RICHARD DAWSON SNAKES WITH TITS AVALANCHE PARTY ISHY DIN
28 DILETTANTE
Dawn Storey talks to Francesca Pidgeon about how introversion, multi-tasking and megalomania have informed her latest album
Hello, hope you had a cracking Christmas and New Year and welcome to our first new edition of NARC. for 2025 (December and January are a single issue if you didn’t know). As you’ve probably noticed by the tone of your internal monologue as you read I am web co-ordinator/ editor/charlatan David Saunders filling in for Claire as she journeys around the other side of the Earth to research her upcoming travel guide to New Zealand. Ooooooooo… For this issue, I have landed myself with a sort of honourary editor title. But before Claire left a good chunk of the magazine was completed and aside from writing some articles, fielding a few questions and doing a bit of proofreading, the remaining hard graft has been done by Assistant Editor Steve Spithray and Editorial Assistants Isabel Johnson and Mack Sproates … And, as you are about to see, they’ve done a bloody good job of it. I mean, I’ll still accept my temporary and unearned prestige to try and bag a VIP pass for the MOBOs (when they come to Newcastle on Tuesday 18th February) and I’ll mention it on my CV (when Claire sees that she no longer needs me on her return and makes me unemployed), but after that, all the kudos goes to the wonderful editorial team and, of course, all our talented writers.
Editor
David Saunders
info@narcmedia.com
Assistant Editor
Steve Spithray
Editorial Assistants
Isabel Johnson / Mack Sproates
Website
David Saunders narcmagazineonline@gmail.com
Creative
El Roboto
Advertising
Claire Dupree info@narcmedia.com
PREVIEWS
4 HIGHLIGHTS
Some of the best events in February, plus what’s online at narcmagazine.com
6 PREVIEWS
Live shows from John Bramwell, Hamish Hawk, Inhaler, Brian Jonestown Massacre, W.H. Lung, Personal Trainer, Lazy Day, Max Cooper, The Covasettes, Palma Louca, The Bug Club, Marketplace, Xeno, MAQUINA, The None, Skinner and many more; there’s comedy courtesy of Ahir Shah, Andy Zaltzman, Chloe Petts, Mark Thomas and Mark Steel plus more at venues across the region. Enjoy some art with Richie Culver in Middlesbrough, Coal Face at Sunderland Museum and The Urbanites at Vane Gallery; or head to the stage for Driftwood at ARC in Stockton, Tits Up at Laurel’s in Whitley Bay and more!
Cover Image
Wayne Madden
Live Photography
Jason Hayles / Tracy Hyman / Victoria Wai
Contributors
Neil Ainger / Phoenix Atkinson / Caleb Carter / Roz Cuthbert / Laura Doyle / Jacob Easton / Emily Elliott / Lee Fisher / Nat Greener / Michaela Hall / Lee Hammond / James Hattersley / Paul Jeffrey / Ben Lowes-Smith / Simon Lunt / Matthew McDonell / Robert Nichols / Stephen Oliver / Michael O’Neill / Adam Paxton / Niamh Poppleton / Ben Robinson / Damian Robinson / Laura Rosierse / Dominic Stephenson / Dawn Storey / Ali Welford / Maria Winter / Cameron Wright / Matt Young
Reports of live shows from Pip Blom, The Chats, DIIV, Tony Law, Sophie Duker, Martha, BC Camplight, Gavin Webster and more
Reviews of local singles and EPs from Swindled, OUTRI, Ami Leigh, The Hemp Queens, Jake Major, The Almighty Gods, The Lend, DAWKS, Feeble Strength, Simon Taylor, Set Your Sights and India Arkin
Featuring new releases from Doves, The Murder Capital, The Delines, Bonnie Prince Billy, Richard Dawson, Blame Yourself, Banks, David Grubbs, Mandrake Handshake, Sharon Van Etten and more
Steve Kirby from Teesside’s Industrial Coast cassette label and promoter picks some of his favourite tunes ahead of another run of A Monday Night In Middlesbrough shows at various venues in the town throughout the year Next Issue Out 26th February
PREVIEWS
FEBRUARY’S
AFFAIRS INCLUDE QUEER RADGE ROCK, CHEESY 80S FILM CRAFT-ALONGS, FRESH, FANTASTIC FOLK AND MORE…
MUSIC SAT 8 FEB
PHIL ODGERS & BOBBY VALENTINO
Folk chart topping Phil ‘Swill’ Odgers brings his sharp, warm songwriting rooted in realism to one of Durham’s most loved stages, Old Cinema Launderette. Joined by pal Bobby Valentino, an impeccable and renowned singer songwriter and violinist, the night should be one to remember for Americana fans. Old Cinema Launderette, Durham www.oldcinemalaunderette.uk
ART & LIT SAT 1 FEB - SAT 3 MAY
SUSTAINABLE CLAY
Sustainable Clay is a three month exhibition exploring clay and its sustainability in the contemporary art landscape. Featuring work by 12 artists from varying career stages, all with a connection to the North East, the exhibit combines their work with studio interviews and some highlights from the Laing and Shipley Art Gallery collections.
Tyne & Queer presents The Bleeders, a fast paced alt punk glaswegian throuple self-described as The Pixies meets The Dixie Chicks. With capes, spooky make-up and a deadly sense of humour, this will be a banging night of alt punk along with support from Beau Bowen, Perfect Chicken and HMRC. The Cluny, Newcastle www.thecluny.com
ART & LIT
WED 5 FEB
GOD’S PROMISES MEAN EVERYTHING: BOOK LAUNCH
People’s Bookshop invites you to celebrate the release of talented photographer Mark Chapman’s new book, which he will be signing on the night. It contains photographs which tell the story of Derek, a hostel resident in Teesside who is haunted by the loss of his family and his lack of social safety nets.
Back for his third annual tour, Carl Hutchinson takes to the Darlington Hippodrome stage with his comedy show Today Years Old. The keenly observative Geordie hooks audiences beyond return with skilful storytelling, exaggerated physical comedy and you can expect your face to be aching after this one. Hippodrome, Darlington www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
MUSIC SUN 9 FEB
TRISTWYCH Y FENWOD
If a Welsh-language gothic avant rock power coven is your thing, then you obviously need to check out Tristwych Y Fenwod. Hailing from the Leeds DIY underground music scene and powered by queer enchantment, this experimental group explores ideas around sapphic love, desire, existential darkness and pagan mysticism.
The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle www.thelubberfiend.com
MUSIC FRI 14 FEB
QUEEN’S SCREECH, GAYDAR PLUS SUPPORT
Fancy alt punk chaotic vibes this Valentines?
The Bunker has you covered with a mega line up of Queen’s Screech, Gaydar, Specky Cult and more. From neo punk to queer radge, Valentine’s Day has never been more anarchic with this awesome chance to catch these mint bands all in one night.
The Bunker, Sunderland www.bunkeruk.com
Image by Mark Chapman
FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS
MUSIC
TUE 18 FEB
SHE DREW THE GUN
She Drew The Gun is the musical brainchild of Louisa Roach, who brings her UK tour to Newcastle on Tuesday 18th February. With support from Paige Kennedy, the show promises a combination of laser-sharp political lyricism and deeply exciting electronica soundscapes, showcasing what Roach and her fourth album Howl have to offer.
The Grove, Newcastle www.thegrovenewcastle.co.uk
ART & LIT
WED 19 FEB - SUN 11 MAY
KOESTLER ARTS: ALMOST HOME
This exhibit showcases a selection of 70 regional pieces of fine art, design, music and writing from a variety of criminal justice systems. The works were selected with the help of 6 women in a prison art class, and they reflect many different ideas and symbols of home.
Baltic, Newcastle www.baltic.art
MUSIC THU 20 FEB
NATIONAL YOUTH FOLK ENSEMBLE PLUS GUESTS
The National Youth Folk ensemble are presenting a joyous night of music and celebrating the incredible talents of young folk musicians from across England. They will be sharing some of their own vibrant compositions as well as their takes on some traditional tunes, alongside gifted guests Melrose Quartet and Folkestra.
The Fire Station, Sunderland www.thefirestation.org.uk
MUSIC SAT 22 FEB SLATE LABEL
Slate Label will be following their self titled debut EP release in early February with an explosive show at Sunderland’s very own Independent. Joined by fellow rising rockstars Red Remedy and Ramellos, the night is a must for indie rock fans seeking the next big thing.
How Mountain Girls Can Love is a monthly afternoon gig to support local queer, female, non-binary folk and Americana music. Enjoy a rootin’ tootin’ line up of excellent DJs and Musicians on Sunday 23rd February, aiming to create safe spaces for queer families (and dogs!) and encouraging cow-folks like yourself to get involved.
The Old Coal Yard, Newcastle www.theoldcoalyard.com
CRAFT-A-LONG
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Fancy some cheesy 80s movie goodness with a slice of crafting? Bring your own craft-in-progress to this relaxed screening of the cult classic He-Man movie, designed to be a fun, inclusive experience. Knit alongside Skeletor, doodle your way to Castle Greyskull, or just sit and enjoy the silliness. You have the power!
The latest edition of our antidote to doom-scrolling is packed full of exclusive playlists, videos, mini-documentaries and much more, continually updated throughout its lifespan – check back regularly for new content!
NARC. TV
Check out live performances and chat from North East bands and musicians on our magazine-style programmes + ALSO THIS MONTH…
INTERVIEW: LEE KYLE
South Shields comedian Lee Kyle tells us about Bottle It, his new stand-up tour about messages in bottles and secrets
INTERVIEW: HAMISH HAWK
Ahead of their Newcastle show this month, Dawn Storey talks to inimitable performer and songwriter Hamish Hawk about his creative calling
KEEP UP WITH WHAT’S GOING ON VIA
MUSIC THE NONE @ ZEROX
Words: Lee Fisher
There’s definitely a revival of the glorious, unhinged, noise rock sound of the late eighties and early nineties right now – Jesus Lizard are back, bands like Chat Pile are killing it and – praise be! – people are talking about Silverfish all over again. Which makes it an excellent environment for a band like The None to emerge, a supergroup of sorts made up of noise-lifers bringing back the spirit of that era. There’s Kaila Whyte (Blue Ruth, Youth Man), Gordon Moakes (Bloc Party, Young Legionnaire), Jim Beck (Cassels) and Chris Francombe (Frauds) and together they look likely to inspire a Camden Lurch revival, with subsonic bass, pummelling drums, filthy guitars, plus Whyte’s expressive, intense voice.
Just a year in, and they’re a fearsome live proposition. They’re likely to tear Zerox a new one on Friday 21st February, and adding Irked as the support is perfect – another band doing new things with riffs, noise and punk rock, fronted by a powerful, engaging frontwoman. This promises to be a properly radgy night out. www.thenoneband.com
COMEDY
MELANIE BRACEWELL @ THE STAND
Words: Cameron Wright
There is something almost soothing about New Zealand’s comedy scene. That’s not to say it can’t be risqué or vulgar, but it is to say that everything oozes in a calm charisma. For evidence of this you only need to look over to their reimagining of Taskmaster, or their panel shows Patriot Game or The Cheap Seats, all of
which have featured the amazing work of Melanie Bracewell, who will be bringing her brand new show to The Stand on Thursday 20th February.
Bracewell is one of the hottest acts in the NZ circuit and for good reason. Every routine, although perfectly crafted, plays like a conversation with a friend, the kind of conversation that’s over shared while enjoying a nice coffee or a welcoming beer garden. It’s confessional, it’s slightly embarrassing but it is wholly endearing.
Her latest tour, Attack Of The Melanie Bracewell, doubles as an intricately woven crime thriller that stretches across the show, all backed with the receipts pinned across a slideshow. Throughout the narrative, expect tangents and observations, but most of all expect fun. I challenge you to see Bracewell live and not want to be her friend forever. A (relatively) family friendly hour of hilarious, ridiculous comedy, what’s not to love. www.melaniebracewell.com
The None by Josh Tarn
MUSIC THE BRIAN
JONESTOWN
MASSACRE @ NX
Words: Adam Paxton
The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a band like no other. Love them or not, they are a one off.
With a history that is complicated, tumultuous and full of twists and turns within the band as well as in their musical direction, the American psych-rockers have more history as a band than some full genres of music. And they haven’t slowed down, with onstage brawls occurring as recently as 2022 they remain a confusing mess, always volatile and often genius.
Their upcoming work, such as recent single Don’t Look At Me (feat. Aimee Nash), promises to be atmospheric, with an emphasis on
soundscapes at once crystalline and harsh, with jagged guitars and softer, layered vocals. Deceptively complex songs that retain the band’s identity, but they as always push themselves and evolve. The Brian Jonestown Massacre remain, still, a band not to be missed or dismissed as having stagnated, continuing to surprise on record and on stage. The Brian Jonestown Massacre come to NX in Newcastle on Sunday 9th February. www.thebrianjonestownmassacre.com
Image by Francis Dalacroix
MUSIC
MIA KELLY & BLAIR DUNLOP @ THE CUMBERLAND ARMS
Words: Isabel Johnson
Sometimes the stars align, and two incredible singer-songwriters join forces for a rare joint endeavour. Newcastle has lucked out, because on Saturday 8th February that’s exactly what’s happening - a transatlantic treat for the senses is bringing together Canadian alt-folk artist Mia Kelly and remarkably talented British singer-songwriter Blair Dunlop. They’re joining forces for five nights in the UK (headlined by Dunlop) and six nights in Canada (headlined by Kelly) for a series of intimate, warm-hearted shows. Mia Kelly will bring her lush blend of folk, rock and blues - which often bounces between French and English - and Blair Dunlop will provide clever melodies and
peak singer-songwriter skill. Together they form a lush picnic of whip smart lyricism and beautiful acoustic sonics, and everyone’s invited!
The pair met in Kansas City in 2023, and this led them to co-write Mia’s single Meaning Well, which is from her second album and has been nominated for Single of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Kelly and Dunlop are forces of nature in their own respect, but in the same night audiences can expect a seismic explosion of talent which really shouldn’t be missed.
Mia Kelly & Blair Dunlop perform at The Cumberland Arms on Saturday 8th February. miakellymusic.com blairdunlop.com
MUSIC
TAPIR! @ THE CLUNY 2
Words: Matthew McDonnell
I’m sure many of you have a certain image in
mind when you picture a post-punk band; an aloof and swaggering frontman, spouting the typical diatribes about consumerism, politics and the 9-5 grind. How refreshing it was then, to hear Tapir! at the Cluny last year, papier-mâché-clad, favouring a far more refined and earnest approach.
When initially trying to categorise Tapir! for this article I realised what it is about them that makes them so unique. They refuse to be pinned down by one genre or style, and that’s what makes them not only so compelling, but such a joy to listen to. Whether you’re a fan of starry-eyed folk balladry in songs like My God, or the hypnotic electronics and pagan chanting in tracks like Mountain Song, there’s something here for everyone.
Tapir! and their penchant for pagan influences is nothing short of spellbinding, witness the magic at The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Sunday 2nd February. www.linktr.ee/tapir_band
Mia Kelly and Blair Dunlop
COMEDY
CELYA AB @ GALA/THE STAND
Words: Cameron Wright
Celya AB is a French comic taking over the UK comedy scene. Having won Best Newcomer at the 2022 Chortle Awards, appeared on podcasts like The Snuggle Club, Gig Pigs or Off Menu and even supported St Vincent, the sell-out comic is a rising star, shining bright.
Having sited acts like Dylan Moran and Maria Bamford as her inspirations, punters can expect those flights of fancy into the surreal, ludicrous punchlines flying out of mundane observations and the same surplus of quality content when she performs at Durham’s Gala Theatre on Friday 14th February and at Newcastle’s Stand on Thursday 6th March.
Having gone viral for several of her jokes, each displaying wry wordplay and often referencing pop culture, music and film, the clips all seem to point towards the same thing: that Celya AB loves words. The comic has spoken about a
passion for language and her comedy highlights this, with increasingly silly observations about the stupidity of everyday life, the oddities in the media and what it means to be a person now.
One viewing of her viral set at Live At The Apollo beautifully showcases her cheeky sarcasm, cunning wordplay and vivid storytelling. New show Of All People is picking up rave reviews from fans and critics alike and is the next step in an act that will inevitably be a mainstay on the circuit. www.celya-ab.com
MUSIC WELLY @ THE GROVE
Words: Matt Young
Blessed with a broken Britain to criticize and a charming knack for conjuring the brash, sardonic lyrical wit of early 90’s Albarn and Cocker, Welly are touring as part of Dork’s Hype List Tour as they grab hold tightly of the generational turn that now makes Britpop an ironic and also relevant genre with which to complain and celebrate.
The songs are instantly evocative of the Modern Life Is Rubbish era with infectious fun and rowdy chaotic, self-referential vibes. They’ve every right to feel embittered but they’re far from defeated. Most importantly they’re having a real laugh. They keep the crowd singing, dancing, smiling, and sweating - practically a magic feat of Copperfield proportions for the often over-serioussounding class of mid-2020s bands. Fuck Oasis reforming and the dour Manc money grab of dynamic pricing go and watch five mates ripping up the stage, having a blast and
eyeing their bright future.
Polly Money opens swapping the grand stages of The 1975’s world tour, which saw her role grow from integral duetting partner for Matty Healy during the headliner’s key setpieces to some onstage solo acoustic time. Following last year’s sublime indie-pop Anything, Money is now showcasing her songwriting and returning to the intimate stage where she feels most at home.
Welly and Polly Money play The Grove, Newcastle on Friday 7th February www.worldwidewelly.com
COMEDY
DAVID O’DOHERTY @ TYNE THEATRE & OPERA HOUSE
Words: Laura Doyle
My first port of call during my annual trip to the Edinburgh Fringe is always the box office to see if summer resident David O’Doherty
has any tickets available. There’s something about his deadpan delivery, rustic demeanour and modern folk ditty interludes that are infinitely comforting to the weary Fringe tourist and guarantee a good laugh. Now, his 2023 show Tiny Piano Man gets a new lease of life as his latest UK tour, fine-tuned for a nationwide audience no doubt, and coming to a venue near you! (Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 1st February, to be specific.) The biggest mystery of our time is whether or not the show’s title refers to a man who plays a tiny piano, or a tiny man known for his piano-playing abilities. Perhaps, cunningly, it is both: David O’Doherty takes to the stage at every show armed with only his cheapy electronic keyboard from eBay and the goal of making his audience chortle with a relatable report on his personal trials and tribulations. We all have to deal with the generational divide between us and our parents, frustration with politics, and the Sisyphean task of keeping up with modern technology, but few of us take to dealing with it via the magic of the eponymous Tiny Piano. www.davidodoherty.com
Welly
MUSIC XENO & OAKLANDER @ ZEROX
Words: Ben Robinson
World renowned music duo Xeno & Oaklander are bringing their electronic show to Zerox on Tuesday 4th February, where they will electrify
audiences with their unique sounds.
