NARC. #220 September 2025

SOMEBODY'S CHILD • KEO

THE COVASETTES • BRÒGEAL • GRANDMAS HOUSE

SUNBEAM • BETTER JOY • THE KAIROS • THE GUEST LIST

L’OBJECTIF • DIRTY BLONDE • KEYSIDE • CARSICK

BIG SLEEP • DYLAN FLYNN & THE DEAD POETS

PRECIOUS PEPALA • YAANG • DEAFDEAFDEAF

ALEX MAY • CARDIAC • CORTNEY DIXON • CRUZ

CYDNI & MAPLE • DICTATOR • EIGHTY EIGHT MILES

END CREDITS • FLORENTENES • GUILTY PLEASURE

HANNAH SMITH • HARLAN FRANK AND THE HOUSEPLANTS

HARVEY JAY DODGSON • ISABEL MARIA • JAM TUB

JEANIE AND THE WHITE BOYS • LABYRINTHINE OCEANS

LONG ISLAND • LOREN HEAT • MAE GRACE • MARRICK

MONTELLO • O’PHANTOM • PG CIARLETTA • PORCELAIN

PROVENANCE • RISCO • RON JON • SPACECADETBLOOM

SWINDLED • THE BLACKPINE • THE CASES • THE NORTH

THE REDROOM • THE SLATES • VICE KILLER

VINCENT’S LAST SUMMER

PREVIEWS

6 HIGHLIGHTS

Some of the best events in September, plus what’s online at narcmagazine.com

4 A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

As we mark our final print edition, NARC. editors Claire Dupree and David Saunders reminisce, reflect and look to the future

As this is our last print edition, you’ll find an extended missive from me (and web editor David) on pages 4-5, so I’d like to use this space to highlight a few people who, over the last 20 years, have been invaluable to the magazine’s existence and who rarely get the credit they deserve. To call Vicky Markham simply our designer would do her a massive disservice; she instinctively knows what’s right for our design, our image and our brand. She is also one of the best humans I know, and I am proud to call her one of my closest friends. I have never worked with a better designer (this is a firm recommendation for El Roboto for anyone looking for design work!) Web editor David Saunders will be taking on the NARC. mantle for the foreseeable, and I couldn’t think of any better hands to place you in, dear Constant Readers. David always puts North East artists at the forefront of his work, he is a mine of information and a caring, supportive person who will go above and beyond. He is a dear friend and trusted confidant, and if you’re looking for running chat or weird comedy references, he’s your man. If I had the space I would write effusive praise of so many more people, but know that the following people, for one reason or another, have had a profound effect on NARC., and on me: Linsey Teggert, Lee Fisher, Mark Corcoran-Lettice, Emily Ingram, Nick Wesson, Ewan McIntyre, Amelia Read, Ian West, Si Beckwith, Steve Spithray, Isabel Johnson, Mack Sproates, Zeinab Lenton, and my husband Paul Jeans – a patient sounding board for my woes/rants, a voice of reason and calm, and the one with (most of!) the best ideas – who loves and supports me in so many ways and without whom this magazine would not exist. All of our writers and photographers – both past and present – have been a joy to work alongside. The names you see in the Contributors section below (and have seen, in months and years past) are passionate people who have a dedication to the North East scene and a drive to write about it. They don’t get paid aside from the odd perk; they work hard, and they care about their subject – I couldn’t wish for a better team. Thank you, all.

Cover Image

Amelia Read Live Photography

Iam Burn / Thomas Jackson / Victoria Wai Contributors

Neil Ainger / Laura Doyle / Emily Elliott / Lee Fisher / Michaela Hall / Lee Hammond / Fran Harvey / James Hattersley / Tracy Hyman / Emily Ingram / Gus Ironside / Paul Jeffrey / John Knox / Lizzie Lovejoy / Ben Lowes-Smith / Simon Lunt / Matthew McDonnell / Amy Mitchell / Michael O’Neill / Ikenna Offor / Stephen Oliver / Kai Palmer / Niamh Poppleton / Ben Robinson / Damian Robinson / Laura Rosierse / Sarah Storer / Luke Waller / Robin Webb / Ali Welford / Cameron Wright / Matt Young

8 PREVIEWS

Live shows from Zawose Queens, Jake Xerxes Fussell, Agriculture, Sabine McCalla, Hayden Pedigo, Whitney K, Jade Mia Broadhead, The K’s, Senser, Rufus Wainwright, Serengeti and more; live comedy courtesy of Inside No. 9 at Sunderland Empire, IDEAL with Johnny Vegas at The Fire Station, Stewart Lee at various venues, Jack Fox at The Stand, Felt Nowt’s fifth birthday party and more; theatre including Suitcases at The Exchange 1856, Hold Onto Your Butts at Northern Stage, Edy Hurst's Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself at Gala Theatre, Dolly Peel: Rebel on the Tyne at Customs House, Yen at Alphabetti and Edgecity: Monologues From The Street at Live Theatre; plus Festival of Thrift, Write Festival, Northern Festival of Illustration and more!

INTERVIEWS

Reports of live shows from Ramona’s Tea Party, Saltburn Folk Festival, Marrapalooza, Arab Strap, Prolapse, Alan Sparhawk and more

Reviews of singles and EPs from local artists including Polyfillas, Charts & Graphs, Simon Taylor, Smith & Liddle, Valentine Charlie, a Circle of Teeth, Pave the Jungle, HMRC, Cortney Dixon, Ernie, Belle Skies and Sam Shields

Reviews of new releases from Saint Etienne, Automatic, Baxter Dury, Spraydog, Joy Crookes, Black Lips, Sir Richard Bishop, Biffy Clyro, The Divine Comedy, Big Thief, Leisure and more

Sarah Farrell-Forster from SeaChange Café and Arts Venue and AutismAble picks some of her favourite tunes

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

AS WE MARK OUR FINAL PRINT EDITION, NARC. EDITORS CLAIRE DUPREE AND DAVID SAUNDERS REMINISCE, REFLECT AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE IMAGE BY AMELIA READ

WORDS: CLAIRE DUPREE

Back when I started NARC. in 2006, I don’t think I ever thought about the end. At 26, a two-decade career doing something you love seemed like a mythical thing, and yet here I am... In stewarding NARC. over the last 20 years, there are three simple rules I have always tried to stick to: to be nice to people, to be honest and ethical about the way we do business, and to always have our reader at the heart of what we do. At times it has been fucking hard; I take criticism personally and barely suppress a raging imposter syndrome; a bloody-minded determination has occasionally blinkered me; and bad mistakes...well, we’ve all made a few. But I can hand-on-heart tell you that dedicating the last 20 years of my life to this magazine, the North East scene and…well, you…has been a true honour.

You should know by now why NARC. exists – to champion regional alt. music and culture – a fact that won’t change with the end of the print version. In fact, we’re pretty good at it by now, and I reckon we’ll only get better online. Our shift away from the printed format has nothing to do with the ‘death of print media’ (shudder); in truth, the magazine has never been in a stronger position, and – as I discovered from the outpouring of emotion upon the announcement of the changes we’re making – it has never been more loved.

My decision was based on the future. I have spent 20 years doing the same job, with endless deadlines pinning me to my desk; as I’ve gotten older my obsessive tendencies have shifted to other things – travel, nature – and the freelance work that once just paid the bills has now morphed into something more fulfilling, that gives me freedom to explore and push at the edges of my comfort zone. I’ve been so busy that I’ve never had time to put into motion the ideas that’ve been rattling around my head; I love telling people about how amazing the North East is, and there are so many other things I want to do and stories I want to tell.

And so, my decision to stop publishing NARC. is, perhaps, a selfish one; I want more time to do other things. I’ve somehow stumbled into a burgeoning travel writing career; over the last few years I’ve been editing tourism guides to Northumberland, North Yorkshire and the Lake District, and I have a commission to write a guidebook to New Zealand for an actual proper international publisher (cue a resurgence of raging imposter syndrome, BTW). I want to help people discover amazing things, on their doorstep or on the other side of the world, just as I always have with this magazine. Alongside a wonderful team, past and present, I think we have built something special, and the effects and efforts of our work will, I hope, continue to be felt – online, in print and, always, in my heart. Thank you for reading.

WORDS: DAVID SAUNDERS

First off, I’m unbelievably sad that this is NARC. magazine’s final printed edition. The North East has been lucky to have a publication with such character, quality and integrity. It’s a presence that will be missed by artists and culture vultures across the region.

I’ve loved NARC. in every role I’ve had – as a reader, an artist (Goy Boy McIlroy, The Black Sheep Frederick Dickens, Wax Heart Sodality), an independent promoter, through my work with Tracks and Tees Music Alliance, and even as a podcast host. As I live to remind Claire, the first review I received in the magazine (a single for Goy Boy McIlroy) was brutal, but it was honest and pushed us to rethink and improve. From then on, I always got in touch with Claire or Si Beckwith (the web guy before me), and they were consistently supportive. Eventually, I started writing for the magazine – my first piece was a front cover, double-page feature with Lanterns On The Lake. Claire’s editorial guidance turned what could’ve been an anxious experience into a positive one.

In 2019, burned out and ready to quit music, I saw Claire advertising for a web coordinator. Motivated by how NARC. champions local talent, I applied. Claire took a chance on me, and I’ve never looked back.

Since then, I’ve written hundreds of web features, and Claire even changed my title to web editor to appease my ego. Over the years, I’ve been involved in our Tues-DIY music advice round table sessions, NARC. TV (which brought live music to the region during lockdown), and NARC. Academy – a Youth Music-funded project supporting emerging writers. I even took over editorial duties when Claire was away travelling.

I want to thank Claire for all the support she’s given me as an artist, a writer and a friend, her passion, skill and conduct have been an inspiration to me. It will leave a void in my working life that can only be filled with loads of long-distance running. Despite the melancholy around the magazine ending, I’m really happy for Claire. She’s worked incredibly hard to build something positive and lasting, and now it’s time for her next chapter. She’s always been a keen traveller and a passionate writer and I’ve no doubt I’ll see her name on books in airport shops soon. That said, based on potential future plans, this won’t be the last time her writing champions the North East and its cultural scene.

