balaclavas, the staged guerrilla-esque routine allowed audiences to stare into the eyes of real people, experiencing a trauma we are witnessing unfold before us. The screen above projected a series of visual aids that illustrated such horrific events. A punk prayer versus Putin, Pussy Riot are touring to raise crucial funds for a children’s hospital on the front line in Ukraine.

THE BUG CLUB, MOCK TUDORS, THE SLUGS @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (11.11.22)

Words: Lee Hammond

For fans of off-kilter indie pop, tonight’s show is a dream line-up, with local band The Slugs opening. Their chanted lyrics quickly get the packed crowd singing along in emphatic fashion. They’re followed by Sheffield’s Mock Tudors whose distinct brand and sound win over the audience, compounding it with brilliant tracks like Bin Day and Nutbush Coffee Morning. With frenetic pace, comedic stylings and exceptional songs, they’re an undoubted hit!

The bar is set extremely high for The Bug Club, who quietly take to the stage and let their plethora of short sharp tracks do the talking. Debut

album Green Dream In F# dominates the setlist, with Six O’Clock News being an early favourite, as well as Yesterday’s Papers and the wonderful Christmas Lullaby. They tear through their set, barely stopping for breath, older tracks like If My Mother Thinks I’m Happy, The Fixer and Checkmate all inciting rousing singalongs. It’s a euphoric atmosphere, with The Bug Club’s excitement exuding from the stage. They close with A Love Song, leaving a crowd hooting and hollering at the tops of their voices, and an emphatic encore of We Don’t Need Room For Lovin’ and Hammerman top off an incredible evening. The bar was set high, but The Bug Club leaped over it and provided what could easily be one of the best shows of the year!

JARBOE, JOZEF VAN WISSEM @ THE LUBBER FIEND, NEWCASTLE (11.11.22)

Words: Damian Robinson

Proving one of the most intimate venues in the North East, Newcastle’s Lubber Fiend seems the perfect location for tonight’s combination of artists exploring the total possibilities of musical soundscapes.    Opening with the mesmerising lute skills of Jozef Van Wissem, tonight’s show focuses on the alchemy that the mix of musicality and intellect can bring; Wissem leading this exploration through some breathtaking lute playing (particularly when using a slide guitar style of performing) which showcases the sonic potential of his one-of-a-kind custom-made baroque lute. A 45 minute set, including a brief encore, proves the perfect supportive platform for tonight’s headliner – former Swans architect Jarboe and her own blend of literary and compositional experimentation.

Lining up as part of as a keys/synth and guitar duo, Jarboe leads her set with a combination of poetry reading and experimental jazz singing which flutters over an ambient keyboard and electric guitar-driven soundscape. Intentionally withdrawn on stage, Jarboe curates the show by making the music the centre of attention; providing the muchneeded space and oxygen the music needs to reach its full development as it dangles with tales of mysticism, spirituality and human consciousness.

With both Van Wissem and Jarboe ask the audience to focus on the subtleties of their music, tonight proves that deliberate concentration and participation in live and challenging music pays off hugely.

The Bug Club by Victoria Wai

KENDRICK LAMAR @ UTILITA ARENA, NEWCASTLE (04.11.22)

Words: Ikenna Offor

Like a young Cassius Clay, Kendrick Lamar shocked the world. Since bursting into mainstream consciousness with his insta-classic 2012 debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, the Compton native has long exuded that ineffable mystique which augurs legend status. Small wonder then that the irrepressibly giddy crowd goes from gleeful peals of “O, Kendrick Lamar!” to hushed awe as the lights go out and the man himself appears onstage, black-clad and sitting at an upright piano, trilling out the opening refrain to United In Grief. With the scene set for what promises to be a night of high theatrics (thanks in no small part to overarching narration by none other than Dame Helen Mirren), the diminutive rap laureate nimbly jaunts through the roof-raising sermon of N95, Worldwide Steppers’ distorted bounce, and a thrillingly febrile punk-inflected rendition of Backseat Freestyle (then a preponderance of certified shmangers too numerous to list). Despite being largely repurposed from Lamar’s jaw-dropping Glastonbury set, tonight’s proceedings are so audaciously detailed and painstakingly choreographed that nothing feels even slightly rehashed. Bolstered by inventive silhouette-screened set pieces and dazzling pyrotechnics, Lamar’s sublime stagecraft never wavers, whether he’s restlessly prowling the stage solo or flanked by a coterie of dancer apostles whilst presenting various tableaux. As the final bell sounds, Kendrick Lamar emerges victorious, with the sated crowd’s clamour of adulation ringing loudly across the rafters. By turns propulsive and obstinately opaque, then introspective and intensely vulnerable, rap’s current Wordsmith Supreme deftly delivers an undeniable spectacle that’s as lofty as it is enigmatic but never short of mesmeric.

