FORUM MUSIC CENTRE

Words: Cameron Wright

Darlington music collective Tracks, the minds behind the fantastically successful Last Train Home festival, unveil their next ambitious event. The Platform is a fresh series of gigs which aim to provide new and exciting talent with a platform to showcase their new sounds, with the debut event taking place on Thursday 13th July at The Forum Music Centre.

Kicking off the night is the fantastic Eve Cole. Hailing from Sunderland, Cole won the Alan Hull Award for songwriting in 2022, and her swaggering pop rock tracks are as charming as they are infectious. The headline act is the unmistakable Viia, whose riding a wave of success thanks to her recently released Am I Ready Yet EP. Viia’s sound is fuelled by stirring rock riffs and remarkable, vocals which carry an emotional punch. Not only is Viia shaking up the Northern rock scene, it won’t be long until her sharp image, classic grooves and captivating voice grips the nation’s ears; with full throttle sounds, which bristle with volume and with attitude, the artist’s rock stylings showcase her penchant for attention grabbing sounds that centre around her amazing, snarling voice and hard rocking band. With this debut event it’s pretty clear that The Platform is the best new place to catch emerging and exciting live talent. The Platform featuring Viia and Eve Cole takes place at The Forum Music Centre, Darlington on Thursday 13th July. www.tracksdarlington.co.uk

MUSIC GIGS @ LIVE THEATRE

Words: Cameron Wright Newcastle’s Live Theatre open up their stage to offer a series of gorgeous live music shows this month. www.live.org.uk

Cath & Phil Tyler take to the stage on Thursday 13th July to demonstrate their Anglo-American folk sound that is essential for any fan of the genre. With their delicate and beautiful sound, the duo will guide you through a night of banjos, fiddles, storytelling and tradition, in an event that couldn’t be better suited to the intimacy of the theatre. The following night, Ruth Lyon takes to the stage. Crafting her own niche in the baroque pop soundscape, Lyon’s sound is often as surreal as she is grounded, creating a compelling contrast in her songwriting as she mixes self examination with whimsy and intelligence. Accompanied by Ceitidh Mac on cello and Tommy Evans on guitar, the trio will perform what promises to be a beautiful night of songs and songwriting.

Live Theatre, Newcastle welcomes performances from Cath & Phil Tyler on Thursday 13th and Ruth Lyon on Friday 14th July.

ART & LIT GAIA @ DURHAM CATHEDRAL

Words: Joseph Spence

An illuminated globe installation by the multidisciplinary artist Luke Jerram is to be shown at Durham Cathedral this summer. Gaia is a seven metre diameter globe which will allow visitors to experience Planet Earth from a different perspective, comparable to the view astronauts on the Apollo 17 mission had seen in 1972. This perspective is often described as the ‘Overview Effect’. Jerram’s work features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface accompanied by a sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones. The name of the work comes from the personification of the Earth in Greek mythology, and when viewing the installation the viewer can contemplate their own experience on Earth. Nature and environmental concerns such as global warming are some of the other themes that can be explored.

Gaia has toured extensively since 2018 in the www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

UK and internationally, including an appearance at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre, and each time it is shown the interpretation of the globe is different depending on location, so it’s always worth seeing again. Durham Cathedral will offer a viewing experience comparable to the Museum of the Moon installation by Luke Jerram displayed at the venue in 2021, and a programme of events will coincide with the display throughout its appearance.

Gaia will be on display at Durham Cathedral from Monday 10th July-Sunday 10th September.