Welcome Note.
To say the last few months have been tough for the NE team would be an understatement, but we keep fighting to make sure we can bring you another great issue... even if it is a bit late, but better late than never. So we hope you enjoy.
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Take care
Wayne
EDITOR & DESIGNER
Wayne Groves wayne.groves@neonlinemagazine.com
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P6 - JLS Summer Hits Tour
P14 - 10th Anniversary Hardwick Festival 2024
P21 - Masters of the Marque 2024
P24 - Gabrielle Durham Cathedral
P34 - Boldon Cineworld Round-Up
P46 - James Review and Andy Diagram Interview
P60 - Craig David
P64 - Playhouse Whitley Bay
P70 - Northern Threads
P76 - Tyne Theatre & Opera House Round-Up
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{THIS}
{ISSUE}
JLS - One of Britain’s most successful boybands were the 2008 X-Factor runner ups, they went on to sell over six million records; two million live tickets; are the first X Factor act to win a prestigious 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! Now 2024 sees JLS performing a brand-new live show bursting with fresh elements as well as their hits including No 1 Everybody in Love and Beat Again and we were lucky to catch up with Ortise and JB ahead of their
Hi guys and welcome to NE, so tell us a bit more about your upcoming tour, what can people expect?
JB - Exciting times, the thing is, we’re very much looking forward to touring. Of course, we’ve got Jax Jones, who is supporting us on some legs of the tour. So yeah, it’s gonna be exciting. I know for a fact that Jax is gonna get everyone very hyped and, of course, you know, we’re going to be doing our usual thing.
So is it gonna be any, any new music? Or is it just gonna be a case
of the all the classics, the hits? Ortise - Yeah, I think, you know, where we are right now is, it’s about celebrating nostalgia, celebrating those moments and memories and the music that we have made over the years that have definitely been a part of people’s lives. And, and, you know, I don’t think a lot of artists get that opportunity to be able to be content and look back and go, let’s celebrate everything that we’ve done. So that’s what it’s all about for us.
So what’s the most exciting thing about doing the upcoming tour? Is there anything that you’re looking forward to the most?
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Summer Hits Tour.
JB - I think for me, it’s, you know, one of the great things about the Summer Tour is that it’s, of course, different venues to the arenas. You know, obviously, we’ve done numerous arena tours over the years, you know, again, been all over the country or whatever, the UK, even the world sometimes so, you know, it’s, it’s nice, actually, sometimes when you do the outdoor shows, because they’re always venues that are just off the beaten track. I like to think of course, you know, most people can get to a major arena with a major city, but actually, you know, when we’re coming up like to Gosforth Park or, you know, your Newmarket race course, or some of the other shows, like at Margate, in Kent, for instance, which isn’t actually that far away from home, but it doesn’t have an arena on its doorstep. So actually, I like to think that it’s a different set of fans that perhaps haven’t been able to come to a show or haven’t been able to see us
at the arena shows that you know, are able to have us literally in their backyard. So it’s very exciting. Another thing also, especially when it comes to the summer in the UK, we never know what weather we’re gonna get. But regardless of whatever happens, the show always goes on, you know, I’ve got some very fond memories of performing, as I say, all over the country, and it’s been a wash out, it’s been absolutely rained out, and you know, everyone’s standing in the middle of a field up to their knees in mud. But actually, we get
just as wet and we’re on the stage. And sometimes we can’t do like dance moves or it’s not safe to do whatever. But you know, we’re just there and everybody’s in the vibe. And as I say, it makes special moments and special memories. And, I think that’s the most exciting thing of course, being able to share that with all of the fans who are coming out on the night.
Well with what you just you touched on there about your dancing. Now, I’ve got to ask with you both winning dancing competitions, who’s the best dancer?
Both guys laughed at this one before replying…
Ortise - I think JB was great at what he did. And his style, and I was very good at what I did and my style. And we just showed that actually we can do anything.
JB - Absolutely, I feel like that now, I think, there was a period when Ortise was literally an ace with his hat tricks, there’s definitely some-
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thing that I could never do. But, you know, It just added another dimension to what we were doing at the time. And I think that’s what it’s always been about, you know, each of us individually, brings something unique and something special to every performance and I think that that has been the beauty of JLS over the years and certainly going to be well, it’s always going to be something that I guess will continue as long as we’re doing it
With you both being so close is the no rivalry, a bit of friendly banter between the two of you?
Ortise – That is so funny.
JB - In general, there always is because we, you know, we’re always jumping on each other’s backs about this or that or the other, whether it’s from a performance, you know, back in the day, we used to always brag that, you know, who’s the fastest in JLS? You know, so there’s always banter. Yeah. You know, as I say, like we know, and we appreciate, of course, it’s the accumulation of all of our skills and talents and characters really that make it what it is and I think we are all different. You know, that’s just a fact. So we like to celebrate that as much as anything else. Yeah, well, that is what works.
That’s what chemistry is, isn’t it?
Ortise - So a few people have done a dance show in the group and one person hasn’t. So maybe that’s it right there!
JB – Exactly.
