SOUTH TYNESIDE

Acclaimed rock and soul artist, Andrew Roachford, is preparing himself for an upcoming tour which will see him take in 21 dates throughout February and March, including the Fire Station, Sunderland, in the middle of his ‘Evening With’ soiree.

Having begun in the late eighties, Roachford has been on the road, many times, ever since, and this year’s travels is no different, only being halted by the recent, global pandemic, to which, for its part, scuppered the promotion of his most album release, the 2020 ‘Twice in a Lifetime.’

That release adds to the numerous works Roachford has in the music-verse, dating back to his self-title debut, in the late 1980s, and which, although the industry has, and continues to change, on a regular, for the Londoner, it’s helped more than hindered.

“It has changed (the music industry),” began Roachford, “But, for me, it’s worked in my favour as the gigging is what keeps the people going, but it’s also quite sad that people don’t really want to, or own, CDs anymore.

“There’s a profound effect though, and there’s been difference’s in production, it’s now all done on a decent laptop.

“People, they still want to, and appreciate, good songs and music, and the songs, they need the staying power because, after a couple of years, listeners, they move on.

“It’s the exploring of the songs and the need to be something about it, which keeps things right.”

As one of the most compelling and consistent artists produced on British shores, Roachford is someone who channels James Brown’s energy on-stage, whilst, on records, summons the spirits of artists from Al Green to Joe Cocker.

Now, with numerous studio albums, and a handful greatest hits collections, Roachford’s stock is one that has attracted that of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone, and Chaka Khan, whilst consistently touring on his own and with other, established, and up-and-coming, quality artists.

Speaking of touring, his upcoming one, which begins in Nottingham on 15 February, and finishes in Lincoln on 30 March, is one that has been attributed to supporting the independent music venues, he adding of recent outings, and the upcoming tour: “I’ve done a few gigs, and a European tour, but it’s still pretty fresh for me and I’m looking forward to going ahead with this one, especially as I’ll be promoting my last album. “I never got the chance to tour that (due to covid) and it was a weird time, doing ‘live’ shows from your home, because it’s just a one-way thing, you don’t get the crowd response that you do in venues.

“The European tour itself, that was a decent-sized one, whereas with this one, it’s more intimate, and in support of the independent venues.

“We all took a huge blow during covid and, although it’s recovering, there’s still venues closing, which is sad because they are what’s needed for the young, local, upcoming talent.

“Not everyone can play at the large venues, or in places like London, so we need to somewhere to play, to start out.”

For the past 10 years, he has been part of Mike + the Mechanics, recording with Mike Rutherford’s post-Genesis band, playing live with them across the world, including the upcoming, UK and Germany tours. Meanwhile, his latest album, ‘Twice in a Lifetime,’ registered an impressive, five weeks of Radio 2s A List airplay for the hit single, ‘High on Love,’ as well as the support for singles ‘Love Remedy,’ and ‘Gonna Be The One,’ as the release was crowned, Album of the Week. The album itself is done by someone who knows his craft inside-out and was produced by Jimmy Hogarth (Paolo Nutini, Duffy and Amy Winehouse) whilst featuring members of

Winehouse’s band, as well as a duet with UK Queen of Soul, Beverley Knight.

“(Beverley Knight) we’d always spoke about it and she jumped at the chance,” continued Roachford.

“Doing this, it’s brought us closer together, both as individuals, and as artists and I’ve huge respect for her, both as a person, and an artist herself.

There’s a resilience, and being thick-skinned, which is needed in this industry, and she has all of that.

“As for this tour, it’s going to be fun, and I’m looking forward to visiting some of the smaller towns, the intimate venues; they surprise you, which makes it all special, worthwhile, and, because of the closeness (of the gigs) there’s an instant connection with the crowds.”

The tour has been put together in support of the independent venues trust, and Roachford will have support from Acantha Lang, a native of New Orleans, and a rising star in the world of soul music.

‘An Evening with Roachford’ takes place at the Fires Station, on Saturday 4 March, tickets for which are available from https://sunderlandculture.org. uk/events/an-evening-withroachford/

As a founder member of 10cc, where he is the co-lead vocalist, and bassist, Lancashire lad, Graham Gouldman, has certainly seen, and pretty much done, it all.

Even now, in what should be the twilight of a career spanning into its fifth decade, he’s showing no signs of stopping, the last, near ten of those years has seen the iconic musician bring forth his ‘Heart Full of Songs’ masterpiece. That in itself was put together purely for his own enjoyment, and for him to perform his music in their simplest, acoustic form –that’s not done too badly either. Alternating with ease between his two, musical loves, Gouldman, who tours with Iain Hornal, Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby, is much a sight to behold.

“I’m very much looking forward to taking ‘Heart Full of Songs’ on the road again where I get to play and talk about some of my old songs, and explain their origins, but also play some new material that I’m very proud of,” began Gouldman.