BOB VYLAN @ NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION (11.11.22)

Words: Ewan Gleadow

Raging as only post-punk can, generous and inspiring moments flow through Bob Vylan’s set; an articulate duo striking through with intensity and musical charm that hopes to educate and stimulate. Bobby and Bobbie Vylan, the launch of angered reason and the alternative beat that backs those politically charged verses, are a mixture of fun and vitriol. That much is shown during a show where reverb challenged the heart and lyrics engaged the mind.

Tracks like England’s Ending and latest single The Delicate Nature are

well performed, energetic and just as powerful as expected. Intense as those studio recordings may be, they are given a fresh and demanding perspective when the buzz of a sold-out crowd is thriving, jumping and moving to some excellent delivery from the pair, notably so on Turn Off The Radio and show closer Wicked And Bad. Presence on-stage comes natural to Bobby, who opens the show with a calming meditation, out of place at almost any other punk gig, but sincere, warm and welcoming here.

That is the key: Bob Vylan are a duo capable and consistently acting on real change and intensity, but they do so in an environment that exudes love and respect for the self and others.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS, THE CRUEL KNIVES @ O2 CITY HALL, NEWCASTLE (29.10.22 )

Words: Laura Doyle

Three things became apparent at this gig: folks really commit to their costumes on Halloween weekend, even if they have a show to catch first; the O2 City Hall ought to sort out their aircon before filling it with people ready to rock out; and The Pretty Reckless are something special. Support act The Cruel Knives made this abundantly clear. The flashy rock four-piece weren’t the worst, but their indulgent interludes and overextended guitar solos seemed all the more excessive once Momsen & Co. took to the stage.

Touring off the back of 2021’s Death By Rock ‘n’ Roll and recent compilation album Other Worlds, The Pretty Reckless have carved out their place in rock history as a group dedicated to making songs that speak from the heart. Their energy filled the stage and then some, spilling out to fill the auditorium with hard rock vibes that made the venue’s stifling heat almost bearable (only one quick breather in the outside smoking area was needed to bring my internal body temperature back into spec).

Oldies still populated their setlist, with their debut single Make Me Wanna Die nearly bringing the house down, but this was also a celebration of the band’s accomplishments on this 12 year journey together. And So It Went (originally featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine) is fury-laden and vitriolic, Momsen spitting, “The world does not belong to you” in their anthem against injustice and inequality. Music is what makes The Pretty Reckless tick, and they embody their passion to the max at every single chance they have.

Bob Vylan by Sam Wall

TRACKS

VOODOO BLACK EXORCIST S/T

EP

Words: Michael O’Neill

The marvellously named Voodoo Black Exorcist are a far more multi-faceted beast than their textbook death metal moniker may imply, and these four tracks are an incredible showcase for their talents. Fell In Love With A Witch is a tantalising scrap between a deep R&B groove and an intricately arranged string workout; Mega Vulva brilliantly answers the oft-asked question “what if The Jesus Lizard had bought a vocoder and listened to more Todd Rundgren?”; Psychic Vampire mixes Sabbathworthy riff workouts with delightfully wonky sonics; and the EP’s rounded off by the sludgy, frenetic stomp of Porn Tash. It’s all over in barely ten minutes, yet it manages to successfully cram 60 years of guitar music into a blender with effortless grace. Sublime. Released: 16.01.23 www.voodooblackexorcist.co.uk

REVIEWS OF SINGLES AND EPS BY NORTH EAST ARTISTS. WANT YOUR MUSIC FEATURED? EMAIL NARCMEDIA@GMAIL.COM

(PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)

HEYMAN AUMS

THE NIGHT SEA JOURNEY

Words:

Matt Young

There’s more Jungian inspiration at work here in Heyman Aums latest song, following on neatly from their EP released back in June. This time examining mythical allegory and an exploration of the psyche via depression. If that sounds a bit weighty then fear not, oozing synths, squishy bass and organic beats sound like they’re taking a journey around the wetter parts of the brain.