Oh, that’s the challenge set right there mind, isn’t it? You will have to make that happen and then we’ll see if they can win as well?
JB – I would love to see that. I would love to see Marv do a dance show. Absolutely!
Well, we’ve got to put it on paper, then once it’s in writing then he’s got to do it.
JB – Absolutely.
So what advice would you give to somebody who wants to get started in a career in music, or entertainment, because both of you have done more than just sing and dance and now you’ve been on TV and, and all the rest of it.
So what advice would you give to
somebody wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Ortise - I think that don’t lose your craft. I think, you know, a lot of people these days, they kind of look at people and feel like they can be overnight sensations, which, you know, I totally agree, we do live in a time where things can happen overnight more than ever, but sustainability and the power to continue and when things aren’t going your way… what keeps you going? That’s your talent. That’s your skill, so keep continuing to work on your craft, you know, wherever that may be. And so I really always encourage people to don’t lose the love for the craft or your love for the art..
That’s a good bit of advice. Really good bit of advice. So tell me one random fact about each other. That people might not necessarily know, just to throw it in the mix there
JB – Random? Random? What do you mean random,?
Just something that you may not have told people in the past, or you could be like, you’re a massive
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geek and collect action figures. Or it could be that you’re a music buff or whatever?
Ortise - JB has a very impressive Snail collection, Snail collection?
JB - And a Ortise has a very impressive guitar collection. To which both guys burst out laughing I like getting the personal angle from an interview rather than just talking about the same stuff, because I’m sure you get sick of answering the same questions over and over, you know, so I like to throw it in there.
JB - Absolutely, no we really appreciate that, thank you.
So the thing I love about you guys is the fact that you’ve all done a lot of charity work over the years, obviously, when you set up the JLS, foundation, stuff like that. Are you still heavily involved in the charity side of things?
Ortise - Yeah, always. You know, last year, I became the Commonwealth ambassador for young carers. And trust ambassador as well, yeah. And I feel like, you know, the reason why you do music, and
the reason why you’re in the public eye, it can be self-indulgent, if you want it to be. But I do believe that, when you’re in a position where you can have influence and make a difference, then why don’t you use your platform to do that? So I’ve always been a big advocate for that.
JB - Yeah, absolutely. And similarly, I think, for me, I am an ambassador for specifically children. And I’ve recently become vice president of the RSPCA. So, you know, there are so many different things that we do individually, but collectively as a group we
do, and support. And I think, you know, as the reason I said that, I think, as individuals, you’ve got an incredible platform, collectively, we have an incredible platform. And it’s always been a goal of ours to utilise that in the best way possible, whether that’s giving back to young people, whether that’s helping people in need, whether that’s, you know, you’re doing some of the bigger shows like Children In Need, and stuff like Comic Relief, or whatever, or whether it’s personal things that are, you know, very close to our hearts individually, and similarly raise money for
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my charity, or Ortise’s charity, or Marvin’s charity or Aston’s charity, we all recognise the value that we can all individually or collectively bring to that cause as well. So, yeah, and again, for the future, as I say, we’ve got kids and it’s important that they have and they embody those principles as well. And we set a great example, in that respect. And I always believed that charity is about giving. It doesn’t necessarily have to be financial,
but it has to be I believe it should be something of yourself, and not necessarily with the wealth certainly not with the aim of receiving something in return. And I think once you give from that place, then it’s yeah, it’s amazing.
So there you go folks, JLS will be touring during the summer and you do not want to miss the show.
For further information on JLS,
check out the following Website – https://www.jlsofficial. com/ Facebook – https://www.facebook. com/JLSofficial/ Twitter / X - https://twitter.com/ jlsofficial Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jlsofficial/ You Tube Channel - https://www. youtube.com/channel/UCRyT8ORzfXrOYjhQZfP64Og
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SOUTH TYNESIDE
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SNOW PATROL, RICHARD ASHCROFT & THE CHARLATANS JOIN BECKY HILL FOR HARDWICK FESTIVAL 2024
FULL 10TH ANNIVERSARY PLANS REVEALED
The North East of England’s largest music festival has today confirmed the full line-up for its tenth anniversary celebrations next summer.
Hardwick Festival 2024 has, without doubt, booked its most ambitious, bold and diverse line-up to date and welcomes a range of big names such as Richard Ashcroft, Snow Patrol, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, ‘Soldier’s Eyes’ star Jack Savoretti and The Charlatans.
The three-day event - which has already confirmed UK pop queen Becky Hill as its opening headliner - will take place between Friday 16th August and Sunday 18th August across two stages, set in the beautiful surrounds of Hardwick Hall in County Durham.
Friday 16h August will see Becky Hill joined by very special guests Soul II Soul, indie group The Sherlocks, and the amazing Sam Fender tribute band ‘Scam Fender’.
Saturday 17h August goes up a
gear with a full day of epic live music which will see arguably Northern Ireland’s biggest ever rock export Snow Patrol take centre stage. The band, globally famous ‘Chasing Cars’ and other rousing anthems, will be joined on the day with a flurry of bigname acts including Blossoms, ex-Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan and singer-songwriter Callum Beattie.
