NARC. #203 March 2024

Hello. How’s it going? The daffodils are showing their lovely yellow faces in my garden, so that must mean Spring is slowly but surely...springing?! As usual at this time of year, with the warming of the seasons comes the hotting up of diaries as bands, comedians and theatre shows tour, exhibitions open, films release and stuff just generally happens more. Which is good news for us (and you!)

It’s worth pointing out that this edition has been even more of a collaboration than usual, as web editor David has stepped out from behind his mysterious online persona and joined me in joint magazine editor duties this month (I still get to write the editor’s letter though!) This is partly because I took some time off to look at sloths and toucans, but also because he’s got a sharp eye for curation and a tenacious approach to digging out interesting stories and getting to the heart of an artist or creative’s work. The curatorial element of an editor’s job is an undervalued art; there are literally hundreds of events across the cultural spectrum taking place in the North East and, while we often choose those that travel down more experimental/ alternative paths, there is never enough room to include everything. Therefore, the content you read every month across both the magazine and the website has been very carefully chosen with you in mind. We hope you enjoy this month’s selection.

Editors

Claire Dupree & David Saunders info@narcmedia.com

Website

David Saunders

narcmagazineonline@gmail.com

Creative

El Roboto

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Claire Dupree info@narcmedia.com

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Live

Carl Chambers / Adam Kennedy / Idene Roozbayani / Victoria Wai

Contributors

Jake Anderson / Tom Astley / Jade Mia Broadhead / Jonathan Coll / Caleb Carter / Laura Doyle / Lee Fisher / Nat Greener / Lee Hammond / James Hattersley / Paul Jeffrey / Don Jenkins / Jason Jones / Adam Kennedy / Ben Lowes-Smith / Amy McGarahan / Lena Moss / Robert Nichols / Michael O’Neill / Niamh Poppleton / Kate Relton / Tommy Robertson / Damian Robinson / Elodie A. Roy / Mera Royle / David Saunders / Steve Spithray / Sarah Storer / Dawn Storey / Caitlin Thomson / Andrew Thompson / Robin Webb / Ali Welford / Jennifer Wilson / Maria Winter / Matt Young

PREVIEWS

4 HIGHLIGHTS

Some of the best events in March, plus find out what’s online at narcmagazine.com

6 PREVIEWS

Live shows from Sunn O))), The Hives, Meatraffle, Thundercat, Roza Terenzi, Creeper, Michael Gallagher, The Early Purple, Benjamin Amos, Manga Saint Hilare, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Lande Hekt, Ozric Tentacles and more; exhibitions including Jock & John Mooney at Vane, an Open Submission exhibition at Baltic, Pink-Collar at various locations in Sunderland and Seb Trend at NGCA; stand-up comedy from MC Hammersmith at ARC/The Stand, Simon Evans at Theatre Hullabaloo, Gail Porter at Middlesbrough Town Hall, Rosie Jones at Northern Stage among others and Dom Joly at The Customs House; theatre shows It’s A Motherfucking Pleasure and Gamble at Northern Stage, Tits & Teeth at Dance City, AND: A Dance Poem at The Witham, Curious Cabaret at Hartlepool Town Hall and much more

INTERVIEWS

30 STOCKTON CALLING

32 BERWICK FILM & MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL

33 SAINT SAVIOUR

34 LITTLE BUILDINGS

35 DANIEL BYE

36 JEN STEVENS

37 LAURA LANCASTER

38 NEWCASTLE PUPPETRY FESTIVAL

39 ALISON COTTON

40 MARTIN FRANCIS TROLLOPE

41 RACHEL STOCKDALE

LISTINGS

42 LISTINGS

The best of the rest… REVIEWS

44 LIVE REVIEWS

Reports of live shows from Bring Me The Horizon, John Francis Flynn, Lankum, Miles Jupp, Half Man Half Biscuit, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Róisín Murphy, GZA & Phunky Nomads, Dream Wife and more

48 TRACKS

Reviews of local singles and EPs by Anthony Pears, Twayn, Flowers For Juno, Metaquorum, Aaron Dinning, Faithful Johannes & Neocia, KITES, Park View, Jenny Lascelles, Bill Gateshead, Rokkari and Patrick Gosling

50 DEMOS

Demo reviews of Steve Ather, Groundbird, Darren Burdis, Folding Gold and Mojave Desert Star

51 ALBUMS

Featuring new releases from Yard Act, Waxahatchee, Charlie Parr, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Ghlow, Jenna Louise, Mannequin Pussy, Julia Holter, VR Sex, Moor Mother, Kim Gordon, Adrianne Lenker and more

54 MIXTAPE

Vic Watson and Simon Bewick from Bay Tales pick some of their favourite songs

Next Issue Out 27th March

28 AMELIA COBURN

David Saunders talks to the Middlesbrough songwriter and ukulele virtuoso about the weird and wonderful lyrically painted worlds conjured up on her long-awaited debut album

PREVIEWS

MARCH’S DIVERSIONS INCLUDE AN HISTORIC ART EXHIBITION, A CELEBRATION OF THE CONTEMPORARY NORTH OF ENGLAND, THOUGHTPROVOKING MUSICAL COMEDY, GLAMOROUS DRAG, ICONIC DJS AND MUCH MORE...

ART & LIT

UNTIL LATE APR ROSS MILLARD: DESTINATION

The Futureheads musician, artist and writer Ross Millard has turned his talents to photography, and presents his first exhibition of images which span several years of personal travels and time spent on the road. From the familiar to the exotic, Ross’ keen eye for composition and subject matter makes for engaging viewing.

Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland www.instagram.com/rgtmillard

ART & LIT SAT 2

THE NORTH WILL RISE AGAIN

An afternoon and evening of talk and music, paying tribute to the energies, reveries and maladies of the contemporary North of England. The North Will Rise Again novelist Alex Niven will join Isaac Rose, author of The Rentier City: Making Modern Manchester, to talk about their books; and there’s music from Marginal Gains and Lady Lamp. The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle www.thelubberfiend.com

ART & LIT

THUR 7 TOON FANS UNITED

A new exhibition from Newcastlebased photographer Hazel Plater features compelling crowd, group and individual environmental portraits of football fans, both candid and engaged, uncovering the deep sense of identity and community forged through a shared love of a football team. Runs until Thursday 25th April. Battle Hill Library, Newcastle www.hazelplater.myportfolio.com

MUSIC FRI 8

AMATEUR TREPANNING

The alt. lo-fi artist presents his new EP Tang Ping!, a collection of four songs about work, deindustrialisation and late-stage capitalism, mixed and mastered by David Brewis, it’ll be released digitally and on a limited run cassette by Win Big Records. Support comes from Nev Clay, Bitchfinder General and Jenni Mac. Zerox, Newcastle www.amateurtrepanning.bandcamp.com

ART & LIT SAT 9

THE SOCIETY OF WOOD ENGRAVERS 86TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION

The Society of Wood Engravers represents an international group of artists who produce prints using the relief printing technique known as wood engraving, which was used by well-known North East-based engraver Thomas Bewick in the 1800’s. This open submission exhibition showcases the best contemporary work from the UK. Runs until Friday 26th April. Northern Print, Newcastle www.northernprint.org.uk

COMEDY FRI 15

MATT REED

The Sunderland comic returns to the Tyne Theatre stage with a new show. The cannily titled Matt Out Of Hell promises yet more of his razor-sharp wit and lively storytelling; expect audience interactions, off-the-cuff wittiness and general hilarity throughout. Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle www.mattreedcomedian.com

MUSIC

SAT 16 CHARLOTTE CARPENTER

The inaugural show for the newly minted Middlesbrough Gigs Association, East Midlands singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter presents songs from her debut album, A Modern Rage, a restorative collection of tales of womanhood replete with charging rhythms, punchy vocals and guitar licks aplenty.

Cafe Etch, Middlesbrough

www.charlottecarpentermusic.com

Tokyo Wheel by Ross Millard

Image by Hazel Plater

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

ART & LIT SAT 16

CHRIS KILLIP AND GRAHAM SMITH: LIFE IN THE IRON VALLEY

An exhibition of prints and rarely seen photographs depicting the village of Skinningrove by Chris Killip and Graham Smith. The exhibition will display – for the very first time – unseen work by two renowned British documentary photographers. Runs until Saturday 14th September.

Land of Iron, Skinningrove

www.landofiron.org.uk

STAGE THUR 21 WE’RE NOT GOING BACK

A thought-provoking musical comedy which follows the fortunes of three sisters determined to set up a branch of Women Against Pit Closures. Exploring themes around the resilience of working communities, the make-and-mend fabric of family, and the power of sticking two fingers up to a government hell-bent on destruction. Arts Centre Washington www.redladder.co.uk

MUSIC

FRI 22

HEATHER FERRIER TRIO

Alt. folk artist, virtuoso accordion player and clog dancer extraordinaire Heather Ferrier and her talented band conclude their debut tour with one of the last shows at the soon-to-close Bobiks. Expect bold arrangements, finger-bending compositions and contemporary sounds inspired by tradition.

Bobiks, Newcastle

www.heatherferriermusic.com

MUSIC

SAT 23 CREAM

Electronic music fans will get a real kick out of this electrifying show, which brings influential DJs Judge Jules, Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul, K-Klass and Jon Pleased Wimmin to the Stockton stage. Expect unrivalled track selections, massive dance tunes and an atmosphere that’ll keep the dancefloor jumping all night.

The Globe, Stockton www.cream.co.uk

STAGE THUR 28

DRAG CASTLE: ROCK & RIOT

The acclaimed and highly talented Drag Castle troupe bring a touch of glamorous rock ‘n’ roll to your life, as they present a celebration of rock and roll legends told in their own inimitable way. Join Baron LaVey, Cara Bonara, Frida Sapphic, Ivy and MXYM for an electrifying night as they ignite the stage to the rhythm of your favourite rebellious anthems.

The Grove, Newcastle

www.instagram.com/dragcastlencl

MUSIC SAT 30 EXIT MUSIC

The Byker venue presents a weekend of alternative sounds including spoken word/ hip-hop-adjacent artist Anthony Szmierek, rap trio Frozemode and beat-heavy project Ebbb, plus neo-soul artist Rivkala and Sweets on the Saturday; while on Sunday 31st, enjoy indie post-punks English Teacher, heartfelt indie rocker Ernie, indie popster Ellur, shoegazers Waves of Dread and synth-heavy band Home Counties.

The Grove, Newcastle

www.thegrovenewcastle.co.uk

NARC. E-ZINE

Check in on the eleventh edition of our multimedia E-ZINE, and discover exclusive videos, playlists, mini-documentaries, sound clips and much more

NARC. TV

Catch up on all the episodes of NARC. TV, our YouTube programme featuring live music and interviews with North East artists

+

FFO: POINTY FEATURES

Durham’s lo-fi/chill pop outfit Pointy Features encapsulate the sounds on their new album, Hill End

INTERVIEW: PINKCOLLAR GALLERY

The Sunderland-based founder and curator of Pink-Collar Gallery, Michaela Wetherell, talks about their new exhibition, Belonging, which tours venues including Seventeen Nineteen, The Boundary Resident Community Centre and Arts Centre Washington

Judge Jules

MUSIC BDRMM @ THE CLUNY

Words: Ali Welford

Amid the folly of Eat Out To Help Out and socialising’s awkward, constrained return to legality, the rise of bdrmm is one bright spot from summer 2020 tarred by neither circumstance nor ill consequence. Vindicating years of underground buzz, debut full-length Bedroom heralded the Hull quartet as prominent torchbearers of a welcome (and, I’m told, partly TikTok-induced) shoegaze renaissance. Lifted restrictions brought an ecstatically received headline tour and dates opening for the likes of Ride and Mogwai – yet in signing with the latter’s Rock Action Records, this enterprising outfit projected that their best days still lay ahead…

Last year’s keenly awaited sophomore record I Don’t Know bore early signs of that theory yielding fruit. While washed-out guitars and motorik rhythms remained firmly front and centre, here they arrived embellished with a rich assortment of electronics, strings and fresh production flourishes; an expansive, frequently thrilling advance from a band who – contrary to their label – have their gaze set firmly towards the future.

It ought to make for a compelling evening when they visit The Cluny on Monday 11th March, having enjoyed nine months worming its way into fans’ affections, and with the shadowy, late night contours of Nightbus offering support. The challenges we face in 2024 may differ to those of four years ago, but with tickets a snip at £12.50, bdrmm’s knack for illuminating tough times endures unabated.

bdrmm and Nighbus play The Cluny, Newcastle on Monday 11th March. www.bdrmm.co.uk

FILM TYNE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Lena Moss

Returning for its fourth edition, the Tyne Valley Film Festival once again offers a varied programme of films, classic and contemporary, for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Led by Forum Cinema Hexham, screenings take place across a host of venues in the Tyne Valley from Friday 15th-Thursday 28th March.

Priding itself on its commitment to authentic community programming and working alongside film clubs from around the region, there really is something for everyone across the 14-day festival. Those aged 25 and under will benefit from the introduction of £3 tickets for all festival events, some curated especially for those 16-25, such as the anime double feature of The Animatrix and Paprika. Other festival highlights include the Hexham Archive Film Trail, which is a free walkable trail where you can enjoy short pieces of local archive film in unique venues around the town; a screening of Ken Loach’s new film The Old Oak; plus there’s screenings of cinematic classics, such as a 65th anniversary showing of Hammer Horror The Hound of the Baskervilles, alongside plenty of newer releases including 2023 critically acclaimed Tish, a portrait of the trailblazing photographer. Many features are also preceded by a locally-made short film, allowing you the chance to experience work from the next generation of British filmmakers. Events are ticketed separately, or you can buy a full festival pass for only £25. Check the website for full listings.

Tyne Valley Film Festival takes place at various venues in the Tyne Valley from Friday 15th-Thursday 28th March.

www.tynevalleyfilmfestival.com

MUSIC MEATRAFFLE @ ZEROX

Words: Lee Fisher

Last year’s Meatraffle album, Base & Superstructure (their third), was their best yet, a brilliant realisation of the sound they’d been building up to across its predecessors. A heady blend of rinky-dink keyboards, dubby shuffly rhythms, plaintive trumpet lines, paeans to love, friendship and camaraderie and a serious – if wryly expressed –commitment to class struggle (even the title is a key Marxist concept).

Frontman/purveyor of aforementioned plaintive trumpet lines Zsa Zsa Sapien (there are rumours his real name is Warren, but that seems unlikely) lays it all out in a weary, Duryesque manner, explaining “Why do I always bring class into it? It’s coz the people in the lower classes suffer most, innit”, which is a fine summary of what they’re about.

They’ve played Newcastle before, a brilliant if under-attended Cluny show a couple of years back, but hopefully for their Zerox gig on Wednesday 6th March they’ll have gained a little more traction and a bit of a following and can pull something like the kind of crowd their charming, funny/serious wonky pop deserves. Londoners Pink Eye Club and the alarmingly off-kilter No Teeth support in yet another beautifully constructed Wandering Oak line-up.

Meatraffle, Pink Eye Club and No Teeth play Zerox, Newcastle on Wednesday 6th March.

www.meatraffle1917.bandcamp.com

bdrmm by Luke Hallett

MUSIC BUZZARD BUZZARD BUZZARD @ KU/ INDEPENDENT

Words: Michael O’Neill

Fuelled by teenage obsessions with Black Sabbath and The White Stripes, the almighty christened Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard conjure up a witty racket that blends scuzzy riffs with an anything-goes approach to genre that transcends the cliches of the current guitar music stable. Even a cursory glance at National Rust, the lead single from their upcoming LP Skinwalker, gives you a tantalising glimpse of their signature sound. Atop a four-on-thefloor stomp, the song twists and surpasses the mould, with a chorus that starts out as a long-lost out-take from Master of Reality and ends as a funk-laden Talking Heads-esque bop, with a touch of the maverick energy of Todd Rundgren along the way. Despite sounding like a stylistic hodgepodge on paper, it works brilliantly in practice. Frontman Tom Rees’s witty lyricism and elastic vocals further give Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard’s tunes a delightful character that gives a greater depth of personality to the kaleidoscopic sound. There’s no doubt that it’s a sound that will translate brilliantly to the live stage, and you’ve got two opportunities to witness them in all their live glory; at Stockton’s KU on Wednesday 20th and Independent, Sunderland on Thursday 21st March.

www.buzzardbuzzardbuzzard.com

MUSIC NORTHERN TAPE @ THE CUMBERLAND ARMS

Words: Claire Dupree

Local ‘non-label’ Northern Tape continue in their support of electronic artists in the region and beyond with the latest weekender, taking place at The Cumberland Arms on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March.

Friday’s show will see performances from hip-hop producer Neocia and self-proclaimed ‘sincerity rapper’ Faithful Johannes, whose recent collaborative release has served as a nostalgic preview to the duo’s forthcoming album; composer, producer and member of experimental collective Grey Tapes, Calum Howard; electro chill artists Space Bros and special guest Ellis Clasper.

Saturday’s performances will include sound artist and essayist Hurrian Cult Legacy, whose hip-hop and beat-driven set will include flute, live electronics, sampling and home-made instruments; Newcastle-based beat maker and performer Potaito; furiously exciting two-piece Badger, whose post-punk/IDM/hip-hop sound and often unhinged performances are a real delight, plus special guest Slobject.

Northern Tape takes place at The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March.

www.facebook.com/northerntape

STAGE

TITS & TEETH @ DANCE CITY

Words: Kate Relton

If you’ve ever wanted to see Rasputin sharing a stage with Barbara Cartland, then awardwinning dance duo Thick & Tight have you covered. A riotous mix of ballet, contemporary, drag, mime and lip-syncing, Tits & Teeth showcases the best of the duo’s sell-out shows at last year’s London International Mime Festival.

Their performance at Dance City on Thursday 21st March is a variety show that delivers performed portraits of the famous and infamous, from Twiggy to a Kathak-dancing Winston Churchill, Tits & Teeth celebrates the bizarre, the spectacular and the absurd. Known for taking inspiration from history, politics and art, Thick & Tight co-directors Daniel Hay-Gordon and Eleanor Perry are joined by a cast of dancers as they embark on a sixmonth UK tour.

If this unique and surprising performance leaves you wanting more, there’s a chance to speak to the cast in a post-show talk. Tits & Teeth takes place at Dance City, Newcastle on Thursday 21st March.

www.thickandtight.com

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard by Charlie Harris

MUSIC CHEMTRAILS @ THE CUMBERLAND ARMS

Words: Ali Welford

Seeking a jolt of joy to see in the spring?

Certainly, you could do far worse than an evening at The Cumberland Arms – partly as it’s one of Newcastle’s most delightful haunts whatever the season; but principally as it’ll be playing host to post-apocalyptic Mancunian hook merchants Chemtrails. An invigorating antidote to the predominantly dry, often hyper-masculine hue of the UK’s latest post-punk revival, the quartet’s maiden North East jaunt on Saturday 23rd March arrives hot on the heels of their resplendent third album, The Joy of Sects. Among the best and most radiant LPs 2024 has thus far offered, the new record arrives juiced up to its eyeballs with wicked pop barbs, devilish rhythms and liberal daubs of technicolour – a devastatingly danceable assortment of psych-garage-punk gems, primed to set the Cumberland alight and lead even the uninitiated into a succession of blissful, barely voluntary bops.

An undercard of No Teeth and Marginal Gains ought to sate anybody requiring further persuasion. Now firmly embedded stalwarts on the local circuit, the former’s unruly ascent shows no sign of losing steam; their febrile cocktail of mutinous noise and ardent stupidity taking on ever more brilliant – if no less baffling – forms. The latter’s terse post-punk, meanwhile, has cashed early momentum into a reputation among the region’s most essential newcomers. One of our must-see live acts of 2024, you’ll struggle to catch them on a better bill…

Chemtrails, No Teeth and Marginal Gains at The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle on Saturday

23rd March.

www.adoseofchemtrails.bandcamp.com

MUSIC ROZA TERENZI @ COBALT STUDIOS

Words: Niamh Poppleton

The music of Roza Terenzi (the alias of Australian musician and DJ Katie Campbell) is overflowing with upbeat, lyric-less beauty which harks back to the mid-90s rave scene – a deft amalgamation of The Prodigy and Jeremy Sylvester.

Terenzi’s music will transport you to another galaxy, a network of aural bliss, when she visits Cobalt Studios on Saturday 23rd March. Expect the crazy and unruly energy of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland encompassed in deep electronic beats – the pulsating thrum of each and every heart in the world beating in unison. The cyclic rhythm of her songs engenders trance-like feelings in the mind of the listener, transporting us to a dimension of pure sonic euphoria. An otherworldly and unapologetically feminine energy flows throughout the tapestry of sound, pulsating with the invigorating energy of thousands of ravers packed tightly on the dancefloor.