“I’m also looking forward to working with multiinstrumentalists/vocalists, Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, both of whom are my 10cc bandmates.

“On percussion we have Dave Cobby, who also happens to be 10cc’s production manager.”

Gouldman’s upcoming tour will the see them take in some sixteen dates within just three, March weeks, beginning with Bury St Edmunds (6) and Sunderland (7), before wrapping up in Shrewsbury (22) and the 1occ co-founder’s home-town of Salford (23).

“We’re used to it and do try to have a day off every four,” explained Gouldman.

“But, at times, we’re also at the mercy of venues, hence those days of seemingly, long traveling.

“That’s when we’ll often do a few hour worth of traveling on the night, straight after gigs.

“You accept it though as its part of the job which we do.”

It’s true what they say though, you do take the rough with the smooth, and, even as a musician, there’s the ‘perks to the job. With Gouldman, he recently had the opportunity to work on his new single, with rock royalty, cofounder of Queen, Sir Dr Brian May CBE, or ‘Bri’ as he is to those in the know.

This was regarding a recent offering of Gouldman’s, ‘Floating in Heaven,’ which caught the attention of May, who has both a PhD in astrophysics, and a longstanding passion for astronomy as a whole.

The single itself would be used to mark the unveiling, to the world, of the first images released via NASAs James Webb Space Telescope.

“I enjoyed working with Bri (Brian May) and I think it was an exciting project, for both of us,” added Gouldman.

“I was, literally, enchanted, by the Space Telescope, and what it was doing, and I wrote the track, ‘Floating in Heaven’ because of if, which everyone loved.

“It’s certainly been a real pleasure to do, and, collab’ing with others, that’s something I very much enjoy doing, and something I did a bit of, online, during the pandemic.”

For sure, it’s all about keeping busy, however, and that’s something which Gouldman and his 10cc bandmates, are more than acquainted with and which, since emerging from that of recent years, has certainly kept him going, including behind the scenes.

“Gigs, they were pushed forward, so last, and this year, has been very busy, for a lot of artists,” admitted Gouldman.

“I definitely did a lot of work during the pandemic, converting materials to instrumental.

“I can’t sit around, idle, so, I just filled in my time; it’s also important for you mental health, to just, keep going.

“Even this year, we’ve got a lot on, touring in the UK, and in Australia and New Zealand, whilst also finding the time to put together a new album later in the year as well.”

Keep up-to-date with all things Graham Gouldman via his website https://grahamgouldman.info/ Facebook https://www.facebook. com/GrahamGouldman/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/ grahamgouldman

Tickets for the show at Sunderland’s Fire Station (7 March) are available from https://sunderlandculture.org. uk/events/graham-gouldmanheart-full-of-songs/

Image Credits – Nick Oliver (group shot), Patrick Strouken and Martin Porter

The comedy scene, on Tyneside, and across the north-east as a whole, is a vibrant one which continues to delight, and bring forth the constant need for fun and laughter, to the masses.

Amongst those, stand-up artists, with lofty, yet credible ideals of being ‘the next big thing,’ is Hebburn native, 29 year-old, Simon ‘Si’ Beckwith, a man of many talents who’s been a name, of several talents, around the region for a few years now.

Now, having released his debut, stand-up show, ‘Get Lush,’ pre- pandemic, Beckwith used the enforced, time away, to continue writing material, and would pen that of his current offering, Bricks.’ In a continuation from one, to another, ‘Bricks’ is the comedic tale of Beckwith taking to life of becoming a step-parent, whilst the previous, ‘Get Lush,’ is based upon his becoming a better person. Both shows have been wellreceived, with Beckwith having performed at numerous venues across the region, and beyond, and is able to count on the like of The Stand Comedy Club (High Bridge,

Newcastle), Alphabetti Theatre (St. James’ Boulevard, Newcastle), and Laurels (Whitley Road, Whitley Bay), to name but a few.

As Beckwith proudly say however: “I’m keeping busy, so I can’t really complain.

“I’ve always harboured a desire to do comedy, and it really has been a great job for me.

“There’s been numerous, side-hustles, work which has come my way because of it, and it’s mad because this is my life, and I’m very grateful.

“Especially as I’m just a lad from

Hebburn, but, I really enjoy what I do.”

Among those side-hustles has been some media work, for a number of entertainment outlets across the region, and, in recent times, has produced podcasts like, ‘The Greatest Film You’ve Never Seen,’ with Ken McGuiness, and the most recent, current conversationalist, ‘Mosh Pet,’ alongside Ellie Kumar.

Beckwith and Kumar use this masterpiece, to discuss a joint love of alternative music and cultures, the gothic lifestyle, and heavy metal music.

After all, Beckwith did say that he was keeping busy and, for him:

“Mosh Pet, that’s the main focus (away from Bricks, and stand-up), right now.

“It comes from my love of heavy metal music, and Ellie (Kumar), she really is a kindred spirit when it comes to things like that.

“But, I’ve done, with others, podcasts over the past few years.

“As for the written side, that’s pushed more towards the creative side things, script and stand-up mainly.

“There’s a similar discipline between them; techniques, rules, and materials, and yes, there’s a lot of crossover, but it’s down to your understanding of the mediums that matter.”

As for his two, personal, standup comedy shows, and with a promise of more to come in the not-to-distant future, ‘Get Lush,’ and ‘Bricks,’ were brought to the fore, either side of the recent, pandemic.

“The first one, it’s about being a better person, whilst the second is about being parent,” continued Beckwith.

“There’s a natural progression between them, and that’s been ideal, with the second, a much better show than the first.

“With ‘Bricks,’ there’s points in the show where I talk about my daughters’ life.

“We’re all quite open, and I’m very conscious of that.

“She even wrote a joke for the show, which is great.”

Beckwith’s daughters’ interest in her father’s work is strong enough so that she even has the lego-version of his poster, on her bedroom wall.

“Yes, it’s amongst all of the k-pop posters; with the joke though, when I told it, people laughed and clapped.

“I managed to get the moment recorded and, when I showed it to her, she cried at the response it received.

“With ‘Get Lush’ though, although I’m happy with it, we never did much, due to the pandemic, but we got some really great feedback, but yes, there was plans to do more with it, including the (Edinburgh) Fringe.

“I don’t find myself struggling with ideas though, it’s just making sure that I see them through.

“With ‘Bricks,’ I performed as Laurels (May) and The Stand (October) last year, and now we’re heading to the Alphabetti, in March.

“I may look at taking it the Fringe, so it’s down to recording, and minor tweaks, whilst at The Alphabetti, I just want to perform it at a venue which I really love.

“Overall though, I do try and work on at least one, new show a year, and yes, there’s a few, new concepts in the pipeline.

“Concepts with which I always try to draw on personal experience, my life, and from a certain point of view.”

Si Beckwith brings his latest, stand-up show, ‘Bricks,’ to Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre, on Saturday 4 March 2023, tickets for which are available via https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/copy-of-neilharris?fbclid=IwAR2u6tgx3vDbGla4F6QML_cgmUOs2KcJCg1Yxmh3yqohUESjkI1Ch4wgwY com/si.beckwith/ or visit his website https://sibeckwith.com/ You can also watch some of Si’s work on YouTube via https://www. youtube.com/@sibeckwith Image credits – Jay Dawson

Keep up-to-date with all things Si Beckwith via his socials on Facebook www.facebook.com/ SiBeckwithComedian twitter.com/ SiBeckwith and www.instagram.

We have teamed up with Nerd Fest for this issue’s main feature ahead of their next event held at the Boiler Shop in Newcastle on Easter Monday, 10th April 2023. Following on from the success of last year’s Fright Fest Michael has went the whole hog to make this event even bigger…literally, as this time he has 7”1 actor Ian Whyte, best known for his roles in Star Wars, Game Of Thrones,

AVP and Prometheus, as a special guest, happy to chat with fans, pose for photos and of course sign autographs. The other thing that Michael has went big on is the promo, this time enrolling the help of all of the fantastic costumers and cosplayers who attend the events to feature on his giant promo banner, the best of which have been chosen to appear in this very feature. But first we catch a few words with Michael…

Hi Michael, it’s good to have you back, so what can people expect at Nerd Fest this year?

Nerd fest this year we have a Back To The Future DeLorean, a huge Transformers Bumblebee character, a working Johnny 5 robot from Short Circuit, free arcade games to play, a dedicated gaming room with new and old games plus our

Cosplay competitions with prizes to be won. If that wasn’t enough, we have lots of geeky traders and even our very own magician to entertain the kids young and old. All the while raising money for disadvantaged children in the North East.

Every show seems to get bigger and better, what is new for 2023? Well we are broadening our horizons and bringing our popular Nerd Fright Fest Halloween event to North Tyneside and into the Parks Sport Centre! We feel north

Tyneside is missing a huge Halloween event so we are hoping to bring some spooktacular entertainment to the region, so watch this space.

Where can people get tickets for Nerd Fest?

Tickets are available now online from Eventbrite https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/nerd-fest2023-tickets-427448308397?utmcampaign=social&utmcontent=attendeeshare&utmmedium=discovery&utmterm=listing&utmsource=cp&aff=escb or in person at Nerd Arcade, That Retro Game Shop and CTRL Pad

What made you want to do a giant banner?

That was an easy option!

We wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful cosplayers who’ve taken so much time and money and skill to make these awesome costumes!

What has been the highlight of the banner?

The highlight of the banner was having all of the cosplayers sending their awesome pics in and really getting into the spirit of it all.

Is there anything you’d like to add? We get how we fall under the comic con bracket but feel we are slightly different in we just love to put on a show and entertain the public!

Special thanks to Graphics allsorts for the artwork.