Sunday 18th August will see Hardwick Festival’s tenth anniversary celebrations come to a close in style and is poised to be a real treat for indie fans. Richard Ashcroft – the voice of one of Britain’s most successful albums of all time ‘Urban Hymns’ – will make a welcome return to the North East and will share the stage with the likes of The Charlatans, Liverpool’s town chanter Jamie Webster, Euro 96 ‘Three Lions’ legends Lightning Seeds and ‘Murder of the Dance Floor’ pop disco princess, Sophie Ellis-Bexter.
Live music fans can now snap up their weekend tickets for next year’s event and the public will also be offered a flexible payment plan option as a big thanks to the legions of loyal fans and supporters the festival has.
For those that do want to
celebrate in style and luxury, a limited number of glamping tickets will also be available for purchase.
Over 30,000 people attended last August’s Hardwick Festival weekender where crowds took in memorable performances from the likes of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Mel C and The Kooks.
The event is already gaining national recognition for hosting major acts and an unforgettable experience having previously welcomed the likes of The Stereophonics, Madness and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man to the main stage. Ahead of next year’s tenth edition, organisers have pledged to make it the go-to festival for all in the North of England, appealing to the whole family with something on offer for everyone.
From star studded acts from around the globe, dance arenas where you will get lost in music, children’s areas within the woods, vintage fairground attractions and a huge choice of locally sourced culinary delights, Hardwick Festival will be back next year with a sonic boom of music and fun for all.
Tickets are on sale now @ hardwickfestival.co.uk
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Darlington man scoops award for his classic car
Tom Liddle from Darlington has scooped a Masters of the Marque award for his very special classic car.
Tom, the owner of a 2004 Jaguar XJ350 Super V8, was named a winner at the Jaguar Day event held at Derbyshire’s Great British Car Journey museum recently.
He was one of four Masters of the Marque winners at the packed event, which attracted classic Jaguar and Daimler owners from all over the UK.
The stunning car, which was imported from Japan in 2021 by Tom, was described by Judges as ‘impeccably looked after and maintained.
The Masters of the Marque awards, which are sponsored by Wera Tools UK and organised by the award-winning classic car museum, honour people like Tom, who cherish their classic cars.
Launched recently, the awards celebrate both single marques and, in the spirit of Six Nations Rugby, cars from France and Italy.
Museum founder Richard Usher commented: “The awards follow the slightly quirky nature of the museum. I wanted to give classic car owners an incentive to visit us when we promote days celebrating specific British cars and I am delighted that Wera, who make a massive range of top class tools, have decided to support the awards.”
The overall winner at each event receives a year’s membership of Great British Car Club, an engraved glass trophy and a selection of Wera tools.
All entrants to Masters of the Marque events receive a commemorative plaque, and entry is £10 per car which gives the driver free entry to the museum and all facilities.
There are currently a number of Masters of the Marque events scheduled until the end of the
year at Great British Car Journey.
26 May Spring Mini Day
02 June A Fiesta of Fords
09 June Morris
Minor Day
23 June Reliant Regatta
14 July
MG Summer Festival
18 August
Show Your Rootes
08 September A Triumph of Triumphs
Register to attend the Masters of the Marque events and buy discounted advance tickets at https://greatbritishcarjourney. com/events-calendar/
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Gabrielle, is a British singer and songwriter who hit the big time in the early 90’s with the song “Dreams”, which is an absolute anthem and at the time was the highest chart entry ever for a debut act when it charted at number 2, going on to take the coveted number 1 spot. That song was the first of many for Gabrielle in a career that is still going strong with the release of her latest album “A Place In Your Heart” and its accompanying tour, which sees her play Durham Cathedral on the 20th of July. We were lucky
enough to catch up with Gabrielle ahead of the concert.
So you play in Durham Cathedral in July, now as a venue, that is slightly different, did you choose to play there or was that something that that’s just come about and too good to pass up?
It’s definitely something that came about and, you know, it’s an exciting thing. I mean, a cathedral! You don’t often associate places like cathedrals with shows, as musical venues apart from for choirs, but I think it seems to be something
that people are doing more often now. And all I can think of is, oh, my God, how amazing the acoustics will be sounding on that day. And as long as people can still get up and have a bit of a dance with me and sing along with me, then it’ll be a lot of fun. Yeah, it is an outstanding kind of environment to play. So yeah, I’m excited.
Have you actually been Durham Cathedral before?
I haven’t. So it will be a first time for me but I’m really looking forward to it. And everyone keeps
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talking about it. I’m like, Yeah, okay, I’m in. I can’t wait to be there. It’ll be fun.
It’s an absolutely unbelievable place mind, so you’re in for a great night. So what can people expect from the show? Why should they come see you?