The newest collection of synth-pop beats from Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride, known as Xeno & Oaklander, is titled Via Negativa (in the doorway light). The album takes its name and inspiration from the concept of “the study of what not to do, a negative image of a positive, the other side, the other”.
Now, they’re bringing these sounds to Newcastle where fans can jam the night away to music that will make you want to dance to
Live
Friday 14 February / Sage Two Jazz Sabbath
Wednesday 26 February / Sage Two Dustin O’Halloran plus Margaret Hermant
Friday 28 February / Sage One Max Cooper 3D AV Live
every beat. From high energy pop sounds, to more soothing music which will have you closing your eyes and floating around the dance floor, the duo take their audience on a musical journey through their enthralling new album.
So, if electronic synth-pop sounds are your thing and you want an evening of music that will transport the soul to far off places, then a Xeno & Oaklander concert is the place to be. www.xenoandoaklander.bandcamp.com
Friday 14 March / Sage Two Martin Kohlstedt
Friday 4 April / Sage Two Ichiko Aoba Luminescent Creatures World Tour
Saturday 5 April / Sage One Kamasi Washington Fearless Movement Europe Tour
MUSIC HAMISH HAWK @ DIGITAL
Words: Dawn Storey
Hamish Hawk is an artist you should definitely keep an eye on in 2025 – so thank goodness his first ‘proper’ headline tour in 18 months stops in the North East on Wednesday 12th February at Newcastle’s Digital. Save for some festivals and album outstores, the majority of his 2024 gigs have been in support of other artists (Villagers, Travis, Elbow) where the huge number of new fans he and his band acquired along the way have been a testament to their exhilarating performances.
While recent release A Firmer Hand cemented their reputation as outstanding songwriters, they are also a phenomenal live act overflowing with infectious energy. It’s always a relief when an artist is able to replicate the brilliance of their recordings onstage, and Hamish, alongside his charismatic bandmates, frequently surpass this with their flamboyant stagecraft adding an extra layer of intrigue. Hawk is an intense and mesmerising frontman guaranteed to grab your attention and make you smile. His classic crooner style vocals and delightful Scottish lilt are even more striking delivered live; his eloquent lyrics trip off his tongue like poetry and his unique dance moves are worth the ticket money on their own. www.hamishhawk.com
MUSIC MISSISSIPPI MACDONALD @ CLAYPATH DELI/THE GEORGIAN THEATRE
Words: Isabel Johnson
Well-loved promoters Down By The River offer you the chance to catch one of the UK’s greatest, most authentic Blues artists. Oliver “Mississippi” MacDonald, who was named Traditional Blues Artist of the Year and Acoustic Act of the Year at the 2024 UK Blues Federation Event will be gracing the Claypath Deli, Durham on Saturday 22nd February and The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Sunday 23rd February for an unforgettable night of warm, heartfelt, soulful blues music.
The critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist has toured extensively across the UK and the US, including a special appearance on Beale Street during the International Blues Challenge. His appeal is contagious, winning over the likes of Cerys Matthews on BBC Radio 2, MOJO Magazine (who named his album as one of the top ten of 2022) and HRH Blues radio, who gave him album of the year. His brand new album, I’ve Got What You Need, was released in November, and these special shows are an exciting rare chance to hear parts of it in a friendly live setting. Come and observe the talent that he has caringly crafted over the years, and allow yourself the chance to become one of the many who have been able to enjoy it. www.mississippimacdonald.com
COMEDY
LEE KYLE: BOTTLE IT @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Michaela Hall
It’s likely if you’re not new to the North, you will have already heard Lee Kyle’s name, and if you haven’t – he’s someone you should get to know at his upcoming 2025 tour, Bottle It.
Lee is a storyteller who is known to reel you in with his approach to comedy, he’s been described as “gloriously funny” by the Independent, and if that wasn’t enough to convince you, he’s already had a popular 2024 show at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House where the audience was jam packed and full of chortles.
This time around, his new tour of the North East and Scotland sees the veteran comedian telling tales of his exploits in putting messages in bottles and then throwing them into the sea. Not only will you get to hear about the curious responses he received from strangers, but he will also talk more openly about his own life than ever before and take audiences on a journey of twists, turns and guaranteed laughs.
Lee Kyle: Bottle It comes to Carnival House, Sunderland on Friday 21st February, Darlington’s Forum Music Centre on Thursday 13th March, Arts Centre Washington on Friday 28th March and Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Friday 18th April. www.imleekyle.com
Hamish Hawk by Michaela Simpson
MUSIC INHALER @ O2 CITY HALL
Words: Cameron Wright
In 2021 Inhaler released their debut album, already backed by a major record label. Jumping straight on the road, the international exploits of the four boys inevitably fed into their follow up: an ode to exploring and experiencing the world. The contrast was potent - the maturity that came with these countless concerts was tangible. Flirting with pop as much as they toy with indie, the band are pushing their own agenda more with each project as they forge their path in an overly saturated market. This need to become more than the components of their parts is a stand-out feature on their 2023 release - there’s a clear yearning to have a sound that is distinctly Inhaler. With their third album releasing in February, Inhaler step deeper into their own world. It’s commercial, approachable and enjoyable, all the while sprinkling in more and more of their own personality with every track. Wednesday 19th February is your opportunity to catch one of the most backed bands on the upcoming indie circuit tackling Newcastle’s O2 City Hall. It’s only a matter of time before Inhaler take off, and their third record has all the hallmarks of becoming the album that does it. Marrying the same ideals as the likes of Blossoms or Sam Fender, Inhaler are embracing the vibrant sound of the next iteration of indie pop and should not be skipped over. www.inhaler.band
ART & LIT RICHIE CULVER @ UNIT 41
Words: Caleb Carter
Following the inauguration of their dedicated gallery space Unit 41 in January, Middlesbrough-based collective ‘Industrial Coast’ is geared to stage works from the brine-wracked Richie Culver, who will come on Monday 17th February no doubt under the cover of storm. After his scrawled art and haunted portraits pulled the rug from under the world’s feet online (to the divided fanfare of “pointed” or “pointless”), Culver returns home for an opening night that recalls the frayed creativity of an after-party: bright, dry and wired.
Concepts of homecoming have dogged Culver throughout his career, perhaps to an ironic degree, but it is hard not to find it laced through the Hull-born artist’s truisms, warbled through his soundscapes: “Imagine listening to Tracy Chapman Fast Car in your slow car in a town you never did leave.” The opening night will feature sound artists Nazanin Noori and Bride which sounds like it’ll welcome the same fringe discordance that the exhibition will, but at Industrial Coast it’s hard to imagine a home with more welcoming arms. www.richie-culver.com
MUSIC
THE BUG CLUB
@ POP RECS
Words: Simon Lunt
Can this be the first ever article about The Bug Club to not use the phrase “tongue in cheek” to describe the Sub Pop signed duo’s style? Evidently not - but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll find a simplistic, one dimensional offering at Pop Recs from these Welsh dynamos.
A few days before they spread their wings and fly to the likes of Canada, The Netherlands, France and Germany you’re likely to realise very quickly that you’re not witnessing some kind of novelty band. Quirky? Definitelysome might say a little eccentric. But this is a band who started with their roots in blues but have metamorphosised into an energetic, post punk and rather unique outfit. And as you might expect from this particular label, there is an edge, humour and intimacy about The Bug Club’s performance.
You’re likely to hear plenty of their third LP “On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System” where you’ll be treated to some off the wall explorations of everyday life usually packing a short and sharp punch before you’ll be off again to the next song, all delivered with plenty of dry wit and sarcasm.
The Bug Club perform at Pop Recs, Sunderland on Thursday 20th February. www.thebugclub.bandcamp.com
Inhaler by Lewis Evans
MUSIC STATE CHAMPS @ NX NEWCASTLE
Words: Cameron Wright
They might argue that the day of euphoric, stadium filling pop-punk is dead. They might say the era of Blink 182 or Green Day is behind us, or that there isn’t a band who are writing those energised, crowd pleasing choruses that feel written precisely for setting a live audience into a giddy frenzy.
I’d say, they haven’t heard State Champs. It only takes one listen of the tracks that bookmark their latest release to know that this genre is not only surviving, but thriving. The New York band’s self-titled record feels like a victory lap; while it may not push or challenge any of the preconceptions of the form, it undeniably packs inside everything you could want, and sets it ablaze.
With a cohesive through line of technically stimulating instrumentation, which mixes high octane grooves and hooks with infectious pop melodies and commercial sensibilities, this feels like THE State Champ sound, finalised and perfected.
With some of the biggest dollops of nostalgia you can find in 2024 being flung around with such joyful abandon, their album is one of the sharpest and genuinely exciting pop punk records of the decade.
The only way to improve these tracks would be to immediately hear them sang back with an impassioned crowd, and luckily State Champs are coming to NX for a night of precisely that on Tuesday 25th February. I cannot think of a night more dedicated to pure, unbridled fun. www.statechamps.band
ART & LIT STEAM TO GREEN @ DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Words: Mack Sproates
Steam to Green is a captivating exhibition and series of events exploring the North East’s powerful impact and relationship to greener technologies.
Over the course of two years, Newcastle’s The Discovery Museum will be host to a range of interesting and fun activities, including ways in which young people and families can get involved such as school workshops and an after hours careers fair for adults. The exhibition seeks to draw a spotlight on some of the most exciting and innovative research into renewable energy, including a rare opportunity to see some of the historical science and fascinating engineering objects and collections - some of which have not been on display for years.
The exhibition provides opportunities that help inform and engage young people growing up in today’s world, and it’s wonderful to see how the exhibition is centered around hope. Pulling back the curtain on this visionary research feels inspiring, and a really useful way of opening up these big conversations and dialogues around the future of the climate that often can feel inaccessible and scary. Art is a brilliant way to engage everyone in big and important conversations, and Steam to Green is a fantastic invitation to learn and understand the ways we can actively engage in helping our planet. Steam to Green is open now and runs until September 2026 www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
STAGE
JENNY
DON’T & THE SPURS @ THE GLOBE
Words: Lee Fisher
Forming over a decade ago in Portland and infused with the spirit of classic country but with a dash of sixties garage and a splash of the eighties new roots scene (X, The Blasters etc) alongside more contemporary Americana, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs are a big-hatted delight, and the reliably excellent Jumpin’ Hot Club crew are bringing them to Newcastle this month.
Jenny has a fine country voice that evokes heartbreak, bars and roads travelled, and the band have the right amount of twang and rumble, which explains why they’ve built a strong following all over the world as well as back home. They’ve released on all sorts of labels, most recently on the excellent Fluff & Gravy Records with last year’s Broken Hearted Blues. They fetch up at The Globe in Newcastle on Thursday 13th February as part of a short European tour supported by Jack Browning, a well-established purveyor of classic Americana, and The Country Irregulars, an all hat/no cattle outfit from Tyneside that are old enough to know better.
www.jennydontandthespurs.com
State Champs by Manuel Barajas
COMEDY MARK STEEL @ THE WITHAM
Words: Laura Doyle
My mother says that the age of 50 to 65 is like a sniper’s alley: you’re just waiting to get picked off with some kind of diagnosis. Last year, Mark Steel was hit. The dedicated troublemaker had to deal with a trouble of his own in the form of a (thankfully treatable) form of the big C. Few people would be able
to take potentially the most traumatic moment of one’s life and spin it alchemy-like into a 90 minute comedy show – but Mark Steel is not few people.
Living with cancer is one thing – it’s also NHS waiting rooms, surgeries and sometimes treatments with side effects worse than the disease itself. Living with the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis is a condition all on its own. Will the treatments be effective? Will it be fully gone? What if it returns? Suddenly any irregularity in your normal bodily functions becomes a warning light you can’t ignore. Steel describes it as having a leopard in his
house – one that the leopard authorities are dealing with, but that he still occasionally hears growling from the other room. Sometimes, the best way to drown out the growl is with a good laugh alongside people who understand.
Mark Steel performs at The Witham, Barnard Castle on Wednesday 12th-Thursday 13th February, returning to the region at Gala Durham on Thursday 15th May and Sunderland’s Fire Station on Wednesday 28th May.
www.marksteelinfo.com
ART & LIT
THE URBANITES @ VANE
GALLERY
Words: Laura Rosierse
Gateshead’s contemporary art gallery Vane Gallery will be showcasing The Urbanites, an exhibition bringing together five artists from the UK and Ireland and employing a variety of media forms to depict the urban landscapes they surround themselves with. Whitley Bay-born artist Iona Frances Brown creates collections of ink drawings that preserve multicoloured, dilapidated buildings, kitsch amusement figures and humorous graffiti in urban landscapes. Sunderland-based impressional artist Jack Coates creates fluid artworks and captures the details and shapes of urban landscapes, and David Fox brings his interpretation of the contemporary Irish landscape.
Bernard Quinn’s recent work is a series of town portraits of the North East of England and Liverpool-born artist Beth J Ross delves into themes of memory, emotion, place, and the lingering traces of the environments she inhabits. These five creatives will be presenting their work at Vane’s gallery space. Vane doesn’t just offer a space for contemporary artists, but also offers flexible workspaces and established themselves in 1997, having since worked hard to give Gateshead colour and creating space for critically engaged artists from all over the world.
The exhibition takes place at from 6th February to 1st March (Thu – Sat, 12 – 5pm) with a preview on 5th February (5 – 8pm). www.vane.org.uk
MUSIC KNATS DEBUT ALBUM LAUNCH @ THE LUBBER FIEND
Words: Mack Sproates
Geordie Jazz enthusiasts are in for a huge treat as the super talented Knats are launching their highly anticipated self titled debut album on Friday 28th February on Gear Box Records with a special show on the same day at Newcastle’s The Lubber Fiend. This local jazz group made up of lifelong friends are bursting with joy and erupting with talent, having drummed up an electrifying buzz from their live shows over the past few years. Their modern, funky, absorbing arrangements, sweet sunny melodies, playful percussion with irresistible danceable rhythms and so much more have been wonderfully captured in this superb album, demonstrating just how painstakingly gifted these musicians are. You can feel their friendship in the recordings; smooth and bright, almost leaking out of one connected brain. It’s free flowing as moods change with ease, intertwining and looping through groovy beats, guiding you through so many different influences from traditional jazz, nu jazz to more intriguing influences like the drum and bass inspired percussion. Knats will be presenting their beautiful, fresh and bold take on jazz at their upcoming launch party; a chance to catch all of these vibrant new jams from start to finish - this is one not to be missed.
www.thelubberfiend.com
COMEDY CHLOE PETTS @ THE STAND
Words: Cameron Wright
If you are an eagle-eyed comedy fan with your finger on the pulsing stream of new acts, you should have stumbled upon Chloe Petts. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, now is your chance to change that.
Having appeared on Have I Got News For You, hosted her own regular segment on Sky Sports News, as well as her own BBC Radio 4 show Toilet Humour, and supported Ed Gamble on several country wide tours, Petts is doing everything she can to assure her status as the next big thing on the comedy scene.
Her trademark ‘laddish’ bravado, her love of football and boisterous candour all add to this wonderfully curated persona that has sold out her previous two critically acclaimed tours. On her latest outing How You See Me, How You Don’t the comic gets more introspective than usual. Looking at her childhood, the hour is filled with stories of bullies, teachers, trolls and her uncharacteristic time as head girl. With every tour, Petts gets slicker, more confident and more enigmatic as a performer. With critics backing her as one to watch, her return to The Stand on Sunday 16th February may be your last opportunity to catch one of Britain’s newest talents in such an intimate setting.
www.chloepetts.org
Bernard Quinn, Nelson Street, Gateshead, 2024, soft pastel on Fabriano 5 paper, 50x75cm
Fri7Feb,7.30pm Sat8Feb, 2.30pm&7.30pm
MUSIC PERSONAL TRAINER @ THE GROVE
Words: Nat Greener Dutch pop collective Personal Trainer will electrify The Grove in Newcastle on Saturday 15th February as part of their expansive UK and European tour. Known for their chaotic live energy and infectious indie pop charm, the band is touring in support of their second album, Still Willing, released in August last year via Bella Union.
Led by Willem Smit, Personal Trainer blends DIY exuberance with a knack for experimental yet accessible pop. The new album showcases spry melodies, lush arrangements and playful, reflective lyrics – elements that have drawn fans and critics alike to singles like Cyan, Intangible and Round. While Still Willing refines their sound in the studio, the live experience promises an untamed spirit, with instruments flying and stage energy that’s impossible to
bottle.
The Grove will provide the perfect intimate setting for this enthralling show. Fans can expect a dynamic, unpredictable performance from one of Europe’s most exciting pop exports. Whether you’re drawn by the irresistible hooks, the chaotic live antics, or the vibrant energy of their music, their show promises a dazzling display of indie pop brilliance. www.personaltrainertheband.com
COMEDY IGNACIO LOPEZ @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Ben Robinson
Critically acclaimed Spanish/Welsh comedian Ignacio Lopez is embarking on his largest UK tour yet, with his new stand-up show Señor Self-Destruct. After a successful few years in the UK comedy circuit, and appearances on Live at the Apollo, QI, and Have I Got News for You, Lopez is bringing his newest show to the North East, performing at Middlesbrough Town
Hall (21st Feb), Queen’s Hall Hexham (23rd Feb), The Stand, Newcastle (24th Feb), The Witham, Barnard Castle (26th Feb), and Alnwick Playhouse (27th Feb). Lopez’s unique comedy combines his animated personality and wicked humour with a brilliant exploration of self-improvement, dissecting aspects from intrusive thoughts to the absurdities that come with modern life, all whilst being wildly funny. Lopez describes the show as being “about British tourists, Spanish horror stories, and the origins of music festivals. Also, I try to do a cockney accent at one point, which is worth the price of admission alone”.
So, whether you’re a fan of his dark, self-deprecating humour or his hilariously blunt stand-up style, this tour promises an unmissable evening of laughter and hilariously outlandish comedy. Don’t miss the chance to see one of comedy’s funniest upcoming stars in the North East this February. www.comedylopez.com
Personal Trainer by Tom Van Huisstede
MUSIC C DUNCAN @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE
Words: Michaela Hall
Scottish musician C Duncan is heading our on tour in 2025 to celebrate the release of his new album It’s Only A Love Song, performing at Stockton’s Georgian Theatre on Sunday 2nd
February. C Duncan is a romantic and cinematic whirlwind of an artist who creates magic with his new album, mixing soft timelines of romanticism with classic pop to create a collection of songs we can swoon and feel to. He’s even created a partly animated video to accompany the album, which is replete with paeans to the humble love song, and how they’re so much more than music; how we attach ourselves and our own lives so often to
these familiar tracks that help us to make sense of things.
He has said: “I love the idea of something being so romantic that it almost hurts”, and this seems like it may be a premonition of his upcoming tour; an explosion of romance and feelings through musical artistry. If you’re after an evening of true musical experience, this seems like the one for you! www.cspaceduncan.com
Image by Harrison Reid
Skinner by Niamh Barry
MUSIC
SKINNER @ THREE TANNERS BANK
Words: Cameron Wright
It’s hard to carve out a niche. It’s hard to come out of the corner swinging. It’s near impossible to have a fully realised, unique sound right at the start. Somehow, Dublin’s Skinner ticks every box with a sound so anarchist and rife with homages from New York’s bygone no-wave era and which is cutting, relevant, sharp and current.
The self-produced, multi-instrumentalist has a phenomenal urgency to his live show which he is bringing to Three Tanners Bank in North Shields on Thursday 13th February. One minute Skinner is referencing Oingo Boingo or The Pixies and the next, melting across genres and pouring out his own, delectable concoction of influences. From blazing brass sections to growling vocals, every single track explodes. Its rhythmic, its hypnotic, it’s a driving force of
ambition and undeniably funky too. Skinner’s is a festival of sound meticulously crafted while unapologetically relishing in chaos. It is as affronting as anything you will have heard in years. Skinner understands punk. His music is everything it should be, the essence of the genre. It’s angry, it’s loud and it’s captivating from start to finish. Skinner is a bright light, a blinding beam of ambition, talent and carnage.
www.skinner97.bandcamp.com
MUSIC COASTAL CRAWL @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Steve Spithray Coastal Crawl ‘25 takes place across three venues in North Shields on Saturday 22nd February. Salt Market Social, Three Tanners Bank and The Engine Room will host a fine range of bona fide indie idols, North East trailblazers and emerging local acts. The event
will be headlined by Leicestershire era-defining indie-rockers Young Knives with hits such as Terra Firma & Turn Tail, and it will be concluded with an after show DJ set from legendary Smiths drummer Mike Joyce. Elsewhere on the bill will be North Shields legend Michael Curran with his Deaf Fiction band, Newcastle’s indie heroes Bear Park (fresh from supporting The Libertines on tour in 2024), Gateshead singer-songwriter Kieran Bowe and ex The Smokin’ Barrels member Craig Redpath.
However, it is the depth of programming that really excites at this sister event to June’s Coast Fest with the likes of 7 Bridges, Alation, Ben Harwood, Dylan Pederson, Heal, Idle Hands, Park View, Oliver Thomas Armstrong & The Glorious Chaos Machine, Ramellos, Richie Harrison, NARC favourites Snakes With Tits, Scrannabis, Short Back & Shields, Strays, The Magnetic North Band and The Northern Threads all getting the nod. And what’s more, this promises to be just the first roll call with more still to be announced!
www.facebook.com/coastfestivalne
MUSIC
W.H. LUNG @ TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION
Words: Neil Ainger
It’s been a big five years for Mancunian synth-poppers W.H. Lung. The fivepiece have been followed by a very persistent hype train, with the band appearing high on critics’ end-ofyear lists. Last year’s third album Every Inch of Earth Pulsates was no exception, with reviewers heaping praise on its simple yet intelligently crafted, indie tinged pop anthems. However, the live arena is where W.H. Lung really excel so it is fab news that the band will return to the region on Thursday 13th February at Teesside University Students’ Union in Middlesbrough.
For their latest album the band hooked up with producer Ross Orton (Arctic Monkeys) and the result was arguably their most dynamic record yet where the songwriting and composition shines brighter than ever before, with some shoegaze and post punk influence hurled into the mix for good measure. If the raw energy of the record translates to the stage then it ought to be a night of mesmerising melody and catchy hooks from a band arguably on their most creative streak to date. www.whlungmusic.com
COMEDY
ANDY
ZALTZMAN
@ THE GALA THEATRE
Words: Neil Ainger
Is Andy Zaltzman one of the country’s hardest working comedians? He may well be. Working primarily in radio and podcasts, he has worked with John Oliver on Political Animal, The Department and The Bugle. Andy has also hosted Radio 4’s The News Quiz since 2020 and is a cricket statistician for BBC’s Test Match Special broadcasts. Known for his political and satirical stand-up routines, he has performed at just about all of the major global comedy festivals over the past 25 years and is showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh from being crowned as the champion of the Channel 4 smash hit comedy series Taskmaster, Andy continues his The Zaltgeist tour throughout the first half of 2025, stopping at Newcastle’s The Stand on Saturday 8th February and The Gala Theatre, Durham on Friday 21st February. Expect political satire, clever wordplay plus an attempt to both analyse the state of the planet and to answer life’s key questions such as What, Who, Where and Why?
www.andyzaltzman.co.uk
STAGE TITS UP @ LAUREL’S
Words: Emily Elliott
Written by local theatre maker Alison Stanley and coming to Laurel’s in Whitley Bay from Tuesday 18th February-Saturday 1st March, Tits Up depicts the experiences of breast cancer by three women, Tina, Rachel and Rosie, in an emotional and important reminder that breast cancer is indiscriminate and can affect anyone.
The set mimics an oncology ward, but is largely focused on the social interactions between the group. Tina, a mother, can not comprehend Rosie’s love of piercings. Rosie, on the other hand, struggles to grasp why Tina wastes her days crocheting. Looking past the misunderstandings, the play examines the power of maternal love as an ongoing force that persists through hardships.
Alison Stanley’s desire to portray the characters as different from one another links to her devastating experience of having a young friend diagnosed with the disease. She has articulated her desire for increased awareness of breast cancer, and the breaking of stereotypes that the illness only affects older people. The play is well-researched with time invested at Live Well with Cancer in North Shields. Alison has also written other popular plays such as Life of Reilly, Bedsocks and You Need To Say Sorry, which are similarly engaging plays with difficult themes. www.laurelswhitley.co.uk
W.H. Lung by Marieke Macklon
MUSIC RATS ON RAFTS @ THE ENGINE ROOM
Words: Laura Rosierse
Dutch experimental rock outfit Rats On Rafts embark on a tour to promote new album Deep Below, released on 7th February. The band create crafty and eccentric soundscapes that demand their listener’s attention; pushing boundaries and expectations, the album sees the band deep-diving into their psyche, questioning relationships with nature, religion and each other.
Echoes of The Cure, Cocteau Twins and Slowdive see an introspective, emotive new sound that demands us to adjust our pace, slow down and turn inwards. Deep Below sees a marked change in pace from the quartet, and where previous albums have been noisier and more flamboyant, recent single Japanese Medicine is the opener for a new chapter of the
alternative rock outfit’s sound, as singer David Fagan gathers memories of teenage friendships littered with cigarettes and life-changing records, punctuated with dark thoughts and the demons they summon up.
The band kick off their European tour at North Shields’ Engine Room on Wednesday 12th February. www.ratsonrafts.com
MUSIC THE COVASETTES @ KU
Words: Michael O’Neill
Since its inception in 2013, Independent Venue Week has firmly established itself as an essential and glorious celebration of the UK’s storied grassroots venue circuit. Year after year thousands of fledgling artists play in hundreds of essential venues. Starting with just 17 venues the initiative has now hosted almost
5000 individual shows and sold more than a million tickets. KU Stockton are weighing in in 2025 with three essential shows the highlight of which being on February 1st with Mancunian indie-rock quartet The Covasettes, who previously played at 2024’s Stockton Calling, and who are about to embark on an extensive support slot with The Lottery Winners. Support will come from Newcastle alt-rockers The Avelons and Teesside-based outfit Risco. The Covasettes have continued to build support with a series of singles including 2024’s Step Two and Love In Polaroid with a sound built on great vocals, hypnotic guitar hooks and driving rhythms. This Independent Venue Week headliner (and the strength of local supports also confirmed) is a further credit to both the strength of live music locally (and further afield) and KU’s position as a mainstay of the North East live music scene. www.thecovasettes.com
Rats On Rafts by Jasmijn Slegh
COMEDY RACHEL FAIRBURN @ ARC/THE STAND
Words: Ben Robinson
Following the smash-hit success of her 40-date Showgirl tour and the All Killa No Filla podcast 10-year anniversary shows, Rachel Fairburn is back with Side-Eye, a highly anticipated UK tour which will be filled with her usual blunt humour – but this time with a twist.
Renowned for her twisted humour, Rachel brings an entirely new mix of stand-up and character comedy to the stage. Fans can expect her trademark dissatisfied takes on life, but this time it will be alongside a hilarious cast of characters, including a loose-lipped Dame, a diva with a restraining order and perhaps even the devil.
The show has been described as delivering “sadistic glee”, a phrase that perfectly captures Rachel’s wicked humour. Her comedy fearlessly tackles life’s darker corners, which has left audiences laughing out loud – even in
moments when they feel they shouldn’t. With her daring approach, Rachel turns the uncomfortable into the hilarious.
Having wowed audiences on her previous tours and with hit TV appearances including Live At The Apollo and House of Games, Rachel is ready to bring her unique style to stages across the UK, and performs at Stockton’s ARC on Friday 21st and Newcastle’s Stand Tuesday 25th February.
www.rachelfairburn.com
Image by Andy Heathcote
STAGE
DIG @ VARIOUS VENUES
Words: Mack Sproates
Shovels at the ready as we excavate Dig! It’s an exciting, thought provoking new one act comedy play set to tour various venues around the North East this February and March. Writer and director Ian Smith places us in the year 4040, where we meet a young couple who are uncovering treasures and relics from the 21st Century… What will they unearth?
Perhaps an archaic bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale? Or a fossilised Costa cup? Or other beloved artefacts from their Northern Ancestors (identified with the help of audiences around the NE)? We will follow them on a journey into the past as they study the objects, trying to interpret what they meant to our society. The play will pose questions like; What happens to the things that we will leave behind? How will they shape our lives and stories? All this, plus a comedic look into North East culture and traditions.
With a fantastic creative team and cast (Caitlin Fairlamb, Ethan Lang and Steven Stobbs), Dig is a promising new play which is sure to be a treat! It will tour on Saturday 1st February at Laurels (Whitley Bay), Thursday 6th February at The Witham (Barnard Castle), Friday 7th February at Central Bar (Gateshead), Saturday
15th February at City Theatre (Durham), Thursday 6th March at Washington Arts Centre and Friday 7th March at Alphabetti Theatre (Newcastle). digtheplay.squarespace.com
MUSIC
LAZY DAY @ THREE TANNERS BANK
Words: Nat Greener
You’re invited to an evening of bold and bright indie rock as London songwriter Lazy Day (aka Tilly Scantlebury) brings their debut album Open The Door to Three Tanners Bank on Sunday 9th February. Known for crafting powerful songs with melodies that linger, Lazy Day is set to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Having evolved from the lo-fi dream pop of earlier EPs like Ribbons and Letters, Scantlebury’s latest release amplifies their signature sound; mixing contemplative lyrics with buoyant melodies and atmospheric warmth. Expect emotive vocals reminiscent of Chrissie Hynde and Karen O, backed by a dynamic live band that elevates the emotional weight of tracks like Squirm and Killer. Written and produced with authenticity and flair, Open The Door reflects Scantlebury’s personal journey, exploring themes of identity, self-awareness and queerness. This is music
that’s as thoughtful as it is uplifting — an invitation to embrace the world with open arms.
www.lazydaylazyday.com
MUSIC
MAQUINA. @ ZEROX
Words: Michaela Hall
Hot on the heels of their debut album Dirty Tracks For Clubbing, the Lisbon-based trio MAQUINA. are coming to the UK for their 2025 tour, and lucky for us are making a stop off at Zerox on Wednesday 12th February. If you’re looking for a way to kick off 2025 with a bit of energy and excitement, this will be the gig for you: think pounding dance, EDM and charisma, and that’s what you will get with MAQUINA.
A powerhouse that juggles and pushes multiple genres, their guitar/drums/bass formation roars of authenticity and purity. The infectiously joyful trio are intent on offering a new prospect on the club music scene that breaks all stereotypes and allows fans from all backgrounds on board. They manage to be anarchic and punk at the same time as giving a nod to Ibiza hedonism, and no doubt their extensive year of touring across Europe is going to make for a night to be remembered.
www.maquinaponto.bandcamp.com
Lazy Day by Eleanor Crewes
MUSIC MAX COOPER @ THE GLASSHOUSE
Words: Nat Greener
On Friday 28th February, electronic music pioneer Max Cooper brings his 3D AV live tour to The Glasshouse, promising an unforgettable night for fans of immersive audio-visual experiences. Known for merging intricate
techno with stunning visual art, Cooper will be performing in support of his latest album, On Being.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of electronic music, Cooper’s live shows are as emotive as they are innovative, blending his background in computational biology with deeply personal melodies. On Being represents his most profound work to date, crafted from thousands of anonymous confessions shared during its creation. Audiences can expect hypnotic rhythms, powerful basslines and a
raw emotional evening unlike any other. Having performed at iconic venues like the Acropolis and developed groundbreaking formats such as Dolby Atmos sound, Cooper’s Gateshead show is an unmissable opportunity to witness a true visionary at work. Don’t miss this unique chance to experience Cooper’s masterful combination of sound, science and art in an extraordinary live setting. www.maxcooper.net
CHAMPION
Image by Ella Mitchell
MUSIC
JOHN
BRAMWELL @ THE COMMON ROOM
Words: Dawn Storey
Following a handful of November dates with his band The Full Harmonic Convergence, John Bramwell will be treating an intimate audience at The Common Room on Saturday 1st February to a solo show before he’s back on the road with Turin Brakes.
The owner of one of the most distinctive voices in music - and best known until 2014 for fronting indie darlings I Am Kloot - it sounds like he’s been through the mill somewhat in recent years in respect to love and loss and life in general. Thankfully for us he’s always been a master at turning tragedies into uplifting tunes and has come out the other side sounding brighter and more optimistic than ever. His latest release, The Light Fantastic, is brimming with 60s style harmonies that The Beatles would’ve been proud of, as well as the evocative lyrics he’s become known for, he describes the album as “my favourite collection of songs I’ve ever written”. Bramwell regularly shouts about his love of playing live, so this show promises to be a really special one comprising his pretty melodies, poetic lyrics and talent for telling beautifully observed tales about the world through song. www.johnbramwell.com
COMEDY
AHIR SHAH @ THE STAND
Words: Cameron Wright
In 2023, Ahir Shah won the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for Best Comedy Show, with his show End. That very same show, drowning in accolades and praise, is coming to The Stand, Newcastle on 23rd February.
Any comedy fan will have seen Shah by now, at least through his time on Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You, Mash Report & a litany of other British panel essentials. They will know his charming, educated demeanour, his acerbic stabs at the political climate and his eloquent turn of phrase that balances the angry and the introspective.
What a comedy fan may not know, is the potency of this show. Besides being a comedy phenomenon, running the gambit from classism, colonisation and household cookery, End is a beautifully crafted piece. Remove the humour, you have a silver-tongued ode to the power of family, the tyranny of grief and the potency of life. It is as delicate as it is disarming, it is a thoroughly remarkable piece of writing.
Over the tales of heritage, loss and political stabbings, there is an earnest reflection and cultural understanding that act as a backbone for impeccable comedy. Ahir Shah is as spellbinding as a storyteller as he is a comedian.
www.ahirshah.com
MUSIC PALMA LOUCA @ THE SHIP ISIS
Words: Michael O’Neill
Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Sunderland lies The Ship Isis, one of the city’s (and the region’s) finest pubs, and an absolute aesthetic feast for the eyes. Once you’ve managed to tear yourself away from the gloriously plush decor of the main bar, the Vaux Room upstairs houses what seems to be a modest overflow room. However, once you chuck a drum kit, some amps and a PA in it, it morphs into one of the region’s most underrated venues. It has hosted many brilliant local acts over the years, and this lineup on Saturday 22nd February is no exception! Headliners are Palma Louca, a local ethereal shoegaze quintet. They’ve cut their teeth all over the region - with numerous headline gigs in 2024 - and they boast a solid track record of releases, with recent single The Cove being played on BBC Introducing! They are joined by indie-pop quartet Club Paradise, whose bold, technicolour indie-pop sound is brilliantly displayed on their recent EP Life On TV, as well as talented singer-songwriter Daniel Maple, who may be familiar to some as the six-string slinger of local rock band Pretty Velvet. palmalouca.bandcamp.com
John Bramwell by Andy Muscroft
INTERVIEWS
PARASTATIC
LEE FISHER CATCHES UP WITH THE TYNESIDE POST-ROCK TRIO ON HOW THEIR EVOLVING LINE-UP AND SOUND HELPED REKINDLE AND INFORM THEIR NEW ALBUM THAT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING IMAGE BY WAYNE MADDEN
I’m in a noisy Heaton pub with Neil (Caffery) and Jon (Garrard), the two guitarists from Tyneside post-rock, post-motorik, post-everything trio Parastatic, and Valenciaborn, Newcastle-based sound artist / performer Laura (Late Girl, of whom more later). And obviously what I want to know is what the hell they’ve been up to. It’s been a full decade since their last album Recall Fade Return and there’s been a lack of activity – live or recorded - since.
“We did a pretty good job of being in a band with our first record in about 2012, then the second one in 2015, and we got a new drummer (Rachel Casey) in 2016.” Neil explains. “Then Rachel moved to London and we ended up working long distance. We’d gone into Blank Studios with Sam (Grant) just before COVID and when we went back into Blank to finish the album (Concrete Reborn) last year, Sam was looking through the sessions and he said ‘You do realise it was 2019 when you
MUSIC
started this record?’, so if we’d got it done in 2019, that wouldn’t have been so bad - three or four years between albums. But then there was COVID.” Neil also concedes that “we probably weren’t the hardest working band, but I think we’re changing.” Eventually it was decided Rachel was too far away for it to work and Neil and Jon, who’d reconnected with original drummer Jonnie - ostensibly for another project - decided to revisit the 2019 material with the benefit of a bit of distance. Most of the 2019 tracks have been retained, but with Jonnie’s tougher drumming style replacing Rachel’s. “He brought this completely different energy. We also made a decision to try to use guitars more. More guitars, more layers.” The band are clearly really happy with the work Sam Grant did on the album, especially the way the drums sound so real. The music certainly sounds harder, more angular, than previous Parastatic releases and this is in keeping with the album’s title and overarching concept (Neil and Jon explain they always like to work to a concept – the last album was about memory), a paean to brutalism, which was in part inspired by a band trip to Berlin to see Camera. “We were wandering around looking at lots of concrete, decided we were in love with it and that we’d write something about it.” A lot of YouTube lectures and research followed. “We love the combination of function and form, the controversy around that, the utilitarian beauty of it. Then there’s the whole Newcastle
WE LOVE THE COMBINATION OF FUNCTION AND FORM, THE CONTROVERSY AROUND THAT, THE UTILITARIAN BEAUTY OF IT
angle with T Dan Smith, trying to imagine what Newcastle would have been like if he’d had a longer career, this kind of Brasilia of the north. So I think we just got tied into the idea, loved it and realised well, there’s a lot to say about it.”
Enter Laura – aka Late Girl. Parastatic have quite rightly been banging a drum for Late Girl’s work for some time, playing gigs together and even collaborating live. “We’ve really wanted to work with Laura for ages, we’re massive fans, and this was a really good opportunity.”
Laura explains that the band presented her with the words for her to perform, her recitations bringing an authority and presence to the music, although she’s happy to admit the text doesn’t necessarily reflect her views. “I don’t necessarily prescribe to the romanticising of sixties Newcastle - not that the band are really doing that - but in general, as an idea. But I think it’s an interesting thing to talk about. And I do like the decay of Newcastle, I think that is part of the charm of it, because it can’t actually be utilised.”
Late Girl will be joining Parastatic for the entirety of their forthcoming tour – at seven days, probably the longest they’ve done, which will finish up at Newcastle’s Star & Shadow on Saturday March 1st for a big hometown album launch party. Plans are still taking shape but Laura will be performing a Late Girl set in support as well as joining the band for the new material.
They all admit the tour will mean Laura spending more time with the band that they have in total so far, but everyone seems excited by the prospect. “I get really stressed with all the organisation of live stuff, and it just so happens that I did nothing for this!”, Laura explains. “So in a selfish way, it’s quite convenient because I get to play as Late Girl with no stress!”.
Parastatic release Concrete Reborn on their own Workie Ticket Records on Friday 21st February, followed by a UK tour including a show at The Green Room, Stockton on Saturday 22nd February and finishing up at The Star & Shadow, Newcastle on Saturday 1st March. www.workieticket.co.uk
PIT PONY
JAMES HATTERSLEY TALKS TO THE NEWCASTLE-BASED NOISY GARAGE ROCKERS ON THE MAKING OF THEIR SECOND ALBUM
While gravy is being made, crisps are being eaten and tattoos are gotten, I spoke to Newcastle’s fuzzy fanatics Pit Pony on what I can only assume is a day like any other day. The special occasion? Their sophomore album Dead Stars via Clue Records/ EMI North is set to be released on 7th February.
Continuing on from their 2022 debut, the band have carefully and methodically shaped their sound to deliberately hark back to their rowdy days – the fist-pumping lead single Well Well and the chaotic climax of No Shame spring to mind – as well as carving out a different side of themselves. “With the first album, a lot of the feedback was that we were quite fuzzy and noisy and garagey.” said guitarist Andrew Jones, as he casually gets tattooed. “This album has given us an opportunity to kind of strip those elements back and show we can actually write good songs and nice songs, and there’s more to us than just noise.”
“It’s got more heavier moments than anything on the first album. It’s also got more lighter moments than anything on the first album,” added guitarist Garth Purver. “But then at the same time, I think it all hangs together better as one cohesive piece more than the first one did.”
Tracks like the fantastically dark and whimsical Cut Open and the uplifting and soaring This Love Of Mine stand tall in the
IT’S GOT MORE HEAVIER MOMENTS THAN ANYTHING ON THE FIRST ALBUM. IT’S ALSO GOT MORE LIGHTER MOMENTS THAN ANYTHING ON THE FIRST ALBUM
pantheon of Pit Pony greats, as the band weave a tender tapestry of motherhood, the downsides of social media and the ever-looming dystopian nightmare that is modern life. Vocalist Jackie Purver said: “It’s just got a bit of a different feel to it. I think it’ll be nice to hear people’s reaction to those different types of songs and the ones that are a slower pace.”
While influences like Wolf Alice, Fontaines DC, The Clash and Ennio Moriconne have helped shape the album, the sound is completely Pit Pony and bleeds the North East. “The Tyne and Wear Metro, the A1, Amble Marina, Shields beach… They’re all featured in little subtle capacities. We often say that we’re influenced by the sound of the North East, our home, and these little elements show that.” Andrew poignantly reflected. While Dead Stars may be their most ambitious work to date, it truly represents a band firing on all cylinders. There is a unity and real camaraderie that leaks through and only strengthens their resolve. As long as these five people are in a room together, Pit Pony will continue to evolve and push each other to new and exotic places.
As Jackie states: “Someone might come up with an idea, but then it isn’t a Pit Pony song until everyone’s had their input. It’s everybody’s input that makes it come out as it does, which is nice.”
Bassist Andrew Potter has the final word: “We’re very proud of it. I think it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”
Pit Pony release their sophomore album Dead Stars on 7th February.
www.pitponyband.bandcamp.com
Image by Nigel John
RICHARD DAWSON
LEE FISHER WONDERS WHY THE PROGRESSIVE FOLK SINGER WANTED HIS NEW ALBUM
LIKE A NEWBORN GOAT
Where Richard Dawson’s recent albums have often married a big sound to a wide-angle worldview, with End Of The Middle he wanted to make something smaller, quieter and focused on the family. “The last two albums I made were quite grandiose in some ways, though they had their intimacy about them, and I always have a little eye on how my albums will reflect on each other… part of it was just a desire to let the songs be very naked and really put the focus on the lyrics and the melodies as much as possible. And there was also the other side, that I would love the music to sound almost quite weakly. Like it’s just been born and it’s like a newborn goat struggling to its feet. But also I guess I was thinking about how the world has gone completely batshit crazy, especially the notion of truth - I think it’s so frightening.”
“Within the family home, we’re meant to be the most safe,” Dawson continues, “and this felt like a really useful setting to talk about some other things, the patterns of unhealthy behaviour and violence and unpleasantness - and really nice patterns as well - that get passed down through the generations of a family and then as we start to find our identity those patterns, parental things, are really hard to break or alter.”
Our conversation moves onto the specific versus the universal, and whether the vivid and accurate descriptions throughout the album (the anxiety and depression in Knot, for example) draw on Dawson’s own life, but he demurs. “I think if you read those
PART OF IT WAS JUST A DESIRE TO LET THE SONGS BE VERY NAKED AND REALLY PUT THE FOCUS ON THE LYRICS AND THE MELODIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
TO SOUND
things in a novel, you might not think that, so maybe it’s about expectations of lyrics…”.
Dawson explains that a lightning bolt did hit his childhood home – his dad had a narrow escape – which serves as the inspiration behind album opener Bolt. “I was already thinking about a family, this idea of the typical English family home - I love this idea of like a giant hand shining a searchlight into the corners of the doll’s house and then this thing that happened with the lightning strike... It’s kinda perfect.”
One of the most striking features of the album is the role played by Faye MacCalman, the Newcastle-based reeds player who is all over End Of The Middle, often blasting across tracks in the places where Dawson might once have played an angular guitar solo. “The idea was that she would be these lightning bolts, occasionally appearing out of the blue. I needed something that occupies the space between being quite melodic and refined but also with a free, fiery side.” Starting with notes and suggestions, Dawson goes on to explain that he soon realised she instinctively knew what each track required and he let her get on with it.
The press around End Of The Middle suggests a break of some kind, the end of a phase. While he couldn’t go into details, Dawson explains “I’m already cracking on with the next thing, roughly planning, and even thinking about the thing after that. I just want to keep going, you know?”
Richard Dawson’s new album The End Of The Middle is released by Domino on Friday 14th February. He plays Gateshead’s Glasshouse on Saturday 17th May. www.richarddawson.net
Image by Sally Pilkington
THE MOBO AWARDS
DAVID SAUNDERS CHATS WITH FOUNDER OF PROMOTION AND MUSIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION NORTHERN ROOTS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE MOBO AWARDS AND THEIR ACCOMPANYING FRINGE EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN NEWCASTLE
The UK’s premier celebration of Black music and culture, The MOBO Awards, is set to take place in Newcastle for the first time on Tuesday 18th February. To mark the occasion Newcastle City Council and MOBO - alongside partners Generator, The Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby - have announced details of The Fringe taking place Thursday 13th - Monday 17th February. These events (which include showcase gigs, workshops and school programmes) aim to unite diverse communities and make a song and dance about all that Newcastle has to offer in regards to Black music and culture.
Northern Roots have been promoting reggae, soul, blues and more since 1985 and are “one of the only music development organisations in the region with a real focus on Black artists and music of Black Origin.” I ask founder Adam Collerton how the Newcastle music scene has changed since Northern Roots started, and about the role they had in that evolution. “When we first started there were only a small number of local Black artists performing in the region. In the past ten years artists such as Ladies of Midnight Blue, Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, Kema Kay, Kay Greyson, Sisi, Mcxxne and Georgia May have come to the fore. Our job has been to support their growth and development.” He goes on to explain how the organisation has grown in recent years. “Since Kema Kay and Kay Greyson joined Northern Roots around three years ago the charity has gone from strength to strength. Their drive and focus has allowed us to build strong links with the young R&B and hip-hop artists.”
I asked Adam what it means to him and Northern Roots to have the MOBO Awards hosted in Newcastle for the first time: “I believe that the MOBOs coming to Newcastle is a testament to the quality of the local R&B and hip-hop scene… We believe the awards will put a national spotlight onto the region’s Black
WE BELIEVE THE AWARDS WILL PUT A NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ONTO THE REGION’S BLACK MUSIC SCENE, LEADING TO HOMEGROWN ARTISTS BREAKING THROUGH ONTO THE NATIONAL STAGE
music scene, leading to homegrown artists breaking through onto the national stage. So often Black voices from the North East are drowned out by London and even Liverpool and Manchester.”
Such an esteemed awards ceremony coming to the region, as well as the showcases and industry events Northern Roots have planned for The Fringe, is something that Adam believes will leave a positive impact on the local music scene. “Having world-class artists playing in our back garden will be inspiring for the young artists we work alongside. Artists from Newcastle often feel they are missing out, being based so far away from London, but the MOBOs coming to Newcastle puts the spotlight on many of the great artists based in the region.”
“The hope is that the MOBOS will have a transformative impact on the local music scene so that the region is seen as a hotbed of talent in R&B, hip hop and Gospel music. The North-East is known primarily for its guitar bands and indie music, however there is a new generation emerging who are ready to take to the national stage. We also hope it will raise the visibility of the Black music ecology within the region too – the producers, musicians, venues, promoters and much more.”
The MOBO Awards are set to take place at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Tuesday 18th February. The Fringe takes place Thursday 13th - Monday 17th February across various venues. www.mobo.com
L-R: Kay Greyson by Shina Collins, Kema Kay by Philip Hunton
COAL FACE
NEIL AINGER CHATS TO MIDDLESBROUGH WRITER DR LOUISE POWELL ABOUT HER UPCOMING EXHIBITION WITH PHOTOGRAPHER ANDY MARTIN WHICH EXPLORES THE STORIES OF SUNDERLAND’S COLLIERIES
In October and November of last year, Sunderland photographer Andy Martin and Middlesbrough writer Dr Louise Powell held engagement sessions with members of the public with a personal or family connection to the Sunderland collieries. As part of these sessions, participants were asked to sit for a photographic portrait as well as be interviewed about their experiences and memories. This February and March, these sessions will form the basis of an exhibition at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, using words and images to tell the stories of the collieries.
“We’ve been blown away by the response to our calls for participants, with sessions filling up very quickly and often being oversubscribed,” said Louise. “We’ve photographed and interviewed over 60 people for this exhibition and likely could have included even more, had resources and timescales permitted.”
The region’s industrial past has influenced a lot of the duo’s previous work, namely the collieries of Washington in an exhibition at the Washington F-Pit Museum in 2023. Like many North East residents, this part of our history clearly means a lot to them and I was keen to understand exactly why the decision was made to focus all of their creative energy in this area. “With practically all of the physical evidence of coal mining removed, those people with close connections to the collieries are our remaining monuments to the industry,” explained Louise. “They have a great array of stories to tell, not only about life
AS WELL AS BEING OF FACTUAL INTEREST TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, THE STORIES FROM THE COAL FACE PROJECT ALLOW THEM TO GAIN AN EMOTIONAL SENSE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE PART OF A COALFIELD COMMUNITY WHEN THE MINES WERE OPEN
underground but also the communities and values which sprang up around it. As well as being of factual interest to future generations, the stories from the Coal Face project allow them to gain an emotional sense of what it was like to be part of a coalfield community when the mines were open. Whether they have mining heritage or not, whether they have lived in the area all of their lives or have recently made it their home; these stories allow future generations to access a greater understanding of this part of the world.”
As well as the six week long exhibition that will use portrait photography, audio and poetry to tell the stories of the Sunderland miners and the people who knew them best, Louise and Andy will be creating a publication based on the Sunderland sessions as well as a podcast and some events that are open to all to attend.
“There are six 20 minute episodes in the COAL FACE podcast and we’ll release one episode per week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We’re also holding a Study Day at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens on Saturday 1st March. It consists of two Q&A panels which offer an insight into the creative process behind the exhibition. Both events will be free to attend and will be bookable via the Sunderland Culture website. We’ve already released 2 publications on Washington for the COAL FACE project, but our forthcoming publication will focus on Sunderland. It will feature Andy’s photography and my poetry from the exhibition, alongside micro-monologues and other short pieces I wrote. The publication will showcase the faces and stories of its remarkable participants, and be launched at the Coal Face Celebration Event at Redhills in April 2025. It’s a tremendous honour to say that this event will be one of the first to be held at the renovated Redhills, and we look forward to celebrating that landmark, as well as our brilliant participants.” Coal Face is open from Friday 1st February to Saturday 15th March at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/coal-face
Colin Eddy by Andy Martin
NICK GLADDISH
Nick Gladdish is brewing authenticity with his upcoming full-band album, Tea & Sympathy. The album takes a raw and introspective dive into themes of control, societal upheaval and family ties. Listening to Gladdish, it’s clear that the band’s latest work is deeply personal yet powerfully universal – a poignant reflection of both individual and collective struggles. “Initially, I thought I was crafting a follow-up to Last One Get The Lights [2021],” Gladdish explains. “That record was about loss and grief, but these songs took on a broader focus –examining what we can control and what’s beyond us.” The album’s title track was born a decade ago in Manhattan, during a reflective conversation with his wife. “We were on our honeymoon, talking about family, aging parents and life’s challenges. The phrase ‘tea and sympathy’ stuck – it’s also the name of a tea room my cousin owns in Greenwich Village. Everyone should visit!”
While the album explores deeply personal terrain, its sharp critique of societal failures resonates broadly. Tracks like The Spoonfed Dead and Protect Their Power emerged in the wake of Covid-19, a time Gladdish felt tested the limits of societal endurance. “The government’s failures during that time – the manipulation of the vulnerable, the neglect of those with special educational needs – made me angry. Those songs are my response to that injustice.”
This passion is channeled into Tea & Sympathy’s direct, stripped-back sound. Known for his progressive, piano-driven compositions, Gladdish deliberately scaled things back this time around. “I wanted shorter, guitar-centric songs. It was about keeping things simple and raw – Underdogs is a perfect
example. No over-complications, just groove and hooks.” Despite its simplicity, the album’s range of influences – from the folk-rock warmth of Tom Petty to the bluesy Americana of the Traveling Wilburys – creates a rich, eclectic texture. “The band really unlocked those Americana and country vibes. Songs like Tourist pushed me stylistically, and while it was challenging, I’m grateful for it.”
The collaborative spirit runs deep in Gladdish’s work, from songwriting to live performance. “I start with acoustic demos and rough lyrics, and the band brings them to life in the studio. This time, we had more room to rework and refine, making it feel like a true band record.”
As Gladdish prepares for the album launch at Newcastle’s Cluny 2 on Saturday 8th February, he’s excited to bring Tea & Sympathy to life on stage. “It’s the perfect venue – not too big, not too small. We’re planning a dynamic setlist that mixes big, energetic numbers with delicate acoustic pieces. Tracks like It’ll Be Fine (She Said) pour out raw emotion live, while songs like Familiar Territories are more intricate, demanding focus.”
Looking ahead, Gladdish hopes the album sparks conversation about the challenges society faces and inspires listeners to stand up for the underdogs. “This record is about connection –whether it’s personal or universal struggles. I want people to feel it, reflect on it, and maybe even find hope in it.”
With Tea & Sympathy, he’s crafted a stirring anthem for resilience and reflection. As Gladdish says: “Don’t underestimate the underdogs.”
Nick Gladdish launches Tea & Sympathy on Saturday 8th February at The Cluny 2, Newcastle. www.nickgladdish.com
Image by Max Cooper
AVALANCHE PARTY
CAMERON WRIGHT TALKS TO THE NORTH YORKS ART-PUNKS ABOUT THE SURREALIST INSPIRATION BEHIND THEIR NEW ALBUM
With Avalanche Party it never takes long before you are waxing lyrical knee deep in conversation. The best way to summarise the literate art-punks is to say that the first fifteen minutes of this interview are spent listening to them recite passages from Salvador Dali’s 1948 book, 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship. The band talk about their obsession with the painter and his crazy guide to art and the book acts as a tutorial into Dali’s creative process, detailing an array of increasingly ludicrous but disciplined techniques. The genesis of the conversation being a previous interview in which the North Yorks-based five-piece said their biggest influences include Salvador Dali, Roy Keane and Bruce Lee.
Arguably a flippant joke, which wouldn’t be off brand for the aloof musicians who have made a habit of answering interview questions without any obvious seriousness. However, with a bit of digging it became clear that what pins the three names together was mastery of their craft. Avalanche Party guitarist Jared Thorpe mused. “I’ve long been curious about what it is that separates the great from the good. Like someone who is head and shoulders above their contemporaries, nobody could touch Dali and I just wonder why?”
It was an interesting concept, as it appears woven into many Avalanche Party tracks, this infatuation with experts of their field, with newer songs name checking John Coltrane or Rudolf Nureyev in the title. The broad spectrum of influence is of no surprise to anyone who has listened to Avalanche Party before, and the conversation darts between creators, writers or filmmakers such as David Lynch, and as each person is discussed, the band members take turns to wonder about what it would be like to live inside the head of someone so decisive, inspiring and driven.
And it’s a drive that oozes lavishly over Avalanche Party’s
NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE, I THINK THAT’S WHAT WAS INSANE. THERE WAS TOTAL CONFIDENCE THAT ANY SOUND WE WANTED, COULD BE ACHIEVED
upcoming second album, Der Traim Uber Alles, recorded at Dave Catching’s Rancho De La Luna studio in California. “He’s a master in every way” gush the band as they talk about his approach. “Nothing was impossible, I think that’s what was insane. There was total confidence that any sound we wanted, could be achieved. He was like a wizard, rigging up broken amps or playing around with all sorts, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of how to work with anything and wing it to success.”
Living in the guesthouse over the road, Avalanche Party were privy to Catching’s insane record collection and some stunning sunsets, an idyllic environment the band thank for the record’s sound. “Any rabbit-hole we wanted to dive down we would, it was encouraged.”
With flashes of The Fall or Brian Jonestown Massacre, Der Traim Uber Alles is as brash as it is precise, building into intentional disarray. It’s a punk sound for the next generation and every track on the record feels potent and volatile. With a headline show at Newcastle’s Zerox on Friday 7th March, Jared had a message for fans. “Don’t arrive with any preconceptions, as they will not be met. Just arrive with lots of money,” before bassist Joe Bell added with a smile, “lots of money and a nice personality please.”
