NE Online Magazine Issue 68 - Oliver Speck-Smith

Welcome Note.

Illness and work see’s a late issue for this April, but it is still another jam packed issue at least. A big thank you to the events that have invited us along, which has seen a few more names added to our charity banner with more lined up for later in the year.

As always, if you have something you want to see in a future issue then don’t forget to drop us an email to wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine. com

Plus remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for our regular updates on events and competitions.

Till next time

Take care

Wayne

EDITOR & DESIGNER

Wayne Groves wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Peter Mann BSc

Inside Mann Media & PR insidemannmedia.wordpress.com petermann78@hotmail.com

Madhouse Media www.madhousemedia.co.uk

SOUTH TYNESIDE

The idea for Seven Drunken Nights, the story of The Dubliners, began to form in creator Ged Graham’s mind in 2014. The legendary band had retired their name two years earlier with the demise of last original member, Barney McKenna.

“Their 50-year career had come to an end,” recalls Ged, “and I saw a gap in their story. I decided to put a show together that celebrated the pivotal role they played in Irish music in general and in my life in particular.”

Ged had moved from Dublin to Manchester with his parents when he was 10 – he’s now 62 – complete with his father’s records “or long-players, as he called them, one of which was A Drop of the Hard Stuff by The Dubliners”. It was music that was played throughout his childhood but brought into sharp relief in 1974 when he was taken to the band’s concert at the local Free Trade Hall.

“For someone who was listening to David Bowie and The Beatles and glam rock, it was quite an eye opener to see this incredible bunch of musicians and storytellers. I’ve been a lifelong fan ever since.”

The band had originally formed in 1962 when Ged was still in nappies. “By 1967, when

they were well-established, I can remember listening to the Mamas and the Papas at the same time as The Dubliners doing Seven Drunken Nights. They sang and talked in the same accent as my mum and dad.”

Children like being part of the crowd. It took precisely three days at school for Ged to talk like a Mancunian but then, as he points out, the ‘70s wasn’t a great time to be Irish in England. “There wasn’t a lot of Irish music around although Dana winning Eurovision in 1970 with All Kinds of Everything certainly focused people’s attention on Ireland.”

A weekend punk (his words), something nonetheless stirred in his DNA when The Dubliners sang. “Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly were amazing characters. I still maintain Luke was as soulful a singer as Otis Redding. When he delivered a song, it had extra layers you didn’t find with other singers. Jimi Hendrix was a fan: he always said he loved Ronnie’s voice. When Luke passed away, Paul McCartney and Ringo sent flowers.”

He also believes that U2 or Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries or The Pogues might never have happened if The Dubliners

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hadn’t paved the way. But, in his early days as a young adult musician, Ged tended to play soul, reggae and rock music. In his 30s, though, he joined the Borderline Irish show band along with Kevin Kennedy who went on to find fame as Curly Watts in Coronation Street.

“We’d do Whiskey in the Jar as an obvious crowd-pleaser. But it wasn’t until the explosion of Irish theme bars at the beginning of the 90s – in 1991, 120 O’Neill’s bars opened in the UK – that having a good time, or the craic as it was known, really took hold. Jack Charlton becoming the Irish manager played its part, too. Now, every bar wanted Irish music and that’s when The Dubliners’ repertoire came back to help me.”

The lightbulb moment for Ged came in 2014 when he determined that the sort of music typified by The Dubliners had become something of a museum piece. “Songs like The Irish Rover or McAlpine’s Fusiliers about working on a building site tell real stories: they’re not just a collection of words. I wanted to breathe new life, real meaning into them.”

And so the idea for a theatrical show came together. “We start with the final performance The Dubliners gave on The Late Late Show in 2012. Then we go back to 1962 and a clutch of songs like they’d be performed in a pub with real gusto.” He spent months and months researching the band’s history and eventually Seven Drunken Nights, the story of The Dubliners, was born. Ged won’t easily forget the first night of the new show at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington, West Cumbria in 2017. “The content was the same as today but the production was pretty basic, almost embarrassingly so, as I look back at it now. It was the music that pulled it through.” His heart was hammering in his chest. “But I knew we had the right people and the songbook, of course, was solid and strong. I had the ball: I just needed to stick it in the back of the net.”

The polish was added two tours later with a more sophisticated recreation of the legendary Irish pub, O’Donoghue’s, the setting for the show.

Now, some seven years later, Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of The Dubliners is about to embark on its most extensive

80-date UK and Irish tour ever, kicking off at the Opera House in Manchester on February 29 and finishing in Waterford on June 23, taking in London’s Dominion Theatre on March 17 with three shows at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin across June 14 and 15. He’s a great believer in the power of live performance. “My ambition from the start was to provide two hours of muchneeded escapism.” And you’re more likely to experience it in a theatre, he argues, than via any other art form. “When you go to the theatre, you’re part of the event in a way that you aren’t in a cinema or in front of a television.”