They need to come and have a sing song with me (sadly putting the interview in text does not do justice for how excited Gabrielle is when she is talking about this gig and being there with the fans) I mean, obviously, I’m going to be belting out some of the old back catalogue, you know, going into the archives, because people would kill me if I didn’t bring out some of the old stuff. Alongside that, I will be fusing some of the new stuff from my new album. And you know, that place in your heart, it’s a case of old and new and it’s…I just I love the fact that I still get to bring out new music,
and then tour it like crazy, but then still give people what they want with the old stuff. And they will have fun with the new stuff too. Yeah, I feel I’m having my best times when I’m doing that. So yeah, that’s what it’s about. So come along, let’s all have some fun.
Obviously, you’ve had a lot of inspiration. You’ve noted quite a few people in the past but who would you say really inspired you when you were younger?
Oh my god. Musically I can’t just Name one person because I was an 80s Pop child listening to like Haircut 100, Janet Jackson, Adam and the Ants, Spandau Ballet and then Madonna and the list is endless. But then I was also listening to that kind of old Motown stuff that my mom was playing. Definitely pop first and foremost, I call myself a pop tart because I wanted all of them you know, like, all of
those sounds, all that music. So yeah, that was me. So 80’s Pop was my number one thing.
So no one favourite artist or anything like that?
I did have a lot of Michael Jackson posters up as well as Haircut. 100 Yes, because I loved it. I’m a huge Nick Heyward fan…Okay, so I heard he was going on tour and I’m going to try and get to see one of the dates. Yeah, hopefully I’m not doing anything for at least one of the dates so yeah, it wasn’t just one. I just love music, so I couldn’t just pick one.
It’s the hardest question when people say that isn’t it, what’s your favourite artist or your favourite song, but I still have to ask the question just in case. So who was the first album or song that you bought, good or bad?
I don’t think its bad, when I was about nine or ten, it was John
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Travolta and Olivia Newton John
“You’re The One That I Want”. Yeah. Yeah, you know the one, I was an 80’s pop child. And you know, that was music. And then yeah, sorry, I could go on and on. But yeah, that was the first one.
That’s what I like. I like when the passion comes out. Rather than just your bog standard answers or your bog standard questions. I’d rather find out what makes you tick, and what you enjoy, because that’s what comes out in your music as well as those things that inspire and that that’s, you know, I can ask you all the same boring questions that you get from everybody else but I’m trying not to do that.
Now I’m loving this because now you’re taking me on this musical journey and I’m thinking of it, it was John Travolta and Olivia Newton John and then I had the album, the Stayin Alive album. I was listening to like Yvonne Elliman and the Bee Gee’s. All that kind of stuff, it’s just like, wow, I had so much fun in those days with all the different types of music but that’s my life.
So if you could sing with anybody past or present or maybe a medley
with several, who would it be and why?
Oh my god now I can get my greedy on. So alright, so I turned down the opportunity to have a little sing once with Prince because I was a scaredy cat. And now he is no longer here and now Oh, I wish I’d have done it. He would be one. I love Madonna, but then can I please include Nick Hayward from Haircut 100 because I totally fancy him. And then, you know, a bit of Bruce Springsteen, because
I love his voice. See, I could just keep going on. So I’m stopping here. But yeah, I’m a greedy cow when it comes to music, and a lot of those people would do nicely, thank you very much. Well, that’s the best way to be! Anyone that just listens to one band or one type of music, I’m sorry, but you’re missing out. Yeah, exactly. And then I love Linkin Park as well. So when I was on tour, if you walked past my dressing room last year, you would have heard a lot of Linkin Park. So the bottom line is it’s not just… Gabrielle doesn’t do just pop. I love a bit of soul, I love a bit of rock I love a bit of everything, you know, a lot of pop. So that’s who I am. And I like to think my music encompasses all of those influences in myself.
Yeah, brilliant. I love it. So what would you say was your big break then? Was it that one defining moment or was it a sort of a mix of things, like all the dominoes fell in the right place?
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So it’s definitely got to be the dominoes falling in the right places because I started off singing in a club called Moonlighting. And on that lineup of people, there were some incredibly fabulously talented singers, and I never ever felt I was as good as any of those. And then by the time I ended up going in the studio, to write my own stuff and then id say the big break came because when I went to this particular studio, there was a producer there called Tim Laws, who’s actually my co-writer of dreams. He liked my voice and said, Oh, how do you fancy singing to this song over this track and it was a Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”. So I basically came back and blagged the lyrics I had, which was more of a poem, of dreams and turned that into a song and it’s from then it went on a white label got heard. So my big break came because Tim Laws decided…” you know what, I don’t mind this girl’s voice. Let’s
get her back into the studio. And I would say definitely that’s my big break and from then you know, as a white label the people heard it and wanted to try and sign me and I ended up being signed to go to Go! Beat. So yes, my big break came because of that.
I have actually heard a bootleg version, now I don’t know if it’s the right one or if it’s something somebody’s done, but I have heard a version of you with fast cars. That’s the original version. The original one that’s from me going into the studio, and writing, you know, dreams like that from poetry form and making it into a song and singing it over Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, but when we released it, we weren’t allowed. So that’s it, but that’s the original version, but it is always the version in my heart.
So what advice would you give to
somebody that wants to become a singer like yourself?
