KARINE POLWART

and collaborations that it engenders. Get your blue suedes on though, because the festival also offers abundant opportunities to dance yourself, with workshops, family programmes and community events aplenty to have a go at. Held across multiple venues, many of the events are either free to attend or have a ‘pay what you decide’ offer, further helping with the celebratory and inclusive atmosphere the festival always promises.

The Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance takes place at various venues from Saturday 12th-Sunday 20th August.

www.billinghamfestival.com

MUSIC FUTURE ISLANDS @ MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL

Words: Tom Astley

Baltimore based synth pop band Future Islands broke out of the ‘have you heard this band’ slush pile almost a decade ago, when their performances on David Letterman and Jools Holland on either side of the pond became something of a meme. Singer Sam Herring’s ‘Morrissey-as-an-ice-skatingevangelical-preacher’ performance elevated their song Seasons – which is otherwise a sombre, introspective vista of listless Americana, into a huge hit. So their show at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Monday 28th August promises an incredible showcase of frontman shenanigans from a singer who puts an almost worrying amount of energy into every single show. But behind that, the band have amassed a back catalogue of subtle, genre spanning synth-based reflections that are poetic and hypnotic, taking a mosaic of influences from the romanticism of new wave, and the passion of post-punk, to the driving simplicity of Krautrock.

Defining themselves predominantly as a live band, their most recent release came in 2020, album As Long As You Are continues the band’s watercolour synth daydream sound, supporting Herring’s captivating vocal performance and deeply personal lyrics. To see these subtle songs injected with the ferociously passionate live performance the band are capable of will be a sublime end to the summer season.

Future Islands play Middlesbrough Town Hall on Monday 28th August. www.future-islands.com

Music

QUEER AS FEST @ POP RECS LTD.

Words: Laura Doyle

‘Queer’ is a lot of things, but a genre of music it ain’t. BUT if we were to try and encapsulate ‘Queer music’ into a single event, then Pop Recs’ free entry Queer As Fest on Saturday 5th August would come pretty close to finally defining the genre – and it’s all through unapologetic celebration of the LGBTQ+’s diversity and strength, and the music they make.

Queer punk four-piece Dream Nails embody the full range of emotion, from unbridled Queer joy to rage-fuelled political anthem. Their new record Doom Loop is on the horizon, and they’re looking to let loose in prep for its drop. Explosive new single Good Guy disguises a #MeToo message behind a bop so feel-good that you can but marvel at the subliminal pro-feminist, anti-misogynist vibe. The line-up is rounded out by Queer artists from across the genres: event organiser Holly Rees brings her indie rock trio to the sub-headline spot; multi-instrumentalist Soft Lad offers up her authentic, autobiographical indie catalogue; South Tyneside’s own avant-garde creator MXYM will once again rock the stage and your world; Manchester-based singer-songwriter Chloe Hawes blends folk and

Americana for a transatlantic transcendent experience; and Jade Mia Broadhead’s outspoken outlook on her life experiences show the real impact of politicising a person’s right to exist. There’s also performances from Young Musicians Project artists including Eve Cole, Lily Mac, Izzy Price and Jenali.

Let’s celebrate Queer, and in all its forms! Queer As Fest takes place at Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Saturday 5th August. www.facebook.com/poprecsltd

MUSIC FUTURE COLLABORATIONS FESTIVAL @ THE CLUNY 2

Words: Claire Dupree

South Shields-based AutismAble CIC have a range of support programmes across a vast array of disciplines and sectors which aim to encourage participants to develop independence and build functional skills. They also have a long history of supporting those with autism and learning difficulties through the medium of music, and their new initiative seeks to further that agenda.

The Future Collaborations Festival takes place at The Cluny 2 on Saturday 26th August, and will weave together the talents of neurodivergent and neurotypical people. The festival offers hands-on learning opportunities in all facets of event production, such as stage management and marketing, and will act as a vehicle for neurodivergent people to receive an introduction and work experience in the world of music event management.

The line-up is pretty special, and includes recent NARC. cover star and all-round sonic experimenter Me Lost Me, jazz popsters Archipelago, odd pop artist Amateur Ornithologist, revered local storyteller Nev Clay, psych folk artist Hollow Hand, songwriter Jamie Dickinson and talent from community-based music projects such as Not Too Old To Rock, Youth Music and We Make Culture.

Daniel Clifford, who fronts Amateur Ornithologist and only recently received an autism diagnosis, is enthusiastic about the festival: “I’ve seen the brilliant work that AutismAble have been doing over the years, so it’s fantastic to be involved in one of their projects, I’m looking forward to working with their neurodivergent event staff. It will be great it be around a load of people a bit like me.”

The Future Collaborations Festival takes place at The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Saturday 26th August. www.facebook.com/futurecollabfest