A catalogue of dance music for the divine feminine, Terenzi’s mixes are the soundtrack to reclaiming your inner power and grasping the ability to thrive in the pure, unadulterated joy of movement. It allows you to, for a brief moment, revel in the true beauty of just ‘being’.

Roza Terenzi plays Cobalt Studios, Newcastle on Saturday 23rd March.

www.instagram.com/rozaterenzi

COMEDY DOM JOLY @ CUSTOMS HOUSE/BILLINGHAM FORUM

Words Matt Young

“Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you,” so goes the old adage. This is something Dom Joly, Trigger Happy TV comedian, writer and stand-up comedian, knows only too well. It’s something in fact that he’s investigated over the past few years as he’s travelled the world encountering and investigating conspiracy theories and those who believe in them. His Conspiracy Tourist book of last year is now the source of further merriment as he brings some of these truly bizarre tales to live audiences across the UK on a national tour, with a stop off at South Shields’ Customs House on Thursday 14th and Billingham’s Forum Theatre on Thursday 21st March.

Everything from attempting to debunk flatearthers, hunting UFOs that may be piloted by lizards, asking if JFK committed suicide, unwrapping QAnon and chasing disgraced Infowars head conspiracist Alex Jones around Texas along with much more gets probed and picked over for fun, even if the consequences can prove deeply disturbing. Expect an hilarious, fascinating and slightly anarchic guide to what’s out there, and in the spirit of fairness Dom will be joined on stage by wellknown conspiracy theorist Dr Julian Northcote to defend the alternate view.

Dom Joly – The Conspiracy Tour comes to Customs House, South Shields on Thursday 14th and Billingham’s Forum Theatre on Thursday 21st March.

www.domjoly.tv

Chemtrails by Der Fotoautomat

ART & LIT BALTIC OPEN SUBMISSION @ BALTIC

Words: Sarah Storer

104 new artists will be featured in the second instalment of Baltic Open Submission, an exhibition in collaboration with Fenwick, which opens at the Gateshead gallery on Saturday 16th March.

The exhibition, which follows a first round in

2020, showcases North East artists who have previously not had their work showcased. The art ranges from photography, film, sculptures and ceramics.

Some of the artists featured include 11-yearold street artist Terox; award-winning photographer Megan Jepson, who will show work from her new travelling fairgroundsbased project The Showman; and 80-year-old architect Paul W. Kelso will also exhibit a sculpture after being inspired to apply by his daughter.

Baltic curator Niomi Fairweather said: “It’s been a real privilege to get an insight into the

fantastic artwork and practices that people are producing. It makes me feel proud to work in this creative region.”

The exhibition will be shown alongside three pieces by established artists, which include Newcastle-based photographer Phyllis Christopher, sculptor Holly Hendry and painter Jim Moir, also known as comedian Vic Reeves. Baltic Open Submissions will be held in the Ground Floor Gallery from Saturday 16th March–Sunday 1st September.

www.baltic.art

Your spring soundtrack

Friday 1 March

Grace Petrie plus Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles and Molly Naylor

Saturday 23 March

Sam Lee – Songdreaming Tour

Thursday 28 March

From The Glasshouse x Nrthrn Baby: NE-O and Shakk

Thursday 11 April

From The Glasshouse: Dirty Freud and Rubber Oh

Wednesday 24 April

Jane Weaver Plus Adwaith

Sunday 28 April

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox - The ‘10’ Tour

Meg Jepson, Hoppings, 2022

Suede by Dean Chalkley

COMEDY

JESSICA FOSTEKEW: METTLE @ ARC/THE STAND

Words: Lena Moss

You might have seen her on QI, Live at the Apollo, Celebrity Pointless, Motherland or heard her hosting The Guilty Feminist or her own Hoovering podcast. If you enjoyed Jessica Fostekew on any or all of those things, you won’t want to miss her live! The actor and comedian brings her brand new stand-up show, Mettle, to ARC on Saturday 9th March and Newcastle’s Stand on Sunday 7th April. A show about “passion, pace and purpose”, Mettle gives you a glimpse into the life of the hard-working, critically acclaimed comic, at the peak of her career. Her previous show Hench won numerous awards, and you can head to Soho Theatre’s Live Comedy Season on Amazon Prime to watch that if you’re looking for a taste of what to expect.

Jessica’s last stand-up show, Wench, sold out an Edinburgh Fringe run and UK Tour, so it’s worth booking your tickets now if you don’t want to miss Mettle!

Jessica Fostekew performs Mettle at ARC, Stockton on Saturday 9th March and The Stand, Newcastle on Sunday 7th April. www.jessicafostekew.com

MUSIC POINTY FEATURES @ THE CLUNY 2

Words: David Saunders

Since their inception in 2018, Durham lo-fi/ chill-pop outfit Pointy Features have been racking up the Spotify plays, with a combined total of 100 million streams. Their sonic tapestry, complete with soulful vocals, shimmering licks and groovy beats, combines elements of blues, psychedelia, funk, folk and so much more, with notes of sixties big hitters such as Pink Floyd, Free, Grateful Dead and Savoy Brown.

These retro-revivalists are set to drop their debut album Hill End on Friday 8th March, a seven-song collection of finely crafted, masterfully played tracks that will dazzle the senses and have you scaling the walls of perception. The album was produced by Sam Fender and Pigs x7’s producer John Martindale, who has done a mighty fine job of weaving together the various classic rock-inspired components and giving it a contemporary gloss.

Pointy Features will be launching their debut album at Cluny 2 on the release date. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the band’s expansive sounds, witness the guitar virtuosity of guitarist Dan Leak (previously named Marshall’s British Guitarist of the Year) and check out the band’s analogue visual light show.

Pointy Features launch their debut album at The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Friday 8th March. www.instagram.com/pointyfeatures

Jessica Fostekew

ART & LIT

PINK-COLLAR GALLERY: BELONGING @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: David Saunders

Sunderland-based Michaela Wetherell is the founder and curator at Pink-Collar Gallery, an online space dedicated to addressing the issue of under-representation in the arts by promoting the work of female and

working-class artists. It was started to support artists during the pandemic and since 2020 has worked with over 155 practitioners, commissioned 20 new pieces of work and focused on issues such as mental health, working-class identity and femicide. Their new Arts Council-funded Belonging exhibition seeks to shine a light on working-class stories that have gotten lost since the decline of industry in Wearside, as well as celebrate creative identities within the Sunderland community. Having commissioned five local creatives (Bridie Jackson, Catherine Forsyth, Ellie Clewlow, Bethany Stead and Mark Parham) to hold workshops in different

Artwork by Mark Parham 2023

communities around Sunderland, they asked local people what Belonging means to them. The outcome of these discussions was then used to create works commemorating the history of Sunderland and references glass making, shipbuilding and coal mining. The exhibition goes out on tour around the Sunderland area and will be stopping at Seventeen Nineteen until Friday 15th March, The Boundary Resident Community Centre on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April and Arts Centre Washington from Thursday 25th April until Saturday 4th May.

www.pink-collargallery.com

MUSIC

DAN PETTIT RELEASES

CHRONOLOGY – STORY SEASONS

Words: Claire Dupree

Many artists are labelled as prolific, but North East songwriter Dan Pettit takes the term to a whole new level. Currently promoting Chronology – Story Seasons, the alt. songwriter’s life’s work (so far!) includes over 100 albums, both released and unreleased.

The Saltburn-based folk artist’s sound is typified by lilting acoustic ballads and beguiling vocals which thrum with a gruff passion. His influences – which range from Bob Dylan to Stephen King – are evidenced in Dan’s storytelling style, which lends itself well to songs with a keen social conscience. Among the releases are gems like 2002’s Renaissance Songs, which includes a library of around 150 unheard folk songs, and the experimental and bewildering The Basement Sessions.

Dan says of the Chronology release, which features a two-part sampler and 10-part boxset: “This compilation showcases a catalogue which is thematic, story-based, intellectual, entertaining, challenging and thought provoking. Chronology is a personal and musical story of an artist on the outside in a civilization on the brink. Albums reflect like a mirror on a lost world in decline, a relationship of the individual to themselves, the outside world and the unknown; a journey.”

As if Dan hasn’t been busy enough already, this month also marks the release of two brand new albums – Messages In Blood, and partner album (written in 2022), Visions of Time Honoured Tradition.

Dan Pettit releases Chronology – Story Seasons on 9th March.

www.danpettitt.com

MUSIC GILLA BAND

@ THE CLUNY

Words: Ali Welford

‘Nightmarish’, ‘ungodly’ and ‘cataclysmic’ are just some of the terms used to define Gilla Band over recent months, and with a full UK tour in the offing, a fresh flow of combative adjectives is surely heading their way. Of course, none are unbefitting a Dublin quartet whose fiendish assaults – underpinned by the curious magnetism and lyrical absurdity of frontman Dara Kiely – have earned them a place among Ireland’s most notorious contemporary outfits. This needle certainly characterises their studio work – the mangled, deconstructed avant-pop of 2021’s Most Normal being perhaps their most barbarous offering to date – yet the full force of Gilla Band’s experimental rancour is invariably reserved for those experiencing it in person. Fortunately, their show at The Cluny on Saturday 2nd March not only offers devotees and newcomers alike an opportunity to do just that, but does so with the added fillip of a support slot from noise terror comrades The Psychotic Monks. Hailing from Saint-Ouen on the outskirts of Paris, this radical four-piece’s unhinged din is built from improvisation, a penchant for harsh textures and the desire to lure listeners into a world of bleakly hypnotic, flesh quivering physicality. Check out last year’s excellent third album Pink Colour Surgery (recorded and produced by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox) for a taste of what to expect. Oh, and bring earplugs, silly!

Gilla Band nd The Psychotic Monks play The Cluny, Newcastle on Saturday 2nd March. www.gillaband.com

COMEDY GAIL PORTER @ MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL

Words: Matt Young

There can’t be many people out there, of a certain age at least, who don’t know part of the Gail Porter story. TV presenter of Top of the Pops and a host of other high profile gigs in the 90’s, Gail lived it up as a mid-twenty something celebrity at the height of Britpop and ‘lad culture’. Then it all soured, spectacularly and not through any real fault of her own. Skip forward, rather disingenuously, 25 years and a hell of a lot of heartache, depression and more besides and Gail is taking last year’s hugely popular solo stand-up show from Edinburgh Festival on the road, dropping in to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday 7th March.

Something Gail Porter has maintained innately is an ability to see the laughable and absurd in amongst her own tragedy, and let’s not beat around the bush – this is a deeply affecting and heart wrenching story dealing with life and its unforeseen roadblocks. There’s no shying away from the mental health struggles she’s experienced, but it also says a lot about her willpower and vibrancy that she shares and documents everything: the good, the bad and the outright bizarre. Gail Porter’s career has been a roller-coaster and she’s enjoying a rising profile again thanks to her hilarious comedy and taking back control of her own story.

Hung, Drawn & Portered: An Audience with Gail Porter is at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday 7th March.

www.linktr.ee/gailporter

Gilla Band

COMEDY GHOST HUNS @ THE STAND

Words: Tommy Robertson

Bringing their esteemed podcast to the live stage, comedians and horror fanatics Hannah Byczkowski and Suzie Preece are taking Ghost Huns on tour, stopping at The Stand in Newcastle on Tuesday 26th March.

Self-proclaimed ‘basic huns’, the duo use their relatable humour to tell some of the world’s scary stories. Hot off an immensely successful year, they have gained a cult-like following on social media for their ghost stories and spiritual experiences; audiences can be sure to expect the same from the live show.

With their comedic take on the paranormal, both Hannah and Suzie are respectively celebrated comedians, taking on their own acclaimed stand-up shows to sold out audiences across the country over the previous year. Furthermore, Hannah is also known for

winning the first series of BBC show The Traitors.

With the promise of ‘we get haunted, so you don’t have to’, the duo aren’t shy of using a Ouija board or a pendulum to contact supernatural beings; this spectacle alongside the inevitable duality of laughter and fear will certainly have all their ‘huns’ afraid yet elated. Ghost Huns are at The Stand, Newcastle on Tuesday 26th March.

www.linktr.ee/ghosthunspod

STAGE CURIOUS CABARET @ HARTLEPOOL TOWN HALL THEATRE

Words: Kate Relton

North East charity Curious Arts bring a night of riotous colour and spectacle to Hartlepool’s Town Hall Theatre on Friday 22nd March with Curious Cabaret. A celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture, the night will be hosted by Jonathan Mayor, a seasoned compere known for their ability to tame any audience with their razor-sharp wit and stage presence. Promising to deliver an unforgettable night jam-packed with performances, Curious Cabaret features performances from artists from across the North East and beyond, including feminist lip sync and burlesque from Mama Rhi; multi-disciplinary theatre maker Allison Birt, whose work often plays with gender and sexuality; bold and insightful artist Maddie Morris and shapeshifting artist Arya Quinn.

A charity with bases in Hartlepool and Newcastle, Curious Arts are on a mission to give a platform to LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and communities in our region and further afield. As well as providing opportunities for audiences to discover a range of talent at nights like Curious Cabaret, the charity coordinates Queer Arts North, developing community-focused arts projects and events.

Curious Cabaret will take place at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre on Friday 22nd March. www.curiousarts.org.uk

COMEDY JOE WELLS @ THE STAND

Words: Laura Doyle

According to Joe Wells, an autism diagnosis is essentially a qualification in comedy –because what else is stand-up other than a one-way conversation about a person’s special interests? There are 700,000 autistic people in the UK today (even if your nan still insists that there was “none of this autism nonsense back in my day”) yet autistic representation on stage and screen is still woefully lacking.

Whether autism only sprang up in the past couple decades as a side effect of all these damn vaccines we’re all forced to have (/ sarcasm) or if it’s actually been around the whole time but we as a society have only just started to touch on the issue of neurodivergency, Joe Wells has taken it upon himself to organise the autistic community –with himself as its leader. His credentials? He’s an actually autistic person making a living from raising awareness of this under-representation with his relatable comedy for an autistic audience, people with autistic friends and family, or just anyone who enjoys a bit of a laugh, really.

Neurotypical folk are welcome at The Stand on Monday 11th March, if they can deal with a comedy show without unplanned audience interaction for just one night.

Joe Wells performs at The Stand, Newcastle on Monday 11th March.

www.joewells.org.uk

MUSIC PAMA INTERNATIONAL @ GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE

Words: Nat Greener

Pama International are making a triumphant return after six years with their long-awaited reggae album and live shows, dropping in to Gosforth Civic Theatre on Friday 8th March courtesy of promoters Jumpin’ Hot Club. Established in 2001, the band’s self-described ‘dub-fuelled ska, rocksteady and reggae’ style has resulted in a rich history, with 18 albums and notable BBC sessions under their belts, including appearances on Radio 1’s Maida Vale and BBC 6Music’s Craig Charles show. Their influence extends with being the first new band signed to Trojan Records in 30 years. Joining them are exceptional supporting acts Radikal Queen, Tyneside’s leading Black poet, who promises a profound performance with award-winning poetry and cultural activism, and Georgia May, a ‘Nigeordian’ neo-soul vocalist whose captivating vocals are infused with 90s hip-hop, R&B and acoustic soul influences. This event is a celebration of diverse musical talents coming together, and an evening filled with groove and soulful melodies!

Pama International, Radikal Queen and Georgia May play Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle on Friday 8th March.

www.pamainternational.bandcamp.com

Jonathan Mayor by Haydn Brown

COMEDY

SIMON EVANS @ THEATRE HULLABALOO/QUEEN’S HALL HEXHAM

Words: Michael O’Neill

The wildly eclectic career of comedian and writer Simon Evans is a resounding testament to his unique command of the fine art of giggle-inducing. A regular mainstay of TV stand-up, alongside an extensive set of successful runs at Edinburgh Fringe, you’ll also spot his writing work for the long-running sitcom Not Going Out.

His more recent stand-up work has found him teasing at the boundaries of the form, using comedy as a platform for more than just big laughs and buoyant musings. Previous shows have included Genius 2.0, which found Simon grappling with the nature-versus-nurture debate and Nietzschean ideals, whilst Work of the Devil (which initially found acclaim at the Fringe under the working title of Dressing for Dinner) found him solving the mystery of his existence and true identity. His new show, Have We Met?, which he performs at Darlington’s Theatre Hullabaloo on Monday 11th and Queen’s Hall Hexham on Tuesday 12th March promises to be equally as unconventional and as thought-provoking as his past exploits have proven to be, with his unique brand of stand-up serving as a platform for his further explorations into the inner workings of the soul and the passing of time. All in all, it’s a unique reminder that the boundaries of the stand-up form are still there to be pushed.

Simon Evans performs at Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington on Monday 11th and Queen’s Hall

Hexham on Tuesday 12th March. www.thesimonevans.com

MUSIC LANDE HEKT @ THE LUBBER FIEND

Words: Michael O’Neill

Over the last couple of years, The Lubber Fiend have remained steadfast and prolific in their efforts to bring a broad variety of quality DIY acts to the city centre, further reinforcing the brilliant support that the city, and the region as a whole, gives to an array of left-field talent from across the globe.

This particular offering on Sunday 3rd March is a further reinforcement of this, with a headlining set from the iconic Muncie Girls frontperson Lande Hekt. Hekt has blazed a trail as a solo artist, beginning with the marvellous debut Going To Hell in 2021, followed swiftly by 2022’s Backstreet Snow. Her phenomenal command of songcraft favours heart-on-sleeve lyricism with a strong melodic sensibility that firmly reinforces the raw and brutally honest songwriting. A string of singles have followed, which further showcase her phenomenal command of the craft, with songs that are anthemic in spirit and yet intimate, organic and relatable in their execution, channelling a wealth of emotion and character through dense harmonies, chiming lead guitars and golden, sun-soaked melodies. It’ll translate beautifully to the stage. Support comes from local icons Bitchfinder General and the almighty Weekend Faithful.

Lande Hekt, Weekend Faithful and Bitchfinder General play The Lubber Fiend on Sunday 3rd March.

www.landehekt.co.uk

MUSIC THUNDERCAT

@ O2 CITY HALL

Words: Caitlin Thomson

Multi-Grammy award winner and virtuosic bass player Thundercat will perform at O2 City Hall on Friday 29th March.

An LA native, Stephen ‘Thundercat’ Bruner has been in the business for over two decades as a musician, producer and songwriter. Thundercat’s history as a collaborator is colourful; he’s worked extensively with Erykah Badu, Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar, and most recently with Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Gorillaz and Tame Impala. His skill set is perfectly honed and multi-faceted; from a session musician to a creative contributor on major albums to a touring performer (he is, in fact, fresh from touring with Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Strokes).

Mainstream solo success has been relatively recent. His latest album It Is What It Is was a gorgeous blend of jazz, funk and progressive R&B and nabbed the singer his second Grammy in 2020, while his first Grammy was for his work on Lamar’s seminal rap album To Pimp A Butterfly.

His live show will undoubtedly cross an expanse of genres and styles, whilst spotlighting the distinctive, dazzling bass runs he’s known for. Expect full-bodied orchestral grooves and lyrics that veer between existentialism and frivolity. The latter is delightfully present on smooth psychedelic setlist regulars like Dragonball Durag. Thundercat plays O2 City Hall, Newcastle on Friday 29th March.

www.theamazingthundercat.com

Lande Hekt by Maciej Mastalerz

STAGE GAMBLE @ NORTHERN STAGE

Words: Lena Moss

Based on personal experience, Gamble is about the gambling industry, its destructive influence on those that become addicted and the effect on those in their lives. With a goal of raising awareness and de-stigmatising this addiction, co-creator and performer Hannah Walker’s play

lifts the curtain on the multi-billion pound online gambling industry to understand and sympathise with those that find themselves unable to stop chasing that jackpot win. Performed at Northern Stage on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March, the show features accounts of industry experts, health professionals, people in recovery and their loved ones, leaving the audience with an affecting, well-rounded picture of the scale and scope of this issue. With a phone in all of our pockets, we’re now only ever a few clicks away from a quick bet. Leaders in the gambling

industry, whose interest it is to encourage addictive behaviour rather than protect users against it, have more power than ever before. Covering themes of loss, resilience and love, this show empathises with the struggle of addiction away from judgement and stigma. All performances will be followed by a post-show discussion with Dr Matthew Gaskell, Clinical Lead and Consultant Psychologist for the NHS Northern Gambling Service. Gamble is performed at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Friday 1st-Saturday 2nd March. www.thehannahwalker.com

MUSIC IONA LANE AND CATCH THE SPARROW @ CLAYPATH DELI

Words: Tommy Robertson

Set to take the stage at Claypath Delicatessen in Durham on Saturday 16th March, Iona Lane and Catch the Sparrow are part of a new generation of folk musicians who thrive in immersive storytelling.