As a singer, songwriter I’d say, you know, just stay true to you. It’s always great to be the writer and author of your own life story. So you know, as a singer, I prefer to sing the songs that I’ve written. And although I’ve done covers in my life, it’s, I always feel much better when I’m talking about the songs I’ve written. Because you know, so just stay true to you. There are times when your path will seem like it’s gonna take you somewhere else. But you just have to keep your focus on and stay focussed. And you know, if you feel yourself drifting, get back on track, because if this is for you, then it will never leave you and you just gotta, you know, just don’t listen to the haters, I had a lot of them. Just stay true to yourself, and believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else is going to believe in you either. So you know,
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just do that, as long as this is your love, you’re gonna be fine.
To be fair, that is great advice. Yeah, and totally get legal advice on anything anybody ever puts in front of you to sign. And the musicians union were great. And I believe they are still great to this day, because, you know, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. So yeah, and never sign anything without legal representation. Yeah, that’s also a big one. Yeah. A huge one, even from the early days.
So totally off topic. Tell me one random fact about yourself that people might not know?
Apart from the fact that I’m now a Grandma, that’s not random any more. Congratulations.
Thank you, even though, he’s one now. So a random fact, I’ve got an obsession with raincoats. I love raincoats and people say, but it’s
not raining. I’m like, Yeah, but it looks good. And you can, for me, wear them even in the summer. I couldn’t tell you how many I own, but I love them. So that’s a bit of a quirky thing. But I didn’t realise it was quirky until someone asked me “so how many raincoats is that now?” and I couldn’t tell them so there you go Yeah.
Oh, that’s great, I love it. I like those sorts of questions as its more
personal and more about you. Yeah exactly.
Have you got any goals that you haven’t realised yet, musically is there anything that you still want to do? Like playing a certain venue or playing a certain country or even performing with somebody? I think for a long time, I wanted to kind of do arena dates and stuff like that. And now the fact that I’m headlining my own arena tour next year as a solo artist, is not that I’ve never not been a solo artist, but on my own, as usually I’m supporting people and not doing it on my own as the headline. And so it’s such an amazing thing, but I’m here now and doing it. And you know, I’m really 31 years into my career, and by next year, it’ll be 3 years. So that’s a goal, that I’m now able to kind of tick off the list. As time moves on, I’m sure I will have a lot more goals and I will be able to let you know more, nearer the time.
If Durham wasn’t good enough, next year you will also be playing Newcastle O2 City Hall in April with support from Tunde from the Lighthouse Family.
So that should be fun. You’ve got to come along for that. It’ll be fabulous!
Yeah, I mean, I love Tunde, we actually interviewed him last year for the magazine for his tour and I’ve seen him loads, I’m a big Lighthouse family fan.
Me too, so that’s why I was so excited at the prospect, I was “Oh my god, I love him”. I think security’s gonna have to stop me from kind of going on stage and running up on him because I’m a big fan. I’m a Super fan. So yeah. I’m just worried as I have got to go and sing after!
I personally think the two of you need to do something together.
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That would be incredible. You know what? Someone else said that, but yeah that would be exciting. Who knows, who knows? I think we need to make it happen, yeah, I think that’s definitely got to happen.
I would be up for that because yeah, I totally love his vocals. I mean, come on. That voice is fine, he is totally incredible.
Sadly that was where we had to end out chat, but wow, what an amazing person to speak to. Showing us that Dreams really do come true, as she gets set to tour her latest album “A Place In Your Heart” available now from all good record stores and her website where you can also find tickets for any of her shows https://www.gabrielle. co.uk/
Tickets for the Durham Cathedral show taking place on Saturday 20th July are available fromhttps://liveatthecathedral.com/
To follow and keep up to date with
Gabrielle check out the following Facebook – https://www.facebook. com/Gabrielleuk/ Twitter / X – https://twitter.com/ GabrielleUk
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gabrielleuk/ You Tube Channel - https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCso844ng6sR2QUnWgorReTw
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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
Deadpool & Wolverine 25 July 2024
Running time: 135 minutes
Deadpool’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse.
Cast:
Hugh Jackman, Matthew Macfadyen, Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Leslie Uggams, Emma Corrin, Rob Delaney, Karan Soni
Director: Shawn Levy
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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Despicable Me 4 02 August 2024
Running time: 12 July 2024
Running time: 94 minutes
Gru faces a new nemesis
in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
Cast: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan, Will Ferrell,
Joey King, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, Madison Polan
Director: Chris Renaud
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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Borderlands 09 August 2024
Running time: 120 minutes
A feature film based on the popular video game set on the
abandoned fictional planet of Pandora where people search for a mysterious relic.
Cast:
Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Gina Gershon, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu,
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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Édgar Ramírez, Jamie Lee Curtis Director: Eli Roth
Alien: Romulus 16 August 2024
Running time: 120 minutes
The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally
successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson Director:Fede Alvarez
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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James, 42 years, 18 studio Albums, 9 members and bigger than ever before!