Evoking similar artists like The Chromatics at times, the ethereal vocal floats melodically yet abstractedly over the song’s foundations and the mind wanders, drifting into reverie...if only the track was longer. The references may not register immediately but the moods at work will be familiar to fans of directors Lynch and Eggers, and the period music of John Carpenter’s movie soundtracks. Released: 02.12.22

www.instagram.com/heymanaums

ANALOGUE BLOOD CONTROL

Words: Matt Young

I’m pretty well travelled. I’ve experienced different cultures. I’ve been to Darlington a few times, so I’m hardly surprised to hear this mash of guitar-driven EDM assault my ears when I slap it on the ol’ turntable (okay, computer). The initial come up, hand claps et al, could be heavier in my humble opinion, but as soon as the riffing starts and the synth stabs ring out I’m all in, throwing shapes like a sweaty, pilled-up chav outside McDonald’s at 3am. That is merely hyperbole for illustrative purposes of course. But you get my point. It’s pure banging.

The growling Voldemort vocal that’s telling me it’s “out of control” is faintly disconcerting but nothing metal fans would worry about. To sum up then, it’s great fun and a real floor filler.

Released: 01.12.22 www.facebook.com/analogueblood

REALI-T NO CHANGE

Words: Tom Astley

Hackney-born Newcastle resident Reali-T offers a witty flow that crackles through No Change. Reali-T’s flow doesn’t rely on rhythmic gymnastics, sticking to a delivery that puts the lyrical content front and centre. And it needs to, because the wordplay here is off the charts good, and will have you pausing and replaying line-by-line. The heart of the track can be summed up in the line “Someone said I do real rap so boom bap’s what they expect / Why put me in a box, especially when I’m not dead yet’. Produced by Illektre, alongside the genregrounding snappy hi-hats and sub bass, there is a wonky vibraphone sound that warps in and out of focus, making a beautiful hazy canvas. Released: 04.12.22

www.facebook.com/mrrealit

Image by Jay Dawson

CHRIS MARDULA

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Words: Tom Astley

Chris Mardula’s bio for Take It Or Leave it will surely resonate with myriad bedroom musicians, as he writes of the difficulties of getting a band together (and keeping it together), of having mountains of demo recordings spinning wheels on hard drives, and the final realisation that they have to be heard somehow.

The result is a defiantly positive track, warm and assured, the well-rehearsed acoustic guitar and vocal reinvigorated in this iteration with synth strings and drums. There’s a sincerity in the vocals which really carries the song. His Britpop influence is apparent here, but with the orchestral strings it maybe veers a little more towards The Verve than other more familiarly brash Oasis-inflected sounds.

Released: 16.12.22

www.facebook.com/chrimardulamusic

ZAMJ MOVING EP

Words: Michael O’Neill

Across seven tracks, in a brief 22 minutes, Zamj is our guide through a fast-moving banquet of beats and bars that explores a myriad of genres and provides a fantastic showcase for his versatility behind the mic, from the junglist frenzy of DnB Bars to the more introspective, spaced out Massive Attack-esque atmosphere of Psilocybin and the 808-heavy grind of No Rehearsal and Fast, the EP is consistent but ambitious in its scope, with Zamj not seeking to stick to one firm musical blueprint but instead use a wide array of beats and genres as a foundation for his fantastic flow and brilliant, frank, raw and charismatic wordplay, showcased by the statement-of-intend closing track That Kid. Properly essential. Released: 09.12.22 www.instagram.com/zamj0191

BELASIS THE MAN IN THE BIG HOUSE

Words: Matt Young “I’ve heard it said, he can’t lie straight in bed” sings Griff of Belasis in reference to a certain recent US ex-President. It’s a mildly funny line in an otherwise standard rock song that the Billingham three-piece of Mozo, Griff and Chud walk us through.

Childhood friends and undoubtedly not their given passport names, mates playing music together is never a bad thing, but as targets go Trump is an open goal, even if you’re late to the party, and the accusations you could hurl his way would work best coming from artists with real bite. The song is brief and strangely peters out after the final chorus, which is a jarringly bold choice held against the unassuming progression of the previous three minutes.