Back in the day, the tour would attract a greater percentage of Irish in the audience. Now, says Ged, although this is only an impression, he reckons it’s more like 50:50. In Scandinavia at the beginning of February, he was talking to a Brazilian couple in Stockholm who’d been so motivated by the show, they’d bought tickets in the interval to visit Ireland again.

Clearly, the appeal is universal. Prior to the current marathon, they had a successful tour of Finland, Denmark and Sweden.

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In the autumn, they’re off for the first time to Australia followed by what he describes as a tastertour of Canada.

How’s his stamina? He laughs. “Not as good as it used to be. But I’ll tell you what, once I’m up on that stage, I forget all my aches and pains and, for two hours and more, I’m energised by the music. It’s the only time I get any peace: I’m lost in a carefree bubble.”

Simultaneously with all this activity, there will be three tours of his other big show, Fairytale of New York, criss-crossing the

UK from the end of October.

He’s also in the early stages of putting together Pretty Vacant, a paeon to punk and New Wave. “I’m passionate about the music. I was there in 1976.”

And ten years from now? Will Seven Drunken Nights still be finding an audience? “Absolutely. The music is timeless, a living thing, and, if we can present it with enthusiasm, I believe there will be an audience for it.

I love all our theatrical projects but Seven Drunken Nights will forever be my baby. It was the first, my chosen child.”

Seven Drunken Nights, who’ll

have performed a number of shows throughout March, including dates in both York (matinee & evening), and Stockton’s Globe Theatre (a few weeks ago), will also be appearing throughout April, May and June, including returning the north-east on Thursday 16 May, at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

You can follow the band via their socials on Facebook @ SevenDrunkenNights, Instagram @7drunkennights, Twitter @7drunkennights and their website via www.sevendrunkennights.com

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Dean Mowbray will be in a future issue of NE with a full feature, but we still wanted to bring him to your attention as he is very kindly supporting one of our chosen charities, The Red Bench Project. Dean has done a special print called “Not Alone” as seen on the left there, which is a stunning image of the very first Red Bench in the moonlight. Not only is the picture stunning, but he is donating

50% of the profits from the sale of this signed A4 print to The Red Bench Project as well.

You can buy yours today and support this great cause

https://www.deanmowbray. co.uk/signed-prints

So the other day whilst we were chatting about the feature I had a proper look at Deans Website and I signed up to be a member, as not only did I want to show him my support, but because his artwork is amazing and inspiring.

By being a member you get a big welcome pack with signed prints, cards, a folder and even some sweets, along with loads of great extras, freebies, competitions and discounts throughout the year. Honestly, this guy is ripping himself off for how cheap this is and how much you get, so honestly, please go take a look and join up yourself, or just order a print or two

https://www.deanmowbray. co.uk/about

Dean also does commission work, so if you want your very own unique one of a kind piece of art, why not have a chat with him, just make sure that you mention that you saw his work via The Red Bench Project as he has kindly said he will donate a percentage of each sale to The Red Bench Project every time someone mentions it.

You can follow Dean on Facebook and his Youtube channel, watching him paint is genuinely mesmerising and very therapeutic, so go pop over and watch him paint.

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Established in April 2014, North east based cover band The Wolcott Band have built an immaculate reputation throughout the UK for major holiday parks, hotels, casinos, festivals, weddings and other events, even gaining several celebrity fans and followers along the way.

In 2022, they won “Best Band” at the NREA and The National Entertainment Awards, and in 2023 frontman Oliver Speck-Smith won Best Male Artist at the NREAs. Nominated again this year in three categories, the band perform at the o2 in London in November.

A fully live, high energy show, full of the biggest anthems, sing alongs and dance floor fillers from artists including The Killers, Oasis, Pulp, Stereophonics, Foo Fighters, Ed

Sheeran, Gerry Cinnamon and many more.

The band have shared the bill with several well known acts, including Atomic Kitten, The Feeling, 911 and DJ Sammy.

We caught up with frontman, Oliver Speck-Smith to find out more.

Welcome to NE, so where did the name of the band come from? The band was put together in New York, by a group of incredibly talented young musicians who were staying at the Hotel Wolcott as part of a college trip. At that time I was working the North East pub scene with a band called Craze, although I’d been in several pro bands before that. I was asked to join the band but turned the offer down, actually three times, be-

cause I was reluctant to go back to travelling as much as I had in my previous pro bands. Then a turn of events saw Craze lose 2 members, so I was left with a choice to either spend the next few weeks putting it back together, or working with The Wolcott Band in the build up to their first show. I chose to do that and I’ve never looked back since.

That original lineup is very different from the one that performs today?

We’ve had several lineup changes in that time. I guess a victim of our own success, it’s not easy being in a different part of the country every night. It’s the side of the industry that I guess people don’t see. We miss family weddings, birthday parties, even funerals, and that can take its toll over time.

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Most of us still keep in touch when time allows. Jack Wade, the original drummer and owner of the band, is actually my daughter’s Godfather now.