After more than 40 years Manchester legends James known for the hit songs Sit Down, Laid and She’s a Star have recently gained their first ever number 1 with their 18th studio album Yummy. The band, most known for their fame in the 1990’s, are stronger than ever and selling out more gigs and albums than ever before. The band previously gained a number 1 with their best of compilation album but this is their first number 1 for a studio album.
Yummy consists of 12 tracks written by James band members Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Saul Davies and Mark Hunter. It is their first studio release as a nine-piece. Produced by
Leo Abrahams, later mixed by Cenzo Townshend and mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios. The album includes singles Is This Love, Our World and Life’s A Fucking Miracle (Aka Life’s A Shocking Miracle). A second, more experimental
album, Pudding, was recorded during the sessions for Yummy, and consists mainly of unfinished demos and jams similar to James sixth album Wah Wah in 1994. This was included as a bonus disc on the deluxe edition of Yummy. A further four demo tracks were included in a limited edition digital deluxe version.
The album, beautiful and heartfelt is being hailed as one of the bands best in their 40 year tenure. Songs such as Way Over Your Head are a highlight of the album, the lyrics written by Booth are meaningful, heartfelt and full of truth. In a time where mental health is more important than ever these lyrics speak to so many people for the extraordinary times we live in. As in the title “way over your head”
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a feeling many have as we navigate our way through a cost of living crisis evident in the lyrics “this new job don’t pay enough”. This song takes us on a journey of life in the 21st century. James, known for their more political songs such as Government Walls, Many Faces and All The Colours Of You, have opted for only one in this album. “Our World” opens with the whistling tones of Andy Diagram (trumpet and backing vocals) and then ventures into the current global warming crisis “how many ways can we kill ourselves, plastics oils forever chemicals” highlighting that the damage we are creating is killing our world. This is more than just a song, it is a message to everyone.
The 9 piece band are about to embark on an epic tour which will see them play venues all over the UK, Europe before they then
jet off to North America & Canada to co headline a tour. They are once again joined by Johnny Marr, the iconic guitarist and co-song writer known for the Smiths and his own solo work.
JAMES REVIEW LIVE AT THE STOCKTON GLOBE
James recently visited the northeast for a very special warm up gig at the Stockton Globe Theatre ahead of the UK arena tour. Playing a mix of old hits and new songs in a captivating and spellbinding performance that grips the audience’s attention from start to finish. As a warm-up it wasn’t without its “issues” being only the second UK gig of the year and the first time performing some of the new songs. They opened with classic Johnny Yen which immediately excited the audience and as Booth sings the lines “poor old johnny yen set himself on fire again” bursting a flame from his fingertips as the
band come to life. Moving onto new track and the first single from the album ”Is This Love”, Debbie starts the song with a slow intro with bongos The audience were immediately drawn in and joined in with the band to sing along. Continuing with new track Hey which was another crowd pleaser, the audience already
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mesmerised only three songs in. Joined by the choir for the catchy chorus as “Hey, Hey, Hey” floats across the room from both those on stage and the audience. As the intro for their fourth song Life’s A Fucking Miracle began to echo from Chloe and the choir throughout the beautiful 1920s art deco style theatre, Tim began to descend the steps at the foot of the stage locking eyes with the front row of the barrier searching for a strong hand to keep him safe before taking my hand and jumping onto the barrier to stand over the crowd. Booth blasts out the newly iconic lines “raise your glass, life’s a fucking miracle” joined by the audience who clearly have prepared for this song. He crouches down and sings directly to the audience at the front. Tim then starts to introduce the next track, he tells us it will be a live debut, The audience waited in anticipation waiting to hear which of the remaining unheard songs from the new album will be played. Mutters can be heard as the band prepare for the song, mutters of hopes of which one it’ll be until the opening tones came echoing out from Chloe and the choir as they begin to play Mobile God. A track that explores the human races obsession with mobile phones. The opening
lines “I’m the last thing you stroke in the evening before bed” something that few in the audience can deny. Only 5 songs in its clear that the audience are loving hearing songs from the band’s new album as they sing along to every word.
As the gig continues, old and new songs are blasted out and with each one the audience watch in awe and join together to lose themselves in the music. The big surprise of the night was still to come with a new version of Sit Down. This was slower, stripped back and scaled down. It was musically intriguing and a treat for the diehards to
get something so different, though a disappointment maybe for the more casual fans bracing themselves for the anthem they were expecting. Mark Hunter (keyboard) plays the very iconic intro, there is no doubt which song this is. Booth, Diagram and Alpër sit side by side on the front of the stage, gazing into the audience as the room joins in unity to sing the iconic lines, creating a truly memorable moment for many.
The gig continues, classic tracks such as Just Like Fred Astaire and Someone’s Got It In For Me are played shocking the audience, these tracks are rarities live
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so when played live these are a huge deal to fans. The gig continues and not without its hiccups, being a warm up gig full of new tracks that was to be expected but in typical James fashion they brush it off and admit to getting away with it. The band then play Nothing But Love joined by the choir. As the band leave the stage the audience roar into applause. All the lights remain dark the audience starving for more clap in unity until the stage lights come to life and the band return to the stage.
