ART & LIT J.W HORNER RELEASES DEBUT NOVEL, TRUST IN TRICK

Words: Tom Astley

Imagine living in a dystopian reality. The spectre of Artificial Intelligence threatens to topple any semblance of truth. Imagine living in a world dominated by tech billionaires who operate as self-appointed demigods, hovering

(literally, sometimes) above us mere mortals. Imagine that… Middlesbrough musician, frontperson of Nel Unlit and writer J.W. Horner’s debut novel Trust In Trick takes our frankly non-comedic present and extrapolates a darkly comic adventure from it.

Focusing on the tangled relationships of its three protagonists – Eah, an executive at a tech empire, Terick, her Machiavellian boss and company founder, and Mac, a musician with a drug problem and Eah’s boyfriend –Horner’s story deftly writes the human back into the artificial malaise. As with all good speculative fiction, the book asks deeply pertinent questions of our contemporary reality: ‘what does success mean?’, ‘how do we just survive in this increasingly fraught world?’ and ‘how do we fight back, whilst still engaging?’

Written across the stranger-than-fiction landscape that has been the 2020s, Horner’s explains: “As a nurse in lockdown 2020, writing became a bit of an escape.” With the aim of providing the same kind of escape for the reader, it promises a distinctly human examination.

J.W. Horner releases Trust In Trick, available via local bookshops, from 25th August. www.nelunlit.bandcamp.com

MUSIC DEERHOOF @ POP RECS LTD.

Words: Cameron Wright

Deerhoof make happy music. In their 20 year career, Deerhoof have been twinkling away brightly, sparking interest with their brand of joyful, elated, breezy indie pop. With jaunty melodies, an uplifting world-view and vibrant, colourful sound palettes, the band’s discography is constantly evolving, weaving in new layers of flavour and intrigue, while never sacrificing their tenaciously engaging and euphoric spirit. Miracle-Level is their 2023 release and has all the staples of a Deerhoof essential. With the music as exciting as it is interesting, light, wispy drums softly guide the tracks across unorthodox time signatures, as bass and guitar skilfully calculate new directions to tease each turn. Soft, hushed vocals whisper over the swell of optimistic math rock, this time with the Japanese vocals telling stories of community and collaboration. The melodies are odd, the harmonies are dissonant and the compositions tread a peculiar line of familiar and alien. In other words, it’s a Deerhoof album. Bringing their jaunty signature sound to Sunderland, Deerhoof will be bouncing through their expansive catalogue on Thursday 24th August at Pop Recs Ltd. For anyone craving something fun or something unique, Deerhoof are bona fide trailblazers for the new age of creative indie expansion and are not a band to be missed! www.deerhoof.website

Deerhoof play Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Thursday 24th August.

CaféBar

ArtsVenue

EventsSpace

CommunityHub withaweekendofperformance, livemusic,freefamilyactivities andgreatfoodanddrink.

Reopens 25August2023.

Ouropeningshow

KateFox: Biggeron theInside

Friday25August 7.30pm,ison salenow!

@GoCivTheatre gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

MUSIC VERITAS FESTIVAL @ TRILLIANS

Words: Laura Doyle

Talk to any unsigned/DIY band about putting on gigs, and they’re sure to have some right stinkers of some stories to tell. Un(der)paid, overbooked, or just plain shady antics abound, it can be tough figuring out who you can rely on. Enter Veritas Promotions, a Northern promo company who put their all into their events, including (as a non-profit) their pay. They’ve had some blinding events in their home bases in Doncaster and Leeds with their annual Veritas Festival – and now they’re bringing their organisational know-how to Newcastle.