Glasgow-based Lane studied from notable folk musicians such as Nancy Kerr, Jim Moray and Stuart McCallum, and has furthered their musical world-building and personable songwriting through her own talents as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Releasing her debut album Hallival to critical acclaim in 2022, Iona Lane takes inspiration from the titular mountain on the island of Rum. Scottish folklore and physical inspiration culminate into a delicate yet confident body of work and highlight the depths of her talents and her promise as a performer.

Through her performing name Catch The Sparrow, Suze Terwisscha combines her love

for folklore and composition within her music, portraying a wide variety of genres implemented into her narrative-driven works.

Catch The Sparrow’s late-2022 EP Winter Flowers presents her foray into Northumberland-inspired folk music, presenting a combination of traditional tunes and deeper lyricism.

Audiences can expect an evening of strong vocals, unique instrumentation and the enjoyment of the folk tradition.

Iona Lane and Catch The Sparrow play Claypath Deli, Durham on Saturday 16th March.

www.downbytheriver9.com

MUSIC SHIPCOTE & FRIENDS WITH AURORA STRINGS QUARTET @ THE CLUNY 2

Words: Lee Fisher

In any just world, there’d be a statue of Shippy in the middle of Times Square, a testament to his services to the local music scene going

back almost four decades. His work as one of the Jumpin’ Hot Club team is reason enough to salute the guy – as celebrated in the recent Where Good Music Belongs book about them, they’ve been bringing the best Americana, roots, blues and reggae to the city since the eighties. Not only that, but he’s a fine musician too and his informal, laidback country-swing/ Geordie creole outfit Shipcote & Friends have been making people grin for a long time all over the North East.

This month the outfit are releasing an EP of Shippy originals which sees them paired with both the Aurora Strings Quartet and the marvellous Bridie Jackson, called – with impeccable logic – Shipcote With Strings. And to launch the EP there’s going to be a very special gig at The Cluny 2 on Friday 1st March where Shippy and his band are joined by the Quartet for a one-off performance, which is going to be pretty damn lovely. And Bridie will be the support for that too. Wonderful stuff. Shipcote & Friends with Aurora Strings Quartet and Bridie Jackson play The Cluny 2, Newcastle on Friday 1st March.

www.shipcote.com

Iona Lane

MUSIC THE EARLY PURPLE/ HECTOR GANNET @ THE CLUNY

Words: Dawn Storey

Following their recent tour, which ended with a gig at The Green Room in Stockton for Independent Venue Week where both acts went down a storm, The Early Purple and Hector Gannet are teaming up again to play The Cluny on Thursday 14th March – but this time they’re switching places on the bill.

While The Early Purple, aka Matt Saxon, opened the show solo in Stockton, winning over the crowd with his gentle guitar tunes like Old Eagle and The Way of the Sufi, this time around Saxon will be joined in Newcastle by his multi-limbed band of local musicians to deliver his delightfully worded songs which are inspired by such things as birdwatching, walking in Northumberland and a general election.

Delivering a similar line in indie folk, North Shields-based Hector Gannet were named by

Louder Than War as one of ‘25 bands to change your life in 2020’. Their timeless songs have seen them compared to Crazy Horse and one of their biggest inspirations, Lindisfarne, with a cover of Alan Hull’s Blue Murder being a regular feature of their live set.

With their evocative melodies and songs about the local area, the natural world and the human condition, the two acts are well-matched to provide a compelling evening which promises to showcase the very best of North East music.

The Early Purple and Hector Gannet play The Cluny, Newcastle on Thursday 14th March.

www.theearlypurple.com

www.hecorgannet.com

Words: Nat Greener

It’s A Motherf**king Pleasure promises a night

of bold, unapologetic theatre at Northern Stage on Tuesday 12th March. Written by disability-led theatre company FlawBored with director Josh Roche, this production challenges conventional perceptions of disability and identity politics. Following a triumphant run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, FlawBored brings their biting satire to Newcastle, promising an evening that spares no one from its critique of the commodification of identity.

As recipients of the Edinburgh Untapped Award 2023 and supported by Arts Council England, Wildcard, plus many others, FlawBored are known for pushing boundaries and smashing stereotypes and It’s A Motherf**king Pleasure promises to provoke, entertain and challenge audiences in a cheeky, chaotic journey that defies expectations and sparks conversation. Their integrated, creative approach to accessibility ensures that all audience members can fully engage with their work, without resorting to clichés or pity porn. Get your tickets for an evening that promises to be anything but conventional.

It’s A Motherf**king Pleasure is performed at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Tuesday 12th March.

www.flawbored.com

The Early Purple by Amelia Read

STAGE THE LIGHT HOUSE @ NORTHERN STAGE

Words: Kate Relton

None of us are immune to the complexities of love, but what do you do if the person you love doesn’t want to be alive? A poignant and tender

exploration of what it means to be in love, The Light House guides us gently through the joy and the pain when the production visits Northern Stage on Friday 15th March. A literal love letter to our endless capacity for human connection, The Light House is a powerful story of how we fall in love, and what we must overcome to stay in love.

Sure to take you on a roller-coaster of emotions, the life-affirming show is a rallying

cry for unity, asking us to ‘join the emergency response’ in the face of dark times. A touching

30th March - 7th April 2024

newcastlepuppetryfestival.co.uk

MUSIC

THE HIVES @ O2 CITY HALL

Words: Lee Fisher

When opining that the poor will always be with us, Jesus might also have mentioned garage rock: unchanging, unreconstructed, eternal. Bands will drag rock’s most gloriously troglodyte genre into the limelight for a flickering moment – be it The White Stripes, Thee Headcoats or even The Hives – but even as trends move on, the riffs persist. The Hives have been at it (‘it’ being the rockier end of the garage sound) for more than thirty years and were nearly a decade in before they caused a stir with the timeless Hate To Say I Told You So (one of those classic Later… performances helped). They didn’t release anything after 2012’s Lex Hives album until last year’s Death of Randy Fitzsimmons but seem to be having a notable second act, without really messing with the formula at all.

So if your idea of fun is caveman drums, buzzsaw riffs and a brilliant/ludicrous frontman giving it loads, presented with matching threads and a sense of punky camp, you’ll want to be at O2 City Hall on Thursday 28th March, as these magnificent Swedes strike poses, recycle 50 year old guitar lines and mangle the English language.

The Hives play O2 City Hall, Newcastle on Thursday 28th March. www.thehives.com

MUSIC MANGA SAINT

HILARE @ WORLD HEADQUARTERS

Words: Tommy Robertson

London-based grime artist Manga Saint Hilare is to perform at World Headquarters on Wednesday 6th March, bringing his introspective and unique lyricism to a new stage. Formerly recording as part of Roll Deep, a noughties grime crew who achieved commercial success through songs such as Good Times and Green Light, Matthew Reid took on a new identity as a solo artist, seeking to be less explicit and outlandish in exchange for vulnerability. This shift has seen accolades and several successful projects as a result, and continues to show his multi-faceted artistry at play.

Promoting the latest in a series of critically acclaimed albums, Everything Is Under Control is a cathartic look at the formative years of his life as he faces newfound fatherhood, his own emotions and self-empowerment. He has been known for reinvention between projects, and this album is no exception; the latest life milestones have furthered a sense of fearlessness within his artistry, and the experimental quality of a variety of these tracks cements this.

The show itself is to feature special guests and will be a forward-thinking grime show which serves as a culmination of the dedication that has been put into the project.

Manga Saint Hilare performs at World Headquarters on Wednesday 6th March.

www.mangasainthilare.com

COMEDY

ROSIE JONES: TRIPLE THREAT @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Nat Greener

Contemporary comedian Rosie Jones embarks on a rollicking UK tour this month, bringing her Triple Threat show to The Witham (12th March), Gala Theatre (13th March) and Northern Stage (14th March).

Prepare for a hilarious exploration of Rosie’s self-identity, as she humorously muses on whether she’s a national treasure, a little prick, or something delightfully in between! With Rosie’s trademark cheekiness and boundless energy, this show promises to be an unapologetic celebration of joy. Renowned for her hit travel series Trip Hazard and Mission: Accessible, Rosie Jones is a familiar face on popular TV panel shows like The Last Leg, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Mock the Week.

Triple Threat promises an evening of pure entertainment and belly laughs and will be a must-see event for comedy lovers thanks to Rosie’s electrifying performance, filled with nonsensical fun. British Sign Language interpretation and/or captioning are available upon request, contact the venues for more details.

Rosie Jones performs at The Witham, Barnard Castle on Tuesday 12th, Gala Theatre in Durham on Wednesday 13th and Northern Stage, Newcastle on Thursday 14th March. www.rosiejonescomedy.com

The Hives by Bisse Bengtsson

MUSIC BAD BOY CHILLER CREW @ MIDDLESBROUGH EMPIRE

Words: Donald Jenkins

Bradford’s finest export, Bad Boy Chiller Crew land at Middlesborough Empire for a night of club-charged anthems, tongue-in-cheek lyricism and addictive basslines on Saturday 16th March.

The Yorkshire rap collective comprised of Gareth ‘GK’ Kelly, Kane Welsh and Sam ‘Clive’ Robinson rose to fame with online prank videos chronicling their debauched antics. Taking influence from the bassline house and MC culture they grew up with, they’ve evolved their own sound, lacing pacey 4x4 beats with frantic ear-worm hooks. Embracing the term ‘charva’ as a way of life, they channel nuances and absurdities of Northern street life into hugely addictive tunes.

Their debut album Disrespectful reached number two on the Official Album Charts, and UK Top 10 release BMW was one of 2022’s bestselling singles. They have blown away

audiences at Primavera Sound, Glastonbury and Parklife, and were even nominated for Group of The Year at the BRIT Awards in 2023 (the crew arrived at the esteemed red carpet via horse and carriage).

Taking commercial glory to a new high, the group are touring with their new album Influential, which features singles When It Rains It Pours, Jurgen Kropper and club banger Slidin’, marking the beginnings of a fresh chapter for the boys.

Bad Boy Chiller Crew play Middlesbrough Empire on Saturday 16th March.

www.bad-boy-chiller-crew.com

LIVE MUSIC THEATRE CINEMA EXHIBITIONS

Bad Boy Chiller Crew by Joe Magowan

ART & LIT SEB TREND: XTRALIFE @ NGCA

Words: Jennifer Wilson

XTRALIFE is an exhibition that showcases Seb Trend’s unique technique of ‘melted photographs’ in artist-made frames. In this exhibition, which comes to Sunderland’s Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art from Saturday 9th March to Sunday 9th June, the photographs are being displayed together for the first time.

The artist’s technique involves manipulating photographic emulsion through a painting process similar to alchemy, which results in a combination of photographic and painted elements, the metamorphosis of photograph to painting. The exhibition explores the concept of ‘in-between’ states such as molten and solid, representation and abstraction, permanence and momentary. The photographs are printed on KODAK XTRALIFE paper, known for its longevity and is reflected in the name of the exhibition.

Seb Trend, now based in Gateshead, was originally born in Finland and graduated from Northumbria University in 2008. Seb has previously exhibited his work in shows such as

Fake Paintings (with Jane Millican) at 36 Lime St, Newcastle (2021), Liquid Mud Paintings (solo) at Slugtown, Newcastle (2018), Painting in the Dark (solo) at 36 Lime St, Newcastle (2016), and RIFF/T (group) at Baltic 39, Newcastle (2013).

Don’t miss this opportunity to see a unique blend of photography and painting that challenges traditional art forms.

Seb Trend: XTRALIFE is at Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland from Saturday 9th March to Sunday 9th June. www.sebastiantrend.com

MUSIC OZRIC TENTACLES/ GONG @ THE GEORGIAN THEATRE/NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

Words: Michael O’Neill

This deeply eclectic co-headlining offering of proggy, jam-band glory drops into two North East venues this month – Stockton’s Georgian Theatre on Monday 17th and Newcastle University Students’ Union on Thursday 21st

March.

Fronted by the infamous Ed Wynne, Somerset outfit Ozric Tentacles have managed to shift over a million albums despite having never put pen to a major-label contract after more than 40 years in the game. It’s no small feat, and one that becomes all the more admirable when you take even the shallowest dip into their deep sonic pool, which takes in elements of psych, prog, space rock, jazz fusion, electronica and dub. It’s easy to see why they command such a hardcore cult following, as they’re truly one of a kind.

GONG co-headline, a long-running prog institution who carry the unique distinction of boasting a line-up who were either still in primary school or yet to be born when the band initially formed. Although this may seem like sacrilege on paper, the quintet have long been acclaimed for carrying on the mantle of the iconic band with grace, with the widespread acclaim afforded to 2019’s The Universe Also Collapses making it clear they’re worthy of inheriting the moniker.

Ozric Tentacles and GONG play The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Monday 17th and Newcastle University Students’ Union on Thursday 21st March.

www.ozrics.com

Seb Trend, manipulated photograph. Courtesy of the artist

ART & LIT BEYOND THE LOUDSPEAKER @ NEWCASTLE CONTEMPORARY ART

Words: Jennifer Wilson

Beyond The Loudspeaker is a performanceinstallation created by the collaborative duo John Richards (Dirty Electronics) and Tim Shaw. The installation explores alternative methods

for producing electronic sound without the use of conventional loudspeakers.

High voltage sparks, plasma speakers and electromechanical devices are used to summon sounds for a real immersive experience enriched with sequences of camera flashes and electromagnetic pumps among other things like dry ice (who doesn’t love the smell of dry ice?) and ‘Jacobs Ladders’ which I had to look up, as I was sure this did not refer to the terrifying film from 1990. Clue: it’s a high voltage climbing arc and they look pretty cool to be honest.

As a duo, Richards and Shaw have performed

across Europe, completed a residency in Japan and organised many sound art workshops.

Beyond The Loudspeaker was recently developed and presented in Hong Kong at the Sound Forms Festival but fret not, no long distance travel is required, it’s coming to Newcastle Contemporary Art from Thursday 7th-Saturday 9th March and it promises to be a unique experience for electronic music lovers.

Beyond The Loudspeaker encompasses a live performance event on Thursday 7th and a workshop on Saturday 9th March at Newcastle Contemporary Art. www.visitnca.com

Dirty Electronics and Tim Shaw by Winston Yeung

COMEDY

MC HAMMERSMITH @ ARC/THE STAND

Words: Laura Doyle

Won’t somebody think of the middle class white male?! In a genre that has too long been woefully under-representative of this persecuted minority comes hip-hop’s saviour: one of the minds behind Epic Rap Battles of History, TikTok sensation and recipient of an MA in Linguistics from Edinburgh University, MC Hammersmith.

Using an extraordinarily specific set of skills combining linguistic masterism, improv comedy and a love for the genre of hip-hop, your host with the most promises to wow his crowd with a non-stop set of on-the-spot bespoke rap songs crafted entirely from audience suggestions when he graces the North East with shows at ARC on Saturday 23rd and The Stand on Wednesday 27th March.

MC Hammersmith’s UK tour comes fresh off the back of the release of his debut album, Mother’s Fettuccine, which features a solid mix

of never-before-heard raps, scripted tracks and reissues of those spur-of-the-moment viral raps re-recorded in studio quality. Don’t expect to hear any at these shows, though – because that’s not how the world’s leading improvcomedy-gangsta-rapper rolls. Hardcore fans of MC Hammersmith could enjoy two unique shows to prove that no two performances are the same.

MC Hammersmith performs at ARC, Stockton on Saturday 23rd and The Stand, Newcastle on Wednesday 27th March.

www.mchammersmith.com

MUSIC CREEPER @ BOILER SHOP

Words: Niamh Poppleton

A fusion of My Chemical Romance and Sisters of Mercy, goth punk band Creeper have a creative musical style infused with horror aesthetics, intriguing lyrics and ominous undertones, and the band embrace their vampiric new vibes on their 12 Days of Night

Tour at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop on Wednesday 20th March.

In October 2023, Creeper unveiled their latest album Sanguivore – an alluring vampirethemed punk rock fantasy, straight from the underbelly of Hell. Filled with religious imagery filtered through a black haze, the album is practically the diary of the Devil-stolen soul of Dracula. If The Lost Boys were to be made today, lead single Cry To Heaven, which is infused with 80s feels, would undoubtedly be on the soundtrack. Opening with the tormented cries of the underworld, the song is a twisted tale of vampiric romance; with incantations that lure the listener in, it certainly feels as though you are “under the Devil’s spell”. Though it completely contrasts the band’s 2020 album Sex, Death & The Infinite Void, which was certainly more Mother Mother in style, Sanguivore is a creative and dark era for Creeper to entrance fans and new listeners alike.

Creeper play Boiler Shop, Newcastle on Wednesday 20th March.

www.creepercult.com

MC Hammersmith

STAGE AND: A DANCE POEM @ THE WITHAM

Words: Kate Relton

Scottish contemporary dance artist Charlotte Mclean invites us to question and debate the complexities of life in her dance poem AND at The Witham on Thursday 7th March.

An ever-evolving piece that started life as a text message to a friend, Mclean has developed AND over a period of five years, resulting in a dance performance piece that explores culture, identity, politics and women’s health.

A combination of contemporary and highland dance, spoken word and political commentary, AND celebrates the vast spectrum of human experience, from the mundane to the bizarre.

Born out of the desperation and loneliness she felt at university, Mclean’s original text message

became a list of ways to survive, starting with dancing in the park with a friend.

Now a long way from its initial form, Mclean hopes the dance poem will be a lifelong experiment in expression, and one that grows and evolves with her.

AND: A Dance Poem is performed at The Witham, Barnard Castle on Thursday 7th March.

www.iamcharlottemclean.com

Image by Maria Falconer

MUSIC

SUNN O))) @ BOILER SHOP

Words:

Lee Fisher

It would be easy to take potshots at Sunn O))), but you’d be missing the point and missing out on one of the most powerful and inventive live acts around. The grimm-robes, the portentousness, the claws and the hails are all easy to mock, but it’s much more satisfying to immerse yourself in their schtick and feel your internal organs vibrate to the point of failure.

Because Sunn O))) are loud. Beautifully, crushingly, cathartically loud.

With core members Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson both fully immersed in all sorts of metal subgenres but also pulling everything from jazz to minimalism, drone to ritual music into the black hole that is their sound, a Sunn O))) show is a powerful and affecting experience, regardless of the trappings. It’s a real coup to get them at the Boiler Shop on Wednesday 27th March and like the man said, maximum volume yields maximum results. Sunn O))) play Boiler Shop, Newcastle on Wednesday 27th March with support from Jesse Sykes with Phil Wandscher and Bill Herzog.

www.sunn.bandcamp.com

MUSIC

BENJAMIN AMOS @ TOFT HOUSE

Words: Mera Royle

The musical expression of Benjamin Amos has been pummelling a large and much-loved path through the North East music scene over the last decade. His last album, Letters, is a stunning culmination of contemporary influences intermingled with the artist’s Celtic roots. His music describes deep, uniquely human experiences of relationships and heartbreak with intricate soul writing, beautiful vocal harmonies and reflective tones.

Next on his musical travels, Amos is performing at Middlesbrough’s Toft House on Saturday 9th March and attendees will discover a stirring display of diversity within our local art scene. Also performing are inventive, youthful indie up-and-comers Maeve & The Trains, whose witty ponderings and subtle humour is self-described as ‘punk leftist riot grrrl fight jazz fan feminist rebel rockers’, with tunes that will be lodged in your head for weeks.

The evening promises to be an event of impressively creative sound all within the welcoming walls of Toft House, a not-for-profit venue, who with proud conviction have established themselves as The Home of Unpopular Music. With alt. style abounding, this is a night of live music loaded with great ideas and melodies, jam-packed with insights to relate to and reflect on.

Benjamin Amos and Maeve & The Trains play Toft House, Middlesbrough on Saturday 9th

March.

www.benjaminamos.bandcamp.com

ART & LIT JOCK & JOHN MOONEY: NOT IN SERVICE @ VANE GALLERY

Words: Kate Relton

Only the third time father and son artists have exhibited together, Not In Service is a rare chance to see creations from John and Jock Mooney hanging side by side.