Lastly, I’ll be continuing as web editor, shining a spotlight on the richness of the North East’s music and cultural scene. So please keep sending us your work, sharing our features, and help us build on the relationship the magazine has with the creatives and activists who add colour to our lives.

PREVIEWS

SEPTEMBER’S GREATEST HITS INCLUDE CAKE-CENTRIC MUSIC NIGHTS, CAT-FUELLED VIDEO FESTS, MYSTERY POET GATHERINGS AND MERCURY-NOMINATED MUSICIANS!

ART & LIT THURS 11

KING INK

King Ink cite themselves as ‘a home for Sunderland’s hidden poets’, and they’re certainly proving that point with their monthly Thursday open mic-style evenings at Pop Recs. Whether you go to listen, to perform some writing, or to watch the published mystery poet at the end of the night, you’re bound to have a blast.

Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland www.linktr.ee/kinginkspokenword

MUSIC

FRI 5

LIAM CROMBY

Former frontman of the showstopping We Are The Ocean, Liam Cromby is back, this time to spotlight his solo work. Expect gently soaring sonics and melodies, deftly tender storytelling lyricism and an all-round good time. Watch alt. rock’s finest step into the shoes of country and Americana.

Three Tanners Bank, North Shields www.instagram.com/liamcromby

MUSIC

SAT 6

EDGAR SUMMERTYME JONES

Edgar Jones has had a monumental career, from fronting The Stairs to playing in the bands of Paul Weller and St Etienne. Now the Liverpoolborn singer-songwriter, multiinstrumentalist and genre-bending chameleon is gracing The Common Room’s beautiful stage in Newcastle. If you’re after a talent so good you won’t believe your ears, look no further. The Common Room, Newcastle www.edgarjonesmusic.bandcamp.com

CAT VIDEO FEST

After last year’s roaring (and meowing) success, Cat Video Fest returns with a new programme of the finest feline videos and shorts. Featuring cat classics from the ages including the first ever cat video filmed in 1887, a short from the iconic series Simon’s Cat, plus paw-fulls more.

Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle www.starandshadow.org.uk

11

OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH + Q&A

Serving as a landmark in working-class North East representation on television, this not to be missed screening of Our Friends In The North documents entangled and complex friendships shaped by an ever-changing political background in 1960s-1990s Britain, followed by a special Q&A with writer, Peter Flannery. Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle www.tynesidecinema.co.uk

ART & LIT

FRI 12

GOING BACK BROCKENS

Going Back Brockens returns for another outing at Sunderland Museum. This powerful exhibition sees painter Narbi Price and writer Mark Hudson joining creative forces to capture rhetoric around the miner’s strikes in County Durham via spectacular location paintings and a powerful sound installation. Runs until 3rd January 2026.

Sunderland Museum www.sunderlandculture.org.uk

STAGE

SAT 13

SMALL BOAT

Small Boat is a deeply profound, impactful moral tale about the 2021 tragedy where a dingy capsized in the channel and the lives of 27 migrants were lost. A fictional lifeguard recounts the event through a series of unflinching monologues, using the stage to illuminate social consciousness.

Live Theatre, Newcastle www.live.org.uk

STAGE

SAT 13

MR FUNBLES’ SUNDAY PORTAL

In this queer-led night of alternative comedy and clowning chaos, you can always expect the unexpected… From circus, burlesque, sketch to drag, who knows which quirky characters will be crawling out of Mr Funbles’ Sunday Portal this time? Regardless, big laughs, much silliness and snails are (possibly) guaranteed.

Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle www.linktr.ee/mrfunbles

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC

LUKE JAMES WILLIAMS & GEORGE BOOMSMA

Esteemed local promoter Down By The River brings us this mesmerising co-headline of two delightful singer-songwriters: the delicate guitar folk of George Boomsma and the indie folk ‘party pooper’ tunes of Luke James Williams. Folk fans far and wide – get yourselves to Durham for what promises to be a magical, cosy evening.

Claypath Deli, Durham www.downbytheriver9.com

MUSIC WED 17

SELF ESTEEM

Wildly impressive, unapologetic pop star Self Esteem – aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor – has treated us to a second North East date on her biggest headline run yet, and it’s at none other than our favourite silvermirrored music hub, The Glasshouse. The Mercury Prize-nominated artist tackles insecurity, misogyny and other powerful truths in her unmissable music.

The Glasshouse, Gateshead www.selfesteem.love

COMEDY

SAT 20

HILARITY BITES THE HIPP

One of our region’s top comedy promoters, Hilarity Bites, bring together some of your favourite as-seen-on-TV comedy connoisseurs for a remarkable stand-up show. The hilarious line-up includes legends of laughter Bridget Christie, Harriet Kemsley, Ignacio Lopez and Brennan Reece.

Darlington Hippodrome www.hilaritybites.co.uk

COMEDY TUES 23

GRACE PETRIE

Combining music and comedy for the first time, folk’s funniest lesbian Grace Petrie presents This Is No Time To Panic! A brand new show bringing the much needed laughs via Petrie’s beloved protest song style, alongside her critically acclaimed stand-up, fighting fascism, misogyny and eco-destruction. The Stand, Newcastle www.thestand.co.uk

MUSIC SAT 27

NOUGHT PERCENT CLUB

Get down to the exciting launch party of the Nought Percent Club, a fusion of good vibes, banging beats and great cake – where the focus is not on alcohol. From disco, soul, house to funk, this is an inclusive, community space for music lovers and connecting with others.

Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle www.noughtpercentclub.com

NARC. ONLINE

As this is the final edition of the printed magazine, you’ll need to bookmark our website for all your alt. music and culture needs! On our website you’ll find all the usual previews, interviews, reviews and opinions you’re used to seeing in the magazine, with loads more added extras including video exclusives, podcasts and plenty of quirky feature-based content. Updated daily, make it your go-to read on the bus, in the pub, in-between TV shows...wherever and whenever you like!

Jason Williamson by Jack Neville

MUSIC THE HONKYTONK REVIVAL TOUR @ THE CENTRAL BAR

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Unfiltered, traditional, old-school country –this is what The Honkytonk Revival Tour promises on Saturday 27th September at Central Bar.

Savannah Gardner and her band of Recovering Good Girls explore classic country themes of identity, love and belonging in music that is coarse with emotion. Each track is shaped by soft drumbeats and twanging guitar strings, professing a sense of simultaneous comfort and defiance as they break through the musical barrier. Gardner’s raspy voice - both rough and compelling - is a whisper of authenticity, cutting through the storm of modern music and anchoring the outstanding instrumentals.

Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best present an upbeat and joyful side of country, with fast-paced instrumentals that make you unintentionally sway or dance along. However, the music is undoubtedly coated with emotional vulnerability and earnestness. Their sound is a modern twist on the brilliance of Bob Dylan, steeped in vintage Americana. From the mixing pot of musical creativity provided by both artists, the tour promises innovation – a blend of soul, blues, jazz and bluegrass, but all rooted in honkytonk tradition.

For a night of songs defined by stories that

travel across human history and music full of soul, honesty and cultural texture, head to the showcase performance at Central Bar, Gateshead on Saturday 27th September. www.jumpinhotclub.com

STAGE EDGECITY: MONOLOGUES FROM THE STREET @ LIVE THEATRE

Words: Emily Ingram

Jason Williamson – the wonky-fringed frontman of post-punk outfit Sleaford Mods, for the uninitiated – seems to expertly straddle the line between musician, actor and activist all whilst remaining (for me anyway) incredibly likeable. His latest foray into the world of performance art comes in the form of a brilliantly affecting series of monologues from playwright gobscure, a self-styled owner of a ‘broken mind’. In this performance, they draw upon their lived experience of homelessness in different parts of Britain. The playwright’s own distinctive voice is woven into six separate monologues performed by a cast of three, including Williamson, and accompanied by live music from Mariam Rezaei.

Edgecity has been described by director Jack McNamara (who also happens to be the Artistic Director of Live Theatre, so I should think he knows his onions) as “two radical voices coming together in a very special

way… These are artists who, in their different ways, have glimpsed hell and know how to talk about it.”

The show runs from Thursday 25th-Saturday 27th September. www.live.org.uk

COMEDY

JACK FOX @ THE STAND

Words: Emily Elliott

On Sunday 28th September, comedian Jack Fox is making his solo comedy debut at The Stand Comedy Club with his show titled Rolls Royce.

Comedy is in his genes: his late Grandad, Alan Fox, was also a comic, and as a result there is a real nod to the region in his work. Alan’s legacy is acknowledged in Rolls Royce, which explores the differences between their careers, Jack quips: “My Grandad was once described in a review as the ‘Rolls Royce of comedy – quick, smooth and classy’. If that’s the case then I’m probably the bus replacement of comedy – slow, unreliable and I stink like piss.”

Jack is also a musician and rapper, so he’s sure to have a few tricks up his sleeve, including the debut of a theme song.

The show is directed by Lee Kyle and is part of the revered comedian’s New Directions programme, which aims to build-up comedy talent in the North East. www.linktr.ee/jackfox_710

MUSIC AGRICULTURE @

THE CLUNY 2

Words: Lee Fisher

Extreme metal is going through some interesting times: envelopes being pushed, cliches being overturned, corpsepaint being wiped off. There’s probably no finer example of these welcome disruptions of the blackened

norm than Agriculture, the L.A. four-piece who in just a few years and a trio of releases have demonstrated that extreme heaviosity doesn’t have to be saddled with lyrics about Armageddon or slaying virgins or building bongs out of the skulls of priests. Instead, their music is a celebration, labelled ‘ecstatic black metal’ and dealing with what they’ve described as “feelings of absolute bliss, overwhelming love and awe-inspiring sublimity”, Agriculture use the tools of black metal to create some of the most intensely uplifting music I’ve ever heard. At times, it’s

not unlike Godspeed You! Black Emperor at double-speed, but there’s also room for folky interludes, for an a capella section, for a sax break or steel guitar phrase.