So while you’ve always fronted the show, you haven’t always owned it? No, we got to the end of the 4th year and our first major tour, and everyone decided it was too much, including Jack. I was gutted as we’d worked so hard and built such a successful show. I wasn’t ready to walk away from it just yet, so I bought the band from Jack and put a new lineup in place. Thankfully, the success story continued from there.

Ten years is an amazing achievement for any band these days. What other challenges have you faced along the way?

Several come to mind. Lockdown being a major one. We initially believed we might not work for 3 weeks, which at that point was a welcome break, but that turned in to 15 months. We had no government support, were the first indus-

try to be shut down and the last to reopen. The knock on affects of that are still apparent today, with many very talented musicians working in 9-5 jobs for the security it offers, so recruiting new members is more difficult now than it was before lockdown.

I’ve also had a few health issues to contend with that have almost finished my career too. In 2020 I had to have surgery on my spine which came with a risk of being unable to walk, and prior to that, in 2016, I had a double micro laryngoscopy operation on my vocal cords, and was told I may never sing again. 8 years later and I’ve completed several major UK tours and even won Best Male Artist in the Northern Regional Entertainment Awards last year.

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It makes you more grounded. You appreciate how fragile life and your career are, and I don’t take walking on stage for granted like I used to.

So if those have been the low points, what have been the biggest highs?

There are so many to choose from. Working with celebrity acts, playing some amazing venues, doing the Christmas lights switch on in Wigton.... but I think the main thing has to be the affect you can have on others, which you often don’t realise at the time. We’ve received some amazing messages after performances from people which really make the long hours and miles travelled worth it. People who have seen their child with learning difficulties mesmerised by the show, going on the dance floor for the first time, giving them dreams to perform themselves for the first time. We even appear on

TripAdvisor with comments saying their holiday was a disaster for whatever reason, but rescued on the last day by the night they had with The Wolcott Band. Things like that are the things that keep you going through the hard times, knowing that you are making a difference in people’s lives through the power of music.

You’ve worked alongside several known acts including Atomic Kitten and DJ Sammy, but also got alot of support from the late John Challis who played Boycie in “Only Fools And Horses”, and more recently Monty Staines in “Benidorm”. How did a cover band from the North East gain support from such a British icon? We pulled up at a gig in Yorkshire

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and a notification came on my phone from Twitter, saying “John Challis mentioned you in a post”. You automatically expect it to be a false account, but it turned out to be genuine and he’d posted a video of us performing the night before in Berwick. I grew up with Only Fools And Horses so sent a cheeky message back, thanking him and asking if he fancied doing a promo video for us, ending the message with “He who dares Rodders....”. I didn’t expect to hear anything back, then a week later received a video from him, in full character, saying he was going with Marlene to meet Del and the boys at the Nags Head where The Wolcott Band were playing. I was blown away, thanked him again, got a lovely message back and an

offer to go to his stand up show in Whitby. Jack and I went to meet him and we became friends from there. One of my proudest career moments was when he

later tweeted a solo project I did, proclaiming “I have some very talented friends”. My last conversation with him was about the birth of my daughter, Rayne, and a week

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later heard on the news on the way to a gig that he had died. I’m still extremely grateful for his support and friendship and I keep in touch with his wife, Carol.

So with celebrity followers and National Entertainment Awards, where do you go from here?

I said when I took over the band

that my goal was to get it to its 10th year and I’ve done that. We’ve got some great plans for this year to do some projects with other artists and friends, including a song to raise money for the Red Bench Project, which is a charity I’ve taken to my heart. For those that don’t know, they install red benches in suicide hotspots, where people can sit and gather their thoughts, and if you see someone sat on one, you’re encouraged to spend a moment talking with them. I’ve lost friends to suicide, and that moment spent could make all the difference.

We’ve also got three nominations in this year’s National Entertainment Awards which is being held at the O2 in London this November. I’ve always said that I know I’ll never play Wembley in my career, but I want to get as close as I can. Preforming at the O2 in London is pretty close. I’m happy

with that.

When you are not working with the band and touring, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m a single father to a beautiful 2 year old girl called Rayne. When I’m not away with the band, she takes up most of my time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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She’s a proper “daddy’s girl” and my best friend. It can be exhausting balancing the two, but it’s so worth it, and I can’t wait until she’s old enough to come with me to gigs.

Tell us three random facts about yourself?

* I was brought up with a classical music background. My uncle, who was killed before I was born, played in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, so I was introduced to the violin at just 2 years old by my mother and grandmother. At age 15 I was lead violinist for South Tyneside Orchestra

* My vocals feature on a released song. Through lockdown, Paul Draper, frontman of the band Mansun, made a social media appeal for singers to join him on his new solo album Cult Leader Tactics. My vocals were selected and appear in the “Draper Choir” on the song, “Lyin’ ‘bout who you sleep with”

*While I’ve always worked in

music, I actually did my degree in fine art, and was commissioned to paint a giant wooden duck, which was used as a fence in the Olympic horse racing trials

Where can people follow you and

keep up to date with you or the band?