Throughout March, Gateshead’s Vane Gallery will bring together a mix of drawings, paintings and sculpture in an exhibition which responds to the creative prompt ‘not in service’, resulting in pieces as diverse in media as they are in meaning.

Though the Scottish artists use different methods and materials, their work is universally thought-provoking and shares a sense of the absurd. The pair create a diverse, kaleidoscopic visual world, exploring the theme through intricate pen drawings, garish and colourful sculpture, enamel reliefs and family portraits. Described as “a mirror to our trouble times”, Not In Service is a playful and macabre dive into the gnarly questions of life, from mortality to religion, science and the supernatural.

Jock & John Mooney: Not In Service runs from Thursday 29th February to Saturday 23rd March at Vane in Gateshead.

www.vane.org.uk

SUNNO))) by Angela Betancourt

MUSIC MICHAEL GALLAGHER @ KU

Words: Jennifer Wilson

Get ready for a night of electrifying indie rock as Michael Gallagher, Hartlepool’s rising star, takes the stage at KU in Stockton alongside his full band on Saturday 9th March.

13 MAR - 16 MAR

Known for anthemic 90s influenced sound and sharply observed lyrics, Michael has enthralled audiences at renowned festivals including Isle of Wight, The Gathering Sounds and Stockton Calling, and has sold out headline shows across the UK, including his home-town show at Hartlepool Town Hall.

With influences ranging from The Strokes to The Beatles, his music has received critical acclaim from Radio X, BBC Introducing and Clash Magazine, so don’t miss the chance to

see Michael perform his well-loved songs along with some brand new material, recorded with Manchester-based producer Alex Quinn at the former Parr Street Studios. Support comes from singer-songwriter Megan Wyn and indie artist Stan Buckroyd. This is sure to be an unforgettable gig at a class venue!

Michael Gallagher, Megan Wyn and Stan Buckroyd perform at KU, Stockton on Saturday 9th March.

www.michaelgallaghermusic.co.uk

I HAVE ENJOYED SUBVERTING PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS OF HOW THEY THINK A UKULELE SHOULD SOUND

AMELIA COBURN

DAVID SAUNDERS TALKS TO THE MIDDLESBROUGH SONGWRITER AND UKULELE VIRTUOSO ABOUT THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL LYRICALLY PAINTED WORLDS CONJURED UP ON HER LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM IMAGE BY MIKE SREENAN

People say good things come to those who wait and that most certainly rings true to fans of Middlesbrough singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn. The artist has been wowing audiences around the UK with her captivating live performances, beautiful songs and weird and wonderful lyrically painted worlds for a decade or so, and is now finally set to release her debut album.

It’s not as though Amelia hasn’t been doing much in the time she decided to pick up an instrument to now; she’s made the final of the BBC Folk Awards, received praise from the likes of Folk Radio, Songwriting Magazine, BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson and BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe, toured across the UK, made various festival appearances and supported the likes of The Wedding Present, Ashley Campbell and the late folk legend Vin Garbutt.

Not since George Formby has a musician been more synonymous with the ukulele, but in the same way the guitar or the synth have appealed to artists in indie and subculture genres in recent history, it was its availability and ease of playing that appealed to Amelia. “As a teenager, I picked up the ukulele because it was (and still is) a very accessible instrument. You can learn a few chords within minutes and you don’t have to break the bank to buy one. As I became more skilled at playing it, I realised how versatile it is and have enjoyed subverting people’s expectations of how they think a ukulele should sound.” Amelia has been writing songs since she was 15, and alongside mastering and reinventing the ukulele she has also been evolving as an artist and being more honest in her songwriting, as she goes on to explain: “If we discount the terrible songs I wrote when I was 15 (they are hidden away nicely in the vaults), I don’t think much has changed, but I do think my voice and lyrics have evolved and matured. My early songs leaned more on the whimsical and slightly ‘twee’ side, whereas as I have gotten older and more cynical, the themes delve deeper into personal matters and, I guess, the nature of existence.”

This patient and organic artistic progression that Amelia has been on, as well as the conditions of being “100% happy with all the songs, having enough money to fund the recording process, and finding the right collaborator” being met, has finally resulted in Between The Moon And The Milkman, which is set for release on Friday 8th March. This collection of tales conjures up a variety of characters inspired by literature, film and, something that Amelia is very passionate about, travel.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a burning desire to see the world. Not only because I want to eat my way around it and try every dish possible, but I enjoy meeting new people from different places and hearing their stories. This is why I chose a degree in Modern Languages at University. As part of my studies, I spent a year living in Paris, Mexico and Russia and some of the characters I encountered made their way onto the album.”

It’s a joy to meet these characters from far away places and the

corners of Amelia’s imagination (with some of the notable highlights being the vengeful widow Amelia lived with in Paris, and an ‘impish old chap’ from the Dublin Leprechaun Museum) as you go on a sonic journey told through her harmonious, airy vocals and presented on a varying pallet of music from the galloping percussion and cinematic tones of her second single When The Tide Rolls In, to the Latin strums and tender rhythm of Oh Captain Guide Me Home and the vibrant sea shanty Perfect Storm. The uke sounds delightful throughout, and never bogs down the album as the arrangements are not tied to the instrument, allowing Amelia to break free from it to sample other instruments including a baritone ukulele, a stick dulcimer and a glockenspiel.

There’s plenty there for fans of folk but you can see that Amelia is not tied to the genre and alongside the olde English Baroque-pop moments, there’s a notable feel of the golden-age of Hollywood, New York city swing and more artsy, explorative elements of music, which Amelia confirms. “Before I got into my ‘cool’ music era, my walls were covered in posters of Liza Minelli, Julie Andrews and Doris Day. As an adult, this morphed into a love for Tin Pan Alley jazz and the more theatrical side of pop, like Rufus Wainwright and Divine Comedy.”

The richness that comes from the tapestry of sounds that adorns and accentuates the core element of ukulele and voice is delicately done by producer, and former The Coral guitarist, Bill Ryder-Jones, a collaborator that brought the best out of Amelia, as she explains: “Working with Bill was, to say the least, an incredible experience. He instantly grasped where each track was coming from. Some of the songs had been previously recorded so it was a bit of a lurch to get my head out of the sonic space they had once existed in, or how I imagined they should sound. Bill really helped me take the songs to unexpected places with a fuller sound.”

The release of the album sees Amelia head out on the road for a tour of the UK, which will see her performing at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Saturday 8th June, and so I finish by asking her how her evolving style and studio experimentation has translated to her live performances. “I think as a solo performer there is more than a dash of chanson about how I present the songs – slightly melodramatic and emoted in a different way to how I might with a fuller accompaniment. Having a band, however, takes some of the pressure off and I can focus on properly performing the songs without worrying I’ll mess up a chord. It was great to try them out for the first time with a full band at ARC in December and I’m looking forward to how the songs might develop on tour this Summer.” Amelia Coburn releases Between The Moon And The Milkman on 8th March. She plays The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Saturday 8th June.

www.ameliacoburn.co.uk

STOCKTON CALLING

CLAIRE DUPREE, JASON JONES, KATE RELTON AND STEVE SPITHRAY DISCOVER WHAT THE MULTI-VENUE FESTIVAL HAS IN STORE

Ten venues. Over 80 bands. One day. It can only be Stockton Calling! Teesside’s longest-running multi-venue festival returns on Saturday 30th March for what promises to be a talentpacked day of musical delights.

As usual, ARC plays host to two stages. The main venue sees enigmatic frontman Tom Clark bring his chart-topping indie guitar band The Enemy to the top spot. They’re ably assisted by the infinitely danceable and wonderfully melodic indie pop of Ellur; synth-laden purveyor of skulking grooves and devilishly infectious hooks Good Cop Bad Cop; North East songwriter supremo Hector Gannet; gritty-meets-glam wild indie rockers The Chase; sharp-tongued South Shields songstress Cortney Dixon; and massive riff-meisters Gone Tomorrow

The Kids Are Solid Gold take the helm at ARC 2, where edgy post-punkers Deadletter bring their gutter punk for the masses to the headline slot. Also performing is socially-aware songwriter Gemma Rogers; five-piece melodic indie rockers Reignmaker; the mysterious Velkro, who are influenced by The Cure, Warpaint and My Bloody Valentine; Sun King, whose sound nods to soul, jazz and funk; Glaswegian Lizzie Reid blends melodic folk with a pop sensibility; fellow Glasgowdweller Tina Sandwich brings the romp and pomp of synth pop; while Brodie Milner combines intelligent lyricism with intricate melodies.

Around the corner at KU, headliner Corella meld luscious indie

TEESSIDE’S LONGEST-RUNNING MULTI-VENUE FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A TALENT-PACKED DAY OF MUSICAL DELIGHTS

MUSIC

L-R, T-B: Dilettante, Getdown Services, Girlband

penmanship with a knack for emotive lyricism; maximalist trio NOISY bring a diverse mix of alternative rock and electronica; Liverpool four-piece The Kairos offer up their full-throttle rock and roll; Mancunian four-piece The Covasettes’ infectious riffs and pop rock grooves will have you heading straight for the dancefloor; Reverend & The Makers’ guitarist Ed Cosens brings an irresistible combination of brooding vulnerability, soaring vocals and lush instrumentation; The Guestlist’s simple guitar riffs and aloof manner have won them fans far and wide; Teesside-via-Newcastle’s Sarah Johnsone moves effortlessly from dreamy, soulful jazz vocals to powerful alt. rock; Darlington’s hottest indie band Blackout The Arcade are your go-to for alternative indie rock with a touch of psychedelic energy; and if classic angry punk is what you need, Teesside five-piece Dossers are bringing the revolution with a blend of post-punk, rock, metal and indie.

Sister venue The Social Room welcomes eclectic and eccentric Welsh psych rockers CVC (Church Village Collective in full) to their headline spot with their sleazy yet soulful melodic loungecore. Also performing are Wings of Desire, who peddle sublime indie pop, sultry spoken word and dreamy shoegaze; Nottingham’s GIRLBAND! offer up a dayglo musical omelette of influences incorporating everything from Elvis to Dee-Lite, plus contemporaries such as Wet Leg and Big Moon; North London trio Safe At Any Speed pair scrappy guitars with cocksure vocals to produce short, acerbic slabs of wit; post-punk bedroom project sounds mint has mushroomed into a snowballing juggernaut worthy of support slots for the mighty Blur; firm favourites of the North East scene, Cat Ryan have honed their art rock sound to encompass rattling guitars and foot-tapping beats; Newcastle’s Hannah Robinson’s sound takes

a broad swipe at evocative indie rock and dream pop; alt. indie band Weathership brings poignancy, lyricism and influences from jazz to Americana; and Durham’s teenage trio Jam Tub bring an explosive combination of blues, rock, punk and grunge to the stage.

The Storytellers welcome back promoters This Feeling, whose headliners The Lilacs are one of the hottest indie pop bands of recent years thanks to their dynamic and animated mix of reflective storytelling and jangling guitar-driven melodies. Also on the bill, Dictator morph from indie to pop and electronica with irrepressible energy; rising alt. rock stars LOCK-IN lace every track with a touch of indie Britpop, memorable guitar riffs and catchy lyrics; Toy Car offer up a raw, retro sound, with roaring guitars and seductively dark themes; young Yorkshire quartet The Slates are passionate and energetic; about-faces promise a dreamy sound world of lyrical storytelling; Glasgow’s THETA are equally comfortable with a belting pop melody or a wild guitar solo; while the infectious Sunbeam’s anthemic hooks are as bright as their name suggests.

The Georgian Theatre’s line-up features headliners and indie Britpop legends The Bluetones who, alongside a catalogue of fan favourites, are set to showcase their first new material in 14 years. Also performing are duo Getdown Services, who deal in groove-inflected slabs of synthy goodness and cheeky, rambling diatribes about everything and nothing; expect brooding vocals, fuzz-laden guitars and moreish choruses from Newcastle’s Ernie; Newcastle’s thriving indie frontrunner Lizzie Esau is standing on the cusp of a massive year; Hartlepool’s Scruffy Bear have won much acclaim for their bluesy hard rock; anarchic six-piece No Teeth will wreak havoc with their bold and dissonant punk rock; End Credits are at the vanguard of Teesside’s new wave of young indie rock; and Teesside four-piece Wingz Of The Monkey are full of poetic punky spirit.

Next door at The Green Room, here at NARC. we’ve curated a tasty North East-centric line-up which features headliner Dilettante, the delightful art-pop project of multiinstrumentalist Francesca Pidgeon, whose genre-phobic approach to music results in everything from fuzzy guitar licks to five-part saxophone harmonies and glitchy percussion. There’s also excitable indie rock from Hartlepool’s DAWKS; the widescreen indie rock of Sugar Roulette; Tyneside’s Fashion Tips, who peddle a distinct brand of deadpan, punchy and danceable angst pop; the dark and atmospheric pop of hotly tipped Middlesbrough-based artist Loren Heat; raucous and

intense metalcore Teesside quintet All Before; and the off-kilter sound and pissed-off racket off hotly-tipped newcomers, Maeve & The Trains

The Globe’s little sister venue The Link’s line-up has been put together by Darlington’s Noisy Daughters, and includes London trio deep tan, whose endlessly danceable cuts of thoughtful post-punk will hypnotise and intoxicate. The North East’s own mesmeric alt. rockers Pave The Jungle provide suitably cacophonous support; plus there’s poppy indie from India Arkin; dark pop, blues and dirty electric guitar from Pretty Velvet; Lake District-born Melanie Baker explores modern life and Queer identity with a captivating mix of raw vulnerability and poetic lyricism; Darlington singer-songwriter Emily Rowan has already turned countless heads with her tender, self-penned acoustic cuts; and Marina Josephina blends soulful elements with a tender appreciation of jazz and classic R&B.

BBC Introducing have taken over the stage at Sticky’s. Their headliners, Venus Grrrls, have evolved from pure riot grrrl, occasionally flirting with space rock, before harking back to their punk roots with a subtle metal twist. In support, Teesside’s pastoral indie veterans Moon Wax will bring the gentle funk and nu-soul to the party; there’s luscious West Coast indie from Mt. Misery; spiky and melodic sounds from Dayzies; expect a fun, high-energy performance from Durham’s charming indie pop quintet Ivies; Northern troubadour Jack Rasmussen has an ear for a spellbinding melody; Middlesbrough-born singer-songwriter Church, Honey brings the heart and soul to indie rock; while off-kilter, deadpan and gloriously moustachioed artist Trunky Juno kicks off proceedings in fine fashion.

At nearby NE Volume Music Bar, their headline act is Lucia & The Best Boys, who offer a blend of catchy indie pop and messages of strength and resilience. There’s also dreamy, nostalgic indie pop from Manchester-based Megan Wyn; Cusp’s songs fizz and sparkle with an ebullient verve; there’s affable alt. pop from singer-songwriter Spielmann; Jen Dixon hits the sweet spot between blissful indie and socially-aware pop; North East psych punks TV Death promise a scintillating live show; Britpop-influenced Stockton-based trio Risco will get the venue moving; while Lost In Translation meld elements of rock, pop and funk.

Stockton Calling takes place at various venues in Stockton on Saturday 30th March.

www.stocktoncalling.co.uk

L-R, T-B: ELLUR,Venus Grrrls, Corella by Sam Crawston

BERWICK FILM AND MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL

SARAH STORER DISCOVERS THEMES OF CONFLICT, LIBERATION AND FREEDOM IN THE FILM FESTIVAL’S EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME

The 19th Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival returns to venues in the town from Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th March. Featuring world premieres by artists from nine different countries, with all films looking at liberation and freedom in a global context, the festival promises to be both relevant and emotional.

BFMAF Director Peter Taylor said of the festival: “We look to films capable of grappling with complex entanglements, expressing disciplines of hope that may draw us closer together.” In line with the themes of liberation and freedom, the festival highlights filmmakers whose work greatly follows these topics.

The first is Basma al-Sharif, a nomadic artist and filmmaker of Palestinian origin, whose debut feature Ourobous is an experimental homage to the Gaza Strip; also celebrated is Argentinian film director Eduardo Williams, who will showcase his film The Human Surge and its sequel The Human Surge 3, which explore characters alienated by the internet and the effects of technology.

The current wars in Ukraine and Palestine offer recollections of past conflicts in similar areas. Restorations of Leida Laius’ A Stolen Meeting and Heiny Srour’s The Hour of Liberation Has Arrived, set in Estonia and Oman respectively, look at life just before the fall of the USSR and the temporary secular and equalitarian society in Dhofar.

The Propositions strand of the festival allows filmmakers to further expand on their work, and explain their journey behind each film. Premiering in this section include barrunto by Emilia Beatriz, an environmental look at grief and resistance in varying landscapes, from Puerto Rico to Scotland; and Onyeka Igwe’s radical theatre event And Let History Begin, which invites the audience to interact with her show. Her film A Radical Duet, about two anti-colonialist women in 1940s London is followed by a communal reading and discussion of Sylvia Wynter’s 1973 play Maskarade.

The festival is unique without its jury, and instead awards 23 films with a cash prize, ensuring they are all seen with equal

WE LOOK TO FILMS CAPABLE OF GRAPPLING WITH COMPLEX ENTANGLEMENTS, EXPRESSING DISCIPLINES OF HOPE THAT MAY DRAW US CLOSER TOGETHER

merit. Some of the films in the New Cinema Awards include A Stone’s Throw, directed by Razan AlSalah (Palestine, Lebanon, Canada), which focuses on a Palestinian elder’s journey from being displaced from Haifa, Israel to a work camp on the Persian Gulf; To Exist Under Permanent Suspicion, directed by Valentin Noujaïm (France) in which an executive on the verge of a breakdown has violent visions in Paris’s giant business district La Défense; and History of the Present, directed by Margaret Salmon and Maria Fusco (UK), an ‘experimental feminist opera-film’ which discusses class and conflict, politics in Northern Ireland and the importance of working-class women’s voices.

There are also free screenings of films under the themes of space and place, with particular highlights including Hexham Heads by Chloë Delanghe and Mattijs Driesen, which looks at a series of paranormal events in 1970s Hexham through personal archives and photographic documentation; Ready or Not by Cécile B. Evans, an expansive research journey by Evans which follows students from a high school in northern Paris; Dau:añcut // Moving Along Image by Adam Piron, in which an unknown Ukrainian tattooed a portrait of a relative of a filmmaker in his Native American regalia. The film discusses what happens when the control of an image is lost.

The Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival takes place in various locations across Berwick from Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th March.

www.bfmaf.org

L-R, T-B: Basma al-Sharif, A Radical Duet by Onyeka Igwe, A Stolen Meeting by Leida Laius

SAINT SAVIOUR

DAWN STOREY TALKS TO THE STOCKTON NATIVE ABOUT HER NEW ALBUM, HONESTY IN SONGWRITING AND AN EMOTIONAL HOMETOWN RETURN

It’s been ages since we last heard from Saint Saviour, but the Stockton-born songstress also known as Becky Jones returns this month with her fourth album, Sunseeker, and a short tour to promote it. Much of the new album was inspired by walking around London, and she spent a lot of time listening back to her initial compositions while visiting galleries and parks.

“I have a very long-winded songwriting technique,” she says. “I write melodies for about two weeks, then I go walking for hours every day, listening back and making lyrical notes. I love walking. I live by the Thames and I like to go out and thrash through the tourists and tut at them for walking too slow. After about six months I’ll have a good few full songs. Bill Ryder-Jones produced this and my second album. I give him an idea of what I want to achieve and he springs into action, plays pretty much everything and I feed him snacks.”

Also known for her work with Groove Armada and The RGBs, Becky began releasing solo songs in 2010 and her upcoming release is her most accessible so far. “I ended up with the name Sunseeker to reference the lighter mood I was trying to achieve. My last album was more electronic and the arrangements were quite complex and precise. With Sunseeker I was trying to find a lightness of sound as well as mood – loosen everything up a bit.”

Known for her honesty about everything from mental health to motherhood, it’s no surprise that this also comes through in her songwriting. Sunseeker is her attempt to embed encouraging

WITH SUNSEEKER I WAS TRYING TO FIND A LIGHTNESS OF SOUND AS WELL AS MOOD

MUSIC

messages to her daughter in her work whilst also dealing with grief. “I started writing A Picture Is All I Have about a photo of me having just given birth,” she says. “I felt superhuman, and the photo connects me back to that strength and reminds me what is possible, as it’s very easy to forget. The song evolved and travelled through photos of my grandmother and mother, both of whom we lost very suddenly and too soon. After the shock dissipates, you are left only with your memory of them and that can begin to fade.”