Agriculture are constantly fucking with the formula but without abandoning the absolutely thrilling metal at the centre of what they do. There’s a new album due in the autumn via The Flenser (because of course it is) and they’re bringing it to Newcastle’s Cluny 2 on Sunday 7th September as part of a short UK tour. Come on feel the joys. www.agriculturemusic.com

COMEDY STEWART LEE @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Cameron Wright

There isn’t any praise to shower over Stewart Lee that hasn’t already been plastered across a thousand newspapers or said by critics, fans or Stewart Lee himself.

The man is one of Britain’s greatest stand-ups; the swaggering and snarling style that Lee pioneered, the elaborate set ups and the crushing dissections of comedy, politics or media, are phenomenal.

A stand-up show from Stewart Lee is a wholly unique experience, and it is unmistakable to see the mammoth influence this titan has had over comedy across his decades in the industry.

His new show, entitled Stewart Lee vs The Man Wulf, plunges into the dark underbelly of the supernatural and is a typically off-the-wall affair. Sharing the stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity, Lee is locked in a battle of wits in what is sure to be another comedy milestone.

Digging into the very nature of comedy, stand-up and the consequences of humour, Stewart Lee vs The Man Wulf is set to be another sure fire hit from the tenaciously excellent comic.

He brings the show to several venues in the North East over the coming months, including Darlington Hippodrome on Wednesday 24th September, Durham’s Gala Theatre on Thursday 25th September, Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th November and Stockton’s Globe on Saturday 16th May 2026. www.stewartlee.co.uk

MUSIC SENSER @ POP RECS LTD.

Words: Niamh Poppleton

A night of protest cloaked in electro hip-hop and synth-driven grit hits Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland on Saturday 20th September featuring Senser and supporting act Ant Chapman.

Rap rock pioneers Senser define cultural rebellion and 90s counterculture. Their politically-charged sound fuses rock, metal, hip-hop and electronica in a creatively colourful concoction. Synth beats meet equally rapid drums and guitar riffs in every track - a physical manifestation of their urgent message. Lyrically sharp with undeniably punk undertones, their tracks explore governmental control, media, censorship and identity. Their music is a call to action, a plea for resistance and a symbol of rebellion against the status quo.

DJ Ant Chapman – founding member of Collapsed Lung and a driving force in musical genre blending – will bring his own flavour of rebellion to the stage. His work focuses on electronic music, driving people to their feet under the spell of the dancefloor – yet beneath the surface, his beats carry the allure of introspection and nuance.

Genre-blending ethos; the wrath and rage of a political undertone; an energy of anarchy –redefining the music scene and forging a community fostered by rebellion. Both artists promise to deliver these aspects and more in a night of unruly musical resistance. www.senser.co.uk

STAGE DOLLY PEEL – REBEL ON THE TYNE @ CUSTOMS HOUSE

Words: Isabel Johnson

From Wednesday 17th-Saturday 20th September, a light will be shone on South Tyneside. In particular, on the story of Dolly Peel, the South Tyneside rebel. In an imaginative new collection of short plays taking place at South Shields’ Customs House, Peel’s famous historical story will be told by modern voices and set to original live music. There will be four plays featured in the project, each by a different writer and looking at Dolly Peel’s story from a new angle. There is John Dawson’s play Cleaning Up, which covers the cleaning of a bathroom and the loss of a child to a dangerous ideology; Tom Kelly’s play Finding Dolly, which follows a modern couple who go to Dolly Peel’s statue to discuss their relationship; Janet Plater’s play Dolly Peel of Shadwell Street, which explores Dolly’s secrets alongside her trade as a fishwife and smuggler in 1837; and Emma Zadow’s play The Smuggler’s Daughter, which showcases how Dolly became the voice of a silenced past via her stories and songs. Whether you’re a Dolly Peel expert or you’ve no clue of her significance, this may be the most entertaining way to educate yourself on this important and interesting local figure. www.customshouse.co.uk

MUSIC SERENGETI @ ANGEL’S CUT & THE LUBBER FIEND

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith

Alt. hip-hop royalty comes to the region in September, as Anticon legend Serengeti devotes two nights of his five date UK tour to the North East. Having collaborated with artists as diverse as Sufjan Stevens, Jenny Lewis and Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, Serengeti’s colourful, storytelling hip-hop has captured the imaginations of many across the world. His intricate, detailed narratives featuring most prominently on his Kenny Dennis LPs are concept albums about an ageing hardcore rap artist, filling their universes with pathos, humour and pinpoint attention to detail.

It’s a remarkable opportunity to see a cult legend in magically intimate venues, as Serengeti lands at The Angel’s Cut in Darlington on Wednesday 17th and The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle on Thursday 18th September. Having not toured the UK since before the pandemic, Serengeti will be showcasing his absurdist take on consumerism from recent album Ajai. Happily, local legends Faithful Johannes plus Neocia and Ceiling Demons will provide support for the whole tour, taking in Leeds, London and Edinburgh. Both artists make suitably idiosyncratic and characterful hip-hop, and provide beautiful counterblasts to Serengeti’s work. Both shows are an astonishingly intimate opportunity to see a genuine cult icon, so make sure you check out this fascinating, alt. hip-hop legend. www.facebook.com/serengetidave

COMEDY IDEAL: STARRING

JOHNNY VEGAS @ THE FIRE STATION

Words: Cameron Wright

Back in 2005, we were introduced to Moz. The dishevelled dealer residing in his Salford dump of a flat was rife with a myriad of characters and oddballs who swung by to pick up their various vices, and throughout seven series the nation loved Moz and his ragtag assortment of curious friends and acquaintances.

The TV show was quintessentially British, dirty and unpredictable. What was at one moment a fly-on-the-wall commentary about the underbelly of Manchester, could simultaneously be a madcap and surreal comedy that packed all the intensity and angry hilarity that we expect from its lead, the unstoppable force that is Johnny Vegas. Toeing a similar tightrope of absurdity and gritty realism as Sean Lock’s phenomenal 15 Storeys High, IDEAL became one of Britain’s greatest cult comedies. Having been cut down before the eighth series, and to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of IDEAL, Vegas and the gang are back to showcase the final episode on a live stage; the closing chapter they felt they never got the chance to show. Coming to The Fire Station in Sunderland on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th September, Vegas and the cast will bring a heartfelt revival to one of TV’s greatest shows. www.thefirestation.org.uk

ART & LIT THE NORTHERN FESTIVAL OF ILLUSTRATION @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

The Northern Festival of Illustration returns to Hartlepool for its fourth year, and this time it is celebrating stories of home. Over the course of an eight-week programme of activity filled to the brim with storytelling, animation and design, visitors can expect to experience film screenings, talks and exhibitions. Running from Friday 12th September to Saturday 1st November, the festival invites visitors of all ages to explore the ways that we share, and sketch, the stories which matter most to us.

At the heart (pun intended) of the festival is the Stories of Home exhibition at Hartlepool Art Gallery. It showcases a range of work from up to 70 renowned illustrators including Supermundane, local favourite Jonny Hannah, Bee Illustrates and Mikey Please. Alongside the exhibition, families and schools can enjoy workshops, literacy-focused sessions and other free creative resources.

The Northern Festival of Illustration is a must for creatives and anyone who believes in the power of visual storytelling. Further highlights of the programme include a marvellous Maker’s Market at Hartlepool Theatre on Saturday 27th September showcasing local artists, and a professional symposium and networking event on Friday 17th October. There is something for both curious beginners to seasoned illustrators; this is a festival which proudly celebrates the many ways artists bring our most personal stories to life. www.thefestivalofillustration.com

MUSIC

THE K’S @ THE FIRE STATION

Words: Laura Rosierse

Indie outfit The K’s are embarking on a run of dates across the UK in celebration of the release of their new album Pretty On The Internet, which was released in July. They teased the album by releasing single Gravestone, which builds on uplifting keys and their signature guitar tones, as well as sing-along melodies and relatable lyrics which touch on frontman Jamie Boyle’s mental health struggles, as he explains: “It's an exploration of everything that whizzes around my head from ambition to self-worth and the search for validation."

The album promises to showcase more of what we’ve come to know The K’s for, and will be performed in its entirety at Sunderland’s Fire Station on Tuesday 23rd September. The album is produced by Grammy award-winner Jim Lowe, who previously worked with stadium pop band Stereophonics and The Dandy Warhols. The K’s allow hints of rock to seep onto their signature indie pop sound, bringing a genre boundary-pushing and eclectic sound. Single Gravestone plays with similar chord progressions to the band’s indie anthem Sarajevo, demonstrating that they still know how to write summer anthems that will undoubtedly be sung back with much enthusiasm from their loyal fanbase. www.theks.band

COMEDY

FELT NOWT’S FIFTH BIRTHDAY @ IGNITION

Words: Ben Robinson

Felt Nowt is a Newcastle comedy institution; described as ‘the only comedy company run by comedians for comedy fans’, they always bring the best that the North East has to offer. This September is no different with their big fifth birthday celebration. Taking place at Ignition in South Shields on Sunday 7th September it is sure to be one of the rowdiest, most hilarious and carefree evenings which the North East has on offer this month.   Felt Nowt Productions was founded during lockdown by a group of comedians who wanted to keep comedy alive when live gigs vanished. Their early success came from hosting Zoom shows that brought laughter into people’s homes in a time when it felt like there was no way forward. Since then it has grown into a co-operative CIC; a not-for-profit company that reinvests its profits back into the community through comedy events, workshops, and outreach.  Their fifth birthday bash will include comedy and karaoke (what more could you want), and to top it off it takes place at Ignition in South Shields where you will always be able to party the night away. This is the perfect event if you’re looking for a fun-filled evening of celebration with some of the best comedic minds of the North East, and better yet – it’s free! www.feltnowt.co.uk

MUSIC

Q&A SIDES WITH STUART MURDOCH @ THE FIRE STATION

Words: Cameron Wright

Stuart Murdoch usually lets the music speak for itself. He’s had an illustrious career at the helm of Belle & Sebastian, penning and performing some of the quintessential indie ballads of the noughties, with his hushed voice soundtracking adolescent Britain, broken hearts and bittersweet bliss. Belle & Sebastian are a touchstone on the indie scene, with a sound that’s synonymous with beauty, poise and poetry. Outside the band, Murdoch’s creative streak only continues to evolve, as he directs movies, writes novels and now opens up on stage for a Q&A at Sunderland’s Fire Station on Saturday 6th September.