Released: 21.12.22 www.belasis.bandcamp.com

CRUX SAVE ME

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Crux’s new single, Save Me, is somewhat peculiar. While the band is most commonly described as a mix of prog rock and punk, Save Me certainly does not fit into this category – it would be a stretch to describe it as indie rock. Yet, despite the dilemma of not fitting into their supposed genre, Save Me has something unusual about it that intrigues the listener: the ominous synth-wave effects at the beginning of the song, and the overall critique of people in power and their lack of actions to help change people’s lives. Recorded in a studio renovated from a church, there is an eerie, yet ethereal air about the song, with lyrics like chilling whispers, leaving the listener with goosebumps. Released: 06.12.22 www.crux.band

NTGB

TILL I’M GONE

Words: Jake Anderson

Sunderland’s NTGB have already returned with their newest track Till I’m Gone. With the excellent graffiti-style artwork, and the depressing title I was unsure where the sound of this track would take me.

However, what unveiled itself was a really funky 90s pop rock throwback. The track emits that same fun energy that songs from that era did, with a lively vocal performance by Gaz Brown over some groovy bass lines – the song’s hook has burrowed its way deep into my skull.

I don’t know if it was an influence on NTGB, but the song wouldn’t feel amiss on a They Might Be Giants projects, especially with the celestial-sounding organ that creeps into the mix.

Released: 02.12.22 www.nt-gb.co.uk

EARLY MAZE WASTE OF YOU

Words: Jake Anderson

Opening with some hazy riffs, the shoegaze influence on this Hexhambased band becomes apparent immediately. Jaime Harwood’s reverbed and washed-out vocals soak into the track, drenching the listener. It gives the song a feeling of calmness, which juxtaposes the high-tempo indie rock drums that feature prominently and the track’s shredding bass melody. They should clash, but they complement each other well, heightening the ethereal vibe.

It’s a track that feels like zoning out on the best high of your life, while at the best party ever planned. But don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a positive song; Harwood’s vocals and lyrics have a tinge of melancholy to them, with his sadness piercing through the shoegaze banger’s abrasive instrumentation.

Released: 09.01.23 www.earlymaze.bandcamp.com

DARREN HOLMES

FOOD AND HEAT

Words: Maria Winter

Having lived in County Durham all his life, Darren Holmes writes original material touching on the relatable realities of life, such as falling in love in the most ordinary of places and personal goals and dreams. His newest single, Food And Heat, discusses exactly what the title infers – a choice between food and heat during the current turbulent financial climate. Instead of taking the melancholy approach by creating a solemn, slow song to correspond with the topic, Darren opted for an upbeat tune to bring an element of cheer and humour. This truly represents his down-to-earth attitude, reflected through both the rhythmic musicality and clever lyrics.

Released: 01.12.22 www.facebook.com/darren.holmes.7587

MAT HUNSLEY

JUST THE FAMILY INSIDE

Words: Maria Winter

Newcastle-based singer-songwriter Mat Hunsley’s new single, Just The Family Inside, was recorded live in just a single take, capturing the beautifully raw nature of Mat’s performance. Featuring guitar and vocals, this delicately constructed single details the personal struggles faced by Mat during the pandemic, as he effectively dances between cheerful optimism and realistic honesty within the lyrics. With an impressive following, Mat has continued to set his musical bar high with the release of Just The Family Inside. His soothing vocal tone paired with the melodically graceful guitar playing is enough to captivate the listener. It’s exciting to anticipate which musical direction Mat will take next.

Released: 02.12.22 www.facebook.com/mathunsley

ALBUMS

JOHN CALE MERCY (DOUBLE SIX/DOMINO)

Words: Gus Ironside

At the time of writing, John Cale,

most uncompromisingly avant-garde

ITALIA 90 LIVING HUMAN TREASURE (BRACE YOURSELF RECORDS)