Our main social content is on Facebook www.facebook.com/ thewolcottband but we’ve also got plenty of contact on Instagram and YouTube

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A freaky Friday night saw the Tyne Tees Ghostbusters visit Cineworld Boldon for the opening night of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire to give fans a night to remember. With the chance to pose for photos with the Ghostbusters or even Stay Puft, it was great seeing people of all ages popping in and having fun.

It takes a big film to really make an event like this and it doesn’t

get much bigger than Ghostbusters. So seeing kids coming in dressed up as Ghostbusters to watch the film with their parents, who were their age when the original film came out, is truly heart-warming.

As always the regulars at Cineworld Boldon were treated to yet another character visit, some even got a shock when some of the mini Ghostbusters chased

Stay Puft into one of the big screens just before their film started which was hilarious and had the crowd in kinks. The Tyne Tees Ghostbusters gave fans of all ages a night to remember before they got to watch the film, which is part of the magic of going to see films on the big screen. Watch the socials for more events coming to Cineworld Boldon as well as more events with the Tyne Tees Ghostbusters.

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We have teamed up with Cineworld Boldon 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

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

10 May 2024

Running time: 150 minutes

Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

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CLICK

Director: Wes Ball

HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE

TRAILER Cast: Kevin Durand, Owen Teague, Freya Allan, William H. Macy, Peter Macon

Furiosa

24 May 2024

Running time: 120 minutes

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into

the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to

find her way home.

Cast: Tom Burke, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor-Joy, Alyla Browne

Director: George Miller

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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The Garfield Movie

24 May 2024

Running time: 101 minutes

Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Mondayhating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild

outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Chris Pratt, Ving Rhames, Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Harvey Guillén, Samuel L. Jackson, Bowen Yang, Cecily Strong

Director: Mark Dindal

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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Bad Boys: Ride Or Die

5 June 2024

Running time: 120 minutes

When their late police captain gets linked to drug cartels, wisecracking Miami

cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name.

Cast:

Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Jacob

Scipio, Joe Pantoliano and DJ

Khaled Director:

Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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A slight, well big change, to this issues segment of “Peter’s Book Tales” due to perhaps two things, the first being I’ve not really read much this year (still have two or three offerings on the go), and the second being that I’ve just enjoyed an ancestral pilgrimage south, to the beautiful market town of Sudbury, on the Suffolk-Essex border. For those of you that don’t know,

I’ve been researching my family history on-and-off for the better part of the last decade, and more over the past few years; so much so, I’m now looking into doing something more with it as well. I’ve always known of the family connections to Sudbury, both my mother, and her father, my hero and beloved grandfather, also Peter, were born in that fair town.

The trip alone, all two weeks’ worth, made me come to realise one thing as well, I love Sudbury so much now and that, given the chance, I’d relocate there in a heartbeat, I truly would. Over the past year or so I’ve been raiding ebay and purchasing, building up a collection of books, covering the subjects of Sudbury, and the county of Suffolk as a

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whole, and there’s some really nice one’s in there as far as I’m concerned that’s for sure - Humphrey Phelps (A Suffolk Christmas), John Hibbs (A Country Busman: Corona Coaches), and Josephine Walpole (Suffolk Artists of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries).

And then, me being me, and the way that I am, whilst I was there in Sudbury, purchased another one, two, three, four books for the collection, which is now well past the thirty mark, and of which one I’ve begun reading.

The new additions to the collection, they be that of –Ashley Cooper’s, Heart of Our History: 500 Years of Village

History along the Suffolk-Essex Border (1994); Ronald Blythe’s, Next to Nature: A Lifetime in the English Countryside (2023); Anthony Wheeler’s, What’s in a Name: Origins of Sudbury Street Names (2018); and Vic Mitchell’s, Branch Lines to Sudbury: From Marks Tey, Haverhill and Bury St. Edmunds (2012).

And so, to that there Sudbury, and amidst some jaunts out checking the places with ancestral connection which would include two lengthy walks, the first to Middleton (over the border into Essexcountry), and then the Bures St Marys (which took me more than two hours and saw me cover around seven miles visiting where ancestors resided way back in the 1700s) – that second hike, was a little painful, but so worth it for what I got out of doing it.

portunity to peruse several books, a few old directories, and a series of magazines from the early-1900s that were inspired by a book. As people tend to say to me though, “you can’t take you nowhere,” and to be honest that is quite true, and a phrase which would lead to me perusing old copies of ‘The Eatanswill Gazette’ from 1907, ‘Sudbury’s Story Using Old Picture Postcards’ from 1992, as well as a very old, and I mean old as in some 170 years plus agio; ‘The History and Antiquities of All Saints Church, Sudbury, and of the parish generally,’ by Rev. Charles Badham, from 1852.

As for literary materials, and away from all that trekking about, then there were special trips to Sudbury Library, the reference section there was a complete treasure trove whose staff were fantastic to say the least. Whilst I took the op-

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The latter of those was multipurpose both for my ancestry research, and with the other two books, because of a visit to Alaz Turkish Cuisine restaurant which

is housed in a somewhat old building. Dating back to approximately the Fourteenth Century, and was formerly known as ‘Ye Olde Bull Hotel,’ and is named

in history due to the ‘mention’ of Sudbury in Charles Dickens’ ‘The Pickwick Papers’ - more research needed there I’m sure!!

In fact at the ‘Inaugural Supper of Eatanswill Club’ in March 1907 it sounds like a good time was had by all with that of ‘The Eatanswill Club’ deeming the meeting as being;

“highly successful from every point of view, literary, histrionic, and gastronomic.”

It looks like it was one of those old-fashioned gentlemen’s club occasions with over 30 men in attendance, was preceded by a toast and had a supper consisting of, wait for it

Oysters, Rump Steak, Boiled Leg of Mutton, Beer, Cheese and Fruit; followed by more toasts and the smoking of ‘Churchwarden Pipes.’ The trip south on the whole, and

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a recent History course I’ve completed via the University of East Anglia that has birthed a newfound passion for the subject, both ancestral and buildings, which I’m looking at embracing moving forward.

As I mentioned at a talk I was recently invited to give at ‘Sudbury Sporting Memories,’ about my two-decade career in sports journalism, there’s most certainly changes ahead for me – I just need to make that move, put the wheels

in motion.

Now, in all honesty, I’m looking forward to finishing the current read by the aforementioned Ashley Cooper, ‘Heart of Our History,’ whilst also anticipating other reads to come on similar topics –after all, I’ve got a few to my name, haven’t I?

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Reflex in Newcastle saw the “Love Is The Call” album launch for 90’s Brit Pop Royalty…CAST. Now when it comes to intimate, you can’t get any more intimate than watching John Power and Keith O’Neill perform a selection of tracks in a relatively small record store…from half a metre away…if that! The guys played a selection of dates in record stores around the UK and Reflex was their only the North East stop. Now as someone who has been a fan of the band from the early days of their debut album “All Change”, getting to see them play a gig this intimate was a real treat and they did not disappoint. Even though they were both shattered from the non-stop publicity tour, they brought an infectious energy to the shop, not even a few cock ups or forgotten lyrics could stop them, in fact it just added to the show, the hunt for the kazoo was hilarious and the banter between the two was brilliant, something you rarely get to see come through at the bigger more polished gigs. This was a small intimate acoustic set

up and that really did add to the atmosphere of it all. The crowd helped them sing the chorus to several songs from the new album, which was great to hear, as the new tracks really are unmistakably CAST at their finest. If you haven’t listened to “Love Is The Call” yet then do yourself a favour and give it a listen, you won’t be disappointed!

If that wasn’t enough, the guys kindly stopped back to sign records and pose for photos, which for a fan, really does make a hell of a difference, it’s a shame not all bands/singers are willing to take the time to spend with their fans like this. Getting my copy of “All Change” signed really is up there for me, seeing as that album has been in my playlist since its release back in 1995 and helped me on many an all-nighter in college, and several songs were staples in my indie sets as a

A big thanks to the staff at Reflex for looking after us on the night, it really was appreciated. Keep an eye on their socials for more upcoming in-store gigs, as they really are a treat for fans. https:// www.facebook.com/profile.

php?id=100057437950680

https://reflexrecordshop.com/

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DJ.

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Blind Veterans UK Announced As Main Charity Partner For Second National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event

The second National Armed Forces and Emergency Services Event (NAFESE) takes place on Thursday May 16 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, following on from the success of the inaugural event in 2023.

Blind Veterans UK, an armed forces charity which helps visionimpaired former service personnel to rebuild their lives after sight loss will be the lead partner for the 2024 installment of NAFESE, it was announced today.

NAFESE 2024 in association with Blind Veterans UK will feature an array of event elements for the

military and blue light communities including an Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (open to all attendees at the event), a Recruitment and Resettlement Zone and a STEM Village for visiting schools, colleges and university students.

The event includes over 40 exhibitors and a range of speakers with the ethos of the celebration of service from armed to emergency to volunteer and forms two events in total, with the 2024 Services Awards - a follow on from NAFESE 2024 - taking place on Thursday July 4, again at the Stadium of Light.

In sync with its sister event, The Services Awards, also featured for the first time in 2023, was an inspirational occasion with the

overall winner on the night being the High Intensity Service from Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust for their incredible work with forces veterans.

Blind Veterans UK as well as being the lead partner for NAFESE 2024, will also be the sponsor for the Most Outstanding Royal Navy winner.

Anyone from the services communities is welcome to attend NAFESE 2024 on 16 May, from cadets to serving personnel to veterans, whilst families of both are also very much encouraged to be present.