Murdoch is a tenacious creator, and this opportunity for candid communication with the artist will offer fans a window into his mind. With casual conversations and maybe even some musical interludes spanning across the decades of the writer’s career, this intimate evening is not one for any fan to miss.

www.thefirestation.org.uk

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Donations

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STAGE

YEN @ ALPHABETTI

Words: Ben Robinson

One of the North East’s greatest independent theatres, Alphabetti, brings us Bruntwood-prize winning play Yen from Wednesday 3rd–Saturday 20th September. The play follows Hench (16) and Bobbie (13) who live with their dog, wasting the days away, not sure what the future really holds for them; occasionally their mum makes a visit – only to pass out on the lawn! It is only when a lady called Jenny shows up at the front door that they begin to find new meaning in life. She opens the pair up to a world of possibilities that they had previously been unable to see; taking the audience on a journey of love, friendship and introspection.   After several successful runs in New York, Manchester and London, Anna Jordan’s era-defining production comes to town with a star-studded cast. Adam Owers (Biedermann und die Brandstifter, Roundhouse) takes on the role of Hench, Jonny Grogan (The Head, HBO) as Bobbie, Lucy Eve Mann (A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou, Netflix) as Jennifer and Vicky Binns (Coronation Street, ITV) as Maggie. With such talent oozing from this cast, it is sure to be a performance which will have audiences captivated from beginning to end.   Described as unmissable, this is one of the touring plays coming to the North East this year which you will absolutely want to see. Taking the audience back to raw, real, and stripped back theatre it is sure to leave Newcastle in awe, as it has done the rest of the world.   www.dividedcultureco.com

MUSIC INTERVALS @ THE GROVE

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith

Intervals are the brainchild of Aaron Marshall: a Canadian virtuoso guitarist who has been responsible for some of the most mindmeltingly ambitious instrumental metal of the last 15 years, and who will be bringing some incredible tunes to The Grove on Monday 29th September.

Having started out in the djent sub-genre of metal, Internals music has expanded into a jazzier, purely experimental affair. Now, with a sizeable catalogue of five LPs, expect the show to be a deep and luxurious dive into their enviable catalogue of heady, technically proficient instrumental metal, which treads a beautiful line between discordance and melody. Their most recent record, Memory Palace, won the Juno Instrumental Album Of The Year 2025, and was met with universal acclaim in rock and metal circles. In the intimate confines of The Grove, their gig is sure to be a memorable and special evening. Support comes from Germany’s The Intersphere, whose fun and accessible approach to theatrical technical metal makes for excellent songwriting which doesn’t take itself too seriously, skirting around cliché and machismo. It’s guaranteed to be a tremendous evening for fans of all kinds of sub-genres of metal, from djent to progressive metal. www.intrvls.com

MUSIC WHITNEY K @ THE LUBBER FIEND

Words: Isabel Johnson

Whitney K is the musical project of Konner Whitney, a striking Canadian songwriter who heads to Newcastle’s Lubber Fiend on Friday 19th September. Think a delicate concoction of profound folk, pop, country and rock music which flits between cool detachment and heated emotion, showcased through the vessel of raw recording techniques, even rawer, clever lyricism and the singer-songwriter’s staple rich, buttery baritone voice.

Whitney’s brand new LP, Bubble, is set to be released on 12th September, and it’s likely chock full of all of these things – hence why it’s so special that he’s bringing the album’s world tour to Newcastle just seven days after it comes out. Bubble is the artist’s first LP via Fire Records, marking a new era of perhaps the most refined (but still remarkably naked and honest) music that Whitney K has been responsible for thus far – and to top his previous work is quite the statement. With a growing cult following, it’s exciting to see the Canadian head over the pond into our territory. Whitney K makes music for yearners, emotional nomads, or just people who appreciate a great song.

www.linktr.ee/whitney_k

EVENTS

FESTIVAL OF THRIFT @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

The award winning Tees Valley-based Festival of Thrift returns to Billingham, and they are ready to once again champion and celebrate sustainable living through community creativity and the power of imagination. Taking place on Saturday 20th-Sunday 21st

September, the free weekend festival takes over Billingham town centre and John Whitehead Park, showcasing a range of performances and workshops with eco-friendly themes.

With many outdoor performances and installations, including 10 North East premieres, visitors can expect a unique and exciting programme of live art, music and dance. Alongside this, there will be workshops, 90+ independent stalls, and creative zones for all ages. Whether you want to craft with natural materials or showcase your own style in Slow Fashion Alley, every

part of the festival asks visitors to embrace the joys of thrifty living.

Top highlights include the immersive Museum of Memorable Trees by Harry Pizzey, an art and sound installation exploring our relationship to nature; and Mud Plant Rave, a new production from the Institute of Thrifty Ideas, featuring original work by poet Helen Mort and sound artist Me Lost Me, following the journey through a plant’s lifecycle. Festival of Thrift invites everyone to explore creative, low-impact ways to live well, care for our planet, and build a better future together. www.festivalofthrift.co.uk

MUSIC THE ZAWOSE QUEENS @ COBALT STUDIOS

Words: Lee Fisher

Some of the most exciting music coming out of Africa at the moment marries traditional instruments and voices with subtle electronics, providing a rich and fascinating juxtaposition built on harmonies and rhythms. Acts like Les Mamans du Congo, Susso and now The Zawose Queens. The two Zawoses – Pendo and Leah (mother and daughter) –play the music of their gogo heritage (in Tanzania’s Dodoma region), using instruments like chizeze fiddles, thumb pianos and ngoma drums that in combination with some gorgeous polyphonic vocals create music that’s good for your heart and your feet. If you know your African music, you might have heard of Dr Hukwe Zawose, Pendo’s father, a legend in the gogo/Wagogo tradition. Their debut album Maishe appeared last year on the venerable Real World label with production from Oli Barton-Wood and Tom Excell (who between them have worked with artists like Nubiyan Twist and Nilufer Yamya) and their first run of UK live shows won them a lot of new fans, captivated by the shuffling rhythms and joyful, powerful voices. And now they’re coming to Newcastle thanks to the good people of Cobalt Studios, appearing on Friday 26th September with support from Kedu.

www.thezawosequeens.com

STAGE

LAST AND FIRST MEN @ DANCE CITY

Words: Emily Ingram

It is a truth universally acknowledged: if the performance has a Tilda Swinton voiceover, shit is about to get very real. In this adaptation of Olaf Stapledon’s 1930 sci-fi novel of the same name, Last and First Men tells the tale of a race from the future, teetering on the verge of extinction (sound familiar?). All that remains of them is a series of strange, surreal monuments - yet, in this performance, they call to us from 2,000 million years in the future, offering help to humanity and asking only for our assistance in return. What they require is something that can only be revealed through a fusion of Swinton’s mysterious tones, contemporary dance, sci-fi film footage, and a haunting orchestral score.

Last and First Men is a peculiar labour of love, built over seven years and completed by Yair Elazar Glotman following filmmaker Jóhann Jóhannsson’s untimely death. Even if dance isn’t necessarily your bag, we highly recommend giving this a go: the show promises to deliver a deeply moving combination of ‘movie, movement and music’, allowing us a glimpse behind the curtain of humanity’s dystopian future.

Last and First Men lands at Dance City on Thursday 18th September.

www.dancecity.co.uk

MUSIC JADE MIA BROADHEAD @ THE GLOBE

Words: Mack Sproates

The incredible, inspiring and simply outstanding singer-songwriter Jade Mia Broadhead is set to launch her highly anticipated debut album, Delicate Flower, Prickly Thorns on Friday 3rd October with a show at The Globe in Newcastle.

Anyone who has seen Jade play live will agree that she’s a stunning performer. Whether you know her for riot grrrl band Dinky Bossetti, her anthemic singles such as TERF Wars and Jade, or her full-on festival, Transtock; Jade puts all of her passion and ferocious energy into everything that she does, and that’s what makes her so special. Her debut album is an accumulation of her most powerful, deeply personal and profoundly moving songs to date, described as ‘her soul laid bare’. With elements of politically charged folk, jangly pop, alt. country and more, the album is packed with catchy songs that are unafraid to be honest and raw about the complexities of life and being a girl. Exploring topics such as relationships, bullying and ectopic pregnancy, there is so much to unpack, feel and absorb. Stand-out tracks like Bygones showcase Jade’s signature vocals with cheeky and insightful lyrics, and it’s wonderful to hear her talent flourish with an array of instruments and production.

www.jademiabroadhead.bandcamp.com

A-Levels, T-Levels, Diplomas, Degrees & Postgraduate

MUSIC GRIEFCAT @ THE CLUNY 2

Words: Cameron Wright

Griefcat are great fun. The Washington DC duo create campy glam pop that is very quickly garnering them a reputation as one of the hottest pairings on the market.

With vocals that are drowning in a Beth Ditto-inspired flare, the music is as 80s as it is current. With big synths and a Chappell Roan-style level of flirty charisma, the ear worms are as addictive and enjoyable as they are hilarious and infectious.

On first listen you can’t always work out if Annie Nardolilli and Louisa Hall are a comedy act or fantastic songwriters with a knack for whimsy and goofiness. Songs about pooing at work or wanting to be inside someone’s bank account would definitely steer you towards thinking this is a comedic act, but as the songs unfurl, the beautiful harmonies and melodies get lodged in your head. Versatile and genre hopping, new album Dirty Laundry shows Griefcat building upon the success of their debut and expanding their musical palette.