Avalanche party release Der Traim Uber Alles via Kartel AMK on Friday 7th February. www.avalancheparty.com
Image by Kyle Howells
ALLISON DAVIES
NEIL AINGER TALKS TO THE NORTHUMBRIAN WRITER ABOUT TINY FRAGMENTS OF BEAUTIFUL LIGHT, HER REMARKABLE PLAY ABOUT ONE WOMAN’S STORY OF AUTISM
Elsa is struggling to navigate many things. Her emotions, her relationships, therapy – and the octopus inside her head. After a near sell-out premiere in 2023 at Alphabetti Theatre, Northumberland writer Allison Davies’ play Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light returns in 2025 for a tour across 10 locations, including multiple North East venues. “In a nutshell, it’s one woman’s story of autism. Of living with undiagnosed autism and then discovering that she’s neurodiverse,” says Allison on the themes of the play. “But I hope that it’s also shining a spotlight on the experiences of many women and girls who are navigating the waters of neurodiversity.”
Inspired partly by Allison’s own lived experiences, the octopus living inside Elsa’s head is a symbol of inner conflict and a metaphor for the struggle to make sense of one’s own mind. “I have a brain that kind of goes off on tangents but that’s not the sole reason that I chose the idea of an octopus as a metaphor for what it’s like to fly one of these differently wired brains. They’re very good at camouflage; the colour changes, literally and physically changing their shape and becoming something different. It’s the idea of this amorphous creature that shape-shifts inside your skull.”
Directed by Karen Traynor and with a cast comprising Hannah Genesius, Zoe Lambert and Yemisi Oyinloye, Tiny Fragments... focuses on Elsa’s efforts to understand herself, her place in the world, as well as her relationships with the people in her life.
“It’s a love story, in more than one way; two women fall in love. It’s also the love of a mother for a daughter who she doesn’t quite understand. And I hope that, at least by the end, Elsa is learning to love herself a little as well.”
Given the play’s themes, accessibility has been an important aspect of each performance, and the audience will be provided with programmable headphones for a customisable experience.
“One thing I was really quite passionate about was making the show as accessible as possible. For some of the shows theatres
IT’S IN THE CRACKS THAT THINGS BECOME BEAUTIFUL AND INTERESTING
are very beautifully opening their doors ahead of the show so people can come in, see what the venue’s like, sit on the seats. So if people have sensory issues, they can experience what the place will be like before the actual show. Nothing’s perfect in life, but we really did give a lot of time and thought towards how we could make the show accessible.”
Elsa’s journey through life is full of challenges, anxieties and traumas but every connection she makes, lesson she learns and victory she achieves embody the tiny fragments of beautiful light that make life worth living, even if perfection is perhaps always an unattainable goal. Something that is certainly not lost on her creator. “You know, I’m a bit of a cheesemonger. I love Strictly Come Dancing! I’m just gonna say that. And I don’t care! Chris McCausland said that one of the things he’d realised through the process was something doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be successful. I’m absolutely stealing that. I found that such a helpful comment. Because I think, for various reasons, that I always want perfect and nothing ever is. Nothing I make is ever quite what I want it to be, but that’s okay. Actually it’s in the cracks that things become beautiful and interesting.”
Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is performed at Gala Theatre, Durham from Thursday 6th-Saturday 8th February, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham on Wednesday 19th February, Hipp at The Hullabaloo in Darlington on Thursday 20th February and Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre on Friday 21st-22nd February.
www.allidavies.co.uk
MUSIC
LOVELY ASSISTANT
DAVID SAUNDERS DISCUSSES THE RECORDING OF THEIR SECOND ALBUM, FUCK LOVE, WITH THE SELF-TAUGHT INDIE FOLK QUARTET FROM NEWCASTLE
Since 2017, Newcastle’s Lovely Assistant (made up of Annie on keys and vocals, Kieran on bass and vocals, Dave on guitar, and Matt on drums) have been dedicated to exploring the intricacies of songwriting and offering their perspectives on the world.
The band of self-taught musicians formed through the vibrant Newcastle music scene, starting with small gigs and writing sessions in each other’s homes. This intimate setting helped them cultivate a sparse, weary yet warm sound, characterised by tender vocals and shimmering instrumental arrangements, drawing influences from Laurel Canyon piano ballads, 1950s torch songs and 1970s country soul. Their debut album, Greetings from the Pre-Wave, released in 2020, emerged from arranging songs that Kieran had been developing for years. However, as Matt explains, the creative dynamics on their upcoming album, Fuck Love, have evolved. “On our new album, things have changed slightly and that was instigated by us doing much of the writing together. We retreated to a remote farmhouse in the Midlands and spent an initial week just writing and demoing. We each added more of our own influences to the writing and arranging. Then we turned the farmhouse into a recording studio and tracked as much of it as possible together in single takes.”
On the technical side of their music, Matt emphasizes the positive impact of working with producers like Will Thorneycroft, J.J. Golden, and Thom Lewis. “Will produced our debut album as well as this one and has been an instrumental part of our sound on record. We have Generator to thank for working with the others, either through funding or schemes. We were offered studio time with Thom in Blank Studio and he executive produced a few tracks off the album. There were a couple of songs that didn’t quite work at the farmhouse and needed some more arranging. Thom had a fresh set of ears and helped significantly with that. We sent the album to J.J. Golden
ON OUR NEW ALBUM, THINGS HAVE CHANGED SLIGHTLY AND THAT WAS INSTIGATED BY US DOING MUCH OF THE WRITING TOGETHER.
to be mastered in California. He did a stellar job and has the perfect combination of technical and musical expertise.”
The album sounds intimate and feels relaxed, taking the listener on a velvety voyage from the loungey opener Kneehigh through to the more indie vibed soundscape of Oh Just Go, to the jazzier offering of Passengers Reminded, tender lounge tune Big Smile before finishing on the West Coast folk-rock offering of Mother Mary’s Superposition.
The band acknowledges the crucial support from organisations like Help Musicians and Generator throughout the albummaking process. “Generator helped with some funding and pairing us with skilled people to get the album over the line. That was at a time when we were really running out of money and were unsure how we would finish the album. Help Musicians funded the majority of the album costs. This album really wouldn’t have happened without the help we’ve had,” Matt explains.
As Lovely Assistant looks forward to their UK tour, which will take them to village halls and petrol stations, Matt highlights a standout show in Newcastle, “Our show at Cobalt early last year stands out as a really magical night so we’re looking forward to going back for our album.”
Fuck Love is released on Friday 28th February and the band will perform a launch gig at Cobalt, Newcastle on Thursday 27th February.
www.lovelyassistantmusic.com
ABNORM MUSIC
AHEAD OF THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT EP, ALI WELFORD CHATS WITH LOCAL ALT. ROCKERS ABOUT THEIR INSPIRATIONS AND THEIR RAGE
Amid the hubbub of newcomers populating the North East music sphere, few acts have established themselves as boldly or colourfully as Abnorm. Formed shortly before the world shut down in 2020, these fresh-faced rockers have made their name in the years since with a string of increasingly impressive singles – an ever-swelling live following and audible rise in assuredness further burnishing their gathering sense of momentum. Now, the trio launch themselves into 2025 with a long-awaited debut EP set to be released on 14th February – and if Giant is anything to go by, ignoring them could prove neigh-on impossible come the year’s end.
“We’ve been working on it for the past year, and it definitely shows our progress since our last single, Red Lines,” says the Ab in Abnorm, vocalist and songwriter Abbie Rose. “I’m a real ‘rage writer,’ and Giant definitely shows that,” she continues: “I’m not a particularly loud or bold person - I’m actually quite sensitive and quiet. As a young woman, you often feel you can’t mouth off when something or someone upsets you. But these songs allow me to tap into something different, and when I’m onstage it’s like BAM! RAGE!”
Supported by guitarist Ryan Brown and drummer Adam Willis, Abbie sources inspiration from great women across rock history; from legends like Joan Jett and Janis Joplin to teenage obsessions Paramore and The Pretty Reckless and recent trailblazers Nova Twins and Black Honey. Imbued with her own effervescent personality and resisting the urge to fall back on previous singles, Giant bolsters the Abnorm arsenal with three brand-new, buffed-up cuts. There’s Gasoline, a song about obsession and loss of faith in religion and society, while heartbreaker Petals tells the story of a doomed relationship where love can’t overcome a lack of true connection. The focus track, though, is Giant; a beefy, combative riff monster that’s comfortably Abnorm’s loudest, most defiant
AS A YOUNG WOMAN, YOU OFTEN FEEL YOU CAN’T MOUTH OFF WHEN SOMETHING OR SOMEONE UPSETS YOU. BUT THESE SONGS ALLOW ME TO TAP INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
statement to date. “It’s a concept song about a girl who’s intimidated by a man, and feels a helpless rage that she can’t fight back,” Abbie explains. “Even the first line, ‘Ate, devoured, licked my teeth,’ is about eating up the people who upset you. It’s a big song for me, because it allowed me to express things I couldn’t articulate in day-to-day life.”
That liberation takes a literal turn in their first music video, where Abbie’s bandmates become the focus of her insatiable hunger (“We really enjoyed that – we spent a day in the studio, and I ended it covered in blood!”). Created alongside Kristoff at Sigil Media, it’s another key milestone for an outfit never shy of tailoring their image – one of many on the horizon as they embark on what’s sure to be their biggest year to date. And yet, even with their ‘Anti-Valentine’s’ EP launch and a busy summer festival season in the pipeline, Abbie’s sights are already trained beyond the current cycle. “I’m in the process of writing a new song at the moment, and it’s a lot more upbeat. This EP has been so intense that I want what we do next to be a bit more light-hearted! We’re still learning the ropes, but we want to keep building and upping the ante.”
Abnorm’s debut EP Giant is out on Friday 14th February, which will be launched at Zerox, Newcastle on Saturday 15th February.
www.linktr.ee/abnormband
Image by Adam Kennedy
CHAMPION
AMY MITCHELL TALKS TO TEESSIDE WRITER ISHY DIN ABOUT HIS LATEST PLAY, AN ODE TO BOXER MUHAMMAD ALI
Teesside playwright and social commentator Ishy Din’s latest commission, Champion, tells the story of Muhammad Ali’s visit to South Shields in 1977. A fan of the boxer and civil rights spokesperson since childhood, Ishy told me how he was fascinated with the impact this visit had on people, especially working class people, in the North East at the time. “Personally, I’m a huge Muhammad Ali fan and I was always fascinated by this story. And then Live asked me to write a play. So, it was fulfilling a bit of an ambition actually to tell that story. And just get under the skin of it and explore what it meant.”
Ishy did lots of research to write the story, interviewing people who were there at the time. “I spoke to people who were there, people from South Shields, people who tried to get there and couldn’t, somebody who sparred with him in an exhibition bout, someone whose dad had a pitch on the market who was there that day. When he came he was probably the most recognisable person on the planet.”
“People couldn’t believe he was actually going to turn up. But once [Ali] found out the reason for the visit was to raise money for the boys clubs, he agreed immediately and he was true to his word. They raised thousands of pounds and on top of that he also refused his fee so it came from a really genuine place, he wasn’t just promoting himself he genuinely wanted to do something for the young people of South Shields and of the region. I think that really resonated with him and he understood the importance of that.”
Champion is another interesting commission from Live Theatre, who seem to be ambitious about making theatre that
appeals to a different, and hopefully wider, range of audiences than would normally go to the theatre. Ishy hopes this piece will break down some barriers too. “I always write from lived experience and worlds that I know so the opportunity to get people through the doors that wouldn’t normally think about coming to the theatre is fantastic and something that we are hoping to promote and champion - theatre is a people’s medium.”
Ishy told me how he wasn’t exposed to theatre growing up and how that influences his approach to it now. “You’ve got to see yourself being reflected back at you from the stage. Those communities that think it’s not for me, that it’s all a bit la-di-dah, I hope this helps and that we welcome people into the theatre that don’t normally come.”
However, spoiler alert, Ali does not actually appear on stage in this performance. Instead, this tale is firmly focused on the lead up to his visit. “It’s about a mixed race family that are trying to figure out where they belong in the world after a traumatic experience. It’s an ensemble piece, I think identity and belonging is the question of our time particularly post-Brexit. It’s not just about this historical event in 1977, [Champion] asks profound questions about who we are today.”
Ishy hopes that audiences who go to see Champion will learn a bit more about Muhammad Ali but also find something that is recognisable in them. It should also be funny, entertaining and a great night out at the theatre… Champion runs at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 13th February – Saturday 8th March. www.live.org.uk
JULIET’S NOT DEAD
ADAM KENNEDY TALKS TO THE NEWLY REINVIGORATED ROCKERS ABOUT THEIR DEBUT ALBUM
Heralding from the North East, Juliet’s Not Dead are an adrenaline-fuelled, contemporary rock band with the sole intention of thrilling their audiences at every show. The group have paired with Mercury Prize and Grammy-nominated producer Romesh Dodangoda for their new album, which will be released this month.
Last year, the quartet announced the news that they had signed a publishing deal with high-profile label Earache Records, putting the band at the top of the league with rock luminaries such as Massive Wagons, Rival Sons, Those Damn Crows and the Kris Barras Band.
There has been a lot of change in the Juliet’s Not Dead camp lately. Perhaps you could say a plot twist unfolded when the band formerly known as Twister announced their moniker would change. The band’s debut album ushers in a new chapter in their history and the band’s identity. “We spent 2023 chasing our tail a little bit. But then we got our ducks in a row; we knew where we wanted to go.” Said vocalist and guitarist Stevie Stoker. “We’ve had lots of conversations about doing the name change. The last time I named a band I was 13. So, this was very interesting and a process I don’t ever want to go through again!”
Juliet’s Not Dead’s new album has a strong message running throughout. “The album is called This World Is Ours. And the basic message is that life is what you make it. It can be as miserable as you want it to be if you let it, or it can be the land of opportunity if you make it,” confirms Stevie.
Catchier than the common cold, Battle Scarred is the latest single to be taken from the album. The emotive context of the song catalyses the singer’s passionate rock anthem delivery; Battle Scarred was created during a time when a lot of movement within the Twister camp was taking place. “We were at the point where everything changed. We did the line-up changes, and we were in a really interesting moment where we had to use that negativity and turn it on its head into positivity. From that point, everything became a lot clearer. But we wouldn’t have been able to do that without the support of each other and the support of the people around us,” said Stevie. “And that’s why we’re doing this new single in support of Samaritans and the Durham Mental Health Alliance. Because if you haven’t got people around you, you can ring them and talk to them. And it’s important that we say what we’re thinking and feeling to try and get out the other side of it.”
Battle Scarred follows in the footsteps of recent singles Open Fire and Thrillseekers. Whilst Open Fire falls very closely sound-wise to Battle Scarred, Thrillseekers showcases a much heavier hard rock sound for the band, comparative to peers such as Alter Bridge or Shinedown. With a lot of material behind the band from the Twister days, how will the their live shows look moving forward? “We’re still going to be playing all the older Twister stuff. We’re in a very nice position now,” concludes Stevie.
Juliet’s Not Dead release This World Is Ours on 7th February. www.julietsnotdead.com
SNAKES WITH TITS
ALI WELFORD TALKS TO THE TRAILBLAZING GENRE RESISTANT QUARTET ABOUT THEIR SHINY NEW DEBUT EP, TANGENTS
The name Snakes With Tits will elicit different responses from different readers. Sheltered minds may leap to the comical literal image, or ponder how such a biological and evolutionary impossibility would function in practice. For those less fortunate, however, these words will evoke anything but an innocent, carefree moniker.
“I was working in a job with no prospects of promotion, with a manager who’d call all women ‘snakes with tits,’” reveals Shellie Critchlow, leader of the Tyneside quartet now proudly sporting the slur. “I was on a break from music at the time, but the feminist in me heard the term and wanted to take back the power.”
“I find myself being very cautious when I explain the name,” admits bandmate Ben Dawson-Punshon. “‘I’m in a band called Snakes With Tits’ sounds very different coming from a guy. I worry that people automatically think I’m feeding into the thing we’re railing against.”
“Like we’re a band full of incels!” Shellie quips. An idea whose roots date back over a decade, vocalist/bassist Shellie formed the group in 2023 alongside drummer Kim Blue and guitarist Scott Jackson. Second guitarist Ben, meanwhile, joined their ranks in 2024, recruited to beef-up their burgeoning sound. Amid a line-up of veterans, Kim is enjoying a novel experience: “I’ve been learning drums for four years, and this is my first band – I couldn’t be happier!” she exclaims. “We’re not trying to have any specific sound,” states Shellie, as we turn to a rousing palette spanning – and by no means limited to – sumptuous, fuzzy garage-rock, thundering psychedelic basslines and contemplative shoegaze. “We all have diverse tastes, so if we think an idea sounds good we’ll just go with it. There’s a lot of preconceptions that we’re some kind of novelty band – I think some people are still quite surprised when they find what we do can actually be quite serious.”
THERE’S A LOT OF PRECONCEPTIONS THAT WE’RE SOME KIND OF NOVELTY BAND – I THINK SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL QUITE SURPRISED WHEN THEY FIND WHAT WE DO CAN ACTUALLY BE QUITE SERIOUS
It’s a genre resistant mantra for which they’ve coined their own label – “radgewave mamgaze” – and one mined with intoxicating results on debut EP Tangents. Recorded with Chris McManus (Pit Pony) at Newcastle’s Blank Studios following a successful crowdfunder (“That in itself was intimidating – you want to give people their money’s worth!” – Scott), the five-track release jumps from propulsive, punchy rockers such as Tyranny to the pensive, dreamlike Garage Pasty – a number Shellie claims was intended to be “the most beautiful song you’ve ever heard, but then it has that title and it only has a chorus!”
Perhaps most strikingly of all, The Dark is a slab of weighty, introspective catharsis penned during a period of isolation and depression. “I was living on my own for the first time in a number of years, in a flat with only one window. I wasn’t well,” Shellie reflects. When her vision for the band finally came to fruition, The Dark was an obvious number to revisit. “My Dad had just passed away when we began rehearsing too,” she adds; a circumstance which only enhances the final song’s poignancy. With a month of touring surrounding Tangents’ release and plans to develop ideas ahead of an eventual album, 2025 is the year Snakes With Tits intend to bite back. Snakes With Tits’ debut EP, Tangents, is released on Friday 14th February.
snakeswithtits.bandcamp.com
Image by Andi Talbot
ROISIN CROWLEY LINTON
EMILY ELLIOTT TALKS TO THE NORTH EAST COMEDIAN AND THEATRE-MAKER ABOUT HER NEW SOLO SHOW WHICH EXPLORES THE COMPLEXITIES OF TRAUMA
Roisin Crowley Linton, a comedian and theatre-maker best known for her solo shows Teenage Kicks and Be More Do Better But Don’t Change, is back at ARC with a new show. Not Yours depicts life after experiencing sexual violence, and takes a fierce stand against the word ‘victim’.