The result is the North East’s talent taking over Trillians on Sunday 27th August for an evening of total entertainment. These are names you’ve already seen splattered over the local circuit, be it headline shows set up under their own steam, or in sought-after support slots for touring stars, now holding their own as the main stars of this mini-festival. Headliners Ten Eighty Trees have already established themselves with their infectious alt. rock anthems, and they’re flanked on all sides by frequent collaborators and equally endemic North East acts, amongst which you’ll find the ever-evolving riff-heavy rock band Hivemind, addictive joycore enthusiasts Kkett, and emotional alt. rockers Ruled By Raptors, plus sets from Dutch Elm, Belcarra, Redwood Grove and St Buryan. Prepare for a non-stop evening of some of the region’s most exciting unsigned, under-theradar acts.

Veritas Festival takes place at Trillians, Newcastle on Sunday 27th August. www.linktr.ee/veritaspromotions

Music

POINTY FEATURES @ BOBIKS

Words: Maria Winter

On Friday 11th August, Pointy Features are taking over Bobiks with their signature eclectic sound, collaborating with the electrifying guitarist Mitch Laddie. As a launch for their brand new project following the completion of their debut album as a band, audiences can expect innovation and expertise, indubitably accompanied by their remarkable analogue liquid light show. Pointy Features are recognised for their alluring blend of music and art through live performance, with their sound blending lo-fi rock and blues with a nod to the late 60s; the group’s unique guitar sound has already captured the attention of popular record labels across Europe. www.linktr.ee/pointyfeatures

Accomplished guitarist and somewhat of a local star Mitch Laddie, has astonished audiences worldwide by his effortless genre combinations and meticulous musicianship. Recognised as one of the rising stars in the world of blues and rock, Laddie has already released three critically acclaimed albums, whilst collaborating with some of the biggest industry names including Walter Trout and Laurence Jones.

Pointy Features and Mitch Laddie play Bobiks, Newcastle on Friday 11th August.

MUSIC GENERATOR LIVE FRINGE @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Lee Fisher

As Generator prepares for its second and biggest festival yet at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop on Saturday 16th September, they’ve also announced details of the first Generator Live

Fringe. The Generator team have hooked up with three of the biggest bands in the region to curate a gigs in their home towns throughout August, with the selections resulting from an open call for slots that saw hundreds of artists apply.

Newcastle is represented by the mighty Pigsx7, whose gig will be at The Tyne Bar on Saturday 12th August and will feature Leon Maddy, Smote, TV Death, Waves Of Dread, Reali-T, Ceitidh Mac and Dawn Terry.

Sunderland’s bill is the work of local heroes The Futureheads and will see Hector Gannet, The Early Purple, James Leonard Hewitson

Trunky Juno and The Samphires playing at Pop Recs Ltd. on Friday 18th August. And the bill at Stockton’s Georgian Theatre on Saturday 26th August is picked by Paul Smith from Maximo Park and includes Hannah Robinson, Trunky Juno, Nadedja, Iris Brickfield and Frankie Archer.

Tickets for the Fringe programme are on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis but are also included in the main Generator Live ticket, which includes the main event and the World Headquarters after-party. Bargain. www.generatorlive.org.uk/fringe

MUSIC MUSICIANS MENTAL HEALTH ALLIANCE NE GIGS @ TRILLIANS

Words: Laura Doyle www.trilliansnewcastle.co.uk

Want to hear something really depressing? Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, the rate has been creeping up in recent years, and the North East has the highest rate of suicide in the country. Want to hear something less depressing? There’s a new team on the block seeking to tackle these statistics head on.

The Musicians Mental Health Alliance NE have made it their business to uplift their community with a series of charity events across the region, with all proceeds going to If U Care Share, a North East suicide prevention foundation. With comedy, music and culture covered, it just remains for you to choose which evening you want to attend. Two shows are on their books for August, both hosted at the always iconic Trillians. Thursday 3rd August will see Teesside metalheads Motions supported by nu-emo newbies Blame Yourself and pop punkers Set Your Sights. Thankfully, you have a couple days of recovery before you can indulge in another soiree headlined on Sunday 6th August by joyful joycore band Kkett, Nomad Anthem (who put the ‘punk’ in punk rock) and Failed To Ignite (who put the ‘pop’ in pop punk.) Two nights, six local legends, and a worthy cause won’t leave you wanting.