Opening the encore with new track “Way Over Your Head”, which is a clear new crowd pleaser. The audience continue the song after the band have finished singing the lines “In a hole way over, way over your head. In need of a friend to come round to take you to bed. In a hole way over, way over your head in need of a friend to come round and raise up
the dead” These lines are sung on repeat as the band stand looking out at the audience performing their new track back to them. The organ notes of Beautiful Beaches ring out of Marks keyboards a song that builds slowly with all members of the band joining. The drum beats from both drummers Dave and Debbie join him
along with the solid base lines from Jim, Booth lifts his mic and starts the lyrics the song builds further with Adrian’s punching guitar chords ringing out across the stage joined by the rhythm guitar from Saul. The song builds to its climax and the band come together joined with the choir and audience. Then Andy steps forward for his iconic trumpet solo. As the song slows Chloe sings the ending lines as Dave and Debbie gear up for their epic drum solo to end the track. The band take a knee and the lights fix on the two drummers as they hit out the song’s finale, everyone silent, eyes glued to the pair. The audience roar into applause but the band surprise everyone further when they burst straight into “Laid” and the room goes mental as they end the gig on a classic.
https://wearejames.com/
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After the show I was able to catch up with Andy Diagram for a quick chat.
How did you first became involved with James?
It’s a long story, So it was 1989 and I knew James because we were all in Manchester and it was quite a small scene in the 80s. I didn’t know them personally but I was aware of them I’m not sure if they were aware of me but I was living in a house with people who were involved with factory records and releasing stuff on factory and my mate Cliff was a saxophone player and he played in a band called Kalima. He had a t-shirt manufacturing company that did all the James t-shirts, all those JA-M-ES ones. So Cliff, he knew Tim and Tim found out that Cliff played saxophone. Tim was looking to expand the band, as they had just got a new drummer and they were looking for other people to
try things out, so he asked my mate to come and bring his sax along. Cliff said no as he wasn’t very confident but told Tim you should try Andy my mate who plays trumpet and there’s another sax player who plays with the jazz defectors. So James called us both into the studio to record so it wasn’t going to an audition it was a recording session and it was
for the Gold Mother album and they were actually recording the track gold mother. Normally when you get invited on these sessions you sat in the studio on your own and you try something over the top of the track this was a bit different being James. They had taken over the whole of this studio in the centre of Manchester and had different people in different rooms all linked up and playing at the same time and it was a jam called Gold Mother and it ended up on the album. So my first notes and first real meeting with James was on the Gold Mother album. From that they asked me to come and do some more tracks and then I was invited on tour.
You’ve been known for your unusual stage attire, where did the idea first come from? That’s a hard one isn’t it? Is it unusual? I suppose so yeah, you don’t see many trumpeters wearing dresses
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do you! I mean the rest of James wore dresses for Laid, for the album cover. When we played at the GMEX, when Laid came out for the encore we all came out in dresses. Tim always says the dresses was a tribute to me but he’s always saying nice things to me. But I’ll tell you the story, back in 1991 I had an operation on my leg, and I had crutches on stage and my girlfriend at the time said to me why don’t you wear one of my dresses, then you can sway around. So, I though yeah that works, I wonder what the guys will think. My girlfriend said “don’t tell them, just do it” so, the first time I ever wore the dress was the GMEX gig that was filmed for the Come Home video and I didn’t tell them. When we got the call to go on stage, I stayed back a bit and quickly slipped the dress on and went out and they all just looked at me in shock and horror, about to go on stage for the biggest concert they’d done and there’s me in a dress. And that was it.
So after 40+ years they finally got their number 1 album. How did you feel when you heard the news? That’s a funny question; I think it means more to other people than it does
for band members to be honest. James have been planning to get a number 1 and it’s hard. The record company worked out that there was 1 week between Beyonce and Taylor Swift releasing new albums, that week would be our chance. But it was still a risk, things change other artists could move their release date or another artist could come in. There’s quite a lot of record company pre-thinking to it. But then the consequences of actually getting it are why it’s so important to them. You can say that it is a number 1 record. Then everyone is congratulating
you for it and it’s something your mum can tell their neighbours. It makes a huge difference that’s what I’ve been most surprised at is that difference people refer to it as a number 1 like the question refers to it. But it’s good, It’s a shame we couldn’t get the previous records to number 1 but also having said that Yummy has sold more than the previous records.
What is your favourite track from Yummy?
Ah we also get asked this question and I’m sure it’s the same for you, it’s going to change. At the moment it’s more to do with playing Yummy live, so I’m really enjoying Life’s A Fucking Miracle. I always thought it was a bit of a cheesy disco song but live it’s just wow, it’s so uplifting. If you had asked me before we started playing live it would be Butterfly, I’m not on that track but I just like the song and the way it builds. The song I’m most looking forward to playing live is Folks. It’s got a similar end of album feel as Stripmining on the Stripmine album that sort of folky, goodbye, end of the night, just beautiful melody just drifting away. And that is one of my early favourite James tracks. One that has taken me by surprise that I wasn’t too keen on is Better With You. When I first heard it I wasn’t sure it was strong enough but now I like it, yeah. So I’m more than saying a favourite I’ve got different stories about different tracks.