It’s an undoubtedly emotive album but, while at times there’s an ethereal air and a vulnerability in her vocals (particularly in Poetry and Not Nothing), there’s also a warmth and positivity to the messages within. The opening song’s “you’re better than this” chorus refrain is a reassuring mantra, while Let’s Go Outside is a brilliantly sunny pop tune.

Becky is both delighted and anxious to be returning for a gig in her home town on Thursday 28th March. “I haven’t played Saint Saviour music for ten years,” she says. “I’ve been building a new live band and putting a set together from my last three albums, so it will be a bit of an eclectic mix. I’m a bit nervous about being emotional in Stockton as it will be my first hometown gig without my Mam and also without my mate Tom Butchart of Sound it Out Records, who passed away last year. I have just always had an intense passion for music and have never considered anything else. I’ve built a life around it over decades so there’s no turning back now!”

Saint Saviour plays The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Thursday 28th March. Sunseeker is released on 22nd March via VLF.

www.saintsaviour.co.uk

LITTLE BUILDINGS

ALI WELFORD TALKS TO ALLAN SCORER ABOUT LITTLE BUILDINGS’ TENTH ANNIVERSARY

When you weigh up its significance to the local scene, the place it holds in so many hearts and the sheer volume of memories etched into its hole-ridden walls, the fact Little Buildings opened its doors a mere decade back may register as something of a surprise. “We still have the first receipt of payment in the office – it reads Friday 21st March 2014,” confirms Allan Scorer, who along with father Allan Sr. is the current custodian of Newcastle’s smallest, sweatiest regular live music space. “We’ve hosted everything: mad indie gigs, heavy shows, Queer nights… Just seeing people cut loose and having a good time is my bread and butter.”

First established by Cole Gilroy (now co-founder of nearby venue The Grove), the Scorers took on Little Buildings’ original premises on Ouseburn’s Ford Street in 2017, owing, says Allan, to “massively under-diagnosed neurodivergence and impulsivity.”

“I was in Trillians after being paid off from my previous job when I heard the place was for sale, so I pinged off a message at 1:30am and it all started from there!” He recalls. “It’s my dad that’s responsible for everything really. He’d been working in Groningen and going to a punk bar called Crowbar. He started saying ‘We need our own venue!’ and when I told him I’d found one his first words were ‘Your Mam’s gonna kill us!’”

Insufficient due diligence, petty noise complaints and the small matter of a global pandemic are just some of the challenges the pair have subsequently overcome, in a period that’s witnessed Little Buildings’ transformation from a BYOB rehearsal and occasional gig space to a fully licensed and – whisper it –professionalised local staple. “BYOB and DIY are beautiful and romantic as fuck,” Allan admits, “but if you want to build a scene that provides opportunities and jobs – not just for artists, but for promoters, photographers, graphic designers or sound engineers – it’s just not sustainable.” The biggest change of all was the

JUST SEEING PEOPLE CUT LOOSE AND HAVING A GOOD TIME IS MY BREAD AND BUTTER

protracted move to Little Buildings’ current home on Stepney Bank, yet through it all the venue’s core ethos – that of a welcoming, rough-around-the-edges space where anything goes – remains largely intact. “We get people who come as metalheads and leave as indie kids, who start with hip-hop and leave playing the violin; that’s the kind of ecosystem that’s bubbled up,” Allan reflects. “I only recently discovered this is the second time the Stepney Bank property’s been in the family,” he enthuses. “Many years ago, Holmes printing service was run by my Dad’s uncle. That side of the family’s been in the Valley for nearly 300 years, so it’s nice to know we have roots here.”

Going forwards, Allan plans further renovations and the continuation of a partnership with Anarchy Brew Co., whose 450-capacity space (around eight times that of Little Buildings) has allowed them to promote shows and raise funds which wouldn’t be possible at Stepney Bank. Among them is this month’s all-dayer to mark Little Buildings’ 10th birthday, with St Buryan, MXYM, Kkett, Club Paradise and Badger among the acts performing across two stages on Saturday 23rd March, with more still to be announced.

“They’re some of my favourite bands and some of my favourite people,” Allan gushes. “A lot of them were cutting their teeth with us back in the early days at Ford Street, and it’s brilliant to see how they’ve all grown. We couldn’t ignore the 10th anniversary – it feels like we alone have had the place for about 20!”

LittleMania: 10 Years of Little Buildings takes place on Saturday 23rd March at Anarchy Brew Co., Newcastle.

www.littlebuildingslive.com

DANIEL BYE

Middlesbrough-born Daniel Bye is a writer, director and performer of award-winning theatre productions who creates stories that focus on our choices around how we live on this planet, something that he has done since very young. “At the age of nine I wrote, directed and starred in my debut, Rat of the Gang. It was a critical and popular hit with its audience of my Mam, my Grandma and my Auntie. God knows where it comes from but it’s how I filter and process the world, and somehow I always have.”

This filter that Daniel’s creative ideas are processed through have been tinged with surreal and wonderful influences, but ones with a keen eye on what’s going on, as he explains: “I loved the freewheeling surrealism of Eddie Izzard. It always felt like completely rudderless silliness, yet somehow it would always work its way round to being exquisitely structured, like if a tornado went by and arranged all the houses into a pearl necklace. And in the world of theatre I’m endlessly inspired by Tony Kushner’s Angels In America: so fantastical, and yet so bitingly political; so funny and yet so angry and sad.”

Imaginary Friends is his first solo show in seven years and is set to open at Alphabetti Theatre on Tuesday 19th March. It’s about a TV comedian whose brother dies; grief-stricken, he loses the plot and conjures up imaginary friends in the guise of awful

THE SHOW IS ABOUT THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF ANY PROGRESS UNLESS WE ADMIT TO EACH OTHER THAT WE’RE ALL A TOTAL MESS AND WE’VE FUCKED IT ALL UP

people off the TV. “There’s Piers Morgan, that Scottish Neil bloke off Coast, you know the type. He’s cool and cynical and embittered in the way TV people are and there’s no space for grief in that attitude. There’s a kind of cynical knowingness that everyone affects these days, particularly in the media, that absolutely gets in the way of any real feelings, including not just grief but unfashionable things like hope, and the belief that people might be basically alright. The show is about someone trying to make jokes in the face of all that, but it’s also about the impossibility of any progress unless we admit to each other that we’re all a total mess and we’ve fucked it all up. At root, I suppose it’s about vulnerability.”

It’s a wild trip through the looking glass, albeit one that Daniel says is more inspired by Vic and Bob than Lewis Carroll, and potentially a ‘be careful what you wish for’ tale, as he goes on to explain. “I suppose there’s a sense in which this is true. The protagonist really wants a certain kind of credibility and success, but the poses he has to strike to get towards that are bad for him and bad for everyone. I should probably admit that although I’m not him, I identify with him a whole lot.”

And what does Daniel hope audiences take from the show? “It’s not up to me! And if I tell people how I want them to feel, they’ll have their guard up against that in particular. Maybe what I want is for people to think about some of the ways we all have our guard up, and how maybe things would be better if we all admitted we’re a big old beautiful mess. I know I am. I bet you are too.”

Imaginary Friends runs at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle from Tuesday 19th March to Saturday 6th April.

www.danielbye.co.uk

DAVID SAUNDERS TALKS TO THE MIDDLESBROUGH-BORN WRITER, DIRECTOR AND PERFORMER ABOUT HIS FIRST SOLO SHOW IN SEVEN YEARS

JEN STEVENS

TOMMY ROBERTSON TALKS TO THE SOUTH SHIELDS-BASED SINGER-SONGWRITER ABOUT HER HOPEFUL AND HEALING NEW RELEASE

This month, South Shields-based singer and songwriter Jen Stevens is set to release her highly anticipated sophomore album, Armour. Known for her emotionally charged and personal lyricism alongside her powerful and soulful vocals, she has become a key voice within the North East music scene. Having released her debut album Little One in 2017, it’s clear from her new material that the releases traverse different yet intrinsically linked emotions. “My first album, Little One, kind of followed one of grief; I’d lost my mum, my marriage had broken down and I’d had a really bad time. I recorded that album with my now fiancé, and we got to know each other over the course of recording that first album. Suddenly, my brain started spouting happier songs because I was in a much happier place.”

There’s a distinction between the artist’s two albums: the hurting, and the ultimate healing. “A lot of the songs on the new album are ones I’d already written for my first album, but they didn’t fit with the narrative; they fit with this one’s healing narrative.”

Furthering the sense of positivity and finding a hopefulness following a difficult time, Jen explains the different lyrical themes on the album; focusing on a song she’d written for her best friend, Jen reveals how the experiences she’d begun to heal from allowed her to help someone else who was similarly struggling, and thus created inspiration in the process: “Time To Shine was a song I’d written for my best friend. She had a really crap time around the same time I did, we had a similar story going on around the same time… so the whole kind of

MUSIC

Image by Jordan Embleton

THE WHOLE NARRATIVE WAS ABOUT SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

narrative is me saying, ‘it’s okay, I did this a year ago, I’m still here, we’ve got this’. The whole narrative was about surrounding yourself with the right people.”

Jen’s autobiographical and personal compositional techniques also translate into her production too, and she worked with renowned local producer Lisa Murphy to help bring out the best in the tracks. “When I’m writing I often hear an orchestra in my head, and I can hear what the different instruments are doing. When I come to recording, I think, ‘I can’t afford an orchestra’, so I end up singing all these bits that I’ve written. In Armour, the title track, there’s a sung “bam bam”, which is meant to be pizzicato strings. There are also some violins doing some folk-style turn arounds towards the end, and Lisa would ask, ‘Are we done?’, and I’d say ‘No! There are still cellos left to go yet!’ She was at first quite bemused by the way that my brain worked, but I think she got used to it by the end.”

Jen makes it clear that she is regaining control of her emotional journey through her new album, and the music she’s written for Armour is instrumental to the way she has chosen to heal.

Jen Stevens releases Armour on 1st March.

www.jenstevens.co.uk

LAURA LANCASTER

AHEAD OF A MAJOR SOLO EXHIBITION, CLAIRE DUPREE TALKS TO THE NORTH EAST PAINTER ABOUT HOW HER PAINTINGS GIVE FOUND IMAGERY A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Acclaimed Hartlepool-born, Newcastle-based painter Laura Lancaster presents her largest solo show to date at Northern Gallery For Contemporary Art this month.

The accomplished painter’s work focuses on the reinterpretation of image; using found photographs, slides and home movies she finds at flea markets and online auctions, her paintings allow the viewer to interact with the image in a new way. “Recently my paintings have become more and more mediated, with drawing, cropping, underpainting and the process itself allowing the original image to change and distort, depending on what in particular I want to draw out of the original image.” She explains.

Her creative process allows Laura to connect to painting in a much broader sense, she explains what draws her to an image: “An intuitive feeing that there’s more to say – that I can have a conversation with the image in paint and give it a new life. It could be a sense of movement or a feeling which I’d like to attempt to get across in paint, or a sense of light or colour. I’m interested in how remaking an image in paint can change how it’s read, how a potentially banal, everyday snapshot can take on an iconic quality and be interpreted in a new way.”

Her latest exhibition, entitled My Echo, My Shadow, will include a broad spectrum of her work, from the initial stage drawings she bases her work on, to the striking paintings themselves. “I use drawing and acrylic sketches to explore each image and get a feel for how it might translate in paint. I’ll then do a very

I’M INTERESTED IN HOW REMAKING AN IMAGE IN PAINT CAN CHANGE HOW IT’S READ

broad acrylic under painting on canvas to map out the image and get a sense of it. The smaller paintings are done in a very spontaneous way – where larger paintings are done with buckets of oil paint I’ve mixed in advance, this helps get a good amount of volume of paint, which is necessary to get the sense of movement and physicality I want to achieve. Then the painting process itself is a process of action and reaction, until the image emerges.”

While she admits a relatively recent shift in focus to more water-based imagery, perhaps due to her move to the coast a few years ago, Laura explains that she’s interested in the way a specific subject can open up to relate to something broader, to a collective memory. With much of her art depicting women in classical poses, her work delves into the history of painting and readdresses the position of the female figure. “The subjects I depict are quite often regarding themselves in mirrors or reflections, or are self-conscious in some way, they are not as passive as female subjects that have been depicted in painting historically.”

Inevitably, the artist has a heightened awareness of the way in which we consume images, which has continued to inform her work. “The advances in technology over the last twenty years or so since I graduated have meant images are circulated and consumed at a higher rate than ever before. It feels like the specific qualities of painting – its stillness, uniqueness, muteness – could all be valuable in this context.”

Laura Lancaster: My Echo, My Shadow is exhibited at Northern Gallery For Contemporary Art, Sunderland from Saturday 16th March-Sunday 30th June.

www.instagram.com/laura__lancaster

Image by Kuba Ryniewicz

NEWCASTLE PUPPETRY FESTIVAL

LAURA DOYLE TALKS TO MOVING PARTS CO-FOUNDER KERRIN TATMAN ABOUT THE MAGICAL WORLD OF PUPPETRY AHEAD OF THEIR FESTIVAL THIS MONTH

If the last time you saw a puppet show was some seaside production of Punch & Judy, then the Newcastle Puppetry Festival will blow your mind. It returns for its fourth year with a whole host of puppet-based events across the city’s venues and public spaces, and the brains behind the festival are puppet-based creative organisation, Moving Parts, which was co-founded by Artistic Director Kerrin Tatman and puppeteer William Steele in 2017.

“Puppetry might seem quite niche if you haven’t come across it much before, but you’ll quickly realise puppetry can bring people together and surpass barriers like language, age and ability.” Says Kerrin. “Puppets can do many things which human actors can’t, pushing boundaries and inviting us into unseen worlds.”

Their shared passion led to the duo seeking out ways to bring puppetry to a wider audience: and lo, the Newcastle Puppetry Festival was born.

“There was barely any provision of puppetry or visual theatre in Newcastle or the surrounding area, so we decided to strike whilst the iron was hot, and our first festival in 2017 was a sell-out success and won The Journal Culture Award for Best Newcomer. Although we’re now much bigger and established, Moving Parts remains community-driven, existing for local people, visitors, artists and to put Newcastle on the map internationally in puppetry.”

With over 100 events on their week-long programme, it looks like Moving Parts’ plans are well on their way to fruition – without neglecting their roots in the region. “We are keen to support local and Northern artists whenever we can, so they remain an integral part of the programme. We also welcome artists from around the country and internationally; for example, Ascension by SITIO Compagnie will be the UK premiere, and tells the story of a man who used to work in big business but has become homeless and now lives with Horace – a huge imaginary elephant – which helps him come to terms with his situation.”

Kerrin notes further highlights including the Moving Parts Puppet Cabaret, hosted by whimsical and hilarious hosts Velma Von Bon Bon and Mystic Mog as they guide you through a puppet-filled

PUPPETS CAN DO MANY THINGS WHICH HUMAN ACTORS CAN’T, PUSHING BOUNDARIES AND INVITING US INTO UNSEEN WORLDS

evening of laughter, wonder, glamour and mystery; perfect for adults and teens, Ghost Stories by The Paper Cinema mixes short tales of the supernatural with cinematic paper animations and live music.

You can sense their local pride with the City of Kittiwakes, a free-to-attend workshop-based project running from Saturday 16th-Friday 29th March where anyone can make their own puppets, masks, costumes and pieces for the festival’s opening parade.

“We’re focusing on kittiwakes this year as the seabirds famously migrate and nest under the Tyne Bridge each season. We take inspiration from them as a symbol of Tyneside’s amazing natural environments, and to promote Newcastle’s City of Sanctuary status; a place where people from around the world have to come to call home. Participatory projects like this are absolutely crucial to the festival recipe – Moving Parts is a community event and exists to get local people creative and inspired.”

For those wanting to delve deeper into puppetry, check out the week-long programme of workshops and talks, including the six-day Glove Puppet Making Workshop with Raven Kaliana (1st-6th April).

Even if you’re a total newbie to the world of puppetry, there’s too much on this programme for it not to appeal. “We focus on what puppetry is offering today and deliver a wide and varied programme of contemporary theatre, outdoor arts, workshops, films and talks. Many of the festival’s events are free to attend, so anyone who is unsure can come down and try it out for free!”

Newcastle Puppetry Festival takes place at various venues from Saturday 30th March-Sunday 7th April.

www.newcastlepuppetryfestival.co.uk

L-R, T-B: Exuvia by ‘T Magsich Theaterje, Flying with Strings by Sarah Vigars, Ghost Stories, Tales of the Supernatural by The Paper Cinema

ALISON COTTON

ALISON COTTON’S ENGELCHEN PROJECT HAS GIVEN US SOME OF THE MOST MOVING, POWERFUL MUSIC YOU’RE LIKELY TO HEAR THIS YEAR. LEE FISHER SPOKE TO THE SUNDERLAND MUSICIAN ABOUT THE DETERMINATION AND DEFIANCE BEHIND THE RELEASE

Over the last few years, Alison Cotton has released a series of albums and EPs that have used strings and voices to conjure landscapes and moods, music grounded in everything from folk to deep listening that is genuinely transporting despite its apparent simplicity. But for latest project, Engelchen (‘little angels’), she’s immersed herself in the lives of two remarkable sisters, Ida and Louise Cook, who used their dedication to opera as a cover for assisting in the liberation of dozens of Jews from Germany and Austria.

Although the Cooks are little known even in their hometown of Sunderland (a blue plaque in their memory appeared in 2017, which raised their profile slightly), their story is a remarkable one and Cotton used it as the inspiration for a project that saw her work in a new way.

“Usually, I wouldn’t really have an idea before I actually sit down and play music and compose, it comes to me as I play, through improvisation… And most of my music up until now has been about landscape, but as I’m from Sunderland and the place means a lot to me, I thought it would be really good to do something about a person from there. I didn’t know a lot of detail about them, but when I started looking into it I was just like, ‘this is just absolutely incredible’ and I just wanted their story to be more widely known.”

The project also saw Cotton reconnect with her hometown. “I actually still feel homesick – for the whole of the North East, to be honest – and it definitely brought me closer because I met people through doing it and I was travelling up a lot more.”

Through Northeast Rise, a refugee support organisation, she also worked with some inspiring individuals who played their

COTTON HAS CREATED AN ALBUM OF PROFOUND, HAUNTING MELANCHOLY

MUSIC

own part in the project, with their words incorporated into the closing track Engelchen Now, bringing the project full circle. Using resources like Ida Cook’s remarkable memoir (most recently published as The Bravest Voices), Cotton has created an album of profound, haunting melancholy, with the opening track We Were Smuggling People’s Lives bringing to life the perilous journeys the sisters took as part of their endeavours, with Foley work (seascapes, trains) and some martial drums adding to the unsettling atmosphere. A key line in the book which acted as a guiding light to Cotton as she recorded the album was ‘you never know what you can do until you refuse to take no for an answer’, which not only summed up the enormity of what the Cooks did but also said something about the lives of the refugees Cotton worked with. “Through the project I was using that line because there were times there were quite a few obstacles in my way and it just really helped me. It’s nothing in comparison to what they did but I’m never going to forget those words…”

The album also featured a rare cover version, Crepuscule by Jules Massenet, a song beloved by the sisters through a version by Amelita Galli-Curci. “There was just something really haunting and otherworldly about it and I just thought I’d really like to try and do this.”

The expanded sonic palette of Engelchen means that Cotton will be working with acclaimed and prolific underground musician Chlöe Herington for her forthcoming tour, playing drums, harmonium and samples (and more). The tour comes to The Lubber Fiend on Friday 29th March and is bound to be a deeply moving and ultimately uplifting experience.

Alison Cotton plays The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle on Friday 29th March, supported by Richard Scott. Engelchen is released by Rocket Recordings on 13th March.

www.linktr.ee/alison__cotton

Image by William Lacalmontie

MARTIN FRANCIS TROLLOPE

TOM ASTLEY DISCOVERS A DEFTLY COMPLEX ALBUM OF MEMORIES AND SONIC MAGIC FROM THE SOUTH SHIELDS PRODUCER

Martin Francis Trollope’s new/old album Found Memories offers a faithful rendition of the lo-fi bedroom pop aesthetic, replete with love-sick lyrics and Casio keyboard sounds. Anyone who is familiar with Martin Francis Trollope’s expertise in music production, under the Harbourmaster production label, might be surprised by the determined ‘bedroom’ aspect to the sound. Adding post-production glitz and glamour to countless acts has become Harbourmaster’s stock in trade. However, his own album takes a more introspective, stripped-back approach. Toy pianos fuzz warmly in the mix, warbling melodic lines and drum machine sounds tick through the ambience. It sounds, as the title alludes, ‘found’; the feeling of a lost cassette dusted off and thrown in to a Walkman is blissfully and expertly captured in every one of the album’s songs.