MUSIC DL21 @ DARLINGTON MARKET SQUARE

Words: Maria Winter

On Sunday 27th August, James Watson will be bringing his DL21 radio show to life in Darlington Market Square, featuring performances from a range of incredible funk and soul DJs and artists

Heading up proceedings is soul singer Carmy Love, who has has gained praise from BBC London, 6Music and many more for her outstanding vocal abilities. Growing up with a rich musical upbringing, Carmy channels a variety of influences resulting in a multi-faceted sound. Also performing are Manchester-based jazz/soul band Secret Night Gang, who are taking the music scene by storm with their eclectic orchestrations; the North East’s own soulful singer-songwriter Beth Macari is recognised for her powerhouse vocals, captivating performances and sound which draws on original soul music with a modern twist; and Newcastle’s Frankie Jobling takes inspiration from soul and jazz greats including Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, generating an impressive contemporary neo-soul sound.

All this, plus vinyl DJ sets from the likes of Dave Oliver, Tosh and King Fred of Criss Cross Rhythms, Scott Wetherill and Mr Watson himself. Plus, it’s all free!

DL21 takes place at Darlington’s Market Square on Sunday 27th August.

MUSIC MCLUSKY @ POP RECS LTD.

Words: Lee Fisher

The end of Mclusky in 2005 felt like a very turbulent affair, so much so that one of them moved halfway round the world to get away from the others (this might not be strictly true but it sounds good). Whatever happened, it was a damned shame – in a few years and three brilliant albums the trio brought an acerbic fury to what I think we’re supposed to call post-hardcore, and their live shows were astonishing.

The very gradual return of Mclusky (starting with a benefit show in 2014) has been confusing, tentative and full of complicated punctuation –(Mclusky), Mclusky*, mclusky – but is surely a very good thing. There are no new recordings yet, although that’s apparently going to happen, but there are sporadic tours and they are absolutely as fearsome as ever, with OGs Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone joined by Damien Sayell from St Pierre Snake Invasion. They’re playing Sunderland’s Pop Recs on Thursday 3rd August and Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues will still feel like a jet taking off IN YOUR FACE. Support comes from Newcastle’s premier Queer-punk-be-gay-do-crime fiends Fashion Tips, who are amazing, and Onlooker, who promise us angry Teesside garage. Someone described them as ‘HOT ROMANCE AND HANK MARVIN ON A STEROID’, which is recommendation enough I think.

Mclusky, Fashion Tips and Onlooker play Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Thursday 3rd August. www.linktr.ee/poprecscic

MUSIC JOLIETTE @ BOBIKS

Words: Matt Young

Everything about Mexico-based band Joliette’s music is intense and explosive. Part hardcore, part firebomb, they defy every attempt at traditional genre pigeonholing, not just visceral, not simply emo and what about those swirling shoegazing tones? Instead you’re obliged to ride their wave of awe inspiring, adventurous heavy riffing and rhythmic hammering. At best you could tell friends the band is ‘mathcore’ but that’s hugely underselling them, you have to witness the force they exert up close and in person, in the throng, to fully understand. Fortunately, Joliette visit Bobiks on Tuesday 15th August for just such an encounter, and they’re bringing Brighton’s own post-screamo riff purveyors Dead Bird along to share in the raw pleasure of setting alight to an incendiary gig. Dead Bird’s pensive, occasionally delicate and often wandering tunes may contrast with the headliners’ in-your-face confrontational style, but is no less of a threat when combined with the screamed vocals and buckling weight their music can deliver as it builds to crushing climaxes. Definitely a show not to be missed for anyone into ringing tinnitus for days after and floor shaking eruptions of all kinds. www.joliette.bandcamp.com

Joliette and Dead Bird play Bobiks, Newcastle on Tuesday 15th August.