Words: Evie Nicholson

just

a UK tour

early

a well-received

Cale team. It’s perhaps appropriate that the Welsh musician’s latest album Mercy is steeped in the anxieties of our time, bleeding through not only in Cale’s lyrics, but also in the sense of unease and uncertainty on tracks such as Marilyn Monroe’s Legs (Beauty Elsewhere), a beguiling track which gives the sense of drifting in and out of consciousness, flitting between past and present. Cale’s voice remains as instantly recognisable as ever, while his sense of melody on the catchy Noise Of You will be familiar to anyone who has ever loved Paris 1919, or any of Cale’s subsequent forays into avant-pop. The overall sound of Mercy could be described as drifting electronica, with Cale giving a variety of contemporary collaborators breathing space to enhance his compositions. Story Of Blood, featuring Weyes Blood, could almost be a 21st Century take on Brian Wilson (a formative Cale influence) or Todd Rundgren; its swirling melodicism weaving a hypnotic spell on the listener. Cale et al maintain the quality control across Mercy’s 12 tracks, with every track proving memorable and distinctive. Moonstruck (Nico’s Song) is a case in point – a moving lament/reflection on the late Velvet Underground chanteuse and ground-breaking singer-songwriter, pleasingly reminiscent of moody Cale reveries such as Riverbank from the strangely under-appreciated Honi Soit (1981). Animal Collective make an appearance on the disquieting Everlasting Days, while Night Crawling again finds Cale in late-night reflection over a compelling electronic rhythm. The fraught mood continues on The Legal Status Of Ice, featuring Fat White Family, finally giving way to blissful reverie on I Know You’re Happy, while the dream-like Out Your Window closes the album on an optimistic note.

cancelled

One could be forgiven for thinking that, at 80 years old, John Cale is ready to rest on past triumphs, but this musically rich and arresting album suggests otherwise.

Released: 20.01.23

www.john-cale.com

I saw Italia 90 play in The MOTH Club once, and frontman Les was able to turn a room of stiff hipsters into a fanatical frenzy of moshing within five minutes. On listening to their debut album I’m immediately transported back to that place; it may have taken the band six years to release their debut, but it’s a sign of maturity which sets them apart from other restlessly prolific punk bands they’re often lumped in with. One could criticise Italia 90 for comfortable orthodoxy, but that would be wrong. In a fickle and undirected musical landscape, Living Human Treasure harnesses timeless punk riffs and blunt lyrics that epitomise the value of sticking to one thing and doing it well. Released: 20.01.23 www.italia-90.bandcamp.com

/ 5

SLUG THY SOCIALITE! (DAYLIGHT SAVING RECORDS)

Words: Tracy Hyman

Never one to stand still, Slug’s Ian Black set himself a new challenge in making Thy Socialite!, the first release from Field Music’s new record label Daylight Saving Records. Wanting to be less indie, Black combines elements of ZZ Top and Toto and mixes them with rock and art pop. The result is a fun, theatrical offering.

There are influences from the 50s to the 80s, glam rock and stage musical aesthetics, all firmly rooted in Slug’s unique art rock sound. It is playful, yet heartfelt. Opening track Insults Sweet Like Treacle, a tribute to the late Dave Harper, is full of riffs and glam rock stylings with a catchy lyrical refrain, while Honestly Subjective ‘Bout Your Own Thing could come straight from the West End. A complex delight of sounds. Released: 20.01.23 www.slugband.co.uk

revered as the

founding member of The Velvet Underground, has

concluded

brutally

with

show at Whitley Bay Playhouse, the remaining dates

due to Covid-19 infection in the

John Cale by Marlene Marino

CVC GET REAL (SECRETLY DISTRIBUTION)

Words:

Robert Nichols

Eleven glorious splices of Welsh psych pop fresh out of the box, signed, sealed and delivered from the magnificent, fast emerging talents, Church Village Collective (aka CVC).

Country rock, folk, soul and psychedelia are all encompassed in the 60s and 70s inspired musical spectrum of this triumphant debut album. Docking The Pay is joyous and uplifting, and Sophie, a charming ode to a girlfriend, could easily be chart threatening singles. Three voices, keyboards and two big guitars, mean there is nothing constrained or down played. The album was recorded in a locked down village, and it’s clear that the band from Church are breaking out of the valleys and now making serious soundwaves. CVC are the Real deal.

Released: 13.01.23 www.cvcband.com

FUCKED UP ONE DAY (MERGE RECORDS)

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith

To say that One Day is simply another Fucked Up album operates both as a pejorative and a compliment to the Canadian hardcore group’s canon, though the process through which it came to light is genuinely unique. The record was made in 2019, with each member of the band recording within a 24 hour period to complete the album. One Day has an urgency that suggest this, though it isn’t too different from the group’s usual rhinoceros charge approach. I Think I Might Be Weird incorporates Deerhoof-isms into their usual nosebleed approach, and the title track is a remarkable six minute tour de force. However, there isn’t anything particularly notable to single this out in the context of the band’s already quite remarkable catalogue.