This is more than just aesthetic affectation. The lo-fidelity sound reflects the journey the songs have taken. Firstly, the songs themselves were literally ‘found memories’, existing as decade-old demos on a friend’s hard drive. The decision to replicate the sound of first forays into recording gives the songs their sonic authenticity, as Martin explains: “I thought back to when I was really excited about making music, and it was when I had really cheap keyboards that you couldn’t do anything with,

I THOUGHT BACK TO WHEN I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT MAKING MUSIC, AND IT WAS WHEN I HAD REALLY CHEAP KEYBOARDS THAT YOU COULDN’T DO ANYTHING WITH, BUT THEY SOUNDED GREAT AND YOU FELT EXCITED

but they sounded great and you felt excited.” Accompanying lovelorn lyrics that still carry a sentiment, delivered in Martin’s soft, unassuming voice which is the stand-out sound on the album, the songs feel complete.

But lo-fidelity, in this case, does not mean low precision. It takes more skill, sometimes, to cut away this production, to rely on the raw sound of the songs. The ‘bedroom’ Found Memories was made in is substantially better than many of the genre. There is complexity, deftness of touch and well-honed magic in the fluttering grain of these tracks. The fluff, the warp and weft of the toy instrument sounds stop just short of interfering with the quality of the track, the vocals introvert and laconic stop short of being self-effacing. Especially given the production techniques at Martin’s disposal, it would be tempting, perhaps, to have thrown the sonic kitchen sink at these songs. And they could support the weight of this audio tinsel. They are beautifully crafted. But the decision to present them in this bedroom pop soundscape shows a confidence in the material and a confidence in presenting them as they were always meant to sound.

In short, Harbourmaster has worked another piece of his familiar sonic magic, turning the bedroom into the professional studio, turning years-old demos into a suite of beautifully realised, sincere songs, and turning found memories into a relevant and contemporary album that will certainly take some beating as album of the year already.

Martin Francis Trollope releases Found Memories on 1st March. He’ll debut the album on Thursday 29th February at Sea Change cafe in South Shields, with all money going to the venue.

www.harbourmasterproductions.co.uk

Image by Eddie Felix

RACHEL STOCKDALE

LENA MOSS CHATS WITH THE WRITER AND PERFORMER ABOUT THE WAR AGAINST FATPHOBIA IN HER HIGHLY ACCLAIMED PLAY, FAT CHANCE

Fat Chance, a one-woman play about fatphobia and class stigma, embarks on a UK tour this March and April. Writer and performer Rachel Stockdale explains her motivations behind creating the show and why it’s an especially poignant experience. “When people are talking, they still whisper the word ‘fat’ as if it’s a really bad word, when really it’s just a description. It’s been a really freeing journey to claim ownership of that word which takes its negative power away. However, despite the rise in the body positivity movement and fat activism, we’re still seeing an increasing number of people taking medications to lose weight regardless of the impact on their health. We’re still seeing actors winning awards for daring to wear a fat suit and be seen as ugly. I think it’s just as important than ever to have authentic fat representation on stage. Being confident and happy in my skin as a woman who is a size 18-20 is actually pretty radical.”

The show has been in development for a few years and seen sold-out preview performances at Live Theatre and a successful Edinburgh Fringe run. Both of which received passionate responses from audiences, with some declaring that they’d changed their outlook or behaviour since seeing the production. “Almost everyone has experienced changes in weight and being treated differently and I think that’s why the show felt very personal to so many. Following the show, people just wanted to talk about and share their stories, so this time we’re gonna do some fat activist chats to allow for this open discussion. Even if there’s only a couple of people who’ve seen the show who now aren’t dieting to fit in a wedding dress, I’ll take it.”

The tour is in association with Northern Stage, where it premieres before heading to almost 20 locations across the UK. Rachel explains what she’s looking forward to about touring Fat Chance: “I’m excited to take the show into all these different spaces and also see if there’s any variation in how audiences respond. Across the tour I’m in some tiny studios, but also in Stage Two at Northern Stage and Middlesbrough Theatre which

STAGE

I THINK IT’S JUST AS IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO HAVE AUTHENTIC FAT REPRESENTATION ON STAGE. BEING CONFIDENT AND HAPPY IN MY SKIN AS A WOMAN WHO IS A SIZE 18-20 IS ACTUALLY PRETTY RADICAL

is massive – but I thought if I can do well in any venue, it’s got to be my hometown theatre.”

Rachel discusses the experience of developing the show, as the sole writer and performer: “It’s been really intense, especially as it’s like my real life story, but also quite cathartic, to recontextualize your own experiences and understand yourself a bit more.”

Fat Chance has a lot to offer to anyone who has been subject to societal expectations and a pressure to look a certain way, especially women. Rachel concludes: “I think anyone who has lost weight or gained weight and is being treated differently should come to see Fat Chance. I think anyone who contemplated going on a diet this January or did go on a diet should come. I think anyone that’s already sacked off the diet should come. Anyone who just feels that there’s too much brain space taken up thinking about calories, or weight, or dress sizes should come. Let’s just delete that fatphobia from our brains. To delete it from my own brain felt really refreshing and freeing and I just hope that I can do that for someone else.”

Fat Chance is performed at Northern Stage, Newcastle (8th & 9th March); Gala Theatre, Durham (14th March); Darlington Hippodrome (26th March); Alnwick Playhouse (27th March); Middlesbrough Theatre (28th March); and Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham (10th April). www.rachelstockdale.com

LISTINGS

THE BEST OF THE REST… EVEN MORE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY, ART AND FILM TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST THIS MONTH

FRIDAY 1ST MARCH

DEEP CABARET & MOOT

An evening of songs about the economics, ecology, politics and poetics of land // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

THE BAR STOOL PREACHERS

Infectious ska punk anthems // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

SATURDAY 2ND MARCH

HILARITY BITES COMEDY CLUB

Featuring Lou Conran, Jack Gleadow, Masai Graham and Lee Kyle // Forum Music Centre, Darlington

PATRICK MONAHAN

High energy comedian // Darlington Hippodrome

SOUND OF THE SIRENS

Singer-songwriting duo who have won fast acclaim for their beguiling folk sound // The Common Room, Newcastle

STONE

Liverpool rock band // Newcastle University Students’ Union

SUNDAY 3RD MARCH

RACHAEL MCSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS

Renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player and her band // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

MONDAY 4TH MARCH

BRIDGE FOLK CLUB

Veteran folk duo Cath & Phil Tyler perform two sets, interspersed with guest singers // Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

TUESDAY 5TH MARCH

BRIGHTER FUTURES

Part of Northern School of Art’s Acting for Stage & Screen degree course Spring season. Students investigate ideas around what the future holds and whose future it is // ARC, Stockton

OLGA KOCH

Olga Koch turned 30, got a master’s degree, went on an adult gap year, got salmonella, lost herself, found herself and washed it all down with a delicious prawn cocktail. Think less Eat Pray Love and more Shake Scream Cry // The Stand, Newcastle

SÃO PAULO DANCE COMPANY

A triple bill of contemporary works by some of the world’s leading Spanish and Latin American choreographers. Also on Wednesday 6th // Theatre Royal, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 6TH MARCH

FEATURED //

Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee

Over twenty-five years, Luke Wright has built up a reputation for being one of Britain’s most popular live poets. This year he tries to celebrate his jubilee but ends up taking a deep dive into himself, throwing up questions about class, privilege and his adoption // Northern Stage, Newcastle

THURSDAY 7TH MARCH

TENNOTA

The duo flex contemporary technologies into an elemental club music, supported by cinematic electronic artist Bartholomew // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

FRIDAY 8TH MARCH

BECCA JAMES

Celebrating International Women’s Day, expect spiritual alt. pop from headliner Becca James, plus lyrical and engaging artist Jenny Lascelles and poetic songwriter Steff Mundi // The Globe, Newcastle

BI-TOPIA

A hilarious coming of age tale exploring the highs and lows of the bisexual experience. Also on Saturday 9th // Live Theatre, Newcastle

LASSES

A little bit of everything in celebration of International Women’s Day, featuring Caitlin Fairlamb, Lucy Davis, Maya Torres & The Girls, Theys And Slays Choir and more // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

PLAY PAUSE REPEAT

Fertile Ground present a showcase of some of the best emerging dancers and choreographers, including Patricia Okenwa, Jamaal Burkmar and more // Dance City, Newcastle

RED RUM CLUB

High-energy indie rock storytellers // Newcastle University Students’ Union

VALLEY OF LIGHT

Light artworks, storytelling, performance, drop in arts and crafts and more. Also on Saturday 9th March // Saltburn Valley Gardens

SATURDAY 9TH MARCH

GET HIP!

Featuring Sheffield garage/beat band The Mourning After // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

JOHN

Punk duo, supported by Ceramic and Tin Ribs // The Cluny, Newcastle

OMD

Synth pioneers. Supported by Walt Disco // O2 City Hall, Newcastle

SUNDAY 10TH MARCH

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

With music from Nicky Rushton, Georgia May, Gem Andrews and a short film from Julie Ballands (2pm-4.30pm) // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

ROB AUTON

Rob turns the pen on himself to explore the memories and feelings that create his life on a daily basis // The Stand, Newcastle

TUESDAY 12TH MARCH

THE PERIODICALS

A group of young people live as a feral group of techno-savvy fugitives living off a rubbish dump // Customs House, South Shields

QUEENS OF COMEDY

A side-splitting stand-up event featuring Catherine Young, Kerris Gibson and Julie Metcalfe // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH

COMMUNITY

Multimedia theatre pieces, created in collaboration between Northern School of Art’s Acting for Stage & Screen degree students and Film, TV and Theatre Production degree students // ARC, Stockton

THURSDAY 14TH MARCH

CONAN

Monumentally brutal trio tour their new album, Evidence of Immortality. Support comes from sci-fi-drenched extreme metal band Wallowing // The Lubber Fiend

MUITO KABALLA

A unique ensemble influenced by Afrobeat, jazz, soul, hip-hop, samba and rumba, supported by Flat Moon // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

FRIDAY 15TH MARCH

FEATURED // Curious Monkey Grand Finale

After ten years, theatre company Curious Monkey are sadly calling it a day. Join them for a joyous evening of theatre from Curious Monkey’s Arriving Group, live music courtesy of Ladies of Midnight Blue, DJ sets from Mariam Rezaei and The Lawnmowers, good food and great memories // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle

DINKY BOSSETTI

A noisy night of riot grrrl rock from (mostly) trans punk band Dinky Bossetti, supported by London rockers Amasing and Cramlington punks Doylums // The Globe, Newcastle

GOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHAIN

Humour-driven rap group // The Georgian Theatre, Stockton

PRATTYUSH BANERJEE

Pandit Prattyush Banerjee pushes the boundaries of the modern sarod, combining superb solo musicianship with innovations in composition and instrument design // The Glasshouse, Gateshead

SATURDAY 16TH MARCH

BEAR PARK

Fast-rising North East trio // Newcastle University Students’ Union

MARIKA HACKMAN

Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter / The Cluny, Newcastle

NICK PARKER

Folk/country artist, with support from Semantics and Andrea Kenny // The Globe, Newcastle

SECULAR SOUNDS IN A SACRED SPACE

Experimental and improvised sounds courtesy of Katie Apple Oswell, Tiger Mode, Sally & Christian, Bartholomew and more // Holy Cross Church, Ryton

SOPHIE MCCARTNEY

The comedian ventures into the perilous world of parenthood // The Globe, Stockton

SPRING OPEN STUDIOS

Step inside the creative sanctuaries of some of the region’s most talented artists and makers. Also on Sunday 17th // Mushroom Works, Newcastle

SUNDAY 17TH MARCH

THOMAS TRUAX

Purveyor of home-made instruments and bizarre sounds // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle

MONDAY 18TH MARCH

DEATH VALLEY GIRLS

Fiery rock ‘n’ roll from LA // The Cluny, Newcastle

TUESDAY 19TH MARCH

INTERACT FESTIVAL 2024

New and diverse work by students from Northern School of Art’s Acting for Stage & Screen degree course. Productions include TRUTH/LIE directed by Shauna Coleman; The Family written and directed by Niamh Henry; and The Last Hurrah written and directed by Lucas McNally // ARC, Stockton

NICK OLIVERI

The American singer and multiinstrumentalist presents his new show, Death Acoustic // The Cluny, Newcastle

THURSDAY 21ST MARCH

INTERACT FESTIVAL 2024

The second evening of new and diverse work by students from Northern School of Art’s Acting for Stage & Screen degree course. Productions include Sex, Mayonnaise & The Clitosaurus, created and performed by Darcey Dawson, Luke Swainson and Abbi Mercer; You. Don’t. Think, by Alex Jade Wallace; and We’ve Been Here Before, written and directed by Luke Swainson // ARC, Stockton

TATTY MACLEOD

A stand-up show about belonging, finding your tribe, or not, and how to be OK with that // The Stand, Newcastle

TQ LIVE

An evening of improvised sound, featuring Tobias Sarra, Christian Alderson, Mark Carroll and The Alderson Carroll Sarra Trio // The Globe, Newcastle

FRIDAY 22ND MARCH

CONFLUENCES: PEOPLE & WATER

An exhibition which investigates the material, social, cultural and political aspects of our relationship with water. Runs until 12th April // Newcastle Arts Centre

DRAG ‘N’ DROP

Dragona Budget presents a drag musical comedy journey through gender, identity, climate change and quantum physics // Laurel’s, Whitley Bay

FEEDER

Hit indie rock band // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

HILARITY BITES COMEDY CLUB

Featuring Steve Day, Alex Hylton and Elaine Robertson // Bishop Auckland Town Hall

LOVELY ASSISTANT

The Newcastle revivalists play songs from their forthcoming new release as well as their acclaimed debut. Support from Steff Mundi and Samuel Frame // Three Tanners Bank, North Shields

SCOUT GILLETT

Soulful folk-tinged folk artist // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

FEATURED //

Thomas Widerberg: Northern Lights

The Norwegian photographer’s work is concerned with the solitude and majesty of remote landscapes, featuring images from the remote Svalbard archipelago in his native Norway, to Patagonia at the southern-most point of South America. Runs until 13th April // Gallagher & Turner, Newcastle

SATURDAY 23RD MARCH

DEPLETION

A night of experimental and outsider music, also including brb voicecoil, Fend and Toi // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN

Influential guitar band // O2 City Hall, Newcastle

HILKE MACINTYRE: LAYERS OF COLOURS

A solo show of ceramics, linocuts and paintings. Runs until 12th May // The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle

MR BEN & THE BENS

Cult DIY outfit // Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland

LISTINGS

NICK HARPER

Legendary and hugely talented guitarist and songwriter // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

PEOPLE’S ART

Celebrating art created by unnamed artists often referred to as popular art or folk art, including newly commissioned work by five contemporary artists. Runs until 8th Sept // National Glass Centre, Sunderland

THE USHAW EDITIONS

Regional artists Maite Cascón, Natasha Michaels and Lindsey Moran create works responding to artworks and artefacts in Ushaw’s permanent collection. Runs until 23rd June // Ushaw, Durham

MONDAY 25TH MARCH

FEATURED //

Grubby Little Mitts

Award-winning sketch duo’s slapstick, sitcom and surreal style traverses the perils of employment, friendship and love // The Stand, Newcastle

THURSDAY 28TH MARCH

FROM THE GLASSHOUSE X NRTHRN BABY

Featuring performances from NE-O and Shakk // The Glasshouse, Gateshead

LEIGH FRANCIS

The BAFTA-award winning comedian brings his favourite characters to the stage, from Keith Lemon and Bear to Avid Merrion and Myrtle // Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle

MADDIE MORRIS

Bold and insightful songwriter who takes traditional songs in a new direction, supported by Holly & The Reivers // Cobalt Studios, Newcastle

FRIDAY 29TH MARCH

ALISON COTTON

Extraordinary aural explorer, supported by Richard Scott // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle

SATURDAY 30TH MARCH

HOT POTATO COMEDY CLUB

Featuring Matt Reed, Chris Washington, Paul McCaffrey and Charlie Ashton // Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

LIAM FENDER

Intuitive and articulate musician, supported by Bear Park // Tyne Bank Brewery, Newcastle

SUNDAY 31ST MARCH

FRESH

London emo punks, supported by Teenage Halloween and Bitchfinder General // The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle

GNOOMES

Psychedelic rock visionaries // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

REVIEWS

RÓISÍN MURPHY @ O2 CITY HALL, NEWCASTLE (14.02.24)

Words: Paul Jeffrey

Following a fine warm up set from Crazy P, the lights fade to charcoal, Róisín Murphy’s band jab a vicious five note riff into the swirling fog whilst a giant video screen slams epileptic monochrome over a sea of raised hands… and then, silence, for a few seconds, and there she is, dressed in faux fur and a black wig, looking like a slinky electro Cruella de Vil, setting the tone for a Valentine’s day disco massacre: a Pure Pleasure Seeker.

Previous tours have successfully leaned heavily on Róisín’s love of club culture, pacing the set like a superstar DJ. Tonight however, her band, always tight but on another level completely, rollercoaster around tone and tempo with ease; from the undulating uber groove of Incapable to the twisted dirty disco throb of Overpowered and Simulation, it’s simply perfection. Reworks of her two massive Moloko hits – The Time Is Now and Sing It Back – spark mass samba-flavoured singalongs, but it’s the frankly faultless hypnotic minimal house of Can’t Replicate that proves the standout of a five star set. And above it all, Róisín Murphy’s vocals simply soar, all the while performing essentially a full body work out in heels and a range of increasingly bonkers outfits. By the encore of Forever More she’s onto press ups, planking and boxing shadows into a drenched and entranced City Hall crowd. Why can’t all Wednesdays be this much fun?

PART TOON PUNKS @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (20.01.24)

Words: Lee Fisher

Occasionally the good folks behind Re:Peel venture into gig promotion

and as Part Toon Punks demonstrated, they’re pretty good at it! This was a largely garage-punk affair with some fine acts from Newcastle and beyond, like The Exes, who always deliver with their taut sixties garage rock meets angular punk. Killer harmonies, catchy melodies, simple and affecting songs and with their secret weapon Richard on guitar, one of the finest in the city. A closing Kids In America raised smiles. Cherry & Peesh were an old-skool punk duo who didn’t do it for me, although I can imagine they go down a storm at Rebellion. Another duo, Manchester’s Sewer Cats, were much better, making more noise than a guitar/drums duo normally manage and veering between metal riffs, hardcore crunch, punk dirt and super-catchy choruses. Really impressive.

Broken Down Golf Cart are a Scouse/Canadian outfit trading in catchy 90s grunge who would have gone down a storm in The Bronze while Buffy fell for the wrong guy again. Full of fine harmonies and shimmering melodies, they were pretty, pretty good. The Moron-OPhonics are always a joy, with their troglodyte rhythms, playground chants and gleefully shambolic dance-offs. The only real disappointment of the day was Nervous Twitch: I’d heard great things about this Leeds trio and while they did everything right and clearly listen to all the best records, there was something static and lacking heart about them, it felt routine somehow. The best Headcoats tribute since the Buff Medways, Thee Gatesheadcoat(ee)s were a blast, Carol and Dani clearly living their best lives belting out Billy Childish classics while abusing tambourines. Gabba gabba hey!

Róisín Murphy by Carl Chambers

JOHN FRANCIS FLYNN, HECTOR GANNET @ THE EXCHANGE, NORTH SHIELDS (23.01.24)

Words: Lee Fisher

This was my first encounter with Hector Gannet but I was fully aware of how well he’s regarded both locally and – increasingly – further afield, and I’m afraid it just didn’t connect. Playing solo, he seemed earnest and heartfelt but it left me cold, a kind of soulful singer-songwriter sound I thought we’d seen the back of. Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s just me…

No such problems with John Francis Flynn, whose Look Over The Wall, See The Sky album arrived to a fanfare and album of the year mutterings late in 2023. The last time he played here – to a modest Cumberland crowd on a Sunday night in 2022 – he was already moving beyond his folkier origins into something more experimental, and the new album bears that out. Live, he’s backed by a really exploratory, questing three-piece band and there are jazzy inflections and some proper dissonance to go with the yearning, keening ballads. Flynn is a warm and avuncular frontman (although there was less chat this time) and his voice is a wonderful thing, rich and warm. There were moments that sounded like Tortoise, and bursts of furious drums, but there was still room for his unbelievably lovely take on Shallow Brown and a heartbreaking Kitty, given extra resonance since we lost Shane. Flynn is moving steadily forward and he’s going to take us all with him.

MERYL STREEK @ ZEROX, NEWCASTLE (18.02.24)

Words: Adam Kennedy

Following a recent tour with PIL, avant-garde punk rocker Meryl Streek returned to the North East for an intimate, hot and sweaty, sold-out date at Zerox.

Darkness descended on the room as the headliner took to the stage. Sporting a parka and a flat cap, Streek got the show underway without the aid of stage lighting, illuminated by nothing more than a pulsating flashlight.

Streek furiously paced the stage from side to side, occasionally changing direction by kicking one foot against the wall. If you can

visualise a skateboarder on a half-pipe, Streek’s energetic on-stage back and forth felt similar.

The darkness and mood created felt apt for Streek’s politically charged repertoire. Aided by a backing track and with barely a pause, the artist belted through tracks from critically acclaimed album 796. Songs like Death To The Landlord, Yesterday, Matter of Fact and If This Is Life have already become anthems. Streek’s live performance was equally in your face, with the artist often inches away from those at the front. The full intensity of his delivery was felt by all.

Based upon the response received at the artist’s Zerox date, the self-professed angry Irish man is on a winning Streek.

BRING ME THE HORIZON @ UTILITA ARENA, NEWCASTLE (16.01.24)

Words: Jonathan Coll

Bring Me The Horizon solidified their status as the UK’s finest metalcore outfit with an outrageous headline performance at last year’s Download Festival. The incredible reception made it feel as if Oli Sykes and co had captured lightning in a bottle, and so this year’s UK tour had an awful lot to live up to.

First and foremost, the set design was like nothing else I’ve seen in the Utilita Arena or anywhere else in the North East. It’s astonishing what you can do with some additional staging, an LED display and laser show, but the effect was transformative. It’s rare to see such an ostentatious show for a rock or metal gig, but this was absolutely astonishing.

The scale, production and support acts on the night were all reflective of Bring Me The Horizon’s status as genuine superstars. Bad Omens were an excellent warm-up act, as they rattled through a substantial setlist that culminated in the absolutely brutal Dethrone.

Not to be outdone, Bring Me The Horizon’s own setlist had been whittled down to 20 or so genuine bangers. As has been a theme on the tour, the set was punctuated by Oli Sykes making sure people in the crowd were okay among a raucous atmosphere. The set culminate in Doomed (making a welcome return to their latest setlists), and finally Throne, which capped off one of the best gigs I’ve been to in years.

Bring Me The Horizon by Idene Roozbayani

LANKUM, RACHAEL LAVELLE @ BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE (27.01.24)

Words: Lee Fisher

Rachael Lavelle was a late and welcome announcement for tonight’s support and any concerns that she might get drowned out by a fairly boisterous, boozy Saturday crowd soon vanished as she won everybody over with quiet assurance and some remarkable music. With one foot in the folk scene of her hometown and the other in a kind of woozy art pop, she was a commanding presence with an incredible voice.

“Come you not from Newcastle? Come you there far away?”

Lankum arrived with a massive weight of expectation and an armful of Album Of The Year wins and once again they blew my tiny mind and once again I was in bits by the opening chords of The Young People. The sound these four people make (five if you count their excellent drummer) is a drone and a roar and plea and a lament and a fierce defiance. They’re doing things with folk that defy description, bringing Ennio Morricone and Swans and doom and free-jazz into a trad setting and taking it into venues and sitting rooms that would never usually make time for such things. Tonight they were clearly having a blast, and even treated us to a rare and impromptu performance of Newcastle, which they’d somehow forgotten to include in their set list. They finished, as is usual, with an absolutely blistering run through Bear Creek and I wanted them to do it all again. There’s nobody to touch them right now.

DREAM WIFE, DREAM NAILS @ THE GROVE, NEWCASTLE (17.02.24)

Words:

Andrew Thompson

In a world of pretentious, laissez faire support bands, Dream Nails are a breath of fresh air. From addressing the glaringly obvious fact that it’s unusual to have two bands with such similar names on one bill, to doing everything bar physically hauling the crowd towards the barrier, it was a support slot for the ages. The band are back in Newcastle later in the spring, go see them if you can.

Dream Wife will carry the riot grrrl tag with them as long as they exist, but their brand of womxn-forward punk feels deeper and more nuanced than its predecessors. Its heart-on-the-sleeve inclusivity is doubtless a

just and righteous reaction to the ever festering culture war surrounding women and trans rights, “Being a Bad Bitch has nothing to do with gender” yells lead singer Rakel Mjoll after their opener, more empathy in the UK than anarchy. Then it’s straight into Hey Heartbreaker; their biggest hit to date appearing so early on is an indication of a band who have little interest in straying on their laurels. Hot (Don’t Date A Musician), aside from being a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek bit of lyricism, is a clear standout from their newest release Social Lubrication. But when guitarist Alice Go strips to the waist to reveal nothing but 4 Westwoodian (Vivienne not Tim, naturally) strips of duct tape midway through the set it starts to feel like a show that’s the band’s fifth in as many days and last of this run. A cover of early 2000’s anthem All The Things She Said and crowd-favourite F.U.U. bring some genuine energy to end their set, but I can’t shake the feeling that, good intentions aside, it feels a little too rehearsed for a punk show, or maybe, standing at the back with the rest of the 6Music dads, it’s just not ‘for’ me – and that’s okay.

HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT @ THE BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE (09.02.24)

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith

Their second visit to a packed Boiler Shop has Half Man Half Biscuit showcasing their newest record, The Volotarol Years, packed with bathos and with the spectre of The Grim Reaper on its shoulder. Happily, HMHB give us a set fairly representative of their era-spanning catalogue. Opening with Cammel Laird Social Club’s She’s In Broadstairs, the band lunge through decades of pithy, politicised songs at a relatively breakneck speed. Quite tellingly, some carefully selected newer songs from the last couple of albums stick out as being some of their best; Persian Rug Sale At The URC commands a particularly rapturous response, and evergreen ode to ageing Terminus (which could have been written by Leonard Cohen) feels particularly profound tonight. Only a slightly ill-advised Damned cover breaks the spell of a band who, despite being in their fifth decade of existence, are looking around them with as much prescience as they were in the eighties.

Dream Wife by Victoria Wai

FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES, THE MYSTERINES, HOT WAX @ NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY, NEWCASTLE (10.02.24)

Words: Damian Robinson

Scouser poppers The Mysterines open up tonight’s loud and ferocious show with the type of energy required when setting the scene for a band known for their passionate live shows. Tight, and laden with pop hooks, the band play well before handing over to Hastings’ indie punk trio Hot Wax who bring a post-punky, Strokes-y, vibe to the dancefloor; resulting in much skanking and head-nodding from a crowd clearly here to jump and sweat a bit.

Providing the soundtrack for such jumping and sweating, Frank Carter kicks the evening into overdrive with his blend of high energy rock ‘n’ roll. Though slightly formulaic in places, Carter shines when playing tracks from his new album Dark Rainbow – a combined take on punk edges with a glam element hidden just out of sight. Delivered with an impressive level of commitment, it’s the performance, rather than the show, which stands out; you could never question either their commitment or focus when it comes to giving everything for their live performance. Three great bands, all delivering with as much as they can.

GZA & THE PHUNKY NOMADS @ BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE (14.02.24)

Words:

Lee Fisher

Liquid Swords is arguably the finest offshoot release from the Wu Tang stable, and GZA probably their finest wordsmith, and this album has been my go-to hip-hop album for nearly thirty years. Unfortunately, GZA’s reliability isn’t as great as his flow and I’ve been subjected to a few no-shows over the years. But props to the folks at The Cluny for another supreme booking.

Rumours were rife all over the packed Boiler Shop on the night: GZA hadn’t shown up; his band were too baked to play; GZA missed the soundcheck. Well, GZA showed up – albeit about 45 minutes late and 90 minutes or so after local lyrical wizard Kay Greyson finished up her fine set – and the band were apparently playing well. Not that you could tell from where I was standing (and God knows, I stood in various

places). I dunno if it was the fault of a missed soundcheck, the venue’s notoriously tricky acoustics or some other issue, but the sound for this show was one of the worst I’ve ever heard. When you go to see GZA, you want to experience his rhymes in full flow, but he was mostly inaudible and the band were a bass-heavy soup. Maybe it was better right down the front, but anywhere else it was just an indistinct mush. It seemed to get better towards the end but people were already voting with their feet and considering the levels of anticipation beforehand, there were a lot of disappointed GZA fans.

MILES JUPP – ON I BANG @ TYNE THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE, NEWCASTLE (05.02.24)

Words: Dawn Storey

It’s a courageous and skilful man who can undergo an operation to remove a brain tumour and then write a stand-up show about it which makes his audience cry with laughter. On I Bang is touching but never overly sentimental, as Miles Jupp takes us through his terror and indignities using humour to diffuse the most emotional moments. Opening with a tale about an unforgiving wetsuit, he tells us about his chatterbox mother, clutter-loving wife and their five children before explaining how the growth on his brain was discovered when he suffered a seizure after filming a TV drama.

Jupp’s words are so carefully chosen that they trip off his tongue like poetry. Almost every sentence elicits laughter, whether at an unexpected punchline or his mellifluous vocabulary; having a major operation during a pandemic “adds a certain frisson”, while he and his father-in-law would make terrible bank robbers due to being more likely to “cause a kerfuffle in Santander”.

Onstage, Jupp’s persona is that of a middle class man who’s old before his time, his expression switching mostly between serious and slightly befuddled, so it’s really lovely when at times he enjoys himself so much that the mask slips and he cracks a genuine smile. Thank goodness for the NHS, and may Jupp continue to bang on for many, many years to come.

GZA by Adam Kennedy

TRACKS

FAITHFUL JOHANNES X NEOCIA ULTRA DEEP

Words: Tom Astley

Rapper Faithful Johannes and producer Neocia’s debut collaboration (full album due in September), plays out as a gentle dreamscape, gazing up at the night sky. The beat is slower than most hip-hop, with reverb keyboards and a simple melody picked out over the top to complete a languid late-night groove that sounds like boom bap taking a well-earned rest.

The vocal style gives a spoken word poetry that breathes life into the track; but then the lyrics start to shine through, and there’s a wonderful disconnect between the subtle relaxation of the beat with the starstruck anxiety of the lyrics. In short, it is a masterpiece. The duo will be performing live in the Spring, so start stargazing now.

Released: 01.03.24

www.faithfuljohannes.bandcamp.com

KITES INNOCENCE & GOLD

Words: Tom Astley

Fans of KITES – and there are plenty following the work of the Newcastle indie quartet – will continue to be intrigued by the direction the band’s music is taking. New track Innocence & Gold opens with some of the acoustic indie feel of previous track Chilly Road. But this is quickly engulfed by the energy of the song, bringing out shades of the grittier grunge sound in previous song Witch.

Innocence & Gold shows KITES at their balanced best. The choruses here sound expansive and cinematic without beating you over the head with distortion. There’s a subtlety to this new track which maintains the vigour of a four-piece rock band, but which offers a complexity of sound in its deceptively short three-minute length. Gold.

Released: 08.03.24

www.kitesband.co.uk

REVIEWS OF SINGLES AND EPS BY

WANT YOUR MUSIC FEATURED?

JENNY LASCELLES INERTIA

Words: Michael O’Neill

An initial sparse arrangement, with Jenny’s front-and-centre double tracked vocals anchored by an understated beat and minimalist piano, is swiftly swept up by a crashing wave of thundering drums and distorted guitar into the gloriously cinematic splendour of Intertia. The track immediately calls to mind the dusty, celluloid-shot grit of Portishead, with an arrangement that would sit right at home on a soundtrack of a dark thriller or an espionage caper.

It’s a sturdy foundation for Jenny’s phenomenal vocals, which are the perfect channel for the dark, cryptic lyrics which weave amongst the rumbling low piano notes, the tense palm-muted guitars and the wonderful sonic touches that drift in and out of the mix. All in all, it’s a glorious experience.

Released: 01.03.24

www.jennylascelles.com

ROKKARI HOME

Words: Jake Anderson

Mackems delight, as Sunderland-based indie rock four-piece Rokkari release their newest single, Home. The band have gained a bit of momentum of late, and the young artists are off to a flying start, with a sold-out show at The Bunker and various other venues across the region. Home is carried forward by a brilliant lead guitar riff, with a commanding lead vocal performance layered over it. Although my favourite part of the mix are the drums, which pack a hell of a punch and provide the multiple crescendos with a real dynamic energy to them. Influences of Paramore and Rage Against The Machine are worn proudly, as Home is a great introduction to one of Sunderland’s newest rock groups, spawned – as many great things in Sunderland have been – by the Young Musician’s Project.

Released: 01.03.24

www.linktr.ee/rokkari

Image by Tom Kimber

BILL GATESHEAD BREAD KNIFE

Words: Jake Anderson

I can’t say I knew what to fully expect from Bill Gateshead’s newest song. I was familiar with the multi-instrumentalist’s previous releases; however, each project significantly varies itself in the sounds that it presents. Bread Knife is no different, and to assign a label to this newest single would be to do the track a disservice. The drums and percussion are reminiscent of lo-fi hip-hop, the pads evoke the feeling of being lost in an electronic landscape, and the main synth progression is, dare I say, slightly leaning into bit music through its bubbly textures. It’s a thoroughly engaging listening experience, as throughout the track’s six minutes different samples and instruments weave in and out of the mix, with the drums carrying a great sense of momentum.

Released: 01.03.24

www.instagram.com/billg8shead

PARK VIEW LIGHTS

Words: Michael O’Neill

A glorious dose of sun-soaked indie splendour, Lights wastes no time in getting straight to the melodic glory with a brilliantly knotty chord progression, which finds gloriously chorused arpegiated guitar riffs gliding effortlessly over a solid drumbeat and a wonderfully buoyant bassline. The vocals are fittingly anthemic, painting a vivid narrative of a night out in Newcastle without sounding too clumsily rooted in indie pastiche. The shifting tempos and heavy emphasis on melody serves the song well, matching the urgent, fast-paced narrative that unfolds over the song’s brisk three-minute runtime. The imagery of smoke rising in the rain, and the emotional undercurrent present throughout, is a sublime testament to the quintet’s songwriting chops. Marvellous stuff.

Released: 01.03.24

www.linktr.ee/parkvi3w

AARON DINNING BURNING

Words: Maria Winter

20-year-old County Durham-born Aaron Dinning prepares to release his new single, Burning.

Inspired by the hit Netflix show Heartstopper, Burning is a darker and matured representation of the singer-songwriter’s own personal experiences navigating the complexities of love. Set against the backdrop of a raw, indie piano ballad, Dinning’s heartfelt lyrics and powerful symbolism create a stirring musical experience. The song’s introspective nature allows listeners to delve into themes of passion, desire and the intricacies of identity. Intuitive combinations of soulful melodies and simplistic instrumentals leave a lasting impact, allowing the song to resonate on a personal level. This single will be the first to follow his well-received EP Complicated Art. Burning isn’t just a song; it’s a testament to Dinning’s artistry and his ability to craft music that speaks to the soul.

Released: 15.03.24

www.facebook.com/aarondinningmusic

ANTHONY PEARS DANCEHALL HOUSE EP

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Multi-dimensional local electronic music producer Anthony Pears has carefully curated a distinctive amalgamation of Afrobeat, dancehall and house elements to create his latest EP, Dancehall House. A clear and defined homage to African dance music, Pears’ style is almost uncategorisable within standard genre conventions. Nevertheless, each track is a nostalgic throwback to the ‘90s and ‘00s, exuding the same ambience found within Hedkandi and trance-scene classics of the time, including Faithless and Tiësto.

Its birth was unexpected, yet this Frankenstein fusion of genres has created a truly unprecedented experience. Featuring a multitude of artists across the five track EP, from Sarah BBY to Izzy Lucky, this is definitely one to add to the collection of the eclectic listener.

Released: 01.03.24

www.anthonypears.com

TWAYN MESS (AND A HALF)

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Twin sister duo Twayn’s second single of 2024 is an an indie pop masterpiece. The synth pop chords of Taylor Swift’s 1989 album meet the whimsical vibe of Space Girl by Frances Forever in this upbeat and enchanting track.

Overflowing with heavenly harmonies, euphonious piano notes and a playful drum beat, the captivating lyrics tell a relatable tale of the blurry line between simultaneous love and heartbreak. The song summarises the moment of realisation that the supposedly wonderful guy you were dating was not the fairytale prince you dreamed of – he was a mistake dressed in ribbons and poetry. With therapeutic lyrics and cheerful feels, this Beach Bunny-esque track is the perfect song to scream-sing along to. Catch the band live at The Bunker, Sunderland on Saturday 9th March. Released: 14.03.24 www.twayn.co.uk

PATRICK GOSLING

AM I ON YOUR MIND?

Words: Amy McGarahan

South Shields-based singer-songwriter and producer Patrick Gosling presents his latest single Am I On Your Mind?, an indie-driven track laced with contagiously catchy guitar and drums.

Gosling operates as a one-man band, playing all instruments (except the high-powered drums from Kyle Cassidy) and producing the track himself, highlighting his musical prowess.

The punchy instrumentation, coupled with excellent production, makes it a lively spring/summer anthem, despite its melancholy and unabashedly desperate lyrics. Gosling’s inspiration, drawn from the likes of The Strokes, The War on Drugs and Wilco, shines through in the captivating guitar riffs and the yearning depth of his voice.

Am I On Your Mind? offers a catchy and memorable tune that lingers, perfectly capturing the essence of longing and the quest for romantic clarity.

Released: 01.03.24 www.linktr.ee/patrickgoslingg

METAQUORUM SKETCHBOOK EP

Words: Matt Young

This new mini-album/EP is a collection of musical sketches from the prog rock, jazz fusion duo of Dmitry Ermakov, on keys and synths, and Koos van der Velde, on drums and percussion.

These are ideas that were initially set aside and have since been reappraised and produced. The songs haven’t been more fully realised beyond their initial thoughts it would seem. Just as quickly as the intricate interplay and chord progressions of City Folk begin it ends in an unsatisfying rush. It’s unfortunate but common to pretty much every track. The more sombre Cry, energetic Dilemma, and contemplative In A Beautiful Pea all feature wildly different moods, but their personalities don’t have any time to linger and satisfy the listener..

Released: 14.03.24

www.metaquorum.uk

FLOWERS FOR JUNO WITHOUT LOVE

Words: Matt Young

The Ides of March, the 15th, is a day infamous in Roman history as the date of settled debts and the notorious assassination of Julius Caesar. It also happens to be the date of this new release from Newcastle duo Flowers For Juno.

Without Love seems to describe a personal journey of things never experienced or witnessed, equating the absence to being without love. There’s a Goth rock leaning to both the music and vocals, although each is almost fighting the other at times. The rather timid guttural growling at the start eventually gives way to a hooky chorus with brighter-sounding singing. While it hints at its 80s Goth influences, it also feels too under-produced to match their tone despite the sing-along melody bursting to get out.

Released: 15.03.24

www.facebook.com/flowersforjuno

DEMOS

WE WANT YOUR MUSIC!

IF YOU’RE AN UP AND COMING BAND OR MUSICIAN, AND WOULD LIKE YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED IN OUR DEMO SECTION, EMAIL A TRACK TO NARCMEDIA@GMAIL.COM AND TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF!