The 2024 Services Awards is a ticket only event, with further information released via NAFESE 2024 social media channels in due

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course.

Event Director, Mal Robinson said: “We are delighted to have Blind Veterans UK as our lead partner for NAFESE 2024. Blind Veterans UK are a renowned charity in forces circles and have held the highest of reputations within this sector since 1915 and so to have them back NAFESE this year is a real honour for the NAFESE team and me.

“I cannot wait for the 16th of May to help showcase the fantastic work Blind Veterans UK provide, not only in the rehabilitation of former service personnel, but also with training of them and important social situations such as helping to combat loneliness and isolation, which aligns with our own ideologies of bringing people together across the services at events such as this.”

Tim Eckersley, Blind Veterans UK Military Engagement Lead, added: “Blind Veterans UK are

proud to partner with the National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event for 2024. Last year’s inaugural events were a great success and we’re looking to build on that this year.

“Bringing service personnel together from across the country is hugely important as these groups of people, including veterans, have so much to offer. It’s also vital to recognise those who have achieved great things over the last year which is why we’re so looking forward to partnering with the 2024 Services Awards.”

The National Armed Forces & Emergency Services Event in association with Blind Veterans UK takes place on Thursday May 16 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, with the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club opening its doors at 0900 and the NAFESE starting at 0930, continuing until 1230.

Attendees can arrive at anytime between 0900 and 1230.

To register free for the event, please click the link here.

https://www.nafese2023.com/

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UK Pink Floyd Experience

Sunday 10th November 2024

On sale Friday 10am

Celebrating 30 years since the iconic ‘PULSE’ tour, this highly authentic show recreates the atmosphere of Floyd live – featuring top-flight musicians, a stunning light show and over two hours of incredible music.

The new show for 2024 includes many songs from The PULSE set, featuring tracks from ‘The

Division Bell’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Animals’, ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’. The “Syd song” for 2024 is ‘Astronomy Domine’. Also included is the much requested ‘Not Now John’ from ‘The Final Cut’.

Come and share the passion for Pink Floyd’s music, in our true celebration of all things Floyd!

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CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Sunday 13th October 2024

Friday 21st June 2024

New Spring Summer Collections Available In Store Now Including Fila, Ellesse, Sergio Tacchini. and more so make sure you pop in store or keep checking the website’s LATEST PRODUCTS

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www.northernthreads.co.uk

Hypnotherapy, but what is Viking Hynotherapy?

Viking Hypnotherapys’ business motto is having “The Strength to Conquer Anything”. Wherever

you are today this is just a situ ation you’re in now, this is not your life, we all have the power to change our lives and I am basically your guide for this. Utilising the power of positive suggestion to bring about subconscious change to your thoughts feelings and behaviours. NLP is an approach to communication, personal devel opment, psychotherapy and also Life Coaching.

How different is Hypnotherapy compared to a hypnotist, is it the same thing or is it completely dif-

physical conditions.

Have these comedy hypnotist shows, where they put you under and then get you to do silly things

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CAN FIND US AT 14 OCEAN ROAD, SOUTH SHIELDS NE33 2HZ

NEW SAUCONY CLICK HERE TO BUY YOU

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JLS announce NEWCASTLE –Gosforth Park show on Sunday 30th June 2024!

Thrilled to announce pop legends JLS will be playing NEWCASTLE – Gosforth Park on Sunday 30th June 2024!

JLS - One of Britain’s most successful boybands completed another UK arena tour at the end of last year, with 15 shows including two nights at London’s 02 Arena. The 2008 X-Factor runner ups have sold over six million records; two million live tickets; are the first X Factor act to win a pres-

tigious BRIT Award (2010), five MOBO Awards, four Digital Music Awards and three Urban Music Awards. Their first four albums all went multi-platinum and they have headlined London’s 02 Arena 20 times.

2024 sees JLS performing a brandnew live show bursting with fresh elements as well as their hits including No 1 Everybody in Love and Beat Again. JLS promise a superb night of entertainment performing all their hits. Don’t miss your chance to see them perform in the North

East on Sunday 30th June!

Tickets go on-sale on this Friday 23rd February @ 10.00am available from – https:// www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ event/1F006048D0863CFD

Age restriction – Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult 18+

Adult Ticket price - £45.00 (plus STBF)

Child - £22.50 (plus STBF) – Age 6-16

Children 5 and Under – Free Admission

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Nerd Fest returned the Newcastle’s Boiler Shop and it did not disappoint. This year they had guests including Diane Youdale, who was Jet, one of the original 90’s Gladiators, Ross Mullan from Game of Thrones, Doctor Who and more, and Alex Forman who played Behemoth in Marvels tv series Loki. On top of them you had authors, artists, lots of stalls, a magician, the infamous cosplay competition, arcades and games consoles and lots of people dressed up.