Released: 27.01.23 www.fuckedup.cc

THE SUBWAYS UNCERTAIN JOYS (ALCOPOP! RECORDS)

Words: Jade Mia Broadhead

The Subways’ first LP in seven years is a brave attempt to expand their sound, embracing synths on tracks like emo/pop crossover Love Waiting On You, that ultimately falls short of being anything other than a missed opportunity. The band’s reliance on their everything-at-fullthrottle approach, like opener You Kill My Cool’s rock riffing and the title track’s high adrenaline punk pop, means Billy Lunn’s lyrical themes exploring his BPD diagnosis are sadly swept under the rug with a brush of rock bravado, making the satirical Swanky Al a little less satirical. The record shines when the band let Charlotte Cooper’s backing vocals breathe on the melancholic Joli Coeur and the one time they slow things down on the tender Lavender Amelie.

Released: 13.01.23 www.thesubways.net

GEMMA RAY GEMMA RAY & THE DEATH BELL GANG (BRONZERAT RECORDS)

Words: Robert Nichols

Gemma Ray leaves the cool comforts of her guitar tremors and psych soul and dives headlong into an intense dystopian electro cocoon. Teaming up with Berlin sound designer Ralf Goldkind, they warp and reconstruct new songs digging deep for stark beauty and dark nasty.

But do not despair, the golden vocal is there at the heart of the matter. Pushing on from the powerful dirge-full Procession, we climb aboard the groove machine for I Am Not Who I Am. There are no straight lines between the sinister charms of the nursery chiming Howling to the nightmarish All These Things. The simmer and boil vocal line of the tense, longing, cloying Come Oblivion might be a mantra for the broiling mood of the Death Bell Gang.

Released: 20.01.23 www.gemmaray.tv

GHOST WOMAN ANNE, IF (FULL TIME HOBBY)

Words: Robin Webb

This is lo-fi reminiscent rock imbued with hues ’n’ blues from the late 60s, 70s and through into the 90s when the garage indie splurge followed an emergent R.E.M.

Largely recorded on a Tascam tape recorder, it certainly has that authentic shimmering analogue atmosphere throughout and could be seen as a deliberate snub to contemporary ultra clean production. Given main hombre Evan Uschenko has a pedigree in bands that harken to a bygone age only further immerses Anne, If in a retrograde universe which is a perfectly natural fit.

It’s definitely not pastiche, but more a respectful acknowledgement that more can be explored and harnessed from an era of recording using just the basics of instruments, voice and amplification.

Released: 20.01.23 www.ghost-woman.com

HOTEL LUX HANDS ACROSS THE CREEK (STATE51 CONSPIRACY)

Words: Robin Webb

There’s a distinct classic Dury-led Blockhead groove underlying the caustically observant lyrics of vocalist Lewis Duffin, now joined by two new members in this much lauded band that were expecting high achievements before the pandemic hit.

What that extra time has resulted in, other than losing a guitarist and incorporating new blood, is another level of songwriting refining their maturing sound ahead of this, their debut album. Songs of awkward masculinity, toxic social structures and culturally suppressed, tender emotional insights yearning to be proclaimed are pulled together into tightly constructed indie-tinged, jangly guitars, punk sentiment and clever English pop. As a whole, it’s such a refreshing sound – the future, I believe, is still bright for these guys.

Released: 27.01.23 www.hotellux.bandcamp.com

PURE ADULT PURE ADULT II (FAT CAT RECORDS)

Words: Robin Webb

Idles are big fans of this American East Coast band, born from the mind of a former pseudo-cult member Jeremy Snyder and burgeoning into a premier avant-garde noise outfit with Bianca Abarca, this is their first long player, a much anticipated follow up to their blistering debut EP back in 2019.  It’s a subversive assault on the senses; dissonant twists and turns, abstract noises, belting guitars and percussion, dub easy beats that daze you, coaxing the unwary listener into a paranoiac state only then to be kicked in the aurals! Pure Adult II will keep you guessing about where is it going next, wide-eyed in the tenebrific gloom and scaldingly lit by idealistic cynicism. Anticipate the live spectacle. Released: 27.01.23 www.pureadult.bandcamp.com

GAZ COOMBES

TURN THE CAR AROUND (HOT FRUIT RECORDINGS/VIRGIN MUSIC)

Words: Tracy Hyman

This latest album from Gaz Coombes is quite a melodious affair; sumptuous guitars and warm ambiance are interspersed with rocky guitar solos and intricate arrangements, resulting in a tapestry of sounds which unveil more with each listen, from the upbeat to the gentle.