Think Weird Al, Tenacious D and Dolly Parton all wrapped up together; from the delicate folksy acoustic settings of Faeries Fucking to the big synth explosion of I Already Took Off My Bra, it’s clear these two writers have a love for music, in all shapes and sizes, so don’t miss their Cluny 2 show on Monday 29th September.

www.griefcat.com

STAGE HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS @ NORTHERN STAGE

Words: Ikenna Offor

65 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. 32 years ago, Jurassic Park ruled the box office. This year, your funny bone is in for a prehistoric pummelling as Hold Onto Your Butts careens into Northern Stage for one night of high-stakes, low-budget dinospoofery on Friday 26th September.

Far from a fawning tribute, this two-man Foley frenzy whips up an anarchic hodgepodge of velociraptors stalking with mime, T-Rexes roaring via mouth sounds, and every door creak and footstep being conjured live onstage with the frantic precision of an overly caffeinated sound designer trapped in a jungle-themed escape room.

Nimbly straddling the line between razor-sharp pastiche, unbridled nerdery and winningly zany postmodern homage, Hold Onto Your Butts is what happens when you mix Whose Line Is It Anyway? with THAT John Williams soundtrack and a gallon of dino-DNA. It’s slick. It’s silly. And yes, it’s got Goldblumesque gyrations.

Whether you're a nostalgic Spielberg stan, or just someone who’s always wondered what Jurassic Park would be like with a smaller effects budget and more rubber chickens than logic, this is your summer must-see. Prepare for puns. Prepare for prehistoric pandemonium. And, most of all – say it with me now – HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS! www.holdontoyourbutts.com

EVENTS FLOWER SHOP VS THE NEWCASTLE PROJECT @ STAR & SHADOW CINEMA

Words: Mack Sproates

The excellent creative brains behind Tyne & Queer and photographer Nostalgia Kid are teaming up to pioneer a DIY, supportive network for artists, co-operatives and collectives in the North East with a very exciting launch show happening at Star & Shadow Cinema on Friday 26th September. Cultivated between The Newcastle Project and artist/facilitator Flower Shop, this communitybased event welcomes artists, collectives and subcultures in the North East to come together with the aim of mutual support, pooling resources and creating a platform to showcase creativity; a much-needed outlet to share ideas and to help spearhead creative happenings within a supportive and nurturing atmosphere. Kicking off this fantastic project is a line-up of brand new musical talent including Nadine Hurley, an electrifying electronic duo; Off Screen Dog, a four-piece with dynamic, off-kilter melodies and mystical beats; and Prospect of Power, three women making garage trash noise; along with performance art intertwined throughout the night.

This event is open to artists and creatives of all backgrounds interested in DIY subculture in the North East, and is shaping up to be a fresh, interesting and fun night.

www.instagram.com/fl0w3r__sh0p

MUSIC THE UNTHANKS PRESENT THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB

@ THE GLASSHOUSE

Words: Lee Fisher

As part of their ongoing creative partnership with The Glasshouse (and to coincide with their 20th anniversary, depending how you measure it), The Unthanks have announced the first of what is planned to be a quarterly series of events, The Friday Night Club. The guiding idea is to showcase a variety of artists of various types – from folk musicians (of course) to jazz artists, comedians and poets alongside classical performances and even short films. There’ll also be a social element to the events – something that’s always played a big part in the Unthanks’ activities from their singing weekenders to various community gatherings – so expect singalongs, talks, a chance to chat and mingle and there’s even rumours of pie’n’mash before the events. The first event is on Friday 26th September, and features a pretty impressive and diverse line-up: singer songwriter Clara Mann, who mixes folk styles with the chanson of France; local folk bastion Tim Dalling; medievalist author Fiona Mozley and a rare performance of a piece by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara courtesy of Northern Sinfonia. The Unthanks will also perform the opening and closing songs of the evening. This looks like being a fascinating and fruitful collaboration

between the region’s finest folk artists and The Glasshouse and it’ll be interesting to see what surprises the line-ups offer in the future. www.theglasshouseicm.org

ART & LIT

WRITE FESTIVAL

@ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Lizzie Lovejoy

Get your pens out and your keyboards ready, WRITE Festival is returning to South Shields this September! Running from Wednesday 27th August-Saturday 27th September, the programme is filled with workshops, talks, panels and performances; this is a place for aspiring storytellers of all kinds across the North East. Events will be taking place around the South Tyneside area including at The Word, Cleadon Park, Jarrow Focus and Hebburn Central.

Hear from bestselling author Lucy Rose and Emmerdale star Jessie Elland on how to navigate the world of publishing; explore how to sustain your own creative practice with poets Meg Pattie, Rob Walton and Ilisha Thiru Purcell; join an exploration of crime fiction from Bay Tales; have a laugh with the world's first Door-to-Door poet Rowan McCabe with his show Hard Knocks; listen to top political cartoonist David Haldane in conversation with playwright Ed Waugh; find out some insider tips from publishing pros at Mslexia, Haunt Publishing and New Writing North; and get the inside scoop at the Inpress Writing Conference. Whether you're a long-time-reader-first-timewriter or you’re on the fifth draft of your

manuscript; WRITE Festival is where Northern stories can take centre stage. www.theworduk.org/write-festival

MUSIC

JAKE XERXES FUSSELL @

THE GLASSHOUSE

Words: Lee Fisher

The magnificently-monikered Jake Xerxes Fussell has slowly been building an impressive reputation across the last ten years and five albums, with last year’s extraordinary When I’m Called (his debut for the mighty Fat Possum label) getting reviewers into a bit of a lather. It’s well deserved. Fussell comes from a family of folklorists based in North Carolina, and the old weird America is in his DNA and in his playing and is the source of much of his material, which on When I’m Called stretches from medieval ballads to Appalachian folk tales to a song about Andy Warhol, and even a version of Benjamin Britten’s Cuckoo (he seems to be able to find songs anywhere he looks). His playing is wonderful, fluid and expressive and he has a rich, warm voice. All in all, Fussell is an artist to be treasured and it’s wonderful that The Glasshouse team are bringing him to Tyneside for a show on Saturday 6th September, with support from well-regarded North Yorkshire-via-London folk singer Natalie Wildgoose. This is going to be lovely.

www.jakexerxesfussell.com

MUSIC HAYDEN PEDIGO @ THE LUBBER FIEND

Words: Isabel Johnson

Texas born and raised Hayden Pedigo makes self-proclaimed ‘cowboy country’ music, and I’m struggling to think of a cooler way to spend Saturday 6th September than watching him tear up the stage in his usual avant-garde way. Having just released his new LP I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away in early June, the guitarist, performance artist, politician and model’s (yep, you’re reading this right) show at The Lubber Fiend is not one to miss, as who knows when he’ll next be back across the pond. This will actually not be Pedigo’s debut at The Lubber Fiend; it follows a highly electric, heavily entrancing and hugely enjoyed set in 2024 –and we’re thrilled but unsurprised that he fancied paying the North East another visit. Expect fingerstyle guitar like you’ve never seen before, paired with miraculously witty deadpan and slightly surrealist, outlandish outfits… this guy needs to be seen to be believed.

Support comes from Kit ZUDZ Endean, a North Eastern musician with 25 years of experience in wowing audiences with his acoustic skills and storytelling magic. Endean will be previewing some songs from his brand new record, set to be released in the autumn. Two great sets for your Saturday night – who could say no to that?

www.haydenpedigo.bandcamp.com

EDY HURST’S WONDERFULL

IN THE COUNTIE OF HIMSELF @

GALA THEATRE

Words: Amy Mitchell Have you entered the mysterious and curiously shifting world of late-stage ADHD diagnosis? Edy Hurst has, and he wants to tell

you about it, so follow him on this funny, wyrd and wonderful journey of self-discovery. Award-winning multi-hyphen comedian musician Edy has developed his own oddball style combining loop pedals, music and a neurodiverse view of the world, touring his shows country-wide to critical acclaim. This show was commissioned as part of Lowry's Developed With programme and certainly sounds unique and entertaining. Having come across some startling revelations about his relatives and their witchy connections, Edy starts on a pathway to explore powers beyond our world. If his ancestor was one of the women accused of witchcraft in the Lancashire Trials of 1612, can he tap in and cast spells to the other side, seeking visions and wisdom? Combining comedy, clowning, live music and a giant cauldron on stage, Edy offers us a funny but heartfelt insight into his inner world, only slightly distracted by the sound of the Vengaboys. Catch this at the Gala Theatre in Durham on Friday 19th September and you'll be in for a treat. www.edyhurst.co.uk

MUSIC OFF THE BEATEN TRACK GIGS @ VARIOUS VENUES

Words: Paul Jeffrey

Over the last few years, Off the Beaten Track have quietly built themselves a substantial reputation, presenting gigs by a plethora of highly esteemed artists in out of the way places that you probably wouldn’t expect to find them.

Editors’ Tom Smith temporarily hits pause on his high-profile day job as frontman of one of the UK’s biggest bands to head down a road less travelled with a run of shows in intimate and somewhat surprising spaces.

Tom’s gorgeously delicate debut solo single, Lights Of New York City, dropped in July to critical acclaim, and these shows will be among the first live performances of material from his highly anticipated solo album alongside reimagined versions of favourites from Editors' extensive catalogue. As expected, shows at Great Ayton (Saturday 27th) and Ryton (Sunday 28th) sold out in minutes. If you’re quick you can still grab tickets for Hindmarch Hall, Alnmouth on Friday 26th September.