Even the bad weather couldn’t dampen the spirits and those who braved the rain had yet another fantastic day that was non stop from start to finish. The costumes on show were phenomenal as always with such a variety of characters and genre’s covered. As always NE were invited along and all the guests kindly signed

our charity banner which we are always grateful for.

If you missed it then make sure that you keep Sunday the 20th

October free as that is the date for the eagerly anticipated Nerd Fright Fest at The Parks Sports Centre in North Shields. You can book your tickets HERE

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RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS and Red Hot Chilli Dancers come to NEWCASTLE – Tyne Theatre on Friday 24th May 2024!

In 2023 and 2024 the Red Hot Chilli Pipers will embark on a world tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary. The tour will be accompanied by the release of a first Best Of Live album in the Spring of 2023, featuring new recordings of all their best loved tunes and songs. The Pipers will be accompanied on the tour by the amazing Red Hot Chilli Dancers....It really is a sizzling show!

There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, from their beginnings in 2002 and a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004 with the Darkness to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014. The past twenty years have seen the Red Hot Chilli Pipers be-

come the most famous bagpipe band on the planet..ever! Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show that leaves people with warm hearts and smiles on their faces.

The bands achievements have reached incredible heights with their groundbreaking fusion of traditional Scottish music and rock/pop Anthems which they proudly call “Bagrock”.The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a genuinely unique experience.

The Chillis have never been more in demand for their infec-

tious style of feel-good music which appeals right across the age range to people all over the world. They have collected together an impressive group of musicians, dancers and singers from Scotland and further afield, many holding World Championship titles and all exceptional performers with impressive credentials and qualifications.

In 2014

The Chilli Pipers released a live DVD and CD entitled Live at the Lake. In an explosive evening of entertainment captured on this live DVD and CD, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers

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recorded their most adventurous project to date, bringing 16 musicians and dancers across the Atlantic to perform at Milwaukee Irish Fest, the spiritual home of the band in the U.S.A. They captured the unique and explosive power of the Chilli Pipers in one unforgettable evening by the shores of Lake Michigan. Tracks include: Insomnia, Gimme All Your Lovin’, Thunderstruck, Everybody Dance Now, Amazing Grace, Fix You, Chasing Cars, Wake Me Up, Don’t Stop Believin and We Will Rock You.

In February 2019 the Pipers and Tom Walker released a new version of his massive hit “Leave a Light On”. The release is in aid of Nordoff Robins, the music therapy charity and it went straight into the iTunes top five. The collaboration came about after Tom performed with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Murrayfield Rugby Stadium before the Scotland vs. Italy Six Nations match.

In June 2019 the Red Hot Chilli

Pipers released a studio album, entitled “Fresh Air”. It´s an exciting fusion of brand-new songs and carefully selected covers . In a new departure for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers many of the songs feature lead vocals, Some of the highlights are “Leave the Light On” featuring Tom Walker on vocals. Leonard Cohen´s “Hallalujah” and “Shut Up and Dance” from the American band Walk the Moon, both songs featuring the incredibly talented singer Chris Judge on vocals.

Some facts and figures about the

Red Hot Chilli Pipers:

Over 15 million views on You Tube of their performance of “Leave a Light On” feat. Tom Walker

Over 5 million views on You Tube of their viral cover version of the Avici track `Wake me up` Gold disc for over 100,000 UK sales of their first album - `Backrock to the Masses

To date, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have performed live to over 1.5 million people

Triple platinum status for the album and DVD - `Blast Live` Awarded twice for `Best Live Act

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in Scotland`

Over 5 million views on You Tube of their viral cover version of the Avici track `Wake me up`

Sell out gigs and tours in USA, UK, China, Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Australia

Winner of the BBC TV prime time talent show `When Will I be Famous` hosted by Graham Norton

A Big Hearted Scotland nomination for their charity work Performances at BBC proms in Hyde Park, T in the Park, Wacken Open Air Festival

Performances at major sporting events including NBC Olympics

Studio and the Rugby World Cup 400,000 Facebook followers

Tickets for the RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS – May & June 2024

UK Shows are available from: https://www.thegigcartel.com/ Artists-profiles/Red-Hot-ChilliPipers.htm

For more information on RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS, please visit the following website / social media links below:

Website – https://rhcp.scot/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/redhotchillipipersofficial/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ chillipipers

You Tube Channel - https://www. youtube.com/user/chillipiper

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/redhotchillipipers/

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Rebecca Ferguson has announced a UK tour for 2024, which will follow on from the release of her upcoming fifth and final album ‘Heaven Part II’. She will dazzle the crowd at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 25th May 2024.

‘Heaven Part II’ was released on 5th December 2023, 12 years to the day since her debut album ‘Heaven’ was released.

As well as working with some new contributors, Rebecca connected with some of the original ‘Heaven’ writers and producers in the creation of Heaven Part II. The songs are a reflection of Rebecca’s past 7 years - they explore love, family, joy, liberation and Rebecca’s journey to happiness.

Rebecca has co-written four solo albums and has shared the stage worldwide with incredible names such as Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Nile Rodgers and the late Burt Bacharach.