Title track Turn The Car Around weaves hypnotic arpeggio scales, harp-like and dreamy against up-tempo guitar and cutting electric guitar solos, all with Coombes’ distinctive vocals across the top. Playful and complex, the songs are emotive and driven. The gloriously fuzzy, distorted rock sounds of Feel Loop (Lizard Dream) chromatically twisting atop phat pulsing bass, is one of the stand-out tracks. The album’s finale piece, Dance On, is full of rich choruses, soaring and swirling upwards, before stripping back and fading into the distance. Released: 13.01.23 www.gazcoombes.com

LEFTFIELD THIS IS WHAT WE DO (VIRGIN RECORDS)

Words: Damian Robinson

There’s something perhaps deliberately ‘up’ about the new Leftfield long player. Opening with the big beat/disco juggernaut of This Is What We Do, Leftfield stand out when choosing sounds reminiscent of the late 90s, good-time, breakbeat/funk crossover era. Funky grooves Accumulator and Pulse move Leftfield into roaring Prodigy and Flat Eric territory.

It doesn’t all quite work however, particularly on the collaborations – Grian Chatten’s Full Way Round just about matches Death In Vegas’ mad techno lines with dark poetry, but some wonky mixes with Lemn Sissay and Earl Sixteen feel like a mismatch of interesting electronics and psychedelic narratives (or vice versa). There are moments of brilliance for sure, but it’s often when they leave it to themselves.   Released: 02.12.22 www.leftfieldmusic.com

SIMON JULIFF STARS (DOG MEAT)

Words: Elodie A. Roy

Nearly twenty years ago, Simon Juliff and his brother Felix founded The Roys in Melbourne. They recorded an album and a handful of singles for garage rock label In-Fidelity, and swiftly disappeared. Their volatile existence coincided with the rock revival of the early 2000s. Simon never stopped writing songs though. Stars, his first solo album, uncannily begins where The Roys ended – as if time had stood perfectly still. It was recorded with friends from Hoss and Kim Salmon & the Surrealists – and is released by the newly-resurrected cult label Dog Meat. Simon writes and rewrites the songs he’s always liked, absorbedly retracing his own steps. This is music as recollection, music as fascination – at once sweet and strident, somewhere between the living and the dead.

Released: 02.12.22

www.dogmeatrecords.bandcamp.com

KING TUFF

SMALLTOWN STARDUST (SUB POP)

Words: Lee Hammond

This latest album sees King Tuff in a very different space to his previous records. From the opening moments of Letters To Plants there’s a paradigmatic shift, its orchestral feel compounded by the subdued How I Love which follows it. Glimpses of the old emerge on Portrait Of God and Rock River, which show off his more familiar style.

This is a thoughtful record, wrapped in joy.

There’s a heartfelt nature to the songs, particularly title track Smalltown Stardust, where King Tuff’s passion exudes from the record.

Closing out with The Wheel, it’s back to where it started with an orchestral feel that provides the undercurrent for some exquisite lyrics. This is an excellent but very different offering from King Tuff.

Released: 27.01.23 www.kingtuffworld.net

BILLY NOMATES CACTI (INVADA RECORDS)

Words: Damian Robinson

Kicking off with the ferocious synthy indie rock Balance Is Gone, it’s clear from the first moments of CACTI that Billy Nomates shows little apprehension in deciding how to follow her critically acclaimed debut.

Spanning a number of genres and textures, Tor Maries uses the synth-driven ambiance of Goldfrapp and DeConstruction-era Kylie (as evidenced on Black Curtains In The Bag and CACTI), the 80’s pop punk production of Joan Jett (the excellent Spite) and the unique indie-pop-rock-synth sound of her debut (as on standout Vertigo) to produce a classic album that is as diverse as it is potent. Weaving through narratives about mental health, equality, unfulfilled relationships and political misgivings, Marie’s lyrical focus is as sharp as her musical prowess. Another superb record.