Following Tom to Alnmouth (Thursday 16th October), Great Ayton (Saturday 18th October) and Ryton (Sunday 19th October) is Mercury Prize nominated folk musician Fionn Regan. Blending cinematic musicality with a genteel wordsmithery, he has been celebrated by Trinity College Dublin for eroding the boundaries between music and literature and drawn favourable musical comparisons to Nick Drake and Bert Jansch. www.facebook.com/ offthebeatentracktouring

STAGE DETENTION @ NORTHERN STAGE

Words: Amy Mitchell

From the dance theatre company behind the multi-award-winning Coal and Wasteland, Detention is a new show by Gary Clarke Company that explores Section 28 – a piece of notorious legislation from Thatcher's government. Well known to teachers of a certain age, but little known to others, Section 28 prohibited ‘the promotion of homosexuality’. In both education and the wider world this meant the suppression of conversations about LGBTQ+ lives and people being forced into isolation and shame. Set against the turmoil of industrial disputes across the North and at a time when AIDS was devastating the gay community, this piece promises to explore themes of loneliness, protest, violence and the stories of individuals and organisations during this time. Gary Clarke Company are known for their powerful and personal working-class storytelling, and this show combines dance choreography and evocative narration with a cast of local LGBTQ+ performers and an exciting music score, which includes tracks from band Test Dept. Add film, lighting, costume and a dynamic sound score, and Detention looks to be an all-encompassing experience. This is a history lesson not to be missed, with themes so relevant still today. Detention is performed at Northern Stage on Tuesday 16th-Wednesday 17th September. www.detentiontour.co.uk

STAGE

SUITCASES @ THE EXCHANGE 1856

Words: Matt Young

Get ready for a poignant and evocative evening as Hit The Ground Running Dance Theatre Company brings their production of Suitcases to North Shields’ The Exchange 1856 on Thursday 25th September.

This powerful new production promises to stir hearts and provoke thought as it draws inspiration from a remarkable collaboration with American photographer Jon Crispin and his deeply moving project, The Willard Suitcases.

Crispin’s decade-long work documenting the belongings of 427 patients from the now-closed Willard Asylum in New York opens a window into forgotten lives and serves as a starting point, “preserved epitaphs to a few of those who lived and died at the Willard asylum”. Each suitcase tells its own story, detailing the life of an individual and the company’s performers bring many of these stories to life through their signature blend of dance and physical theatre.

Handled with sensitivity and imagination, the stunning choreography and poignant storytelling of this production showcases exactly why Newcastle-based Hit The Ground Running is a dance theatre company renowned for creating innovative, emotionally rich performances based around inspiring, true stories. Suitcases is a production exploring aspects of mental health and wellbeing in bold new ways. The company creates vivid theatre around the subject of human connection, told with compelling choreography.

www.hittheground.dance

MIDDLESBROUGH'S AWARD WINNING

PRINT DESIGN

FESTIVAL

ONE TICKET. MULTIPLE VENUES. THE BRIGHTEST & BEST EMERGING ARTISTS AT STAGES THROUGHOUT THE HEART OF MIDDLESBROUGH #UTB

MUSIC SABINE MCCALLA @ THE GLOBE

Words: Isabel Johnson

New Orleans-based Sabine McCalla is a modern creative, and yet her music feels like it’s been taken straight from the era of the Folk Music Revival. The singer-songwriter’s sublime storytelling first came to public attention with the release of her first collection of songs, aptly entitled Folk, in 2018 – and after seven remarkable years of sharing her magical mixture of gospel, folk, soul, blues and Americana-inspired music with the world, her debut album can finally be expected this year.

Newcastle is in for a treat on Thursday 4th September, as McCalla is heading over from Louisiana for a short string of UK dates, and one of them is at The Globe. Expect maddeningly beautiful, poetic lyricism paired with effortlessly enjoyable arrangements, spanning across a myriad of classic genres and styles. Think melty, mellow ballads and then also think toe-tapping dance numbers… McCalla can do it all, and we’re sure she plans to at her divine live show.

Support comes from Manchester-based Fionnuala Bradbury, whose jazzy and traditional Irish folk sound might just make the perfect pairing for McCalla’s music. www.sabinemccalla.bandcamp.com

STAGE IN THE BEGINNING WOMAN WAS THE SUN @ ALPHABETTI THEATRE

Words: Emily Ingram

How can a British-Japanese girl flourish in a world where her heroes look absolutely nothing like her? This is the question Houmi Miura’s debut one-woman show seeks to address. In this ultimate love letter to heroines, history and heritage, a teenage Houmi decides to embark on a quest to find new women to idolise when she realises that the pop stars, actresses and princesses that adorn her bedroom walls have little in common with her own Japanese heritage. Follow this autobiographical(-ish) adventure as our host whisks you away on a journey complete with “11th Century samurai, two powerhouse suffragettes and a legendary queen”. The show promises to smash each and every one of the cringe-worthy Japanese stereotypes so regularly parroted by Western media, replacing them with something altogether more fearless and empowering.

In The Beginning Woman Was The Sun arrives at Alphabetti Theatre on Thursday 25th-Friday 26th September. www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

THE GLOBE COLLECTIVE VOL. 1

Words: Laura Rosierse

The Globe in Newcastle are celebrating their regulars through a compilation album release and live event featuring artists such as Jade Mia Broadhead, Detroit Tourist Board, Katie Yossarian, The Hemp Queens and many more. The Globe’s cooperative approach to live gigs has ensured it has become a go-to venue in the city for music lovers and musicians alike thanks to their supportive, welcoming ethos. Their line-ups are eclectic, with everything from regular jazz clubs and cabaret to alt. rock and indie, jam nights and heavy rock gracing their stage.

With the release of The Globe Collective Vol. 1 and the live event that pairs with it on Thursday 18th September, the venue are hoping to raise money for the repair of its first floor. The idea came from Patrick Lawrence, also known as Detroit Tourist Board, who worked with Martin Trollop at Harbourmaster Studios for the recordings. Many musicians worked together on creating the songs that have ended up on the album, showing the importance of collaboration and the strength of the North East music community; so much more than the sum of its parts, the album’s release shows an admirable spirit of camaraderie.

www.linktr.ee/theglobenewcastle

Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black presents

SHADOWS

MUSIC RUFUS WAINWRIGHT’S WANT SYMPHONIC WITH THE BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA @ THE GLASSHOUSE

Words: Laura Doyle

Ridiculously talented, professionally accomplished and critically esteemed: there’s very little that Rufus Wainwright hasn’t achieved over the course of his almost 40 year career. The New York-born, Montrealraised singer-songwriter was born to and raised by music-makers, so his line of work is no surprise. But what he’s done by his skills, whether they’re God-given or the result of intensive training, is what has made Wainwright’s career wholly his own. With two Juno awards under his belt and too many prestigious international nominations to list, his reputation is cemented, and he can do basically whatever he wants – whether that’s imbibing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah with even more pathos (for a Shrek movie, no less), or paying tribute to Judy Garland with an absurdly well-received tribute concert and subsequent album.

Rufus Wainwright’s latest tour blends baroque pop and symphonic grandeur with a special reimagining of his landmark albums Want One (2003) and Want Two (2004) with a little help from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to elevate the pop rock fusion tracks to new heights. Few venues would be better suited to such a sonic experiment than the custom-built music halls of Gateshead’s Glasshouse, so for

one of the greatest songwriters of a generation to tread the floorboards of such an iconic stage may well result in a show for the ages on Sunday 21st September. www.rufuswainwright.com

MUSIC

NXS800 @ KING STREET SOCIAL CLUB

Words: Sarah Storer

For one night only, North Shields is gaining its own orchestra as part of its 800th anniversary celebrations. NXS800 – A Symphony in 8 Movements, takes place on Saturday 6th September at King Street Social Club, and showcases North Shields’ rich working-class history and traditions through live music and visual content.

The event has been spearheaded by North Shields-born producer Geoff Kirkwood, also known as Man Power, and orchestral arranger Fiona Brice; together they have created the North Shields Temporary Philharmonic Orchestra, which has been formed specially for the occasion by an ensemble of global musicians. The music will be accompanied by archival sound and field recordings, as well as visual art from artist Jay Halim.

There will also be a one-off performance by Man Power and Teesside punk band Benefits, combining spoken word with electronic composition. Also featuring will be art from photographer Eye On The Tyne’s recent Harvest of The Deep exhibition, which documented modern-day fishermen on North Shields’ Fish Quay.

The evening is a new way to highlight North Shields’ identity, not only as a true working-class town, but also as a key cultural spot for musical artists.

www.instagram.com/ areyouaffiliatedkingstreet

STAGE

INSIDE NO 9: STAGE/FRIGHT @ SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

Words: Mack Sproates Kings of creepy comedy Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton tour their stage show, Inside No 9: Stage/Fright, oozing its way over to Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 16th-Saturday 20th September.

A glorious goodbye to the much loved spooky anthology TV show, Stage/Fright delivers the laughs and frights with an added thrill of the aliveness of the theatre; an added intensity without the protection of the TV screen. This iteration of Inside No 9 will have you gasping in terror one moment, to gasping for breath because you can’t stop laughing the next, and comes complete with trademark twists, turns, a spectacular supporting cast and jaw dropping surprises. At the heart of it is the brilliant twosome, Reece and Steve, which if you haven’t yet experienced their wonderful dark comedy catalogue of The League of Gentlemen or Psychoville, I urge you to… There’s such joy in seeing these two incredibly talented comedy veterans together onstage, who at the end of the day, are just two best friends having a laugh. Stage/Fright is a fantastic farewell for fans of this incredible show, as well as a fun spooky gateway for those who have yet to creep through the doors of Inside No 9… You’ll be gutted to miss it (literally..?!)

www.insideno9onstage.com

NOW BOOKING…

WORDS: CLAIRE DUPREE

AS YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW, OUR MAIN RAISON D’ETRE IS TO TELL YOU LOVELY READERS ALL ABOUT THE AMAZING THINGS THAT MAKE OUR REGION THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE. AND, WHILE THIS MAY BE THE LAST MONTHLY PRINT EDITION OF NARC. YOU’LL HOLD IN YOUR HANDS, WE PROMISE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU WITH ALL THE BEST ALT. MUSIC AND CULTURE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.