‘Heaven’, released in 2011, sold over 130,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastestselling debut album by a solo artist that decade, between 2007 – 2017.

With singles such as ‘Glitter & Gold’, ‘I Hope’, and ‘Nothing’s Real but Love’, she has been laud-

ed by critics, with The Telegraph declaring her ‘The same league as Aretha Franklin’, and The Guardian stating that ‘Her talent is undeniable’; whilst Rebecca has also been nominated for MOBO and MTV Europe Music Awards.

On the tour and album, Rebecca says:

“This new album is my first independent album - I have put everything into it. I’ve pushed myself creatively and my heart and soul has gone into this!

I’m looking forward to taking my new music out to the fans on this upcoming tour and having some fun. I hope people can connect with the music.”

As well as writing and performing her own material, Rebecca regularly writes for other artists and has grown a reputation for being a well-respected ‘top liner’ in the song writing world.

Most recently, Rebecca has been campaigning tirelessly for an improved environment within the music industry. She has successfully initiated a cross-creative industry committee that meets regularly with the government and members of the DCMS –and was the person behind the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) which in time, will see better practices for the creative industries.

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Phil McIntyre Live proudly presents

BEN ELTON

AUTHENTIC STUPIDITY

UK & IRELAND TOUR 2024

Following the huge success of Ben Elton’s critically acclaimed sold-out UK tour in 2019, which marked his return to stand up after a 15 year hiatus, the undisputed godfather of modern standup is going back on the road with a brand new live show – Authentic Stupidity. Taking in 54 dates across the UK & Ireland, the tour stops off at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Monday 2nd September 2024.

The world has changed a lot since Ben last toured five years ago - a whole new existential threat has emerged to challenge our very existence: Artificial Intelligence. Apparently, it’s going to render all human life meaningless, but Ben is here to warn you that AI is not the greatest threat that we face; it’s Authentic Stupidity!

Ben said: “The verdict’s in! Humanity is thick! Homo halfwit. The idiot branch of the Ape family! We need signs to tell us to step off escalators, we elect gibbering fools to lead us and now we’ve invented Artificial Intelligence which is actually going to replace us! I’ve spent 45 years in comedy exploring the outer limits of human idiocy and my mission has never been more timely. Forget AI! It’s AS we need to be worrying about!”

Ben Elton’s multi-award-winning career spans over four decades and includes seminal and groundbreaking television shows (The Young Ones, Blackadder, Upstart Crow), West End plays (Popcorn, Upstart Crow), West End musicals (We Will Rock You, The Beautiful Game, Close up: The Twiggy Musical), best-selling novels (Stark, Dead Famous, Two Brothers) and feature films (Maybe Baby, Three Summers, All is True). In October last year, Ben returned to Channel 4 for a one-off revival of

Friday Night Live to rave reviews. The reincarnation of the original smash-hit Saturday Night Live was critically acclaimed and Ben won the BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Programme 2023.

‘Just give him a stage and a microphone and Ben Elton is the best. No contest’

The Sunday Times

‘Elton’s timing and phrasing remain impeccable, his structure is masterly’

Daily Telegraph

‘There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to beat Ben Elton live!’

Evening Standard

‘Vital, relevant and passionate’

The Scotsman

Tickets cost £34 plus fees and can be bought from:

https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/portfolio/ben-eltonauthentic-stupidity/

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Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024 photography exhibition and opening party, set to take place on Friday, 26th April, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the prestigious John Marley Centre. This much-awaited event promises to captivate LEGO enthusiasts and art aficionados alike, offering an exclusive glimpse into the innovative world of LEGO-themed masterpieces created by neurodiverse photographers.

We are proud to unveil ‘Wey Aye LEGO Man 2024’, a ground breaking collection of Lego man themed photography by talented neurodiverse artists from Newcastle and the surrounding region. This exhibition stands as a testament to creativity and diversity, showcasing a mesmerising blend of art and imagination. Guests attending the free opening party event will be amongst the first to experience this

extraordinary exhibition, anticipated to garner widespread acclaim for its unique blend of creativity and ingenuity. The evening promises an enriching journey through the world of LEGO, with captivating displays of LEGO architecture by renowned artist Steve Mayes from Brick This and much more. It will offer a delightful mix of entertainment, light refreshments, and the opportunity to meet and converse with like-minded LEGO enthusiasts and talented local artists.

Following the opening party, the Wey Aye LEGO Man photography exhibition will be on display for a week at the same venue. This extended showcase offers visitors the chance to delve deeper into the intricate details and artistic subtleties of LEGO photography. Embrace this celebration of diversity, creativity, and imagination, highlighting

the boundless potential of LEGO as a medium for artistic expression and communication.

Post your own Lego man photos on social media using the hashtag #WeyAyeLegoMan and your photograph could be the star of the show

For more info visit https://neuroversalstudios.co.uk/

Or the Facebook event page here

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