NE AOTY 2021 Hayley McKay

[Hayley McKay] [Hayley McKay]

Darlington Songbird, Hayley McKay, Continues To Be That Soaring Angel In what is her final showing as the NE Online Magazine Artist of the Year, one that has been, considering the climate we still experience, we caught up with Darlington songbird, Hayley McKay, in what is her home from home, the Music Forum Centre, Darlington For myself, right before I got to know Hayley, I was studying journalism programmes at the nearby Darlington College, mere minutes away from the Forum, in fact I would walk past the venue at least twice a year, for two years. Looking back, now, I’m ashamed to say that the Forum never registered with me, although in my defence, focus was elsewhere – and yes, I did apologise to Alison (the Forum’s esteemed Director), Hayley’s mother, for this mishap. Since then, during the late-2010s, myself and Hayley have become, I’d like to say, friends, and it’s always good to be able to catch up with, even more so in person. Therefore, for her last feature of the year, I headed over to Darlington, on a cold, late-November afternoon, to visit her at the Forum, and she would be, as always, an absolute delight. Upon arrival, Hayley proceeded to show off her bulging portfolio that she’d brought with her – this young lady has some catalogue of work behind her and, for one still so young, is often maybe overlooked – I know it still blows my mind on occasion. There’s news clippings aplenty, including by yours truly, photographs, and montages alike, even certificates accumulated of all that she has accomplished. It was a pretty packed portfolio to say the least, and one with which I felt honoured to cast my eyes over, whilst consuming a hot brew, as we chatted all things life, and music. She’s been having plenty of fun lately as well, what with every-

thing slowly opening back up that little bit more; Hayley has found herself pretty much a musician in demand, she saying that: “The Darlington Christmas Light switch-on was pretty unbelievable. “There had to be thousands of people there and I got to perform three songs, two of which were my originals, and the other was the Shakin’ Stevens classic, ‘Merry Christmas Everyone.’ “For me though, it was just nice to be able to perform a hometown gig, and in front of people that’s maybe not seen, or even heard, myself and my music, before. “It was all so surreal though, and definitely became the highlight of the year for me.” Although this year, like the one before, has seen minimal in the way of live performances, Hayley, like the majority of her musical counterparts, took to performing in an online setting, leading to gigs rolling in over the latter months of the year. As well as performing her hometown Christmas Lights show, Hayley can also count performances at Barnes Park (Sunderland), Middlesbrough FC’s fan zone, the 229 Club (London) and the BCMA Showcase (London) as well as her most recent outing, this past week, at the Globe (Newcastle). At the BCMAs, Hayley was attending as a nominee for the UK Song of the Year award, for hr track, ‘Wild West,’ and she hopes that, her finish to the year now concluding, can maybe prove to be a catalyst for the one in which is

just around the corner, one which is already seeing dates added to the diary. “I’m really quite pleased as to where my music, over the past year or so, have got to,” gleamed Hayley. “To be shortlisted for awards is amazing, and I’m really grateful to all those who voted for me. “Even more happy as you never are sure what will happen. “Last year though, I was actually preparing for the C2C (Country 2 Country), somewhere which has been a real ambition to perform, and I was scheduled for a couple of stages. “I’m hoping I can do that next year now, but yes, the past few years have actually been amazing really, and afforded the time for me to be more creative.” In affording opportunities to home her writing skills, looking at differing, musical styles, and to work with other musicians, Hayley has built herself a back-catalogue of music which will keep her in the public eye for the foreseeable at least, and with minimal effort. Working with the likes of Bill DiLuigi, Claire Hamell, Judd Freedman et al, has given the Darlington songstress renewed vigour, strengthened her confidence, along with the demeanour of her online performances. “The livestreaming, it was really good for me,” admitted Hayley. “It opened myself, and my music, up to a wider audience, and I also did some charitable performances for Breathe Easy, and Fairway Fife. “To be able to perform music for people of different backgrounds, to be able to help communities, has been truly amazing, it really has.” And there’s the burning desire that roars for Ireland. It is a country where she has garnered much support, and one which sees it increase exponentially, be that with television, or radio. “Yes, it looks like I’m going to Ireland next year,” adds Hayley. “I’ll be at the Hot Country TV awards so Im looking at performing a few gigs around that, in

Cavan. “Both they, and of course RTE, have been great in their support of my music, playing my videos, conducting live interviews, and the like. “Some of those were quite nervewracking for me, but, once I started, I really enjoyed them. “So yes, all-in-all, I’m looking forward to what next year has to offer me, including, I hope, performing at festivals again, some country nights at the Forum, gigging, and of course, writing and releasing more music.” Keep up to date with all things Hayley McKay via her Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hayleymckaymusic/ Twitter https:// twitter.com/mckay_hayley Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ hayleymckaymusic/?hl=en and website https://www.hayleymckay. co.uk/ Credit for Darlington Lights Images – Scott Akoz

ROMESH RANGANATHAN COMES TO THE CITY HALL FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2019 WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW TICKETS ON SALE 10AM FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

Romesh Ranganathan is back with a brand-new show, The Cynic’s Mixtape, and it’s his most brutally honest show yet.

Fresh from The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, A League Of Their Own and Judge Romesh, he’s putting showbiz aside to deliver a carefully-curated selection of all the things he has found unacceptable since his last tour, including why trying to save the environment is a scam, why none of us are truly free, and his suspicion that his wife is using gluten intolerance to avoid sleeping with him.

Romesh’s cynicism has become his trademark, but since being nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2013 Edinburgh Comedy Awards this deadpan humour has become one of Britain’s most respected and popular comics. Now, though, it’s time for the Asian Provocateur to return to his stand-up roots for a while – there’s things he needs to point out, discuss and have a good moan about. Care to join him?

Show drops 2019, don’t miss it.

Tickets for Romesh Ranganathan are on sale Fri 28 Sep from 10am and are £26.50. Tickets can be purchased online at www. theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge)