SOUTH TYNESIDE

from NE Online Magazine Issue 63 - Tunde

THE MANY FACES OF DENNIS HEWITT THE MANY FACES OF DENNIS HEWITT

Hi Dale and welcome to NE, can you introduce yourself to our readers?

So my name is Dale Lincoln from South Shields and I’ve been married nine years on the 6 June 2023 and manage a pub and entertainment venue in South Shields called Armstrong’s Bar, which I love and I am proud of. Next year I turn 40 (not that I look it). I also try to give back to my home town as much as possible by supporting local. I keep giant African land snails as pets and have an amazing family who support everything I do

You are the North East Ambassador for the charity Cancer Is A Drag, tell us a bit more about the charity and what they do?

I’m so proud to be a charity ambassador for Cancer Is a Drag which provides financial support and wellbeing for people living with cancer. As we all know times are so hard at the moment, even more so for people living with cancer who physically can’t work due to no fault of their own but still have bills to pay. This is when our charity helps. Not only that, we do other things as well, like when one of my events paid for a 12 year old boy to take a trip to Lego Land with his family to get some happy memories and family photos due to him being terminally ill with cancer. So that’s where 100% of your money goes and not to pay people who take a cut like other charities, we are 100% for the people in need.

What do you do as their Charity Ambassador?

I’m the first port of call for anyone in the North East who wants to get involved with the charity, I’m also the main fundraiser in the North East and someone you can talk to regarding the charity.

How long have you been in the role and how did it come about?

About 10 years, I started off doing a charity night raising around £1000 and carried on from there and then the charity approached me to become their Ambassador here in the North East and I was delighted to accept.

What has been the best moment for you so far as the Charity Ambassador?

The generosity of the community is incredible; they always seem to dig so deep to help this amazing charity.

You have another of you big Cancer Is A Drag Charity nights coming up at Armstrong’s Bar in South Shields, tell us what people can expect and why they should buy tickets?

Non-stop fun all night including Drag Queens, a DJ, a Burlesque Fire Eater, a Singer, a huge Raffle, Silent auction and lots of fun, just in case I didn’t get that point across. Everyone involved is doing so for free which means 100% of proceeds goes direct to the charity. It is on Friday the 21st July and tickets are only £6, though they have already proved to be a success selling out fast so be quick if you want some. They are available from the venue direct.

You have some fantastic acts performing, can you tell us who you have and what they will be doing on the night?

We have Dame Darcy Twinkle and Miss Jenna Tills who are two amazing Drag queens. We will also have tunes by DJ Danny to keep everyone dancing all night long. Brit Hylton will be entertaining everyone with an incredible Burlesque Fire Show. We will have a live vocalist, but just waiting for confirmation, plus your hosts Baroness Von Camp & Sasha Keyworth.

Away from Cancer Is A Drag, you are also the Events Manager at Armstrong’s Bar in South Shields, tell us a bit more about the role and what events you have coming up?

I am now the General Manager and I plan to take the venue to new heights with live bands, clairvoyance, hypnosis weddings and so much more. So if you have any kind of party or event get in touch to see how we can help you, plus keep an eye on the events we are hosting. I’m also looking to give the place a welldeserved face lift.

Have you had any events on that have stood out so far, if so why? Our local ADHD children and young adult’s discos have always been a huge success. It is great seeing everyone having such a fun time in a nice safe and relaxed environment.

When you are not hard at work what do you get up to in your free time?

I’m a strong believer of supporting local independent businesses as much as I can, so no rest for the wicked.

Tell us 3 random facts about yourself?

I was an extra in Geordie Shore playing the bar man, I have took flight in a Sea King helicopter and I have abseiled off the Tyne Bridge.

How can people follow you or the bar and keep up to date with any events?

Baroness Von Camp

Entertainment on FB baronessvoncamp@yahoo.com

Armstrong’s Bar on FB Dale.armstrongsbar@gmail.com

How can people get involved with Cancer Is A Drag as a charity or with events?

Contact the Baroness direct at baronessvoncamp@yahoo.com

Is there anything you would like to add?

Just a huge thank you to everyone involved in the event, I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.

Good luck and we will see you at the party.

Another season, finished; the 133rd year of the Northern Football Alliance League, since its inception, back in 1890, is done with for another summer. One thing that’s stay the same is that the football within, it never disappoints and, in the season just finished, the 202223 campaign, it’s one which saw Bay Plastics Premier Division champions, Brain Smith’s Newcastle Blue Star, threaten the quadruple, but made do with a League and Challenge Cup double.

Other clubs had aspirations of winning that league title, but couldn’t keep up with the Blue Star juggernaut; Dave Malone’s Burradon & New Fordley coming closest, but even they still found themselves a good seven points off the eventual champions.

Trevor Baston’s Wallington side, they won their last four outings to finish third, their highest league position since returning in 1995, and best since winning the league itself, back in 1977 – they have finished fourth a couple of times; whilst Alnwick brought up the rear in fourth place, adding the League Cup to their roll of honour along the way.

In winning a league and cup double, Blue Star manager, Brian Smith, who’s been ably supported by Steve Cuggy and Andy Bowman, said of his sides’ season: “It’s been good and, strangely, I’ve enjoyed it, as I’ve not been at this level since I was what, 19-years-old.

“Every club, manager is the same though, you want to win the league, and you want promotion, it’s why we do this.

“But there’s also a really good quality of club, player at this level, the likes of Burradon & New Fordley, Wallington, Alnwick Town, they’ve done great themselves.

“Our remit though, it was to win the title, and if we could it all, then great.”

Some mixed results for Blue Star, exit in the League Cup, and defeat against Newcastle Independent in the Benevolent Bowl final, didn’t dampen the season over

Scotswood, and for Smith and his charges, they’ve just carried on doing what they do.

“Both sides in the Benevolent Bowl weren’t very good that night,” admitted Smith.

“They got the goal, and that’s what won it; we didn’t deserve to though as we played poor, whereas in the Challenge Cup, against Seaton Delaval (the first of their two trophies), we just blew them away early on.

“We were at our very best in the opening twenty minutes, probably the best we’ve played this season, but there’s been some tough games as well for us – Burradon and Alnwick spring to mind.

“Our mind-set though, is to win everything and, next season

(where they’ll play Northern League football), I know we’ll need a bigger squad, but it’s the same again.

“Promotion was the remit this season, and it’s the same next, along with progress in the FA Vase, and Northumberland Senior Cup; we know it’ll be difficult, but we’ll get through each as they come.”

Elsewhere in the league, the three other divisions were won by Stobswood Welfare (Reeves Independent First Division), Ponteland United Reserves (Team Valley Carpets Second Division), and Hazlerigg Victory (Bluefin Sports Insurance Third Division).

Stefan Townsley’s Stobswood won the First by some thirteen points from eventual runners-up, West Moor & Jesmond to record back-to-back championships, and with it, consecutive promotions; the end of season form for Welfare, who’ve put together an unbeaten run of seven matches to close off the campaign, saw Max Anderson amongst the division’s top scorers with 22 goals, just three behind West Moor’s Marc Cowley, and level with East End’s Lewis Laidler. Ponteland Reserves, the second string for the leagues’ Premier Division side, ably led by Alex Martin, took this seasons’ Second Division by storm. In finishing the campaign they racked up a ten-match unbeaten run, and were pretty much wrapped up in the season, with the title, before others got anywhere near them, finally finishing nine points ahead of runners-up, Newcastle University A.

As for the Third, that’s been a somewhat tighter affair with, going into the final weeks of the season, any one from four sides, could have still succeeded; eventually it was to be Mark Bullock and his Hazlerigg Victory charges who snuck ahead at the last to win on goal-difference, from runners-up, Benton. The other cup competitions, and with Blue Star lifting the Premier Division’s Challenge Cup, eventually, with a 3-0 win over Seaton Delaval, in late March (Daniel Lanning brace and Craig McFarlane scoring), all provided value for money.

Newcastle East End defeated

West Moor & Jesmond for the Combination Cup, on penalties, following a 2-2 draw; North Sunderland edged Blyth Town U23s 2-1 in the Amateur Cup, whist Hazlerigg Victory came from three goals down at the break, to snatch a last-gasp, 4-3 win, in a seven-goal thriller against Ashington Reserves, in the Neville Cowey Cup.

The leagues’ George Dobbins, and Bill Gardner competitions went to Premier Division outfit, Alnwick Town, and Second Division Morpeth FC, respectively; Alnwick eventually swamping a brave Burradon & New Fordley, 5-2, at Blyth Town with goals from Martin Roper, Luke Molloy, George Hedley, Scott Shepherd and Lewis Fairbairn, the Ford’s replies via Stephen Hall and Lee Waugh, whilst Morpeth edged Third Division Wallsend Boys Club U23s 2-0, at Percy Main, thanks to goals from Zac Benjamin, ten minutes before the break, and a last minute second, from Will Pritchard.

Victory in the League Cup final was Alnwick’s first success in some fourteen years, the season in which they defeated Newcastle East End to lift the old, Subsidiary Cup, the pre-cursor to the Bill Gardner.

At Blyth, Alnwick led by just the one at the break, Martin Roper netting early on after Dominic Hayes had an early effort disallowed for offside. Burradon though, levelled upon the restart through Stephen Hall as, following a cagey first half, the second period completely opened up. Within the space of five minutes Town quickly found themselves 3-1 ahead when Luke Molloy headed home the second, and George Hedley fired the third into the bottom corner.

Lee Waugh, who else, kept the Ford in it with their second goal with twenty remaining, but, in the closing stages, Town wrapped up the win; Scott Shepherd grabbed a fourth, with Lewis Fairbairn wrapping up the win at the death, sealing a 5-2 win. Town boss, Richie Latimer, said of the final success: “The cup runs have been a welcome distraction, especially having not starting the season well. “To have something to play for, at the end of a campaign, it also helped us with our run-in in the league,” where they finished in a very credible, fourth place, and just four points off second place Wallington.

“These cup finals, they’re always tense affairs,” continued Latimer. “The lads were tired, but excited, and we grew into the game - we controlled the first half and our tactics worked well.

“In the second half they had to go for it, they equalised, then we got a couple, then Lee Waugh kept them in it, but we kept going and deserved the win in the end. “They put in a great performance and did the job asked of them on the night; it was reward for everyone involved at the club this season.”

LEAGUE CUP FINAL LINE-UPS: ALNWICK TOWN – Matthew Alexander, Jordan Dobie, Joe Eggleston, Scott Shepherd, Lee Johnson, Dominic Hayes, George Hedley, Marc Jacques, Martin Roper, Luke Molloy, Brannon Patterson

BURRADON & NEW FORDLEY – Thomas Shanley, Alistair Stoddart, Matthew Tumilty, Jon Best, Harry Sawyer, Joe Besford, David Mason, Scott Bamborough, Stephen Hall, Lee Waugh, Sean McRoberts

Then there was the County Cup competitions, Northumberland FA, with both the Football Safety Officers Association (FSOA) Benevolent Bowl and Stelrad Minor Cup, and Durham FA, with the Trophy as Newcastle Independent, Newcastle University A, and Winlaton Community, all tasted success. In the Benny Bowl, Michael Hughes’ Independent left it late, very late, before defeating league champions, Newcastle Blue Star, 1-0, in late April; Independent would finish the game with ten men following the dismissal of Matthew Bowles and, with the game looking like it was heading to penalties, Harvey Walsh popped up with a stoppage time winner.

BENEVOLENT BOWL FINAL LINEUPS: NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR –Sean McAfferty, Jack Donnison, Marc Lancaster, Gary Ormston, Curtis Coppen, Euan Anderson, Craig McFarlane, Owen Gourley, Daniel Lanning, Aaron Willoughby, Nelson Ogbewe

NEWCASTLE INDEPENDENT –Charlie Murphy, Jermaine Metz, Rhys Groves, Elliott Watson, Jordan Lavender, Matthew Bowles, Dan Bennett, Rhys Hutchinson, Henry Harvey, Wilson Kneeshaw, Harvey Walsh

The Minor Cup though was seemingly, one-way traffic for the victors, Newcastle University A; their opponents, Daniel Baxter’s North Shields Community Christians, created history in reaching this stage, but it was to be one game too far for the North East Christian Fellowship League side.

The Uni’s second string, managed by Andy Jarman, led by two at the break, Will Corner, and a Harry Pounds penalty, with their first goals of the contest; after the restart, the floodgates opened and, once Pounds got his second ten minutes in, the outcome was only going one way.

A quick-fire brace from Chris Pearson, as the game headed into the final twenty, had the Uni five goals to the good, before two further, late efforts were registered; Corner adding his second, and Ollie Healey completing the rout with a late seventh.

Uni manager, Andy Jarman, said afterwards: “We’ve had some 50+ games this season, counting both Alliance, and Uni Wednesday’s.

“However, we’ve got a string, three teams in which to choose from as well, so it’s great that they were rewarded with something to play for at the end of the season.

“The start of the season, that’s what really killed it for us and I honestly believe we’d have won the division if we were at full strength, so it was quite an achievement to do what we did.

“In the Minor Cup, once we’d beaten North Sunderland, who’s our bogey team, we started to feel we could win it.

“Chemfica Amateurs, they always give us a tough game, and Wideopen, we’ve played against them a few times and they’re always tight, so I changed our formation which confused them I feel.

“Then, against East End, we deserved to win that and could have been out of sight at one point; their scoring a penalty kept them in it but, with it going to penalties, we’d actually been practising all week for that eventuality.

“As for the final, I’d spoken to both Rothbury, and Willington Quay, because sides have underestimated them in the past.

“I’d also watched them a few times and, to be honest, they couldn’t cope with the pitch size, which helped us.

“We hit the woodwork several times, and their ‘keeper made some great saves, but we just played our game, and they respected us for doing that. “I mean, looking back, I was quite nervous in the week building up to the final, but then, I’m always like that really.”

MINOR CUP FINAL LINE-UPS: NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY A –Richard Birtwhistle, Jay Harris, Luke Simpson, Evan Griffiths, Jack McGee, Daniel Gavaghan, Will Corner, Harry Pounds, Chris Pearson, Matthew Foster, Mbako Chalashika

NORTH SHIELDS COMMUNITY

CHRISTIANS – Michael Richardson, Nathan Allen, Luke Parker, Conor Higgins, Dwayne Murray, Alan Ewart, Ben Senior, Michael Hogg, Adrian Wood, Robert Watson, Steven Thomson

Meanwhile, in the Durham FA Trophy, then-manager Danny Olsen’s Winlaton Community, having endured a torrid season to finish second bottom in the Premier Division, succeeded having won every game, including the final, on penalties. Opposing the Wearside League’s Darlington Town, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, back in late March, Daniel Candlish with a goal for the Community, with a little over twenty minutes remaining whilst shot-stopper Ricardo Mendonca made himself a hero with his penalty heroics, the Alliance side taking the trophy, 5-4 one penalties.

Catching up with their now, former manager, he said of the season, and their lifting silverware, that: “We kind of has the feeling that our name was on the cup, especially when winning each of the previous rounds on penalties.

“There was a couple of times we looked like we were going out, especially against FC Hartlepool, in the semis, when we went a goal down.

“We had a stonewall penalty rejected in that game as well, before we equalised in the last minute.

“It’s unbelievable what we’ve achieved though; Darlington, they’re a really good side and do everything right.

“We had great prep for the final and we’re still in it at half-time; Dan Candlish then put away an easy chance before they equalised what, ten minutes later, then we both battered each other in the closing and both had chances to win it.

“Then, in the shoot-out, we missed a big penalty, and next you know, its sudden death and we needed someone to step up and our 17-year-old, Ethan Havery; I’ve never seen a better penalty, it’s so natural the way he strikes a ball, and sent their ‘keeper the wrong way.”

Olson and company only arrived at Winlaton in October, at which time the club were close to being cut adrift at the foot of the Premier Division; it’s been a tough season, but, winning a cup for them did put a silver lining on what has been a turbulent season at the club.

“We did lose a good, five players, for most of the season through injury,” explained Olson.

“The one’s we lost, that’s a good fifty plus goals we’d lost until the closing months.

“We were bottom with only six points when we started, and there were times we just never turned up, horrible on the pitch, but the final, it was a great night and I’ll not take anything away from the club, its players, and the fans, they all deserved that success.”

TROPHY FINAL LINE-UPS: DARLINGTON TOWN – Cameron Hall, Cameron Holliday, Karl Hewitt, Ryan Coles, Ellis Husband, Sam England, Jim Wilson, Brennan Fitzpatrick, Lee Hastie, Ben Wood, James Beauchamp

WINLATON COMMUNITY –Ricardo Mendonca, Kieran Barker, Steven Tumelty, Jordan Plunkett, Adam Edgar, Kyle Wharton, Taylor Havery, David Backhouse, Daniel Candlish, Dean Hendry, Samuel Brhame

Now, it’s all systems go for next season, the 2023-24 campaign, where, as always, it never stops, the league should be back up to a full complement of clubs (64), across all four divisions, and everyone starts with that clean slate as the hunt for silverware begins again.

In the next issue of NE Online Magazine, alongside the preview of the new season, we’ll catch up with Alnwick Town’s Richie Latimer, and the Wallington manager, Trevor Baston, two sides looking to better themselves again, and maybe make a run for another league title (it’s been a while with both), as well as catching up with the sides that have been promoted to the top division, getting their thoughts on what’ll then be last season, and this season.

Images courtesy of Wilson on the Photography (Tara Wilson), BC Photography (Ben Cuthbertson), and Winlaton Community; keep up-to-date with all in the Northern Football Alliance League via their socials, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ northernalliance2019 and Twitter https://twitter.com/ nfalliance1890; and the league website https://www. northernfootballalliance.org.uk/

NB – IN ADDITION, AND AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON, THE NFAL IS LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING –SPOSNORS FOR CUP COMPETITIONS FOR THE 2023-24 SEASON ONWARDS, AND, THREE, INDEPENDENT PERSONS TO JOIN THE LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (NOT CONNECTED TO A MEMBER CLUB), THIS WILL BE IN THE ROLES OF TWO FIXTURE SECRETARIES, AND ONE ASSISTANT REGISTRATIONS SECRETARY. INTERESTED PARTIES TO EMAIL LEAGUE SECRETARY, MR DEREK BOOTH, ASAP, VIA secretarynfal@aol.com

It was a long time in coming, but it was well worth the wait to finally see Monopoly Events bring Comic Con North East to Newcastle. Bringing their trademark mix of great props and big guests…and they didn’t disappoint. They brought geek royalty in the form of Nick Frost, James Masters, Noah Hathaway, Colin Baker, Peter Davidson, Paul McGann, Ross Marquand, Sean Pertwee and more, though the biggest guest was having real life Superhero Milo in attendance, something we didn’t think would happen at the start of the year.

Full props has to go to Monopoly Events as they have really went above and beyond to help support Milo and his family, not only with giving away an awe - some prize of photos with every single guest, but also a few tables to sell their handmade items, plus Milo was made a guest of honour so everyone in attendance got to meet Milo and have their photo taken with him. A big thank you has to go to Kerry from The Geek Asylum for making a lot of the above happen, her work behind the scenes has been incredible, plus all money made on the GA Tombola went to Our Milo. Lastly another thanks to The North East Legion who not only collected on the day but also gave their display tables away to Our Milo so they could sell even more of their incredible hand - made items. Thanks to everyone above and the generosity of the comic con attendees, Our Milo raised £4,054.08 and counting, which is an amazing amount that will go towards the adaptive caravan that Milo and his family are fundraising for.

The success of the comic con as a whole rests on the fans and how much they get behind the event. For a first event it has obviously had to get over a few bumps in the road, but the feedback and the comments afterwards have all been very positive, so much so that Comic Con North East will indeed be back, so get the 13th & 14th April 2024 in your diary, in fact tickets are on sale now at https://www. comicconventionnortheast. co.uk/

A big part of any Comic Con is of course the fans. The people who spend their hard earned cash on tickets, who go all out with their costumes, who bring their favourite characters and fandoms to life, so we of course want to show them off. We can’t share every single photo sadly (that would fill a full issue itself – though maybe next year we could do a CCNE Special Issue if Monopoly Events would like us to, we have ideas for it). So we have asked people to send in one or two of their favourite photos from the day so we can show them off and show exactly what people that didn’t attend missed out on.

To keep up to date with Comic Con North East https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1563571614083440 https://www.comicconventionnortheast.co.uk/

For Our Milo https://www.facebook.com/Milothesoldier https://missionmilo.co.uk/

For The Geek Asylum https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1488907078027699

The North East Legion https:// www.facebook.com/northeastlegionuk http://www.northeastlegion. co.uk/

“The beautiful thing was the music in which we created, they’re my babies.” Tunde Baiyewu, April 2023

Performing a repertoire of both his own, solo music, and that of the legendary, Tyneside duo, Lighthouse Family, Tunde Baiyewu is heading out on tour once again.

Now as a solo artist, the man forever known as being ‘the voice of Lighthouse Family’ is taking in seventeen dates on what is known as ‘The Awake Tour,’ two of which are right here in the north-east. The Tyne Theatre, Newcastle –where else, will see those iconic tunes float across Geordie air once again on the 13 June, then, ten days later, he heads across to Teesside to play at the Stockton ARC on the 23 June.

It’s a tour, and new music, that has been sometime in the making, the latter initially shelved due to Lighthouse Family commitments, and the former, due to global is- sues of recent years. For Tunde though, it’s music that’s been his lifeblood, music that’s kept him going, and music that the now 55-year-old continues to produce for the ever-adoring masses.

But, how did all begin, with Lighthouse Family, and for Tunde, and his then musical partner-in-crime, Paul Tucker; well, it started when they were at university, pursuing, especially in Tunde’s case, completely different career paths.

“I was working in Presidents, on the Bigg Market, and Paul was down on the Quayside,” began Tunde, looking back on those early days of one the greatest acts of the 1990s, and beyond.

“We just did it for some extra cash whilst we were at university, to supplement our studies.

“Wayne McDonald, who’s a Radio DJ, introduced us to each other as I’d done a few things with him and, at the time, Paul had started writing some tracks and needed a vocalist for them.

“In those early days, we’d be in the studio, just chatting away, making our music.

“But we never thought that it would become what it did; that was a real bonus for us.

“Then things, they just gathered momentum; I was reluctant at first as I’d just graduated from university (Tunde earned a degree in Accounting), but, if you’re going to do something like this, you just have to go for it.

“The people, they wanted to buy our music, having heard the tracks being played on Radio One, and that’s when things just went completely ballistic – I’d been doing some temp work in accounting at the time, but I just really loved music, I still do.

“I’ve always been singing, even from when I was little, with the hairbrush in front of the mirror, that kind of thing.

“And people, they do encourage you along the way, telling you not to stop and to just, keep on going; it’s a stamp of approval, something which you need in music, so that’s what we did.”

There were some really heady days for Tunde and Paul, from the early nineties to early noughties, with ‘Ocean Drive’ (1995) quickly followed by ‘Postcards from Heaven’ (1997), then ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Day’ (2001) giving fans hit after hit.

The singles, they just rolled off the tongue, and where many a persons’ track to their summers, be it the opening two hits of Lifted and Ocean Drive, through High, Lost in Space, Postcard from heaven, the music was just endless beauty.

A ‘Greatest Hits’ album was released in 2002, and a ‘Very Best Of,’ a year later, followed by ‘Blue Sky in Your Head’ (2019) but the fans, they continued wanting more, and more.

Tunde though, although he has that Accounting degree, has never really looked back once he’d made that first, successful step into the world of music.

He’s released two solo albums of his own, with a third, imminent; a self-titled release in late 2004 was followed near a decade later by ‘Diamond in a Rock; (2013), as well as finding time for the ITV documentary, ‘Faith in Music,’ in late 2006, the love has been unabated for him.

His inspirations have included the likes of Sir Elton John, Bill Withers, Van Morrison et al, and, although it’s twenty years next year since his debut, solo release, and continuing to work with Mike Peden (producer for the Lighthouse Family), the split of that duo, was perhaps, in a way, ex- pected, because of things happening elsewhere in the world.

“My philosophy is that nothing last forever,” continued Tunde.

“There’s always a beginning and an end; you can romanticize things, go through the sweet spots, but the people, they’ll always want you to continue.

“However, it’s always a case of it being the right time.

“I’ve always loved solo work, and working with Sony/RCA Records, it’s been great for me.

“Doing this now, it’s nothing new for me.

“I’ve been fortunate as well, really lucky, with all that’s happened in life.

“I never really did anything with my debut solo album, but everything falls on yourself to do things.

“When you’re a soloist it’s how you want to do things, the music, the media, it’s all my decision, and that suits me fine.”

Decisions, whether big or small, are a part of life, everyone’s, and the decision to split from the Lighthouse Family, and go it alone, was hard on so many people.

It’s still rather fresh as well, but, credit to Tunde, he’s re-booted himself and continues unabated with the music he knows and loves, even taking some of it back to his roots.

“I know how much work goes into things, and a lot of people contributed to, sometimes, more than one element,” explained the iconic musician.

“For me though, and for my own mental health more than anything, it was time in which to step off the train – you do actually realise you need to do these things and it’s not a new thing at all.

“When lockdown happened (March 2020), Lighthouse Family had just finished a UK tour, and the South African one had been cancelled.

“I then did a ‘Giants of Soul’ tour last year, somewhat tentatively, but this one though, right now, it’s been on the back-burner for some time.

“I guess I was fortunate really as I actually made the upcoming album around seven years ago.

“That was due to my having itchy fingers between Lighthouse Fam- ily albums and Mike (Peden) invited me out to Brooklyn, New York, and I spent a month there making it.

“Then Lighthouse Family made another album, so we held off on the solo project.

“Coming back to it though, it just needed to be freshened up a little, add some things to it, albeit remotely, which we were forced to accept.

“That was difficult to begin with but you accept it and you do whatever works, you find a way to make things happen.

“And now (without spoiling) on the record, I had the opportunity to work with other, African artists, which was truly amazing, and it’s because of covid those doors were opened, a collaborative effort. “So, listening to it back, it does really sound like we’re all together on it, so the album has really benefitted because of that.”

A whole new set of music, inspired by that of the Tundeinspired 1970s, sees the voice of, alongside the producer of, preparing to bring forth a selection of troubadour-influenced music for the masses to adore.

Now, it’s tour time once again, with Tunde having begun in Cardiff in late-May, by the time he returns ‘home’ to the north-east, in mid-June, he’ll be more than half-way through the tour, finishing at the Manchester Band on the Wall on 24 June.

“This tour, I’m really looking forward to it,” beamed Tunde.

“It’s more of an intimate one and I really like that, it being similar to my early, solo tours really.

“Going out there, on the road again, it’s great, and I’m so looking forward to doing things that I’m able to do myself, including Blenheim Palace (Nocturne Live) with Gregory Porter and Emeli Sande, especially as I’m already touring anyway.”

Tickets for Tunde’s ‘The Awake Tour’ can be purchased via individual venues, or from his website at https://www.tundeb.com/live and you can keep up-to-date with everything via his socials on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ TundeBaiyewu and Twitter https:// twitter.com/Tunde_Baiyewu

If there’s one thing we have always loved doing, its making a child’s day, giving them the chance to meet their heroes…or in this case villains! Seeing their face when they meet someone like Ursula, from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. When the child still believes in the magic and thinks they are meeting the ACTUAL Ursula…well, that is just priceless and makes you smile the biggest ever smile because you just got to witness that magic. A big thank you has to go to Kerry AK from The Geek Asylum who gave up her time to join us at Cineworld Boldon for the opening day of The Little Mermaid, not only did she look amazing as Ursula, but she put on a real show for the kids bringing the Sea Witch to life, scaring some of the kids… and even the adults, especially when she threatened to steal their voices. Such a magical afternoon.

Next up we have Indiana Jones there on Saturday 1st of July 11am-1pm so make sure you get yourselves down for that one!

We have double the fun now as we have teamed up with Cineworld Boldon and the new Cineworld Dalton Park to give you a quick run down on a few films that are coming soon and really have got us excited.

Plus make sure you check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with their daily competitions and updates. Boldon and Dalton Park

The Flash Release date: 14 June 2023

Running time: 144 minutes

Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life.

But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?

Cast:

Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Ron Livingston, Ezra Miller, Antje

Director: Andy Muschietti

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Strays

Release date: 09 June 2023

Running time: 93 minutes

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but what if the man is a total dirtbag? In that case, it might be time for some sweet revenge, doggy style. When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naïve, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is abandoned on the mean city streets by his lowlife owner, Doug (Will Forte; The Last Man on Earth, Nebraska), Reggie is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose. But once Reggie falls in with a fasttalking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named Bug (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realizes he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleazeball that he is. Determined to seek revenge, Reggie, Bug and Bug’s pals— Maggie (Isla Fisher; Now You See Me, Wedding Crashers), a smart Australian Shepherd who has been sidelined by her owner’s new puppy, and Hunter (Randall Park; Always Be My Maybe, Aquaman), an anxious Great Dane who’s stressed out by his work as an emotional support animal—together hatch a plan and embark on an epic adventure to help Reggie find his way home … and make Doug pay by biting off the appendage he loves the most. (Hint: It’s not his foot).

Director: Josh Greenbaum

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

Release date: 28 June 2023

Running time: 154 minutes

Harrison Ford returns as the legendary hero archaeologist in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the iconic “Indiana Jones” franchise, which is directed by James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari,” “Logan”). Starring along with Ford are Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”), Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”), John RhysDavies (“Raiders of the Lost Ark”), Shaunette Renee Wilson (“Black Panther”), Thomas Kretschmann (“Das Boot”), Toby Jones (“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”), Boyd Holbrook (“Logan”), Oliver Richters (“Black Widow”), Ethann Isidore (“Mortel”) and Mads Mikkelsen (“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore”). Directed by James Mangold, the film is produced by Kathleen

Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Simon Emanuel, with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas serving as executive producers. John Williams, who has scored each Indy adventure since the original “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981, is once again composing the score.

Cast:Antonio Banderas, Harrison

Ford, Boyd Holbrook, Toby Jones, Thomas Kretschmann, Mads Mikkelsen, John RhysDavies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Oliver Richters, Ethann Isidore, Phoebe Waller-Bridge Director: James Mangold

Mission : Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Release date: 11 July 2023

Running time: 165 minutes

In Mission: Impossible –Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission – not even the lives of those he cares about most.

Cast:Hayley Atwell, Tom

Cruise, Henry Czerny, Cary Elwes, Esai Morales, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Indira Varma, Rebecca Ferguson, Mark Gatiss, Vanessa Kirby, Frederick Schmidt, Shea Whigham, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Rob Delaney, Charles Parnell, Greg Tarzan Davis Director: Christopher McQuarrie

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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It’s been rather quiet, readingwise, since my last column – focus has been a little wayward due to the end of the football season, and all the work in which that entails. I recall that I may well have alluded to the book that I’d just started prior to penning my last, so, other than that, there’s only really been one other book read – I don’t know what’s come over, just two books, fortunately, I’m not ill, just a little run down maybe with all that’s going on in life. There’s been a few (too many) purchases, I’m like that, but I have downgraded quite a bit earlier this year as well, well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

So, what I have I read, I hear you asking yourselves?

Well a rather interesting paperback, close to 500 pages as well, in John Lutz’s ‘Frenzy,’ something which Harland Coben says that he “knows how to make you shiver.”

It’s a deadly game of cat-andmouse between New York’s finest, and a sadistic serial killer with a past he’s dragged through life; the main detective, Frank Quinn, has crossed paths with this nemesis, known as D.O.A, before, the killer evading capture, and now he’s back for round two.

Everyone is at risk, the killer, he has a type, but he’s also got a thing for Quinn, and those closest to him – a killer with a grudge! There’s many twists and turns, some shocking moments, and it’ll keep your heartrate pulsing. One of those moments, involving the serial killer, is when he abducts a victim, drives into the wilds at night to finish her off, she tries to escape, knocks herself out cold, and comes around to find she’s not alone – let’s just it wasn’t the killer her got her, but something more, slithery….

I suppose something slithery brings it nicely onto the other book I’ve read, and something way out of the usual read as well. My grandmother passed away last year; the remaining family history joined that of her beloved husband – I’ve quite a bit now, going back well over a century just of their own belongings. I even took possession of just a handful of books that were of interest.

What I hadn’t seen, and hadn’t surfaced until we finished clearing the house out in early-mid April, was the book I’ve not long since finished reading.

It was a David Attenborough – I did say it was outside my usual reads.

Now, for those that had read other content by myself may well remember my talking about when I was a mere lad, and holidays to my Nanas/Dads (my parents split when I was two). The local library was pretty much my first port of call, every holiday, and I would, most the time, be sat watching wildlife documentaries, taking notes, then I’d be writing stories at the dining room table afterwards. Don’t worry, I’ve not dine that for a good few years, I can’t get back up off the floor anyway haha; anyway, this book was a hark back to those olden days, and it still the ‘ye olde smell’ to it – the book was published in the late 1950s so it’s already more than six decades old.

The book I’m talking about is Attenborough’s 2-in-1 from 1959, ‘Zoo Quest For A Dragon,’ and ‘Quest For The Paradise Birds,’ the former of which really interested me most as I’ve had a passing interesting in the subject of it, that of the Komodo Dragon.

Attenborough tells of the struggles, and the joys, of doing what he’s now universally known for doing, back in the early days of his natural world research, not just from leaving England, but gaining access to other, then lesser known, countries and continents; traveling to where, at the time, few from the ‘western world’ had even been. He tells the tales of both peoples, and the wildlife, of these far off lands, and tells it how it was, through his own eyes.

It took a lot for them back then to get to the Islands of Komodo, the land of the dragons, a prehistoric lizard that has withstood the test of time, a modern day dinosaur if you will, that survives to this day. They say that seeing/reading, is believing and, in all honest, if you’re into that sort thing, then it’s a must read; both books are in honesty, with the second telling of a secondary trip, this time to find the Paradise Birds. Again, the peoples of far off lands, and their ways of life are told, in some detail, how they live and survive, how they court a partner, and so on; the birds, many a wondrous kind, are also detailed, as Attenborough, perhaps a real-life Indiana Jones, but with a differing purpose, began his own journey of fame and glory.

I do have other wildlife books from years gone by, that I’m now more tempted to dive into, so, who knows….. For now though, there’s other things still on my mind, family history being one which is very much bubbling away at the forefront, but that my friends, is another story (it will be).

Books by the Beach; Scarborough, books, the seaside, what’s not to love from this, 10th Anniversary event, this coming weekend. A plethora of authors, across numerous genres, will descend on Scarborough this coming weekend, event organisers also adding a bonus run meaning the occasion now runs from the 9-11 June.

Art historian and broadcaster, James Fox, is seen to kick proceedings off on the 9 June, with his ‘World According to Colour’ at the Queen Street Church, the BBC presenter taking a look at the world through that of history and art, exploration and science. Saturday’s proceedings kickoff early, with some murder and suspense, courtesy of Luke Jennings, with Gerry

Foley the creator/author of the critically acclaimed, Killing Eve, whilst also introducing he is next masterpiece #PANIC; and from there literature lovers can, in the early afternoon, head into the wonderful world of Bridgerton, with playwright, novelist, and

Regency expert, Catherine Curzon, hosted by patron, Helen Boaden.

Gerry Foley has a busy afternoon ahead of him when he chats with Maureen Fry, an international bestselling author who’s fictional masterpiece, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, was just released as a film, whilst also discussing her latest offering, Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North; it’s then back onto the crime beat for the evening as Foley chats to Alan Johnson, about the memoirs, and the novels, penned by the former Home Secretary. Sandwiched between those is the early evening trip to the seaside itself, well a couple of them in fact, as Ms. Boaden offers up Madeleine Bunting, the journalist and author taking us too, quite literally, The Seaside, from Scarborough to Morecambe.

FRIDAY 9 JUNE (19:00)JAMES FOX ‘The World According To Colour’

SATURDAY 10 JUNE (10:30) – LUKE JENNINGS

‘Explosive Thrillers’ –(13:00) CATHERINE CURZON

‘The World of Bridgerton’ – (15:00) RACHEL JOYCE

‘Fantastic Fiction’ – (17:00)

MADELEINE BUNTING ‘The Seaside’ - (19:30) ALAN

JOHNSON ‘Crime Time’

Heather French, the Festival Director, said in the welcome brochure: “We are proud to celebrate our tenth book festival in Scarborough.

“This year’s programme offers a sparkling variety of fact and fiction. To launch our festival we have a wonderful bonus event on Friday 9th June – don’t miss it!

“HUGE THANKS to our visiting writers, hosts, sponsors, partners, volunteers, audiences and our super festival patronHelen Boaden.”

The final day, and it being a Sunday, then it’s up with the larks, and a visit with the Reverend as Gerry Foley chats to Rev. Fergus ButlerGallie, a former minister of both Liverpool, and Central London, and talk about his new memoirs, Touching Cloth; Foley then brings the afternoon about in conversation with The Orchid Outlaw, Ben Jacob. Helen Boaden takes the final two sessions of the weekend with Sunday afternoon and early evening delights; first she has a beautiful, doubleheader in which to contend with, and The Power of Love with that of Jenny Colgan and Linda Green, the former, a Sunday Times bestseller, chats about her new release, The Summer Skies, whilst the latter, having penned numerous novels, discusses her latest In Little Stars. She then closes the literary weekend with The Full English, the new release from Stuart Maconie who takes readers the length and breadth of the country, armed with his companion, JB Priestley’s English Journey (1934 study of a contemporary England).

SUNDAY 11 JUNE (10:30)

REV. FERGUS BUTLERGALLIE ‘Touching Cloth’ – (13:00) BEN JACOB ‘The Orchid Outlaw’ – (15:00)

JENNY COLGAN & LINDA GREEN ‘The Power of Love’ – (17:00) STUART MACONIE

‘The Full English’

ALL TALKS ARE £10 AND TAKE PLACE AT THE QUEEN STREET CHURCH (CHECK EVENT TIMES AS LATE ADMITTANCE NOT PERMITTED)

For information, booking details etc, of Books by the Beach 2023, visit their website https:// www.booksbythebeach. co.uk/ and follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/ scarboroughbook

IT’S BACK!

Teesside’s The Gathering Sounds Festival announces first-wave of acts

The one-day music event gears up for its hotly anticipated return to Stockton this September

The Gathering Sounds Festival has announced its return to Teesside this autumn with an impressive line-up of artists and plans to continue its legacy of bringing local talent and national acts to the mainstage within the North East of England.

Following on from another homerun year post-Covid, the much-loved all-day festival is preparing for its fifth instalment at KU Stockton on Saturday September 30th, where the venue will play host to some of the best and brightest emerging artists from across the UK, including the high rising North East star Andrew Cushin.

Taking its cues from festivals like The Great Escape in Brighton, The Gathering Sounds Festival has positioned itself as a leading event for both music fans and industry professionals. With a line up of new musical acts across a variety of genres, the event has established itself as a key tastemaker in the regional music scene. side, KU Stockton is the area’s longest running live music bar. Promoting their “proudly independent and strong belief in a true grass-routes music scene”, KU will provide the perfect backdrop to the atmosphere in which The Gathering Sounds is aiming to cultivate.

Headlining the inner-city fest is breakout local lad Andrew Cushin, whose rising profile and support from icons such as Noel Gallagher and Pete Doherty has him leading the NE music charge alongside fellow Geordie songsmith Sam Fender. Providing listeners with his kitchen-sink/ council-estate-kid songwriting style, With singles such as ‘You Don’t Belong’ and ‘Where’s My Family Gone’, Cushin’s music blends northern realism with catchy and energetic full-band arrangements, which has quickly sky-rocketed the young musician into the industry big leagues.

Joining Cushin are dirty-faced rock ‘n’ rollers The Skinner Brothers and female alt-rebels GIRLBAND. The Skinner Brothers may be Southerners on paper, but their gritty rogue soldier approach to music is Northern at heart. From their patchwork beginnings, to their matured swagger-filled present, the band have found their voice and have no plans on staying quiet.

While GIRLBAND have a similar devil-may-care attitude to their music, this all-female trio could be described as Gen-Z’s Buffy; slaying stereotypes and music industry vampires one tune at a time. Three mesmerising voices wrapped in a lethal package, these women are performing guerillastyle warfare on the commercial music industry.

Other acts already confirmed include The Clause, Deco, Fat Dog, Finn Forster, The Molotovs, Ruby J, Dawks, PICNIC, Bedroom Highclub, San Quentin, The Redroom, Casino, The Thieves, House of Wolves as well as many more still to be announced.

Viral pop act Deco have been earning legions of new fans this year with their sunny sounds that combine the contemporary with the nostalgia of 80s synth pop. After earning themselves millions of views for their viral 80s mashups, Deco soon appeared on national TV & radio, played BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, supported the likes of Nile Rodgers, A-ha and Boy George on tour, and garnered endorsements from their musical heroes like Noel Gallagher and Coldplay. 2022 saw the band perform their biggest headline UK tour to date and had their infectious saxophone anthem, ‘Rain’ played on the hugely popular reality show Love Island. One of the fastest-growing acts in the midlands, The Clause, is also set to perform, bringing their heady mix of indie disco, 60s fashion, 80s influence and 90s edge. With millions of streams to their name and two successful tours under their belt, the band are determined to become the “biggest band in Birmingham”. Having sold out a 1500-capacity show at Birmingham’s O2 institute, they’re well on the way to achieving that dream.

Joining Deco and The Clause on the line up is The Molotovs. You would be hard pressed to find another young rock band on the UK circuit working as hard as this three-piece. They exploded onto the London live scene mid-2020 and with over 200 gigs under their belts to date, they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

Representing Newcastle is one of the region’s most promising future success stories, The Redroom. Now based in Manchester, the young band have accumulated over 85,00 streams and in 2021 they performed to a sell-out crowd at Hardwick Festival - alongside Nile Rodgers and CHIC. In 2022 they opened the mainstage for Stereophonics as well as music giants Madness at Lindisfarne Festival.

Festival organiser Jimmy Beck commented: “The North East has such a wealth of musical talent and The Gathering Sounds Festival is all about championing this talent along with tonnes of amazing artists from across the UK.

“We shine a spotlight on the artists we believe are truly doing things differently and have the potential to make big waves on the regional, national and international stage. Nurturing the next generation of music is what we’re all about and we’re so excited to bring such an amazing line up to Stockton in September.”

Stockton-on-Tees has a reputation for nurturing emerging musical talent, and The Gathering Sounds Festival plays a huge part in supporting and expanding this endeavour. This inner-city festival’s 5th year is all about the journey, as TGS continues to act as a vessel for artist development.

Tickets for The Gathering Sounds Festival (30 September) are on sale now from: https://www.seetickets.com/event/ the-gathering-sounds-2023/ ku/2449716

Fat Freddy’s Drop: “Brass has always meant a lot to us, we can’t wait to arrive in Durham to celebrate it!”

World-renowned New Zealand band to headline Durham Brass Festival this summer

Monday 10 July 2023

The internationally renowned, party-starting band, Fat Freddy’s Drop have said they “can’t wait” for their headline performance at this summer’s Durham International Brass Festival.

The festival headliners will open the week-long event with a huge show at Durham’s Gala Theatre on Monday 10 July, bringing their singular sound, infectious stage presence and groove-laden improvisation to the festival’s opening night.

The genre-colliding band brings together the sounds of reggae, soul, jazz, disco, indigenous Māori music and other far-reaching styles to create a unique and euphoric live performance that has taken the band to some of the world’s biggest stages.

The Kiwi outfit has performed over 1000 shows since forming in the early noughties, clocking up more than 500 appearances in Europe, 34 Australian tours and over

300 shows in their New Zealand homeland. Last year, the band headlined shows across the world, including sold-out performances at Alexandra Palace in London, Sydney Opera House and Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Fat Freddy’s Drop is known for their unpredictable, virtuosic and wildly entertaining sets where live improvisation has led to the formation of some of their greatest songs. The band’s award-winning albums, ‘Blackbird’, ‘Dr Boondigga and the Big BW’ and the iconic ‘Based on a True Story’ were almost entirely created on tour through their ever-inventive live improvisation.

With brass instruments making up almost half of the band, the seven-piece outfit has said the North East festival is a show they are particularly excited for.

“We have some amazing shows coming up in the UK but one we’re really looking forward to is the Durham Brass Festival,” Chopper Reedz, saxophonist for Fat Freddy’s Drop, commented. “We have a horn section with trombone, trumpet and saxophone and as a band, we’ve listened to a lot of brass music that has inspired us musically. Brass has always meant a lot to us and we can’t wait to arrive in Durham to celebrate it with you.”

Promising a week of spectacular performances, free concerts, community events and a full programme of high-energy street bands, the summer festival is set to once again bring the streets of County Durham to life with the sound of brass music.

The festival, organised by Durham County Council, is a mainstay in County Durham’s event calendar with people of all ages and backgrounds taking to the streets and filling up venues across the city to celebrate the sound and history of brass music.

Fat Freddy’s Drop will open Durham Brass Festival on Monday 10 July 2023 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are priced from £35.

For more information and to buy tickets, head to: https://brassfestival.co.uk/brasspost/fat-freddysdrop/

For more information about the festival head to: https://brassfestival.co.uk/

Brassed On

Durham Brass Festival announces emerging artist commission combining internationally renowned brass bands with North East rising stars

Friday 14 July 7pm @ Durham Town Hall

Durham Brass Festival has announced a unique showcase event which will see some of the region’s brightest new talent team up with professional brass players to give their music a whole new dimension.

Featuring Darlington’s Luke Royalty and Middlesbrough’s Sisi, Brassed On is set to take place on Friday 14 July at Durham Town Hall, the venue of festival organisers Durham County Council,. The two rising stars will perform their biggest tunes but not like they’ve ever been heard before. Two renowned brass outfits - The Original Pinettes Brass Band and Loud Noises - will work with the artists to produce brand-new brass arrangements, taking their live show to new heights with punchy trumpets, bass-heavy sousaphone and powerful trombones. Luke Royalty is one of the hottest artists from the North East. Since the release of his acclaimed debut EP, ‘my blue room’, Luke’s music has made a big impression on the UK’s leading musical tastemakers with the likes of NME, Clash Magazine, Far Out Magazine, The Independent and The Line Of Best Fit championing the young artist.

Heartfelt, honest and always catchy, Luke’s music is inspired by the likes of Mac Miller, Amy Winehouse and Bill Withers. His jazz-inflected sound will be married with the high-octane sound of Loud Noises, a band that bridges the gap between contemporary brass music and high-octane dancehall-inspired improvisation. The party-starting four-piecehailing from Leeds - is known for blurring the line between band and audience to create one of the most interactive and engaging live shows on the live music scene. Meanwhile, Teesside native Sisi will team up with the all-female brass outfit, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, who will be travelling all the way from New Orleans to perform at this year’s festival. Despite being at the very beginning of her career, the 18-year-old artist has already earned backing from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Youth Music and PRS, and last summer saw her perform her biggest show yet at Reading & Leeds Festival.

Known for bringing together farreaching genres, from Afropop to Garage, it’s no surprise that Sisi brought home Song Academy’s prestigious ‘Young Songwriter of the Year’ in 2022.

Sisi’s sound, which incorporates soulful vocals, contemporary production and afropop beats, will be the perfect match for the powerful and infectious New Orleans Jazz that The Pinettes are universally adored for.

Formed in 1991, the band have made a huge name for themselves in their home city and further afield, challenging the stereotypes attached to the male-dominated world of brass bands. Their status as one of the best street bands in the country was consolidated a decade ago at the highly competitive Brass Band Blowout contest which saw the award change name from ‘Street Kings’ to ‘Street

Queens’ as The Pinettes snatched first place.

Soho Radio residents and vinyl connoisseurs, Noble & Heath will be spinning an expert selection of rare soul, funk & disco throughout the event.

The Brassed On showcase commissioned by Durham Brass Festival has been spearheaded by the festival’s Jennie Brewis. A musician, songwriter and cultural producer best-known as one of the co-founding members of North East pop folk favourites The Cornshed Sisters. Jennie describes the concert as her “dream gig”

“The event will be an amazing new showcase of two fantastic young artists who have collaborated with brass players on their music for the event,” said Jennie.

“Sisi has been creating music for a short time but her sound is incredibly mature and sophisticated.

We have teamed her up with The Original Pinettes from New Orleans. This is the first time The Pinettes are playing at Durham BRASS and it’s a real privilege to work alongside them and Sisi. What a match!

She added: “Luke will be collaborating with Loud Noises of Leeds. We knew that Luke’s Music was right up their street and they were excited to be arranging brass for him. We can hear elements of The Specials, The Streets, Elvis Costello and his music was just ready to have brass incorporated. “Adding to our fantastic lineup is DJ’s Noble and Heath, I am so genuinely excited about seeing all of these artists on one bill. It really is a dream gig. Not to be missed.”

Alison Clark, Durham County Council’s head of culture, sport and tourism, said: “Durham Brass Festival is about bringing together talented musicians both locally and from across the globe to celebrate the boundaries that can be pushed and experiences that can be created through music. “Celebrating the talent we have in the region is part our ambition to make County Durham the culture county, and Luke and Sisi are two young North East artists who are going from strength to strength in the music world. We are delighted to be hosting them with Loud Noises and The Original Pinettes, in what is sure to be an excellent night.”

The festival, organised by Durham County Council, is a mainstay in

County Durham’s event calendar with people of all ages and backgrounds taking to the streets and filling up venues across the city to celebrate the sound and history of brass music.

BRASSED ON will take place at Durham Town Hall on Friday 14 July. Doors open at 7pm and the show will start at 7:30 pm. Tickets are £10 / £8 (conc) and are available via: https://brassfestival. co.uk

IRELAND - THE SHOW

Tuesday 8th August 2023 / 7.30pm��

Now seen by a live audience of over 250,00 to nightly standing ovations and rave reviews, join us for ‘Ireland The Show’! Featuring an all-star Irish cast of the Emerald Isle’s most talented award winning performers,accompanied by the fabulous Keltic Storm Band and world champion Gael Force Irish dancers!

This unmissable production will take you on a journey through the decades of a globally loved culture.

The show, which has received high acclaim, will feature all the wellknown ballads and foot stamping singalongs from the legendary ‘Pogue’s, Furey’s, Dubliners, Makem and Clancy”, to name but a small few. Add to that a string of hilarious stories and jokes from our award-winning Tyrone comedian and topped off with energetic reels and jigs from our fiddling Derry maestro and the supremely talented vocals of our Keltic voice from Donegal! If it’s all things Irish you like, then this is certainly the show for you. Guaranteed to take you to Ireland and back in one night!

“The Ultimate music, song, dance and comedy celebration of a globally loved culture” - The Irish World.

“Superb from Start to finish and will have you clapping and singing all night long, this show is going to be a global success” - Stage Magazine

‘Absolutely magical, I don’t know where they get the energy from!’ Rothes Halls,Glenrothes.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS

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