WORDS: JAMES HATTERSLEY

DEMO OF THE MONTH

Folding Gold – Circles

Beaming through the smoky ether of a 1970’s Pink Floyd laser show, Newcastle’s Folding Gold have crafted the magnificent pop rock jamboree Circles – full of a litany of colourful sounds. Exuberant, whimsical and juxtaposed with mental health struggles, the track is so rich with velvety overtones, from dancing pianos to ascending fuzzy guitars, melodies are expertly woven into a fabulous cohesive song. Each listen evolves and brings forth a previously hidden element; soaring vocals make the chorus hit hard, lifting you off your feet into a sky with diamonds, never to come back down. It builds and builds into a glorious, god defying conclusion before ending with a hopeful affirmation of comfort; we’ll all get there someday. Maybe. www.foldinggold.bandcamp.com

Steve Ather – Don’t Come Around Here (Anymore)

A slice of Brit-Americana pie, Don’t Come Round Here (Anymore) treads the borderline of a 90s MTV hard rock anthem and a sympathetic story of someone trying to break free of the ties that bind. If you’ve missed soaring guitar solos you’re in for a treat – licks are aplenty. While the song rattles through with reckless abandon, Steve Ather bites through the repeating chorus melodies which demonstrates more gravel than any local council has to offer. Subtle changes throughout keep the song engaging (why do people not do hand claps anymore?!) and ultimately lends itself to wanting something to be different but, no matter what you change, it’s still the same. Please do come around here and listen.

www.twitter.com/steveamusic17

Darren Burdis – We Left It Too Late

If you’re feeling emotionally nostalgic for a failed relationship, this one is for you. We Left It Too Late embodies its subject matter – the sadness, the regret and that wistful thinking that if only we’d done something differently

we’d be spared from this heartache. Drenched with melancholy, Darren Burdis emotes a woeful and sombre walk through their painful past and is elevated by carefully structured harmonies. Armed with sorrow, an acoustic guitar and an electric haze, the track soldiers on through a strong chord sequence and pontificating drums. The use of repeating choruses really cements the idea of not being able to reconcile with previous choices and that no matter how distant, these doubts will remain present.

www.hyperfollow.com/darrenburdis

Groundbird – AirBnB For Hapsburgs

At school, if History was taught through the medium of song – maybe we wouldn’t be doomed to repeat ourselves. Taken from the In The Waning Hours EP, AirBnB for Hapsburgs by DIY North Tyneside artist Groundbird, details a fading dynasty that are still 600 strong today – and they’re all in a WhatsApp group. Armed with this tale and an acoustic guitar, Groundbird lays down a short and sweet tune layered with a satirical sway. There is certainly an air of dismay (which is completely supported by yours truly) towards these

diminishing old money aristocrats that would cause Billy Bragg to plush and mobilise. A catchy and memorable chorus breaks up the verses and really brings this Mountain Goats-esque ballad together.

www.groundbird.bandcamp.com

Mojave Desert Star – Stand Up, Believe

Can we all just live by this mantra – only beautiful music 24 hours a day? What a world it would be. No more problems – just good beats. Within those 24 hours, you would absolutely hear Stand Up, Believe by bedroom electronica wizard Mojave Desert Star. I’m the least qualified to talk about electronica, but that speak volumes to this track as I find myself listening on repeat. You can get lost in each unique layer: the bass grooves and the drums anchor while synth melodies assault. Integrated drum samples intensify the experience and vocals repeat, echo and interject, signalling the outside world is trying to reach into our 24 hours a day of beautiful music. But we can shut it out.

www.facebook.com/mojavedesertstar

ALBUMS

4 / 5

YARD ACT

WHERE’S MY UTOPIA? (ISLAND)

Words: Lee Hammond

Right from the start it’s unequivocally noticeable that album two from Yard Act is a hefty departure from the forceful post-punk of The Overload. Where’s My Utopia? is packed with introspection. With strings setting the tone, An Illusion paints a bleak picture, it’s something of a dour opening gambit, a theme that is retained for the majority of the record, tinged with the band’s trademark irony. We Make Hits is brash and filled with bravado, but the mask drops at the end of the track. It’s similar for Down By The Stream, albeit in much darker tones, an all too relatable story told in front man James’ typical drawl that spins towards a more reflective space as he berates his younger self.

The Undertow is again laden with strings, repetition of “what’s the guilt worth?” echoing throughout the track. This theme bleeds into Dream Job, its instantaneous groove injects excitement but is quickly cut through with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that disprove the perceived glamour of the music industry. Petroleum fosters the same reflective feeling about the music industry and its expectation of performing all the time and always being on your game in front of a crowd. Blackpool Illuminations is an internal monologue set to minimal instrumentation as James recounts a childhood tale gone wrong from the very start. Here, the narrative twists yet again, with James countering himself with questions as he ties his tangle of memories, thoughts and feelings back to the themes that infuse this record. It’s expertly done, exclaiming “why the fuck was I wondering what wankers would think of album two?”

There’s significant darkness running through Where’s My Utopia?, but much like The Overload there’s a smattering of hope. Vineyard For The North closes out the record in style, it’s another bouncing synth-infused track ending in a choral flourish, and the aforementioned glimpse of hope hints that, after all, this is a dream job.

It’s a distinctly different record to The Overload; musically more vibrant, perhaps less immediate, yet no less engaging. It’s an excellent second album and one which will demand your attention.

Released: 01.03.24

www.yardactors.com

ALSO OUT THIS MONTH

Chastity Belt - Live Laugh Love (Suicide Squeeze Records, 29.03) // High Llamas - Hey Panda (Drag City, 29.03) // Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well (Interscope/MCA Nashville, 15.03) // SAVAK - Flavors of Paradise (Ernest Jenning Recording Co., 01.03) // Kaiser Chiefs - Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album (Polydor, 01.03) // Everything Everything - Mountainhead (BMG, 01.03) // Kid Kapichi - There Goes The Neighbourhood (Spinefarm Records, 15.03) // Liam Gallagher and John Squire - S/T (Warner Records, 01.03) // Logic1000 - Mother (Therapy/Because Music, 22.03) // Francis of Delirium - Lighthouse (Dalliance Recordings, 22.03) // Lauran Hibberd - Girlfriend Material (Virgin Music, 22.03) // The Bevis Frond - Focus on Nature (Fire, 01.03) // Midas Fall - Cold Waves Divide Us (Monotreme Records, 08.03) // The Libertines - All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade (EMI Records, 08.03) // Dent May - What’s For Breakfast? (Carpark Records, 29.03) // C Turtle - Expensive Thrills (Blitzcat Records, 08.03) // The Pheromoans - Wyrd Psearch (Upset the Rhythm, 01.03)

JENNA LOUISE

MY JOURNEY (SELF-RELEASE)

Words: Robert Nichols

This debut album from the Darlington singer-songwriter charts her personal journey of musical discovery. Opening up with the tender, vulnerable scars-exposed Bruised, Jenna immediately deep-dives into shimmering pop jewel, Your Love.

From the get-go we see two sides to what blossoms into a truly multi-faceted offering, the result of five years work and progression featuring collaborations with Journey South’s Carl Pemberton and producer Sam Hayes. With Sam, Jenna dabbles with the mystical Halloweeninspired Haunted By You; while Carl and Jenna duet on the musically mature Given Up On Us. Other stand out moments include the heart-rending Goodbye and the up tempo Final Time. Jenna has the voice and the material to pack a pop punch. There is a new pop star shooting across Northern skies.

Released: 01.03.24

www.facebook.com/jennalouisemusic

5 / 5

MAGIC TUBER STRINGBAND NEEDLEFALL (THRILL JOCKEY)

Words: Lee Fisher

Appalachian duo Magic Tuber Stringband have been releasing their modern take on mountain music for a few years, on a series of small US indies, but Thrill Jockey feels like the best place for them to land, hopefully giving more people a chance to immerse themselves in this gorgeous music.

Black Twig Pickers and Pelt feel like obvious comparisons, as does Sally Anne Morgan and anyone else twisting that high lonesome sound into fresh new shapes. There’s traces of Penguin Café Orchestra’s chamber folk (especially on Twelfth House) and even current English bands like Caroline and Haress. This is music that makes you taste pellucid mountain streams and smell pine and want to run down mountain sides yelling for the joy of it all.

Released: 22.03.24

www.magictuberstringband.bandcamp.com

Image by Phoebe Fox

4 / 5

CHARLIE PARR

LITTLE SUN (SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS)

Words: Lee Fisher

Twenty-some years and almost as many albums into what he’d probably baulk at calling a ‘career’, Charlie Parr is a quiet institution, a self-effacing bedrock of the US roots music community. He’s worked with Jack Rose, with fellow Duluth dwellers Low, with Black Twig Pickers, and on this fine new album, the magnificent Marisa Anderson. Recorded with a band and with overdubs – both new territory for Parr – Little Sun at times has a bar-room feel, like a Basement Tapes vibe, and Boombox Dancing is a proper shitkicker (and is about the joy of dancing, appropriately enough). But there’s room for aching and yearning (on Pale Fire and Stray) and a bluesy chug on Sloth. Perhaps not his best but still pretty, pretty good.

Released: 22.03.24

www.charlieparr.com

ADRIANNE LENKER

BRIGHT FUTURE (4AD)

Words: Michael O’Neill

A gloriously organic and compelling collection of astonishing songs, Bright Future finds the prolific Big Thief frontperson conjuring up another glorious storm of sonic wonder that feels beautifully raw. Her reliably phenomenal songwriting is beautifully served by an all-analogue production process, which lends the album a rich and warm sound that feels organic and allows the songs to breathe. The spontaneity this lends to the album truly allows the quality of the songs to thrive, including a gloriously Steve Reich-ian rendition of the now-iconic Vampire Empire. As always, the songs are wealthy in melody and profound imagery, and another solid testament to the powers of one of this century’s finest songwriting talents.

Released: 22.03.24

www.adriannelenker.com

5 / 5

WAXAHATCHEE TIGERS BLOOD (ANTI-)

Words: Jade Mia Broadhead

Katie Crutchfield has left her lo-fi roots behind, but she’s never sounded so good on this, her sixth solo LP. Opener 3 Sisters is grand and epic, all heartfelt Americana vibes at their most sincere and stirring, setting the tone. Evil Spawn embraces Crutchfield’s strong country influences and her voice sounds stronger than ever, highlighted by the stripped back 365.

Lyrically, she’s inspired; the rhyming couplets on Lone Star Lake would leave any songwriter wishing they’d thought of it first. Lead single Right Back To it is a beautiful duet with MJ Lenderman with a banjo lead that is to die for, making this the kind of record that takes am indie favourite and turns them into superstars.

Released: 22.03.24

www.waxahatchee.com

BLEACHERS S/T (DIRTY HIT)

Words: Caitlin Thomson

Springsteen with hints of Pulp; Bleachers is a bold, punchy album layered with late-night jazz riffs and 80s nostalgia.

Sax ties the whole project together, progressing naturally between softness and punch, somewhere adjacent to synth pop and rock. Antonoff’s vocals are an instrument in themselves, expertly varied in enunciation, volume, tone and emotion.

80s-infused single Modern Girl is a fast-talking track amped up with sax, drums, guitar and theatrical yells. Alma Mater is all self-referential roughness and dreamy Lana vocals, while Call Me After Midnight is gorgeously fun: smooth sax and a funky bass line. Soft romance is drenched in synth, strings and wonder on Me Before You. Closure and new beginnings intertwine in Bleachers – a wry, joyous picture of modern life.

Released: 08.03.24

www.bleachersmusic.com

5 / 5

MOOR MOTHER

THE GREAT BAILOUT (ANTI-)

Words: Caleb Carter

The shape of England from the top down is that of the blood oath: though everyone must know the truth, nobody must speak it. The Great Bailout confronts the 1835 Act compensating British slave-owners for loss of ‘property’ (and that taxpayers paid off until 2015) rebukes these promises via resurrection.

Instrumentally adrift across a temporal diaspora that is as futuristically resplendent as it is haunted, the album wanders a mausoleum chiming with truth. For all its whispering urns it is never conspirational, the interlacing noise and poetry creates a golden mandala, strong and lucid. Death By Longitude draws best this map of galloping hooves, transmuting into pounding 808s before screeching out into steel, lesioning the colonially-drawn canvas to rent free a gnashing pit, beautifully lucent from within.

Released: 08.03.24

www.moormother.net

JESUS AND MARY CHAIN GLASGOW EYES (FUZZ CLUB)

Words: Robin Webb

Not some bullshit money grabbing pastiche of what was, but a genuine heartfelt collection of bang-on JAMC proto-classics, these crafty buggers haven’t forgotten a thing over the years, as is evidenced with tunes like Pure Poor, a rambling blues number, chaotic, fuzzed and discordant.

As ever incorporating pop Americana with typical overdriven Glaswegian twists, Glasgow Eyes is precise and abrupt like the kids want, but sufficiently rawk ‘n’ roll to please older fans. Getting down and surf dirty with Girl 71 bobbing in sun-blissed waves, it’s all set with some proper Mary Chain soul, closed out by the prog-cognate Hey Lou Reid reverberating in heroin chic. Back comb those bedraggled locks and drag on your drain pipes for a very welcome return.

Released: 08.03.24

www.themarychain.com

4 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

4 / 5

GHLOW LEVITATE (PNKSLM)

Words: Robin Webb

Big City opens this album with blistering dissonance and monotone vocals that spear into your very soul; it’s an eye-opening start to their second LP, which is fairly relentless throughout and further embeds the Sweden-based PNKSLM as one of the go-to labels for hard edged 21st Century punk rock in its myriad forms. The title track has a distinct artfulness that portrays rumbling anger with incessant threatening riffs followed by a ruthlessly raucous Bring It Down. Stand-out track from a gloriously noisy collection for me is Golden, which revs it up like an out of control nihilist punk hot rod, flaming road kill in its wake. Do I hear ‘motorik punk classic’? Why yes I do!

Released: 08.03.24

www.ghlow.bandcamp.com

KIM GORDON THE COLLECTIVE (MATADOR)

Words: Elodie A. Roy

Both with and without Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon has continued to turn songs inside out. Ripping them apart. Figuring out what was inside. The Collective, her second solo album, is a new exercise in deconstruction. A juxtaposition of quotes and samples.

Gordon coolly observes the contemporary era: the persistence of gender roles, consumerism and the depressing allure of screens. She has never sounded so perfectly blasé; melodies timidly emerge and get immediately crushed in the bud. The Collective is a dark, uncomfortably grimy album – much closer to dubstep and hip-hop than to alternative rock. There is something acidic and corrosive about it, an anger that will not go away. But something lingers on after everything has been crushed – a slippery memory of sweetness. Released: 08.03.24

www.kimalthegordon.com

MANNEQUIN PUSSY I GOT HEAVEN (EPITAPH RECORDS)

Words: James Hattersley

Mannequin Pussy deserve to be loved. Their fourth album, I Got Heaven, finds the Philadelphia band at their most cathartic, innovative and disillusioned. Half of the record is wrapped in this deeply provocative pop sensibility – while the other half is abrasive scorn-filled hardcore punk. A delicate balance, but one the band expertly manoeuvrer through.

Switching seamlessly, the album echoes how exhausting it is having to navigate through a brutal and unkind world; the sadness and the unbridled rage. More of a collaborative effort than ever before, Mannequin Pussy are firing on all cylinders. Walls of distorted guitars act as societal barriers whilst dynamic shifts hit equally as hard as they devastate. A visceral record that screams “what are we living for?”

Released: 01.03.24

www.mannequinpussy.com

VR SEX HARD COPY (DAIS RECORDS)

Words: Matt Young

From the opening pummelled drums and bass riffing of Dictionary Talk, evoking The Damned’s New Rose, to the warped out longueurs of the final track Medication Or Mediation, the snotty, punk grit of VR SEX seethes everywhere on Hard Copy. Andrew Clinco (Drab Majesty) under his Noel Skum persona drives his sneering Goth-garagerock circus over the cliff, pulling at lyrical threads of perverse behaviour – sex doll love affairs and glue-sniffing amongst them – with his band of manic cohorts in tow. The intoxicating 80’s sleaze sound provides an evocative backdrop as Hard Copy embraces extremes and outliers. Internal conflicts rage, “I can be ugly / I can be strong / I can be proper / I can be wrong / I can be lovely / or I can be gone.”

Released: 22.03.24

www.vrsex.bandcamp.com

JULIA HOLTER SOMETHING IN THE ROOM SHE MOVES (DOMINO)

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith

Julia Holter has become something of a modern auteur of dream pop, releasing articulate, imaginative records since 2012’s breakthrough Ekstasis. Something In The Room She Moves, Holter’s first album since 2018’s Avairy, expands textures and ideas she has explored before to the extent of their elasticity.

The record embodies a spirit of spontaneity and fun, while also containing some of Holter’s best melodic ideas and satisfying arrangements. Writing Blind articulates the dread of creative inertia, while magnificent centrepiece Spinning is a celebration of imagination. It’s a record that finds Holter at the peak of her imaginative powers, and feels like a cumulation of everything that she has done before, while gazing forward into the horizon, always with the desire to explore.

Released: 22.03.24

www.juliaholter.com

THE DANDY WARHOLS ROCKMAKER (SUNSET BLVD. RECORDS)

Words: Damian Robinson

Criminally underrated, the Dandy Warhols’ output from ‘96-’04 might be as consistent as any band of any era. Tight, varied and filled with poppy melodies, their sound was of such a high standard that even Bowie talked them up and brought them along as tour support.

Dipping in and out of form since 2004, Rockmaker is very much a return to form as they search for their more pop, and accessible, structures. Combining the electronic waves of Monkey House with the indie pop of Come Down, the Dandy Warhols take a straight route to memorable ear-worms and bounce-along indie jangles. The Summer of Hate and Doomsday Bells stand out on an album that deliberately finds the band looking to reclaim their pop crown.

Released: 15.03.24

www.dandywarhols.com

MIXTAPE

WORDS: VIC WATSON & SIMON BEWICK

Bay Tales Live, a one-day crime fiction festival, heads into its third year having become one of the biggest crime events in the UK with over five hundred people from all over the world set to attend Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday 2nd March.  Vic Watson and Simon Bewick started hosting events together online during lockdown and have since been nominated for a number of awards for their contributions to both the world of crime writing and their local town of Whitley Bay, having raised thousands of pounds for RNLI and The Bay Foodbank while introducing local readers to up-and -coming crime writers as well as household names such as Val McDermid and Nicci French.  www.baytales.com

HARRY STYLES

GOLDEN

This is just a lovely, cheery song. Every time I hear it, I can’t help but smile. I love songs like this to get me psyched up when I’m about to present an event or interview someone. People are very complimentary about the way I work but I’m actually very shy and introverted so listening to upbeat songs helps me prepare the persona that people see when I’m speaking in public. (Vic)

BEYONCÉ

DIVA

I’ve loved this song for 15 years and I’ve seen Beyoncé live in concert several times, each time she manages to keep this song fresh by using different samples. I was pregnant when I went to see the Renaissance tour in Sunderland last year and at the gig, I felt my baby girl move for the first time; although she’s my second child, it was still an awe-inspiring moment. (Vic)

HANS ZIMMER TIME

This piece of music, from the movie Inception, has been the soundtrack to mine and my husband’s life together. We played it while we signed the register at our wedding, listened to it on our honeymoon in Thailand and Vietnam and had it on both of the playlists we created for our children‘s births. And I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve played it while driving around to get my son to fall asleep! (Vic)

THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH SONG FOR WHOEVER

For a writer, there is no finer lyric than “I love you from the bottom of my pencil case”. (Vic)

SPICE GIRLS STOP

I was a mega fan when I was a teenager so it would be wrong not to include a Spicies track. I chose this one as I recently introduced my four year old son to it and have been trying to teach him the dance. (Vic)

ROD STEWART SAILING

My parents were big Rod Stewart fans and one of my happiest childhood memories is dancing in the garden on a beautiful summer’s night with them to this song as the music drifted across from his gig at Gateshead Stadium. (Vic)

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN LOST IN THE FLOOD

There are so many great ‘story’ songs from Springsteen – pretty much the entire Nebraska album could work, but this goes all the way back to Greetings From Asbury Park NJ: a piano-based epic with three different stories in it. (Simon)

ROBBIE ROBERTSON

FALLEN ANGEL

As lead song writer in The Band, Robertson wrote so many classic ‘story songs’ but I’ve gone for this tribute to his

one-time bandmate Richard Manuel on his first solo outing. With guest Peter Gabriel, it’s a heart-breaking lament. (Simon)

BILLY BRAGG

EVERYWHERE (COVER OF SID GRIFFIN & GREG TROOPER)

I got to know this song through Bragg’s cover of it: detailed enough to be a novel in its own right of two best friends torn apart by war and racism. (Simon)

MARTIN STEPHENSON

RAIN

I think Martin Stephenson is one of the most underrated songwriters around and this is like a notepad sketch perfectly capturing a moment “between lightning and thunder”. (Simon)

STEVE EARLE

GOODBYE

I think this is quite simply the most perfect late at night all alone reminiscing song ever written. (Simon)

WARREN ZEVON

KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART

Sometimes it’s the story behind the song. Terminally ill and working on his final album, Zevon displayed his trademark dark sense of humour with a cover of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, but this is the one that hits home. I’ve told my wife I want this played at my funeral. She’s written down ‘Warren Zevon song’. I’m sure I’ll end up getting Werewolves of London… (Simon)

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