Roisin, a self-confessed ‘jack of all trades’, is using joyous circus and cabaret in Not Yours. “The best way to tackle a serious subject is with light, laughter and an open mind and heart,” she explains, “the people in the audience who have experienced those things are the ones slapping their knees laughing.”
“Circus people are absolute tanks,” Roisin declares when asked about the disciplines used in Not Yours, “the cabaret and burlesque in the show is sexy and weird, without performing for the male gaze. It’s wilder, weirder, scarier and funnier.”
Tackling themes of trauma, recovery and empowerment through moments of joy, rage, vulnerability and community, Roisin’s approach is one of joyful abandon. The production also features a newly formed burlesque troupe from Stockton who are underlining the messages in the show through ownership of their sexuality and powerful moves.
Roisin explains that she wanted to explore the theme of sexual violence in her drama school. However: “It was without the grace, patience and knowledge to make that a safe place to explore. My head, of course, said ‘maybe that’s something for the future’”
During the pandemic, Roisin worked in the NHS as a sexual
THE CABARET AND BURLESQUE IN THE SHOW IS SEXY AND WEIRD, WITHOUT PERFORMING FOR THE MALE GAZE
assault crisis worker. “It was one of the best experiences of my life. There was so much joy, light and laughter because these horrible things had happened to real people and real people have lives outside of these experiences. In the darkest times people will make jokes. There is this idea of a perfect victim and if someone doesn’t follow this script people can turn their backs. People weren’t coming in cowering with their knees to their chest, but were often fucking fuming. The way they react isn’t always in a sympathetic way because our reactions to trauma shouldn’t be for an outside perspective, they should be for us.” Her experiences helped her to expand her knowledge, and she found she was finally ready to tackle the subject on a larger scale.
Roisin is keen for audiences to understand the cycle of shame so often portrayed when it comes to sexual violence. “Women are told they are too delicate to talk about sexual violence openly, or put men off the conversation if we’re too open about it. But it’s important that people understand that sexual violence happens to men and women.”
Roisin explains that many of her audiences are people who already understand the subject matter, whether through personal or anecdotal experiences. “We don’t need anything else reminding us of how hard it is. We need a reminder there is hope, joy and recovery. Everyone wants to talk about this. It comes up three glasses of wine in, it’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue. This is not a unique experience. It’s one of the most universal experiences.”
“There’s a shift happening,” Roisin promises. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Not Yours is performed at ARC in Stockton on Saturday 15th February. www.roisincrowleylinton.com
Image by Cherries On Fire
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LISTINGS
THE BEST OF THE REST… EVEN MORE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY, ART AND FILM TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST THIS MONTH
SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
AMATEUR ORNITHOLOGIST & MORE
The weird-pop band are joined by Sleep Suppressor, Jenny Dean and Ruby Kelly // The Bunker, Sunderland
CUSP
Melodic pop rock band // Three Tanners Bank, North Shields
HUE & CRY
Scottish brother duo play their own brand of blue eyed soul pop // The Fire Station, Sunderland
INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK ALL-DAYER
All day music lineup with End Credits, Swears, Offski, Young Chasers, Ossuary, Deer Shed, Discounted, Sam Mitchell & Peter Glasby // NE Volume, Stockton
JASON MANFORD
The comedian returns with his brand new show A Manford All Seasons // Stockton Globe, Stockton
MARK THOMAS: GAFFA TAPES
Politically minded standup star // The Witham, Barnard Castle
MOUSES + GAYDAR
Lo-fi garage queer punk duo Mouses with support from queer radge punk trio - the ultimate line up! // Georgian Theatre, Stockton
ROUTES AND ROOTS: BRITISH BANGLADESHI
STORIES OF SOUTH TYNESIDE
Exhibition containing personal objects and photographs created in collaboration with representatives of the British Bangladeshi community. Runs until Feb 25th. // South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, South Shields
SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY
BRÒGEAL
Falkirk based five piece blending indie rock and traditional Celtic folk // Three Tanners Bank, North Shields
C DUNCAN
Mercury prize nominated indie pop, with support from Hartlepool’s James Leonard Hewitson // Georgian Theatre, Stockton
CONOR MICHAEL
The dynamic singer-songwriter launches his new single Dark of the Night, with support from Jenny Dean // Little Buildings, Newcastle
MONDAY 3RD FEBRUARY
NERDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
Comedians Neil Harris, Kelly Edgar, Matthew Wheelright and Luke Connell dissect the scientific world through their hilarious, quirky show with Felt Nowt // The Stand, Newcastle REDEMPTION
The infamous DJ showcase makes its debut in the city // World Headquarters, Newcastle
TUESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY
DILUTEY JUICE + THE LIFE AQUATIC BAND
Blends of afro-beats, house, techno, punk rock, free jazz, 70s pop and more await on a night spotlighting local talents // The Glasshouse, Gateshead
TILL DEBT DO US PART
Opening night of heartfelt comedy following two estranged brothers who commit petty crimes together // Laurel’s Theatre, Whitley Bay
WEDNESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
GLARE
Texas shoegaze rockers // The Cluny, Newcastle
NE THING GOES
A multi-genre celebration of local music featuring WSG, SHDE, Last Contact & Ron Jon // NE Volume, Stockton
THE LONGEST PONY
Co-headline of The Longest Johns and El Pony Pisador, for fans of sea shanties and all things folk // The Fire Station, Sunderland
THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY
SOPHIE DUKER: BUT DADDY I LOVE HER
The Taskmaster star is back on tour with her trademark raunchy sense of humour // The Stand, Newcastle
THE HARRA
Alt. metal band from Manchester // Zerox, Newcastle
THE URBANITES
Opening night of a month-long exhibition showcasing five artists’ interpretation of the urban landscapes they inhabit // Vane Gallery, Gateshead
FRIDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
BOY FOUND SOUND
Redcar singer-songwriter, plus support // NE Volume, Stockton
DUTCH CRIMINAL RECORD
Indie surf band // Three Tanners Bank, North Shields
ED BYRNE
The award-winning comedian returns with his Tragedy Plus Time tour // Gala Theatre, Durham
HAYSEED DIXIE
Bluegrass rock quintet from Tennessee // Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
SKARLETT RIOT
Metal rock quintet from Sheffield // The Cluny, Newcastle
SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
ART OF ANDALUCIA
Daniel Martinez returns with a new show focused entirely on flamenco dance // Northern Stage, Newcastle
LINDISFARNE
The first show of a two night run from the folk rock pioneering group // The Exchange, North Shields
PETE SELWOOD
Debut show from comedian Pete Selwood about the pitfalls of being a disabled man coming to terms with his limitations after becoming a parent // ARC, Stockton
SIMON TAYLOR
Rock, funk, pop and Latin influenced singer songwriter, joined by Lesley Roley // The Globe, Newcastle
FEATURED // Super Burner
Glam-rockers Super Burner launch their new record Pick Your Own // Central Bar, Gateshead
SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
BRENNAN REECE
The winner of English Comedian of the Year takes to Newcastle with his trademark hilarity // The Stand, Newcastle
SPIERS & BODEN
Beloved folk duo bring joyous high octane traditional tunes // Glasshouse, Gateshead
THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE
American psychedelic rock band, with support from Project Gemini // NX, Newcastle
TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY
AMBLE
The trio of Irish songwriters celebrate their new EP for fans of Mumford & Sons, Dermot Kennedy and Hozier // Boiler Shop, Newcastle
MICKY OVERMAN: HOLD ON
Micky Overman presents a comedy show about commitment, change, and letting go of her old self // The Stand, Newcastle
WEDNESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY
DEAN LEWIS
The Australian singer-songwriter heads out on his The Epilogue World Tour // O2 City Hall, Newcastle
MARTHA SPENCER WITH LUCAS PASLEY
Country singer-songwriter & flatfoot dancer, accompanied by live fiddle // The Cluny, Newcastle
THURSDAY 13TH FEBRUARY
CITRUS
The fresh, energetic quintet are joined by Ivies, Diago and Sugar Roulette at a special show (which also pairs with a collection for Newcastle West End Food Bank!) // Tapyard Studios, Newcastle
MOBO FRINGE LAUNCH
A celebration of local businesses with performances from Azula Banditt, Hannabiel & Midnight Blue, Kay Greyson & EKA, Malik Abdul, Nadedja, Reali-T, Sisi & Voices of Virtue // The Glasshouse, Gateshead
FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY
CAL HALBERT
Cal Halbert presents work in progress comedy show Rotten Fruit, which dives into LGBTQ+ stereotypes // The Chillingham, Newcastle
GREAT NORTH NIGHTS: WE LOVE TO CEILIDH!
Fantastic ceilidh night to have a dance and laugh with friends and family // Discovery Museum, Newcastle
LIVE @ THE GROVE (MOBO FRINGE)
R&B karaoke and music from Georgia May, Hunni, Jamilah, MannytheMANN, Mcxxne, Sengi, Simba Shore and The97RENN // The Grove, Newcastle
ONEDA
Mancunian rapper and poet // Zerox, Newcastle
QUEEN’S SCREECH & MORE
Queen’s Screech are joined by Gaydar, Specky Cult & 3 Odd Shoes // The Bunker, Sunderland
SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY
AWESOMETISTIC PRESENTS A MILLION BLANKETS
A Story about a boy from a troubled childhood to Autistically Awesome! // Customs House, South Shields
FEATURED // MOBOS Fringe 2025 Black Photography Exhibition
New exhibition celebrating four decades of Black Music on Tyneside. Runs until Sunday 23rd Feb // Discovery Museum, Newcastle
PAUL TAYLOR: F*** ME I’M FRENCH
The British comedian who has lived in France since 2009 pokes fun at his offbeat expat experiences // The Stand, Newcastle
WHQ AND FRIENDS (MOBO FRINGE)
DJ sets and live performances, with appearances from Azula Bandit, Dairo Events & Friends, WESTY and Yemz // World Headquarters, Newcastle
SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY
BERTHAJU
Rotterdam based indie rock band head out on a UK tour following the release of their debut EP, with support from Citrus and Cherry Blur // Little Buildings, Newcastle
FEATURED // The Girlie Show
The Girlie show is an all-female comedy cabaret celebrating the funniest gals in town // Cluny 2, Newcastle
TUESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY
PENTIRE
Post-jangle popsters // Zerox, Newcastle
WE AIN’T MOVIN’
The Customs House Junior Youth Theatre present this fun and playful story about activism written by Travis Alabanza
WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY
DELIGHTS
Next-gen indie // The Cluny 2, Newcastle FAIRPORT CONVENTION
BBC Lifetime Achievement Award Winning folk-rock pioneers, with support from Danny Bradley // The Fire Station, Sunderland
THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL: THE RED COLLECTION
Night one of a captivating short film festival exploring extreme journeys, stunning cinematography and all things the outdoors // Playhouse, Whitley Bay
JEREMY MCMURRAY AND THE POCKET JAZZ ORCHESTRA
The Pocket Jazz Orchestra kicks off Jazz season featuring talented vocalist Zoe Gilby // ARC, Stockton
FEATURED // Pitman
Eliot Smith Dance presents a powerful and entertaining retelling of the local famous art legends, The Pitmen Painters // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
THE RABBITTS
Ethereal genre-blending folk band, with Steff Mundi on support // The Globe, Newcastle
FRIDAY 21ST FEBRUARY
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL: THE BLUE COLLECTION
The second and final night of the short film festival, showing different films to night 1 but allowing you to experience the same beautiful quality and outdoorsy visuals // Playhouse, Whitley Bay
SHOAL
Exhibition featuring photographs by artist Mandy Barker, revealing evidence of marine plastic debris collected during a Japanese Tsunami Debris Expedition. Runs until Sunday 2nd November // Discovery Museum, Newcastle
SQUID
London based post punk band // NSU Domain, Newcastle
SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY
ELEVATE 22
Marisam Events’ latest showcase event, this one featuring Polyvinyl, Diago & Wolfred // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
MAISIE ADAM
Award winning comedian Maisie Adam is back with a new stand up show as she invites you to join her Appraisal // ARC, Stockton
SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
JENNY ECLAIR: JOKES, JOKES, JOKES
The comedian and novelist presents her new autobiographical show to nationwide venues // The Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick
THE WRONG TROUSERS:
WALLACE AND GROMIT LIVE
Screening of Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers with live brass from the Ever Ready band // The Fire Station, Sunderland
TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY
ADWAITH
Welsh post punk trio // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
DAVE HAUSE
Solo Folk, Punk American Singer Songwriter // Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
MATTIEL
Incredible critically-acclaimed indie songwriter and musician // The Cluny, Newcastle
WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY
DUSTIN O’HALLORAN
Esteemed American pianist and composer, with support from Margaret Hermant // The Glasshouse (Sage Two), Gateshead
VAGABOND (SANS TOIT NI LOI)
Part of the Franki Raffles screening series; Mona Bergeron is dead, her frozen body found in a ditch in the French countryside. This film documents the weeks leading up to her death // Baltic, Gateshead
THURSDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
ECLIPSE
An evening inspired by the rave cultures of Amsterdam and Berlin, featuring Caesar, Jack & Prince and DOGMA // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle
OSLO TWINS
Synthy, catchy duo from Bristol // The Cluny 2, Newcastle
THE HAPPY LITTLE PAINT ALONG
Hosted by Daryl Jenkins, a communal Bob Ross paint-along // Digital, Newcastle
THE SUGGESTIBLES: IMPROV COMEDY JOYRIDE
Newcastle’s unpredictable ‘hilarians’ The Suggestibles present a completely unscripted, unplanned improv show containing games, sketches, songs and more // The Stand, Newcastle
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
DEREK MITCHELL
Derek Mitchell (Ted Lasso) Debuts an hour of stand-up and characters with Double Dutch // Alphabetti, Newcastle
LOWES
Alternative electronic trio // Three Tanners Bank, North Shields
MR. SCRUFF
Mr. Scruff brings his legendary all night across-the-board DJ sets, spinning soul, jazz, hip-hop, house, electro, disco, funk, // Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
STEAM TO GRIN
Stand-up comedy night inspired by new exhibition Steam to Green: A North-East Energy Revolution // Discovery Museum
REVIEWS
BC CAMPLIGHT, LUCA WILDING @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE, STOCKTON (17.12.24)
Words: Robert Nichols
It’s a bold move to announce a rare solo tour in the run up to Christmas, but as packed out venues attest this was a triumphal progress around BC Camplight’s now adopted home country. Stepping out from his big band set-up, Brian Christinzio placed his incredible lyrics, indomitable vocal depth and power and piano virtuoso firmly into the spotlight. After dimming those lights and adding dark arts and even darker humour, BC Camplight took The Georgian Theatre by absolute storm. Tour support Luca Wilding charmed the crowd with the delicacy of his songs and his voice. Luca possesses a real songbird vocal that rises with an incredible range. We bathed in the body blue of his Ocean Mother and revelled in the tenderness of his compassion for a troubled friend in Master.
BC Camplight filled the stage and venue with an imposing presence. Assaulting the upright piano and barrelling through mighty choruses, he made his mark getting Back To Work in the Last Rotation of Earth. During his solo performance, the audience are able to fully explore the richness and almost cinematic quality to the lyrics, and also get to be the brunt of his wicked humour. At one point, tricking us into believing that there was a mystery guest in the form of Father John Misty, who did not enter stage left.
An incredible performance by one of the most exceptional talents. We are so lucky to have BC Camplight performing in the UK. What an amazing showman.
GAVIN WEBSTER & THE FATHAS OF CONVENTION @ THE STAND, NEWCASTLE (22.12.24)
Words: Jacob Easton
The eclectic Gavin Webster delivered once again in a wonderfully offhanded night of music, comedy and a fella called singing Peter. The show was a musical one-off for a comedian whose irreverent style and sharp wits have earned him high praise in and out the North East; and it was a homecoming of sorts, since Gavin has been writing comedy tunes from his earliest days.
With a late charge on Christmas Number 1 perhaps in mind, Gavin and his band resurrected sleeper hits such as Be Mine Blaydon-On-Tyne
and Two Charvers In A Car with style and good humour. The group coped well with technical hitches and they delivered a more than respectable stage debut.
Whether Gavin chooses to refine his music-comedy combination in future, or return to his classic set ups will be interesting to see, as he has undoubtedly hit on something with a lot of potential.
The night was infused with comedy throughout, the ultra-eclectic Jack and Sam wowed and bemused to a great response, whilst singing Peter threatened to get audiences up out of their seats with musical numbers that perhaps didn’t land as hoped.
The show was a welcome Christmas treat, and an appropriate celebration for a brilliant, multifaceted comedian who can reasonably expect to achieve a lot in 2025.
Known for their eclectic local line-ups and fan-favourite competitions, this December showcase from Marisam Events gave us indie pop, alt. rock and witch pop in a winning combo.
Ivies were up first, with a rare stripped-back set comprising vocals, keys and two guitars. The raw format was a beautiful, warm introduction to the evening, showcasing the band’s remarkably honest and playful approach to songwriting, and the incredible musicality of each instrumentalist. Vocally, the set was wildly compelling, and consolidated Ivies as a set of up-and-comers to keep a steady eye on. Then we had the rather jarring but exciting transition into Primaveras, a vastly different but equally admirable band. The gritty, guitar-driven four-piece delivered a captivating set, each song texturally detailed and catchy enough to linger in your eardrums for days. Aptly sandwiched between their anthemic rock tracks was a unique, edgier take on Wham’s Last Christmas – an incredible display of the unfiltered musical talent of each player.
Topping off the event came another new genre, local witch pop icon Shannon Pearl. With a stage presence rivalling that of Stevie Nicks and the most unconventional collection of on-stage kit yet, the band’s set was ethereal in all the coolest of ways, showcasing Shannon’s incredibly ranged voice and imaginative compositional skills.
BC Camplight by Tracy Hyman
DIIV, TIM KINSELLA & JENNY PULSE @ NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION (08.12.24)
Words: Dominic Stephenson
Tour support for DIIV was retro-futurist duo Tim Kinsella and Jenny Pulse. Relative veterans but new to me, Kinsella’s winding rusted guitar lines were dressed in clunking electronic beats and washed over by Pulse’s ethereal vocals. A spoken word passage before the final song that began with, “We are here in Nottingham, December 8th” was instantly met with jeers, clumsily pretentious and made for a muddled conclusion.
Shoegaze is hardly my forte but DIIV’s hazy new album Frogs In Boiling Water was enough to draw me out on a Sunday night. Legends of the genre, the four-piece have ebbed away from themes of addiction and recovery, instead to a similarly gloomy diatribe on capitalism and disinformation. The coiling guitar of In Amber first unlocked this luscious dreamscape and lead single Brown Paper Bag is a soaring arena-sized number, interposed with frosty vocals and a shuddering bassline. They’ve fabricated the fictitious website ‘soul-net’ for their new record, a splodge of dystopian slogans appearing between songs, as one “employee” proclaimed, “Revolution will not fix deep-rooted issues”. The lighting and projections were equally maximised; to scintillating effect, as they enhanced and synthesized with their richly opaque tunes. One of which is Everyone Out, its creeping electronic build up could easily be used as part of the soundtrack for the 28 Days Later film series, before they nosedived into fan favourites Blankenship and Doused, the pulsing guitar inducing the most movement from the crowd all night. DIIV perform as a well-oiled cohesive unit, one that has mastered trundling this engrossing live monolith forward.
STAITHE @ THE BLACK SWAN BAR & VENUE, NEWCASTLE (12.12.24)
Words: Isabel Johnson
Local folk duo Staithe – formerly known as Brick – have had a busy year charming the region at countless shows and festivals. Introduced by warm host and local folk musician Alisdair Paul, the night was kickstarted with two remarkable floor spots, as is typical of the centre’s new programme The F Word (the F in question being folk). Easing us in was Catherine Lomax from Carlisle, who did mighty justice
to a selection of folk and traditional songs, followed by seasoned local Groundbird, whose offering was a delightfully well-received set of quirky, witty, indie folk originals.
Staithe have really been treading a path for themselves this year as a power duo on the North East folk scene, and are certainly worthy headliners of this cosy, festive evening. Starting strong with childhood reminiscent tune Flowers, their set is a collection of tender think-pieces, comprising Bridie’s singing, Nick’s viola, and some acoustic guitar, piano and even synth sprinkled in between. From lovely tales of recording their album, to a folk-ified Take On Me, the duo’s set is a delight, and ends with a song called Begin Again, which feels right –because after all these 2024 shows, I don’t doubt that they’ll do just that – with aplomb – in 2025.
THE CHATS @ NX NEWCASTLE (05.12.24)
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
If you could accuse The Chats of one thing, thematic and sonic diversity wouldn’t be it. But that’s fine, because the furrow they do plough is a rich and beautiful one. All of their songs are about money – or the lack of it – and all of their songs are played with a blistering ferocity as though their lives depend on it. Closer in spirit to AC/DC and ’77 punk than a lot of their Antipodean counterparts, remarkably they race through 20+ songs in just under an hour.
The audience response to such a visceral performance is striking; I haven’t seen such a physical response to music at a show in a while, as waves of bodies move up and down throughout. The Chats occupy a beautiful middle ground in which they can inspire hour-long circle pits, but also be covered by The Wiggles; their songs are plainspoken and memorable, Eamon Sandwith’s concise, funny lyrics examine late-stage capitalism and that mid-twenties hinterland of chaotic hedonism. 6LTR GTR is about the rubbish car they’ve toured in, Bus Money is about spending your bus fare on other things – all songs so brilliantly well observed you’re surprised they haven’t been written before. Cherish ‘em.
Diiv by Jason Hayles
PIP
BLOM @ THE GROVE, NEWCASTLE (04.12.24)
Words: Adam Paxton
Pip Blom are a fascinating band, presenting a mix of different influences and styles that provide for a wonderfully satisfying gig. The familial element of the band – siblings on stage, mother selling merch afterwards – added to the intimacy of The Grove’s carefully curated feeling of familiarity. The band themselves delivered their full repertoire; guitar-driven tracks that get you moving and rowdy, followed by beautifully textured synth pop that’s pure ear candy. All carried by the powerful and charismatic presence and driving force of one of modern music’s best frontwomen, Pip herself.
Within The Grove’s unique and atmospheric setting the band blended their perfectly constructed synth pop beauty, with small glimpses into their older more abrasive guitar-driven style. The set list was curated to give the total Pip Blom experience; long-time fans would leave satisfied having experienced everything they have come to love about the constantly evolving band, while new fans would leave with the realisation that this is a band with no limits; an exciting progressive act that can satisfy just about every preference you may have.
WUNDERLAND: AMELIA COBURN, SCOTT TURNBULL, BOB FISCHER @ ARC, STOCKTON
(14.12.24)
Words: Robert Nichols
It has been a magical musical year for Amelia Coburn, whose sparkling debut album, Between The Moon And The Milkman, has been met with so much acclaim. What a privilege to be welcomed into Amelia’s seasonal special, and with the help of writer and radio presenter Bob Fischer and the hilarious interventions of surreal comic Scott Turnbull, there was a plethora of top Teesside talent to entertain and warm our hearts.
Bob Fischer turned the page back to his diary of 1983/84. A youngster making the rite of passage from Primary School to Secondary but not yet willing to let go of his passion for mystery and magic. BBC children’s
cult classic The Box of Delights now rerun after 40 years was the final portal to a universe of otherworldly adventure and intrigue.
Talking of revivals, Scott Turnbull has brought back the overhead projector; Stockton High Street cowboy shoot outs and the secrets of Amelia’s red shoes were just a couple of the subjects explored under the magical projector lantern.
The queen of four-string ukulele instrumentation Amelia Coburn held our hands on a Sleepy Town saunter through Wickerman-inspired weirdness, witchcraft and heresy. There was Teesside Tinder torment and Dublin delights as well as a mystical eastern Perfect Storm. With such a tight, musically adept band and Amelia’s golden voice, we stepped into a snow-spangled White Christmas finale. A wonderful wunderland.
TONY LAW @ THE STAND, NEWCASTLE (11.01.25)
Words: Phoenix Atkinson I had never actually been to The Stand before. Naturally, once I had the opportunity to see the Canadian comic Tony Law, I leapt at the chance. I knew of the surreal aspects of his work, but nothing could prepare me for the strange world I was about to visit for an hour.
My belief is that the great thing about a comedy show is that you have no idea of what might happen. This show only solidified it, as every word that came out of Law’s mouth was something I was never expecting. He appeared on stage in an outfit that was a startling recreation of the famous, and now unarmed, cowboy painting that makes up the backdrop. The show took a sudden turn when he began discussing the most pressing political discussion of the day: American actors doing posh English accents in order to try to get an award nomination. He suddenly flipped this idea by recreating Tom Cruise playing a Yorkshire spy, in possibly the single funniest sketch I have ever seen performed. He did, kindly, actively avoid doing a Geordie accent, and immediately apologised for his use of the word “skedaddle”, a concept which, as I write this, is still making me laugh. Please, if you ever get the opportunity, see Tony Law for yourself.
WUNDERLAND - Amelia Coburn by Tracy Hyman
HELS PATTISON @ THE GROVE (17.01.25)
Words: Isabel Johnson
It’s Friday night, Hels Pattison’s Just What I Do EP has just released, and what seems like all of Newcastle is packed like sardines (very happy, invested ones) into an impressively full Grove. Easing us into the night of rich talent is the spellbinding Nadedja. A true storyteller, her stripped back set is captivating and shines a bright light on her adept songwriting muscles and soaringly powerful voice. She silences the room, bar the odd bit of rave music from upstairs. Next on are Daysaver, a happy-go-lucky change of tone who bring intricate polyphony and groove-able beats to the table - the once awestruck silent crowd is now a mass of bobbing heads and tapping toes.
Main event Hels glides in on a high note - she starts with the end of her new EP, the title track Just What I Do. Her voice is astounding, the songwriting is crisp and refreshing, and the band are on top form. Live slide guitar is rarer than it should be, and it’s in perfect company here with Hels’ own special brand of country-western-indie-rock-pop. The night so far has unapologetically shifted in mood by the minute, and Hels’ set is no different. There’s a diverse array of emotions being shared, but not in a whiplash sort of way: in a delightful, deliberate one.
MARTHA, NERVUS, TRIPSUN @ POP RECS, SUNDERLAND (18.01.25)
Words: Damian Robinson
There’s a very early, and packed, crowd in for tonight’s triple roster at Pop Recs and TripSun kick off the proceedings. Loud, focused, and made up of a four piece rock punk combination, they’re riff heavy and geared for action. The slightly rocky/melancholic track Concrete finishes off a fantastic set filled with great guitar moments.
A quick change-over brings up Watford based band, Nervus, who plough into their infectious show with a combination of poppy/ska focused punchy tracks, combined with call and response moments and the best on-stage dancing I’ve seen this year. Standouts Medicine and
Oh Joy are perfect snapshots of a well-rehearsed outfit who excel with onstage humour, finely crafted songs and an excellent delivery style. They’re fantastic and a perfect warm up for DIY pop/punk favourites Martha, who perform a relentless set tonight. Tight, excelling musically, and combining interesting changes in tempos and lead vocals, Martha are on a Ramones-style focus tonight; limiting time between songs and keeping the tempo up, and pacy. Hope Gets Harder, Hold the Feeling and FLAG//BURNER stand out in a show that already stakes a claim for one of 2025’s best shows at Pop Recs. Three bands. Three excellent shows. It doesn’t get much better.
SOPHIE DUKER @ GALA DURHAM
Words: Neil Ainger
Sophie Duker’s show ‘But Daddy I Love Her’ is all about journeys of self discovery in which she ruminates on daddy issues and the cast of “main characters” in her life.
Her mother, who likes to collect holy water, is “delulu”, a term Duker has coined to refer to delusional optimism. As well as her delulu mother, Duker has a delulu estranged father and a delulu therapist named Michaelangelo - and following a text from her father, she has agreed to joint Zoom therapy sessions with both Michaelangelo and her father. It therefore comes as no surprise that, at the top of the show, Sophie has singled out a man in the audience to be her “temporary daddy” for the evening. Additionally, she has asked him to compose a reassuring message for his new daughter which he will read out at the end of the show. “I love you” she says to “Daddy Mark”, who nervously responds “Same.” His nerves apparently calmed by the conclusion of the show, his message to Sophie is surprisingly poetic and could almost bring a tear to your eye if you could overlook the absurdity of the situation. Fair play, Daddy Mark.
A little light on gags, jokes or punchlines through its earlier stages, the strength of the show lies in some great storytelling and some vivid characters from the bundle of excitable energy that is Sophie Duker.
Hels Pattison by Victoria Wai
TRACKS
(PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)
AMI LEIGH THE RAVEN
Words: Laura Rosierse
The Raven is Ami Leigh’s remake of her track originally titled Black Dog. This ethereal alternative rock track has elements of shoegaze, with stunningly haunting vocals and a powerfully thumping rhythm. Ami decided to give Black Dog a more rock-infused soundscape while talking about dealing with depression and how it makes one feel; The Raven stands for the depression that is always on your shoulder and never goes away. With a subtly gloomy soundscape and dark atmospheric vibe, she brings the subject to life and in the process creates a musical shoulder to lean on for those struggling with depression. The Raven shows Ami’s innovative and empowering sound and is a great introduction to her musical discography.
Released: 21.02.25
www.instagram.com/amileighmusic
FEEBLE STRENGTH CALL OF THE MILD
Words: Roz Cuthbert
Feeble Strength are a ‘traditional rock’ band who hail from London, although the band’s head honcho, David Littlefair, resides in the North East. Their new single Call of The Mild is far from feeble however, and the guitars provide quite a bit of a punch. The song’s words read more like a hymn or a religious exultation than a lyric, very well written and highly evocative. The song is taken from their latest EP, Various Martyrs. I enjoyed the track, and was impressed by the band’s accompanying artwork on their website. Give Call of The Mild a listen, especially if you are a fan of ‘traditional rock’ –whatever that is. Recommended.
Released: 30.01.25
www.feeblestrength.com
OUTRI FEAT. IMOGEN BOSE-WARD HER BRIGHT SMILE
Words: Simon Lunt
Crowbarring the use of ‘juxtaposition’ into a GCSE English essay became an obsession of mine in high school, but the latest offering from OUTRI hands it to me on a plate.
Take a song originally conceived in 1864, now beautifully delivered by folk singer Imogen Bose-Ward, and then add the signature bass-driven soundscapes from Ian Paterson aka OUTRI – and voilà.
If this reimagining of a classic folk song were on a Heston Blumenthal menu one would be forgiven for asking for seconds; the beauty and simplicity of the vocals are served with a dash of complex electronica. If you’re on the lookout for a unique, new sound – look no further. Bon appétit.
Released: 07.02.25
www.dodgebass.co.uk/outri
SET YOUR SIGHTS DARK IN HERE
Words: Michaela Hall
Set Your Sights are back with their new single Dark In Here, the first with new bassist Jamie who joined last summer. Following the Teesside punks’ ten-year anniversary in 2024 Dark In Here is a throwback for those who used to binge Kerrang radio and the sounds of bands like Good Charlotte and Blink 182, Set Your Sights add a new twist with familiar attitude and appeal.
Dark In Here is all about letting go of worry, what we can’t control and finding peace in that. An anthem of its genre and time, that will resonate with many and mark a powerful start to the band’s next decade.
Released: 28.02.25 www.setyoursights.co.uk
Image by Ilinca Diaconescu
THE HEMP QUEENS CUM LAUDE
Words: Laura Rosierse
Coming out with their first new material since the release of May’s succinct debut album Everything We’ve Done So Far, Newcastle indie pop band The Hemp Queens present a swaying new rock track in the shape of Cum Laude, a song about toxic romance.
The song embraces an eclectic and uplifting rock sound that suits them incredibly well; the indie pop outfit have created a warm and colourful sound inspired by 70s singer-songwriter records and gospel, which manages to be both comforting and fulfilling. This ambitious blend of influences brings a unique mix to their sound, and infuses their usual sonics with a vast array of instrumentation.
Released: 01.02.25
www.thehempqueens.bandcamp.com
THE LEND CRUEL TO BE KIND
Words: Niamh Poppleton
Four-piece band The Lend amalgamate mod, soul and indie to form the nonpareil vibe of their debut single Cruel To Be Kind. With a musical style reminiscent of their inspirations Small Faces and Ocean Colour Scene, the track combines a slow but rhythmic guitar, with the occasional crashing drumbeat. Frontman Liam Weston’s simultaneously assertive and equanimous vocals deftly overlay the track to create a 90s-esque atmosphere.
Its lyrics draw inspiration from the kitchen sink realism movement of the late 50s and early 60s – infused with vexation, though mellowed out by the contrastingly calm musical arrangement. A powerful hark back to the guitar bands of the 90s scene, Cruel To Be Kind is an exceptional start to the band’s musical story.
Released: 28.02.25 www.instagram.com/thelendne
SIMON TAYLOR
NORTHERN STAR EP
Words: Michaela Hall
The indestructible Simon Taylor is back with his new EP Northern Star. Simon – despite many bad experiences and struggles with mental health – has an admirable ability to bounce back and channel his emotions into such a beautiful and positive musical experience for his fans. Funded by Help Musicians, this EP is his most ambitious yet and provides a rollercoaster of musical influences from rock to folk and 70s music, all harnessed through Simon’s soulful and warm vocal tones. The EP has a particular focus on where Simon grew up, with tracks set in Alnmouth, County Durham and Gateshead. For those of us who share an admiration of our region, the music feels homely and comforting, it’s a love letter to the North East and finding beauty in every situation. Released: 07.02.25 www.simontaylormusic.com
DAWKS BE SOMEONE (LIVE AT BLANK STUDIOS)
Words: Roz Cuthbert
Dawks has been on the scene for a little while, just one man and his trusty guitar. He’s now made the upgrade to a full band set-up and what better way to crash into 2025 with this new live version of Be Someone, which certainly blew away the post-Christmas cobwebs when I heard it on Boxing Day.
It’s catchy, it’s immediate, and drives itself along via an engine room of solidly played drums and no nonsense bass and guitar, with a cheeky bit of synth-pad thrown in for good measure. The guitar riff is memorable, sounding like a double-speed version of the classic Killing Joke track Requiem. Roz recommends! See DAWKS perform live at The Georgian Theatre on Friday 31st January.
Released: 31.01.25
www.instagram.com/dawksdawksdawks
SWINDLED DEAR PAST LIFE
Words: Simon Lunt
There have been a few tracks in recent years centred around writing to a past version of oneself, including the very decent, unambiguously named Reverend & The Makers offering A Letter To My 21 Year Old Self. Perhaps this speaks of a melancholy smog that we’re all navigating, but the irony here is that Swindled’s cynical, catchy, anthemic Dear Past Life would very much be at home in the mid to late nineties with its melodic and lyrical promise of a brighter future – if not a perfect one.
Vocalists Jonny and Lottie remark on the lack of rocket fuelled cars in the present day with a patient verse-chorus-verse arrangement that packs a lot into four and half minutes.
Released: 21.02.25
www.linktr.ee/swindledofficial
JAKE MAJOR THE AMSTERDAM TAPES EP
Words: Nat Greener
Jake Major’s The Amsterdam Tapes EP is a bold venture into trance and dance that showcases his versatility and deep-rooted inspiration from electronic music legends like Jean-Michel Jarre, Giorgio Moroder and Kraftwerk. The EP, Jake’s first to feature vocals on every track, blends nostalgic elements from the 70s, 80s and 90s with a fresh, modern edge. These Pills of Lust and Longing sets the tone, capturing 90s rave’s euphoria while delivering a cautionary message about drug use. Euphoria Peloria continues the dreamy, altered-consciousness narrative, before How Can It Be? shifts to a grittier Eurodance sound exploring themes of loneliness and resilience. Closing with Vigilante, Jake revisits and enhances his earlier work, offering a dystopian, cinematic finish.
Released: 07.02.25
www.linktr.ee/jakemajormusic
THE ALMIGHTY GODS FALSE NINE
Words: Nat Greener
The Almighty Gods’ new single, False Nine, is a potent fourth chapter in their upcoming musical novel. The alternative indie track is a direct and concise anthem exploring the illusion of control, echoing the raw energy of The White Stripes and The Strokes with a hint of Britpop flair. The band masterfully balances sonic intensity with melodic hooks, creating a powerful soundscape that captivates and challenges. False Nine is a testament to The Almighty Gods’ ability to blend raucous realism with poignant storytelling, setting the stage for their forthcoming album. Fans can expect a dynamic journey through sound and emotion, pushing towards truth and awe…
Released: 30.01.25
www.instagram.com/thegodsalmighty24
INDIA ARKIN METRO LINE
Words: Isabel Johnson
Metro Line is the triumphant new offering from one of Newcastle’s leading indie starlets, India Arkin. At a tidy five minutes (yet so gripping that it feels like two) the track is equally gritty and ethereal; a polyphony of delightfully nostalgic sounds, easing you into a powerful, euphoric destination. Metro Line is a thunderous addition to India’s already rich, impressive discography and a testament to the singer’s unique and innovative songwriting architecture clearly defining her evolution through shimmering sonics and outstanding vocals. Metro Line is artfully multifaceted enough for everybody to enjoy, and a testament to the strength of North East talent. Released: 21.02.25 www.indiaarkin.com
ALBUMS
DOVES CONSTELLATIONS FOR THE LONELY (EMI NORTH)
Words: Michael O’Neill
Over 25 years Mancunian widescreen rock royalty, Doves have honed a glorious sound that still sounds utterly unique whilst remaining accessible, enthralling and, all importantly, groovy as hell. Beginning in the 1990s as Sub Sub, the trio of Jimi Goodwin and twins Jez and Andy Williams struck gold with their iconic Ain’t No Love, Ain’t No Use track but struggled to recapture its success.
Fate intervened, as a studio fire unceremoniously brought the whole project to a close. However, like a phoenix from the ashes, the trio returned as Doves, melding the dusty hip-hop production aesthetics they’d honed in Sub Sub with their incredible rock musicianship, to craft Lost Souls, a flawless debut which was then followed by a run of equally phenomenal albums. 2020’s sublime The Universal Want sailed to the top of the charts, but a sold-out headline tour was cancelled, with frontman Jimi citing the need to prioritise his mental wellbeing. Four years on, Constellations for the Lonely finds Jimi, Jez and Andy channelling the healing process from that difficult period into one of their densest and darkest releases; an introspective detour that still brilliantly encapsulates all the marvellous characteristics of the Doves sound whilst still mining new sonic ground.
Lead single Renegade is a marvellous scene setter, with Vangelis-esque synth squalls and a glorious wash of sound, though the lyrics are delivering with the band’s trademark anthemic heft, they’re emotionally raw, vulnerable and more direct than the more cryptic and abstract imagery the band typically deploy. All the fraught emotions and complexities in the marvellous Strange Weather are brilliantly complemented by the kaleidoscopic, twist-turning production, and the more abstract detours, such as on late highlight Orlando make for a compelling departure from the standard Doves template. It’s far from an easy or gentle listen, but Constellations for the Lonely is a rich and detailed album that demands, and deserves repeated listens to fully be understood and properly appreciated; it’s an incredible evolution of the band’s signature sound and a glorious reminder of why Doves remain one of British indie’s most beloved bands.
Released: 14.02.25 www.dovesofficial.com
ALSO OUT THIS MONTH
Patterson Hood - Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams (ATO Records 21.02) // Squid – Cowards (WARP Records 07.02) // The Sherlocks - Everything Must Make Sense! (Teddyboy Records 21.02) // Heartworms - Glutton For Punishment (Speedy Wunderground 07.02) //Sam Fender - People Watching (Polydor 21.02) // Love Is Noise - To live in a different way (Century Media Records 14.02) // HONESTY - U R HERE (Partisan Records 07.02) // HACHIKU - The Joys of Being Pure at Heart (Marathon Artists 28.02) // Lacuna Coil - Sleepless Empire (Century Media 14.02) //Bikini Beach – Cursed (La Pochette Surprise Records 07.02) // Sam Moss – Swimming (Clandestine 07.02) //Koyal - breathe in. breathe out (Funk Sway Records 28.02) // Michigander - S/T (Totally Normal Records 07.02) //Saya Gray – Saya (Dirty Hit 21.02) //The Velveteers - A Million Knives (Easy Eye Sound 14.02) //Panda Bear - Sinister Grift (Domino 28.02) // Alessa Cara - Love & Hyperbole (Def Jam Recordings 14.02) //Helen Ganya - Share Your Care (Bella Union 07.02) //Architects - The Sky, The Earth & All Between (Epitaph28.02)
5 / 5
RICHARD DAWSON END OF THE MIDDLE (WEIRD WORLD)
Words: Ben Lowes-Smith
In his rich and varied career, Richard Dawson has oscillated through different styles and forms with considerable success. End Of The Middle is an amalgamation of everything he does best without resorting to repetition, and contains some of Dawson’s most straightforwardly enjoyable songwriting to date. 2011’s Magic Bridge is this record’s closest relative, although EOTM’s sonic palette is enhanced by some pleasingly deranged saxophone playing and the synthetic softness of closer More Than Real. Narratively, Dawson slips into the first person narratives which made 2020 so compelling; melancholic impressionism peppers every corner of the landscape. The Question features superlative melodic guitar playing, Gondola deals with mortality and memory in a profoundly humorous and understated way, and lead single Polytunnel observes beauty in slow progress. Released: 14.02.25 www.richarddawson.net
4 / 5
BONNIE TRASH MOURNING YOU (HAND DRAWN DRACULA)
Words: Damian Robinson
The new release from Ontario hell-raisers Bonnie Trash sees the outfit on sparkling form, mining the depths of funky, dirty, sleazy, rock ‘n’ roll in search of salvation. The opening one-two punch of Viel of God and My Love Remains The Same sets an early pace, using Queens Of The Stone Age-styled gutter riffs and pulsating vocals to provide an atmosphere of dark, gothic, rock with a sense of humour. Album standout Hellmouth shines thanks to its ability to combine Bonnie’s dark rock with the sweetest of pop melodies into a combination which moves like an ear worm. Though dropping off in places (Haunt Me feels like a by-numbers rocker and It Eats Shadows is an indulgent, and unnecessary, end), Mourning You is a fantastic piece of sleazy glam rock.
Released: 28.02.25
www.linktr.ee/bonnietrash
Image by Brian David Stevens
4.5 / 5
ICHIKO AOBA LUMINESCENT CREATURES (HERMINE)
Words: Cameron Wright
As my favourite album of the decade, Ichiko Aoba’s 2020 album Windswept Adan moves like a novella. With pages turning over like the opening of an animated fairytale, slowly unravelling into a picturesque tale. The next chapter is Luminescent Creatures, which feels more akin to a painting. The delicate instrumentation provides luscious strokes of colour and shade, as the blues shimmer on the canvas. Inspired by walks across Ryukyu Archipelago, Ichiko paints a phenomenon across the mind, with haunting melodies echoing the water’s call and the ever flowing sound of the aquatic. It is transportive like the ocean; as quiet and patient as it consuming. Luminescent Creatures is the next chapter for Ichiko Aoba, diving deeper into the water and coming out glistening.
Released: 28.02.25 www.ichikoaoba.com
5 / 5
THE MURDER CAPITAL BLINDNESS (HUMAN SEASON)
Words: Adam Paxton
It’s rare I wish for triple my word count to praise a record, but Blindness deserves it. The Murder Capital’s new album begins with an amphetamine rush instrumentally and vocally, while never forgetting the band’s trademark nuanced lyricism.
Words Lost Meaning is a highlight; an incredible chorus conjuring a unique feeling of jaded tenderness. It’d be the standout track if Born Into The Fight didn’t exist. Like an echo of Radiohead that gradually disintegrates, born into struggle and a punk ethos; born into the fight. By the chorus it has set itself apart from such comparisons by searing itself into the soul of anyone born into the fight themselves. This album demands attention.
Released: 21.02.25 www.themurdercapital.com
4 / 5
THE DELINES
MR. LUCK & MS. DOOM (EL CORTEZ RECORDS)
Words: Lee Hammond
This is a wild collection of songs; very much The Delines in tone but with a distinct spin on the lyrics. Grifters, felons and addicts permeate through a delicate musical fabric. These often-dark tales possess a modicum of hope but are far from traditional love songs. Nancy and The Pensacola Pimp swaggers through the story of an off-the-wall pimp who drives for hours and never stops talking; Don’t Miss Your Bus Lorraine and Don’t Go Into That House are particularly sombre tracks about a convicted felon unable to make her way. It’s a dark soulful record, punctuated with horns. Excluding fleeting glimmers of light on tracks like Her Ponyboy, The Delines have nailed country-soul misery with this record. Released: 14.02.25 www.thedelines.com
4 / 5
BANKS OFF WITH HER HEAD (ADA WORLDWIDE)
Words: Stephen Oliver
With her fifth album Jillian Rose Banks, performing as Banks, has created a collection of fresh pop nuggets. The first single, I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend, is a duet with American rapper Doechii that has an early Billie Eilish vibe to it. Those electronic hooks proliferate the release resulting in a series of catchy songs, although they’re often on the shorter side. Emotions and references to private thoughts and anxieties encapsulate the themes of the lyrics. At times there is an emo introspection with tracks like Best Friends, while other songs like Meddle use orchestration to create a more elaborate and passionate introspection. This is a warmly positive yet deeply personal journey of synth-led melodies. Released: 28.02.25 www.hernameisbanks.com
4.5 / 5
MIYA FOLICK EROTICA VERONICA (NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP)
Words: Stephen Oliver
This upbeat release explores relationships and the euphoric feelings that come from our culture, as Miya herself puts it “about being queer within a heteronormative relationship structure and within a heteronormative society.” Having said that, there are universal truths within each of the tracks. Musically, the songs feel made for the live arena, rather than cut-and-shunt studio creations.
The songs are a sincere expression by the artist, and her ability to articulate the complexities of relationships gives this release depth. Sure, it is musically an indie guitar-driven release, but Miya Folick’s personality shines through. There is pain and anguish in the lyrical portraits, but there is also a sense of celebration that ultimately leads to a satisfying finish.
Released: 28.02.25 www.miyafolick.com
4 / 5
MAX COOPER ON BEING (MESH)
Words: Paul Jeffrey
With a reputation for blurring the lines between electronic music, art and technology, Max Cooper has upended his creative approach for album number seven, collecting hundreds of anonymous quotes from his online audience over a two-year period. Cooper skillfully leads the listener on an exhilarating journey through a spectrum of electric dreams masterfully escalating the BPM to climactic peaks, shifting seamlessly between tranquillity and trepidation and from anguish to elation.
On Being further establishes Cooper as a truly distinctive artist, while at times demanding, while ultimately proving to be immensely rewarding. Perfectly illustrating the profound influence and resilience of music and articulates what appears to be beyond expression, while consistently navigating the spectrum between serenity and turmoil.
Released: 28.02.25
www.maxcooper.net
5 / 5
MDOU MOCTAR TEARS OF INJUSTICE (MATADOR)
Words: Lee Fisher
Last year’s Funeral For Justice album was probably Mdou Moctar’s best yet, a fierce and uncompromising critique of the colonialism and corruption that has blighted their native Niger, married to their hypnotic, rolling desert blues. Even before it was released, the band were stranded in the States following a military coup and used the time to re-record the album using acoustic and traditional instruments, Moctar himself suggesting that if the original was the sound of outrage, Tears Of Injustice is the sound of grief. It’s also the sound of a remarkably accomplished band absolutely at its peak, with the chanted call and response vocals, hand drums, mercurial guitar and the general feeling of being in the room making this an astonishing listen.
Released: 28.02.2025 www.mdoumoctar.com
DAVID GRUBBS WHISTLE FROM ABOVE (DRAG CITY)
Words: Lee Fisher
Collaborator, innovator, originator. Gastr Del Sol, Codeine, Bastro, Squirrel Bait. Dozens of releases in a myriad of styles. David Grubbs is a lifer, a peripatetic artist, one of the greatest guitarists we have. This new Drag City release is his first solo album in almost a decade, born out of lockdown time spent alone with his guitar but fleshed out here with a bunch of friends and collaborators, most notably the wild brass and roiling drums on the electrifying desert atmosphere of The Snake On Its Tail. There’s the brooding Scrapegrace, the musique concrete of Later In The Tapestry Room, the guitar and trumpet piece Queen’s Side Eye, the alarming soundtrack vibes of the closer. These 12 instrumentals are diverse and compelling and unmistakably Grubbs.
BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY THE PURPLE BIRD (NO QUARTER)
Words: Lee Fisher
This might be Oldham’s most country –certainly most Nashville – album yet. A rare collaboration with a producer and with a host of country names duetting or playing, at its heart it’s still very much an Oldham album – full of plain-spoken wisdom, biblical imagery, thoughts on love, some domestic strife and a curious mariachi-oompah waltz about gun control (‘Who would you shoot and then how would you feel, exalted or destroyed?’). There are heartbreak ballads, jaunty barroom numbers, a warm and loose feel like a great lost album by The Band and a general feeling of gently melancholy bonhomie, like you’re sat at a big kitchen table as everyone drinks bourbon and tries out a tune or two.
Released: 31.01.2025 www.bonnieprincebilly.com
SHARON VAN ETTEN & THE ATTACHMENT THEORY (JAGJAGUWAR)
Words: Ali Welford
Marking a new era in the acclaimed New Jersey artist’s career, this seventh studio effort is defined by a newfound openness, with Van Etten inviting her band –drummer Jorge Balbi, bassist Devra Hoff and key player/backing vocalist Teeny Lieberson – into her creative process for the first time. Although not the sonic revelation trailed, the results bear an unmistakably refreshed zeal. Idiot Box, for instance, has the anthemic drive of vintage Arcade Fire – enhanced by the piercing emotional sledgehammer of Van Etten’s voice – while the broadness of its indie-rock palette is embodied by the chalk-and-cheese mid-album one-two of Trouble and Indio. It may not be the best record in the Van Etten canon, but it’s the most compelling in some time.
A flexible collective based between Oxford and London whose number spans from seven and ten on any given day, Mandrake Handshake make luxury psych for listeners with the time and headspace to get lost in a fragrant ‘flowerkraut’ haze. Don’t be fooled, however, into assuming their debut consists solely of bells and whistles. Indeed, its delectable sonic feast underpinned by some serious songwriting chops – from the spectral warmth and languid beauty of The Change And The Changing, to the stargazing reaches of nine-and-a-half minute title track Earth-Sized Worlds. Most impressively of all, not even the latter feels like an indulgence too far; the group’s wildest impulses kept in check by the breezy, course-setting poise of vocalist Trinity Oksana. Gorgeous stuff.
Blame Yourself’s debut album Delirium Fantasies is a distinctive commentary on the human condition. A fusion of indie rock, emo and pop punk, the tracks juxtapose vivacious rhythms with woe-filled lyrics and instrumentals resembling Green Day; upbeat and filled with rage. Opening track Spells questions the commonality of misplaced love - the human proclivity to romanticise and fantasise about undesirable situations, while Wirewalker discusses the excruciating impact of anxiety, from the crippling inability to cope with silence to the fear of change. Final track Glue discusses the intricacies of human desire, how individuals can be like glitter - sources of joy in the darkness - and the fundamental need for enduring relationships. Delirium Fantasies is a captivating addition to Blame Yourself’s growing catalogue.
Released: 01.02.25
www.instagram.com/weareblameyourself
SHARON VAN ETTEN & THE ATTACHMENT THEORY
MIXTAPE
WORDS: STEVE KIRBY, INDUSTRIAL COAST
We are a cassette (and occasionally vinyl) label, based in Middlesbrough. We also operate a distro of predominantly US independent imprints, and curate and run A Monday Night In Middlesbrough, a series of experimental sound events at various venues across ‘Boro. www.industrialcoast.bigcartel.com
WESTERN ANTHROPOLOGY
GLUE SNIFFER
Parental advisory lyrics! From New Allegiance, released on Breathing Problem Productions (BPP) in 2022.
RICHIE CULVER
SLOW CAR
A re-imagining of Fast Car. It’s difficult to escape Hull.
SCOTT KING
THE DRAWING
A tale of low cost supermarkets, barrage balloons and failed bank robberies. Released on Industrial Coast.
TERROR CELL UNIT
COME & TEST CHRIST
Mack Chami (God is War) & Sam Torres (Crawl of Time). Brutal. Released on Phage Tapes in May 2025, ‘Boro…keep a look out.
DELTA KANE
THE LOVER
Deathbed Tapes. Delta Kane is Ryan Bloomer. Consistently excellent.
NAZANIN NOORI
IMAGINE ALL IN A HALL
A change of pace. Nazanin Noori is an Iranian artist living and working in Berlin. Released on enmossed. Nazanin plays Middlesbrough on Monday 17th February.
HISTORY OF LEATHER
FAT JUNKYARD DOG
From Work, released on Chicago Research. An inspirational imprint, it’s shit that it is now defunct.
TUOL SLENG MINISTRIES
TRY TO RECALL EACH ACT DONE TO YOU
Ambient heavy electronics dealing with the way the world, media and culture dissect, consume and understand atrocities in world history. BPP.
AUTUMN CASEY PARTY OF 1
From Poem Songs (Psychic Liberation). These are the sounds of holes in ballet slippers.
BAD LSD TRIPS
CANDY FLIPPING ALLEGORY
BAD LSD TRIPS is a collaboration between artists Domingo Castillo and doris dana. Playing music at the ocean, an infinite mirror curls upward towards you. Release as part of the ENXPL series.
STALINGRAD BRADFORD INTERCHANGE
From She Called Herself Tania. Released by ourselves, and clearly the best album of 2024. Ignore everyone else and their AOTY lists. This is a project about memory and nostalgia.
FULL OF HELL X ANDREW NOLAN SPHERE OF SATURN
Taken from Scraping The Divine. Additional guitar and vocals on this track by Justin K Broadrick. Justin, as JK Flesh, plays Sonic Arts Week in Middlesbrough on Saturday 28th June.
RICHIE CULVER UNTITLED
A spoken word piece, recorded by Rachel Deakin, at a performance held as part of Solid Ground, an exhibition by The Auxiliary Project Space/ Middlesbrough Art Week in December 2024, during Storm Darragh. The performance was conducted in the loading bay of the disused B&M store. A highlight of the year.
DUNGEON ACID CAMO DISCO
Released as part of IC/TG/UT (A Sickening Outrage) – a tribute to Throbbing Gristle, for Unthinkable Film Festival Hull. Dungeon Acid is Jean-Louis Huhta, who will perform in Middlesbrough during 2025 as part of A Monday Night In Middlesbrough programme.
COMMUTER
I WAS BORN BY THE SEA (REMIX)
Commuter is Jackson Abdul-Salaam. Jackson also performs as Junte Cadre. Commuter is harsh. Very harsh. Released on Born/Coast. 16 noise artists re-interpret Richie Culver. Delta Kane even made it onto the national airwaves. A harsh noise first.
Courses include:
❱ Fd Audio & Music Production
❱ BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production (Top-up)
Our courses are delivered in state-of-the-art recording studios and control rooms, editing suites and venues.
We are an Avid Pro Tools Authorised Learning Partner, delivering industry standard qualifications alongside our higher education programme designed with industry in mind. Our teaching rooms are equipped with industry-standard software and hardware.
Our course team is built up of active industry professionals. Our course has been designed in collaboration with industry, with Tees Music Alliance, Middlesbrough Town Hall, The Middlesbrough Empire, ARC, KU Bar, Butterfly Effect Records and more on board to offer real work-related learning opportunities for our students!
What will I study?
Areas of study include:
❱ Music Production
❱ Live Events Production
❱ Recording and Mixing
❱ Audio for Film, TV and Games
❱ Composition and Songwriting
❱ Sound Design and Synthesis
❱ Popular and Experimental Music
❱ Career Development
❱ Pro Tools and Ableton Live
Rob Penrose (FosterSounds.co.uk)
Rob is running his own company, freelancing and working on exciting projects as a voice actor, musician and technical audio mixer. He’s already enjoyed success working on projects for CBeebies on a variety of shows including Postman Pat, The Baby Club and more recently Tinpo where he worked as the Sound Designer and Voice Director.
“The degree programme is practical and sets you up for the world of work. The tutors have industry experience and support you to fulfil your career ambitions. I had job interviews lined up before I had even handed in my final assignments!” Rob
Find out more course information and apply online today!