So if you could swap roles with another member of James, Who would it be and why?
God that’s a question, I mean I quite like my own role I wouldn’t swap it with anyone, but I used to be a bass player right in the diagram brothers, Yeah I was the bass player. I played
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trumpet with them later on but I was the bass player and when I first I played the bass it was because trumpet, it wasn’t really a very punky instrument. So I was in punk bands playing bass and I was in school orchestra playing trumpet. But then I moved to Manchester and Manchester was much more experimental and when the people found out I could play trumpet they wanted me to play trumpet but yeah I’ve often thought if Jimmy were ever ill or unavailable I wanna be able to step in for him. I love his baselines and his high notes I’d love to do that yeah so it would have to be Jim.
So what venue are you most looking forward to playing across the tour in the UK, Europe, Brazil, North America or Canada?
Ah so I’m looking forward to going to Brazil, Rock in Rio in Brazil. We went to Brazil once before, back in 2012, or was it 2011? We did loads of South America gigs and I was really looking forward to Brazil, but then again, I was looking forward to all of it. Chile was fantastic and Argentina was amazing. But Brazil we literally got to the airport, got picked up by a taxi which had like darkened windows, driven to this club, rushed into the club which was a flee pit and was all dark, we then got back into this darkened window taxi back to the hotel. I was really frustrated, although I’ve been to Brazil I don’t feel like I’ve been to Brazil. I’m hoping this time it will be different, cause yeah I mean Brazil wow, so I’m really looking forward to that and generally I look forward to
places that I’ve not been to before so yeah.
Huge thanks to Andy Diagram for taking the time to speak to me and signing our charity banner for NE and The Red Bench Project.
Are you a James fan? Did you know there is a dedicated fan group called “James Fanzone” over on Facebook! You can also find them on X (Twitter) and their dedicated YouTube channel bringing you footage from lots of their gigs. They also hold raffles to raise money for a variety of charities, raffling off limited addition setlists, signed albums and much more.
James are: Tim Booth (Vocals), Jim Glennie (Bass), Mark Hunter (Keyboard), Saul Davies (guitar), Andy Diagram (Trumpet), David Bayton-Power (Drums), Adrian Oxaal (guitar), Chloe Alpër (backing vocals) and Debbie Knox-Hewson (drums, percussion)
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Craig David Tour To Be ONLY Time He’ll Combine Live with TS5
Stepping into his ninth year residency with TS5 in Ibiza, Craig David confirms his 2025 Commitments Tour (special guest Lemar) will be the only chance for fans to see him live with his band and TS5 on the same stag
As UK pop/garage icon, Craig David, prepares for his x12 date UK Commitments Tour 2025, he confirms that these performances will be the only chance to experience a fusion of TS5, alongside his live performance with a band, on one stage. Normally two separate entities, Craig David the DJ and the live performer run in parallel. The Commitments Tour 2025 will be a rare merging of the dual
musical sides of Craig David - and one of the last times to catch this artist live for a while; as he heads off to the US for a mammoth Stateside tour late 2025. With new singles and a fresh new album in the pipeline for later this year, Craig David is back!
“UK I’m coming and my Commitments Tour is going to be such a wave,” smiles Craig. “You’ve partied hard with me at the TS5 shows, and sung along with me on my live performance dates, but the only time you’ll ever see me bringing my two worlds together will be on tour. From Leeds to Newcastle, Birmingham to London, I’m ramping up the vibe and you won’t find a live party like this one. From old Skool to future classics - this’ll be an experience
you’ll never forget. Come join the party - see you on tour!”
Selling over 15 million records worldwide as a solo artist, nominated for fourteen Brit Awards Brit Awards: five times for Best British Male, and twice receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Craig David is one of Britain’s biggest solo male music artists, with x20 UK Top 40 Singles and x7 UK Top 40 Albums. Renowned for his slick, distinctive vocal style and dynamic on-stage charisma, Craig David tours are always eagerly anticipated by fans; whilst his TS5 DJ sets have become one of the biggest residencies in Ibiza. For 2024 he enters his 9th year on the White Isle, on a 10-week residency, whilst also staging TS5 shows
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across Europe this summer. In his third decade of wowing the world with his crisp vibes and pioneering sounds, Craig David live is an experience that’s slicker, sharper and fresher than ever. Don’t miss this!
Craig David’s Commitment Tour kicks off on 2 February 2025 in Leeds.
Craig David Commitment Tour 2025 plus special guest Lemar Tickets On Sale Now: https:// myticket.co.uk/artists/craig-david
For more info and updates check out
Official Website: https://craigdavid.com/ Official Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/CraigDavid/
Official Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/craigdavid/ Official Twitter: https://twitter. com/CraigDavid
Official TikTok: https://www. tiktok.com/@craigdavid
Official YouTube: https://www. youtube.com/user/craigdavid
Official Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JyWXPbkqI5ZJa3 gwqVa0c?autoplay=true
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