WE DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU HANGING FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR THOUGH, SO HERE YOU’LL FIND A VERY BUSY RUNDOWN OF SOME OF THE BEST STUFF COMING UP IN 2025. DIARIES AT THE READY…

OCTOBER

Touring season is in full swing come October! Heavy prog rockers Giant Walker play The Grove (Fri 3); intense and dynamic songwriter Billy Nomates plays The Glasshouse (Sun 5); gritty rock ‘n’ roll trio Bilk play Sunderland’s Independent (Sun 5); spellbinding live performer and multi-instrumentalist Nerina Pallot performs at Stockton’s Georgian Theatre (Sun 5); Bhutanese avant-garde guitarist and improvisational musician Tashi Dorji plays Star & Shadow Cinema (Mon 6); country-pop whirlwind CMAT performs at O2 City Hall (Mon 6); Gosforth Civic Theatre welcome the return of their Beyond The Moor folk festival featuring Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening, Martin Simpson, Ceitidh Mac, Nev Clay and many more (Sat 11); experience the raw holler of folk, synths and spoken word with Stick In The Wheel at Cobalt (Sat 11); Welsh multi-disciplinary artist and producer Cate Le Bon plays The Glasshouse (Wed 15); Newcastle’s Utilita Arena is the location for this year’s Mercury Music Prize celebration (Thur 16); the ever-evolving John Grant brings his genre-blurring sound to Boiler Shop (Thur 16); twisted pop artist Scott Lavene is at The Engine Room (Mon 20); chameleonic alt. rock artist Lizzie Esau plays The Cluny (Fri 24); local indie hero Andrew Cushin plays a big show at O2 City Hall (Sat 25); oddball innovator Thomas Truax plays Eaglescliffe’s The Waiting Room (Sun 26) and Newcastle’s fabulous alt. pop songwriter Nadedja launches her album at Zerox (Fri 31).

At the region’s theatres, Hasbian is a queer comedy based on real 00s teenage diaries (Gala Theatre Fri 3 & Alphabetti Theatre Thur 23); Bad Lads tells a devastating true story of the boys held at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre in County Durham in the 1980s (Live Theatre Thur 2-Sat 11 & ARC Tue 14-Wed 15 Nov); Mama Afrika tells the remarkable life story of an iconic South African singer, songwriter and civil rights activist, Miriam Makeba at Northern Stage (Sat 11); Fatherhood at Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a highly physical and humorous take on fatherhood across generations, cultures and languages

(Wed 15); Ensemble ‘84 and South Africa’s Isango Ensemble bring Lee Hall’s acclaimed adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children to Live Theatre (Thur 23-Sat 1 Nov); Darlington Hippodrome welcomes acclaimed folk tragedy SALT, a visceral and immersive tale of ancient fisherfolk (Fri 24); Birdwatching at Northern Stage is a folk horror about the female experience (Sat 25); and Taiwanese contemporary dance performance bulabulay mun?/how are you? promises a visually arresting and deeply moving production at Dance City (Tue 28).

Comedy-wise, Natalie Bellingham’s Look After Your Knees celebrates the messy business of being human, sprinkled with joy and ridiculousness at Arts Centre Washington (Thur 9); The Georgian Theatre hosts work-in-progress shows from Lou Conran, Tez Ilyas, The Halls of the Ridiculous and more at The Stockton On Tee-Hee’s Comedy Festival (Sat 11); Grayson Perry attempts to find out if his audience are thoroughly good or maybe quite evil at Tyne Theatre & Opera House (Mon 13); sharp and surreal comedy troupe Metroland return to Live Theatre (Wed 15-Sat 18); Emmanuel Sonubi’s hilarious and heartfelt show explores his life after surviving heart failure (The Witham Thur 23 & The Stand Sat 25); and self-confessed prick and star of Taskmaster Rosie Jones performs at Durham Gala (Fri 24) & Northern Stage (Sat 25).

Elsewhere on the cultural calendar, Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with a new immersive sound and light extravaganza, The Storytellers (Wed 8-Sun 12); bibliophiles are in for a treat as Durham Book Festival includes Mary Portas, Jeremy Vine, Pat Barker, Steph McGovern, Eliza Clark and more (Fri 10-Sun 12); the WOW – Women of the World festival celebrates women, girls and non-binary people of the North East with a variety of events at Gala Theatre and Live Theatre (Fri 17-Sat 18); Jumpin’ Hot Club celebrate their 40th anniversary with an exhibition at St Mary’s Heritage Centre (Sat 18 Oct-Sat 1st Nov); and the North East International Film Festival returns to Newcastle (Fri 24-Sun 26).

NOVEMBER

Musical diversions in November include a rare live show from electronic duo Autechre at Newcastle’s Digital (Mon 3); Japanese visual artist and musician Yama Warashi performs at Eaglescliffe’s delightful Waiting Room (Sun 9); and there’s more experimental Japanese sounds from electronic improviser Phew at The Lubber Fiend (Wed 12); Willy Mason performs his darkly atmospheric songs at The Cluny (Wed 12); BC Camplight tells tales of resolve and redemption at Boiler Shop (Wed 12); Pictish Trail brings his self-described songs of tenderness and weirdness to North Shields’ Engine Room (Thur 13); Sunderland’s beloved odd-pop sons Field Music celebrate 20 years since the release of their debut album at The Fire Station (Fri 14); while on the same night there’s shows from electronic music trailblazer Halina Rice at Newcastle University and a spell-binding mash-up of punk, funk, disco, hip-hop and jazz from Warmduscher at The Glasshouse.

Tyneside faves Little Comets promise rollicking new tunes and old favourites alike at Northumbria Uni (Sat 15); North East folk legends The Young’Uns celebrate their 20th anniversary at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Sat 15); Teesside’s Finn Forster offers up soul-stirring anthemic songs at Middlesbrough Empire (Sat 15); alt. indie duo Getdown Services head to Sunderland’s Pop Recs Ltd. (Thur 20). At various venues in Sunderland, Boundaries Festival celebrates adventurous, curious, bold and exciting live music from an international cast of performers (Fri 21-Sat 22); Teesside’s rabble-rousing duo Benefits play KU in Stockton (Sat 22); and on the same night there’s more opinionated shouting from Irish hip-hop band Kneecap at O2 City Hall. Join poet Kate Fox and evocative musicians Staithe for a night of words and music inspired by the much-missed Sycamore Gap at Arts Centre Washington (Thur 27); discover the infectious alt. indie sounds of Tune-Yards at Sunderland’s Fire Station (Thur 27); or check out the genre-hopping sounds of multi-instrumentalist Low Girl and crew at Teesside Uni (Thur 27); while at Cobalt Studios, get a

L-R: Josh Widdicombe, For All At Last Return - Kristina Õllek, Nautilus New Era, 2018 and Powered By, 2020 & 2021 (installation view), A Tale of A Tub, Rotterdam, 2021. Photo by LNDW Studio, courtesy the artist

dose of ‘grrriot_punk_noise’ courtesy of Avalanche Kaito (Fri 28). Gateshead’s Baltic gets two new exhibitions for the winter season, For All At Last Return is a group exhibition which explores marine ecosystems and how human activities affect marine life, while filmmaker Saodat Ismailova’s work interweaves rituals, myths and dreams to investigate the historically complex and layered culture of Central Asia through mediums of film, sound, installation and sculpture (both exhibitions run 8 Nov 2025-3 May 2026).

Comedy-wise, Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon performs at Tyne Theatre & Opera House (Fri 7), and lovable geek Josh Widdicombe is also at the venue on Mon 17 (and at Stockton’s Globe on Tue 18). At The Stand, highlight performances come from Harriet Dyer (Thur 20), Helen Bauer (Sun 23), Nicola Mantalios (Sun 30) and local comic Kerris Gibson, who presents her first solo stand-up hour (Sun 30). Funny Way To Be bring Neil Delamere to The Witham for a chat about life’s absurdities (Wed 5); at Stockton’s Georgian Theatre, The Shoe Cake Comedy Club return for mischief and mayhem (Fri 21); and top comic Adam Rowe turns up at ARC for a stand-up show alongside mystery guests (Thur 27). Also at Stockton’s ARC, they’re rolling out the red carpet for Tees Valley Film Festival, a three-day celebration of filmmaking and gala screenings, making it a must-attend for anyone interested in the field, as well as film buffs (Thur 6-Sat 8).

At the theatre, House of Kaos: Alice in Underland at Newcastle Arts Centre is a gothic reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic (Sat 1); Mr Blackpool’s Seaside Spectacular is an end of the pier show at the end of the world from performance artist and theatre maker Harry Clayton-Wright at Northern Stage (Thur 6); while Shit-faced Shakespeare return for a unique take on Hamlet at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Sat 8).

DECEMBER

As the year draws to a close, there’s still plenty of good cheer to keep the winter blues at bay. Head to Newcastle’s Grove to see feral psych post-rockers Snapped Ankles (Thur 4); the Music Against Child Poverty fundraiser returns to Sunderland’s Fire Station, promising performances from local luminaries (Sun 7); indie folk siblings Cattle & Cane perform acoustic shows at The Cluny 2 (Fri 12) and Stockton’s ARC (Sat 13); and cross-genre music makers IDER play The Common Room (Mon 15).

As always, the region’s independent theatres pull out all the stops for their alternative Christmas shows. Stockton’s ARC offers up a rollercoaster of magic, music and mayhem at A Town Called Christmas (Tue 2-Sat 13); Northern Stage’s big production this year is an enchantedly wicked retelling of Beauty & The Beast (Thur 4 Dec-Sat 3 Jan 2026); at Live Theatre, there’s a wintry tale courtesy of local schoolchildren in Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas? (Tue 9-Sun 21); Alphabetti Theatre promise There Will Be Tinsel during an evening of poems, stories and music with John Osborne (Wed 10); there’s seasonal joy at The Big Family Christmas at The Stand, in which Lee Kyle, Elaine Robertson, Hannah Walker and Kelly Rickard offer up chaotic family fun (Sat 13-Sun 14, Sat 20-Sun 21); The Suggestibles’ Impro Pantso is always a riotous night out at Live Theatre (Thur 18-Fri 19); while the Mixtape crew return with a festive-themed cult comedy quiz show at Arts Centre Washington (Thur 18). Away from any festive silliness, comedian Josie Long explores discovery, wonder and extinction in her show The Time Of Monsters at Newcastle’s Stand (Thur 4); while Se Gæst | The Guest examines tolerance, survival, blame and nostalgia through a lens of dance, live music and storytelling at Dance City (Thur 11).