Released: 13.01.23 www.iambillynomates.com

MIXTAPE

WORDS: NICK ROBERTS

BBC Music Introducing in the North East is 10 years old in January! You can listen on Thursday’s at 8pm on BBC Radio Newcastle or anytime on BBC Sounds. NARC. have asked me to put together a mixtape covering that time, and there are so many artists I could have put in, but sadly only space for a few. So here goes… www.twitter.com/nickyrob

VINYL JACKET

SAFARI

Falsetto, harmonies and general musical loveliness was the blueprint for Newcastle’s Vinyl Jacket. One of our first acts to impact on BBC Music Introducing nationally. With Radio 1 plays and Tom Robinson of 6Music being a huge fan.

THE LAKE POETS SHIPYARDS

Sunderland’s Marty Longstaff is The Lake Poets. An amazing songwriter, he has gone on to write for others. Shipyards is probably his biggest song to date. This tune was used as the theme to the Netflix series Sunderland ‘Till I Die.

MEG WARD PEANUT POWER

Originally from Leeds, Meg came to study in Newcastle. She used lockdown to hone her DJ skills and is now regularly playing gigs all over the UK and beyond. Peanut Power is one of her early tracks with old skool rave sounds a plenty.

IMOGEN

WHITE LINES

Immy, as we know her, has been a regular on the show for quite some time. Not only does she write and perform her own amazing music she now works with the Ivors Academy in London championing other artists. White Lines is Immy’s first truly big tune and many more were to follow.

MARTHA HILL SPIDERS

This was a fall off my seat tune! Smoove had mentioned Martha’s name to me. Spiders was one of those rare occasions when an artist’s debut tune seems like the fully formed end product. Martha had spent years travelling, busking and playing live and it all paid off.

ANOTHER SKY

FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CITY

Another Sky are from all over the UK and met at Uni in London. Songwriter/ bassist Naomi is from Washington and the band chose Intro NE as their local show and we are so happy that they did! They headlined a BBC Introducing showcase at Sage Gateshead, played the Introducing stage at Leeds/Reading and have appeared on Later With Jools!

NADINE SHAH OUT THE WAY

The Whitburn singer-songwriter has played in our studio on a couple of occasions. Her album Holiday Destinations was nominated for the Mercury and Nadine gave a powerful and moving performance of Out the Way at the awards show. She is also now doing Shakespeare! What’s not to love?

COQUIN MIGALE GOLD

Amazing Newcastle band who were big friends of the show. Through BBC Introducing they played Leeds/Reading

and a session at Maida Vale for Huw Stephens at Radio 1. They released their album Munro through Fierce Panda.

THE PALE WHITE THAT DRESS

Brothers Adam and Jack Hope along with Tom Booth have been local heroes on the North East indie scene for years. They have been played by Radio 1 and 6Music and they’re currently on a headline European tour. That Dress is an early banger.

NE DONS LIGHTWORK

Newcastle grime duo who we have been big supporters of for a few years now. They have featured on our New North East playlist which gets aired every weekday evening on BBC Radio Newcastle, which means regular plays for emerging North East artists outside of the Introducing show.

SAM FENDER PLAY GOD

This was an an ‘OMFG this is amazing’ moment. I had heard loads of great things about Sam but this was the first recording sent to Introducing. It was a proper fall off my chair moment and was the point when I knew that the local hype was on point. Little did I know how stratospheric Sam’s career would go! He has an amazing manager, Owain, who discovered him in his local. The stuff dreams are made of!

LUCIE RIE THE ADVENTURE OF POTTERY

11 November 2022 to 12 February 2023

Lucie Rie (1902–1995) was a ceramicist who transformed how ceramics were made and viewed in the UK and beyond. With immense technical knowledge and an inventive and experimental approach Rie produced thousands of beautiful and original pieces. This exhibition brings together more than 100 of her works from across six-decades.

For more information on our exhibitions, events and family activities visit mima.art

Lucie Rie:The Adventure of Pottery is organised by MIMA, part of Teesside University and Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge in association with The Holburne Museum, Bath. Exhibition supported by the AKO Foundation.

Image: Lucie Rie, Bowl, 1977, thrown porcelain with Manganese glaze and sgraffito decoration. Middlesbrough Collection. Purchased with assistance from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund.