MIXTAPE

WORDS: SCOTT FORBES, GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE

For those not familiar with Gosforth Civic Theatre, it’s a venue and community hub located in Gosforth which was taken over by Liberdade Community Development Trust in 2016.

Don’t let the 70’s brickwork fool you; GCT is one of the more unique and interesting venues in our vibrant cultural scene in the North East. We are run by Liberdade; a charity that works with people with learning disabilities. It’s a space where the local community, arts scene and learning-disabled community come together in a wonderful amalgam. I joined the team in 2017 and have had the pleasure of working with a group of people open to ideas, genuinely trying to make a difference, and bringing live music, theatre, dance and cinema to Gosforth.

It seems trite to be writing about a venue in a time when the lights are off, PAs have fallen silent and doors are closed to the public, especially as we are in the midst of a terrible crisis. But we all find ourselves in difficult times, we along with many other theatres, community venues, independents and artists are facing an uncertain future. These tracks represent a musical celebration of GCT over the past four years and include fantastic local artists that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing play on our stage. It’s a reminder of more vibrant times and a hope that those times will return sooner rather than later.

You can support Gosforth Civic Theatre by visiting www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

KING BEE BEE TO THE FLOWER King Bee were the first band to play GCT and the video for this track recorded our artwork being painted on the side of the building!

ARCHIPELAGO MORE BAMBOO, LESS PANDAS Friends of the venue Archipelago are going places in the UK jazz scene. Check out this track form their latest album.

THE UNTHANKS I’M WEARY FROM LYING ALONE The Unthanks played here last May, it was a sell out and very special. This is a stunning track from that tour.

THE DELINES LET’S BE US AGAIN Jumpin Hot Club brought The Delines to us last January. They were superb and it remains our biggest ever gig crowd.

JENNY LASCELLES HOUSE ON A HILL Jenny wowed us in January at one of our Live in the Lounge gigs.

THE CORNSHED SISTERS IN MY HOUSE The Cornshed Sisters headlined the NARC. stage at Gosforth Beer Festival in 2019 and released this banger recently, perfectly timed for lockdown…

HAILU MERGIA YENE MIRCHA We were about to announce a gig from Ethiopian jazz-psych-Afro-funk legend Hailu Mergia when lockdown hit. It would have been great.

BEHOLD A PALE HORSE INTO THE ORCHARD BAPH were part of NARC.’s first Gosforth Beer Festival line up and this track also features strings from our very own Bernard Wright.

CHICAGO HARD TO SAY I’M SORRY/GET AWAY Our CEO Rob came in on the last day of Liberdade delivery before lockdown with this song in his head and an idea for a video. Here it is…

JOHN FARHAM YOU’RE THE VOICE The soundtrack to Liberdade’s last dance piece entitled When We Were.

STEVE LUCK STEEL BRIDGE Steve is a brilliant composer and pianist based in Ouseburn Studios, his Great Northern Piano Sessions have been beautiful.

PAUL SMITH SILVER RABBIT Paul Smith’s baby friendly gig courtesy of Chalk was my (then two-month-old) son’s first ever gig.

GET THE BLESSING CELLOPHANT Get The Blessing in February is one of my favourite ever gigs, and it was a pleasure working with Jazz North East.

BINKER & MOSES INTOXICATION FROM THE JAHVMONISHI LEAVES Binker & Moses were the first major gig we booked, they are award-winning, unbelievably talented and top guys.