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

INTERVIEWS

THE GATHERING SOUNDS

IF YOU LIKE…

KU PROMOTIONS

Not sure about their official start date, but for as long as I can remember, KU Stockton and KU Promotions – the masterminds behind this event – have been a force for good in the Teesside music scene. Through their events at KU, across other Teesside venues, and as co-promoters of Stockton Calling, they’ve consistently brought top emerging and established acts to the area, while also championing some of the region’s finest homegrown talent. The Gathering Sounds continues this legacy with an absolutely cracking line-up.

COLLABORATION

The Gathering Sounds is a collaborative affair, and as in previous years, it brings together a range of local venues alongside KU to host performances across the town. This year’s edition features seven stages, including ARC and ARC 2, The Georgian Theatre, The Social Room, plus two new additions: The Green Room and The Link. Guest promoters This Feeling, Under The Influence and The Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME) will each curate their own stages, adding further depth to the programme.

At ARC 2, Under The Influence presents a line-up including Brògeal, Big Sleep, Precious Pepala, CRUZ, Vincent’s Last Summer, O’Phantom, Jam Tub and Marrick. The Link, curated by This Feeling, showcases Sunbeam, Dictator, Eighty Eight Miles, Long Island, PG, Ciarletta, The Cases and The Slates. NAME’s stage at The Green Room features Labyrinthine Oceans, Porcelain, Spacecadetbloom, The Blackpine, Harlan Frank and the

MUSIC

WORDS: DAVID SAUNDERS

In the not-too-distant future, when our social media-fuelled decisions finally culminate in warheads sailing overhead or an extremist government dismantling the institutions that once protected us, chances are we’ll look back and wish we’d done more fun stuff.

So, if you'd rather not be riddled with regret when panic comes knocking, get yourself down to The Gathering Sounds. Taking over multiple venues in Stockton on Saturday 27th September, this all-new music festival showcases the finest artists from the North East and across the UK, making it a goldmine for fans of next-gen music.

www.thegatheringsounds.co.uk

TOP TOURING TURNS

The Gathering Sounds brings a tidal wave of rising national talent to Stockton, with some of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting new acts leading the charge. Headliner Somebody’s Child, the Dublin indie powerhouse, returns fresh from a whirlwind of festival appearances and critical acclaim. London’s Keo, a genre-blending alt. rock outfit led by brothers Finn and Conor Keogh, are riding high after opening for Kings of Leon and releasing their explosive single, Fly. Falkirk’s Brògeal injects Celtic folk and punk into a high-octane live show, earning praise from BBC 6Music and Rolling Stone. Other must-sees include Limerick-based/ Springsteen-esque Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets, Manchester’s The Covasettes, Liverpool’s punk-edged Kairos, Bristol’s fierce Grandmas House, and soulful alt. pop sensation Precious Pepala.

LIVE ‘N’ LOCAL

The festival not only showcases the best of Britain and Ireland, but also shines a light on what’s going on in the region. As with previous events, it’s brimming with talented local artists who know how to entertain an audience. Naming a few, fresh from SXSW and Glastonbury there’s South Shields garage pop artist Cortney Dixon, Sunderland art pop outfit Swindled, much talked about purveyor of pop perfection Loren Heat and guitar sounds aplenty from local rockers The Redroom, Vice Killer, Eighty Eight Miles, The Slates, End Credits and The North.

NORTH EAST EMERGING ARTIST AWARD

EMILY ELLIOTT TALKS TO THE NORTH EAST EMERGING ARTIST AWARD 2025 WINNERS ABOUT THEIR WORK

AHEAD OF AN EXHIBITION AT SEATON DELAVAL HALL

Seaton Delaval Hall continues to champion up and coming artists with the latest instalment of their inspirational North East Emerging Artist Award. 2025’s winners – Kiik Amor, Phoebe Scott and Lucy Walters – have been inspired by elements of the historic National Trust property to create the work on show, with the exhibition running from Saturday 6th September to Sunday 19th October.

All three artists have created exhibitions that vary in terms of the mediums used. Phoebe Scott has created a self-described ‘big wig’. “It’s made of a mixture of old wigs, discarded wool, feathers, nettle fibres and nettle cordage. I wanted to use these materials as it changes the expectation of an opulent flamboyance wig using more humble and affordable materials. I’m interested in the tension between the everyday and the otherworldly, and how this interplay can reveal deeper narratives about self-expression, beauty, and desire.”

Lucy Walters’ exhibition is made from crockery. “I go to local charity shops across the North East and source a range of plain ceramic objects and repurpose them, through entirely hand-painting each and every piece.”

While Kiik Amor has used experimental design in their work, incorporating fantasy storytelling and metaphysical systems to create a sculpture made from metals and latex. It also serves as a sound installation: “Sound allows me to bypass language and reach directly into emotion, sensation and space.”

Each of the artists have expressed a dedication to the region and the venue in their artwork. Phoebe was inspired by the

“mischief, theatricality and flamboyance” of Seaton Delaval Hall, while Kiik was drawn to figures like Elizabeth Delaval, whose portrait at Seaton Delaval Hall inspired their project, The Lyre of Elysium: “which reimagines her as a spectral muse and oracle in a historically patriarchal system.” Lucy’s work is also committed to the region, and examines the socio-political/ economic scope of the North East. Her 52-piece crockery collection titled Delaval Ware responds entirely to the history of The Hall and the Delaval Family who once lived there.

Each of the three exhibitions are underpinned by social messages: feminism, classism and inclusivity. “I want the Big Wig to give a satirising look on the absurdity of wealth, power and social class,” says Phoebe Scott. “Historically wigs were a symbol of elite status and indulgence. I made the wig comically large to expose the ridiculousness of such displays of status. It’s a self-aware parody. How class and wealth have always relied on performance and artifice, and to find humour in that, but also perhaps discomfort.”

Kiik’s work aims to “offer sanctuary to those who exist between definitions, who are shaped by multiplicity, contradiction, or transformation. There’s often a sense of refuge in my work, I generate spaces where difference becomes sacred. I hope to evoke empathy beyond human experience.”

Lucy’s work is motivated by feminism: “I imagined myself to have been commissioned by the eldest daughter of the infamous family line of Delaval children, Rhoda Delaval – some of her artwork was attributed to more well-known male artists of the time, and in response to this, I have designed a collection exclusively for the Delaval Women to allow for their accounts to be reconsidered within a contemporary lens, using text to highlight the ludicrousness of such socio-politically derived language.”

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall

SWINDLED MUSIC

MATT YOUNG CHATS WITH SUNDERLAND BASED ALT POP BAND ABOUT FEELING DISILLUSIONED ABOUT THE WORLD YET INSPIRED TO MAKE MUSIC, AHEAD OF THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW EP, WHAT A NIGHTMARE!

I've caught up with Will (guitar/vocals), Alex (guitar) and Jonny (vocals) - sixty percent of the band Swindled. They’re augmented by Felix (drums) and Thomas (bass), and we're having a chat about the release of their latest EP What A Nightmare! But it feels like I've summoned dark clouds by mentioning politics, generational pressure, the state of music and everything else teenagers deal with these days. This isn’t unprompted, some of the lyrics and emotions at the EP’s heart seem disillusioned, even cynical, and the band agree. It can be difficult, but they’re hugely upbeat about their music and where they are currently.

Jonny gives me the low down on writing the EP’s songs: “The title came first, part of an ongoing sleep theme following Counting Sheep and Leave The Big Light On (their previous EPs). The songs were all conceived as part of an album but split up.” He continues, “I was listening to Velvet Underground’s Sunday Morning a lot,” before adding, “And that nice relaxed feeling wasn’t our experience at all”. This inspired The Hangover, which is their flipped viewpoint of feeling rough or rueful. The duality running through Withdrawal Symptoms “comes from a personification of drugs and love”; its ambiguity, conflating the two, has a lack of specificity that adds to the song's allure. Will and Alex discuss exchanging guitar parts on WhatsApp, and how Jonny prefers to write lyrics that fit these melodies by putting pen to paper, rather than living via his phone's Notes app. Indeed, part of the inspiration for final track Dear Past Life came from “watching young Victorian lads captured waving on film”, and their wonder at that time - footage now so easily accessed via a smartphone. Just as every life is now lived

INSPIRATION COMES FROM A LIFELONG FASCINATION WITH SCI-FI FILMS

through similar devices; mundanely and sadly glued to the palm of our hands.

In between the twangy swagger of Cosmic Immigrants, inspiration comes from a lifelong fascination with sci-fi films, especially War of the Worlds, and how due to the state of the Earth, the band would happily board a rocket ship ‘off world’. Each song sounds very different but they gel together cohesively.

That’s where producer Andy Bell comes in, says Alex, “As a valuable sixth member in the studio.” Will adds, “He’s someone who’s objective, who thinks of the song's sound for record and airplay, not a loud rehearsal room.” It makes sense. All three mention influences like The Beatles, The 1975, Blossoms etc, well known for writing a succinct pop tune or two.

It’s obvious how eager the band are to play their next headline show, at Pop Recs on Saturday 25th October. Writing, recording, playing festivals and more shows outside the region has seen the band growing in maturity, despite their youth. They clearly love making and playing music and they feel positive that the North East can break new talent in a big way. Of course they’re keen for Swindled to benefit. Sunderland’s status as Music City, Generator’s endeavours and grass roots venues working hard, despite many challenges, all work in the bands favour; but they also have bags of talent, a fresh, fun attitude and they've got a knack for creating melodies that stick with you.

Swindled release their new EP What A Nightmare! on Friday 12th September.

www.swindledband.com

MAMA LIPS MUSIC

When I saw my lovely friend’s name, Mama Lips, pop up on our new releases list, I squeaked in joy. I have known Mama for a couple of years now, bonded through our love of indie comics and zines, and how our lives felt interwoven during a shared experience of loss and grief. I cannot express how proud I am of their new music, and I couldn’t wait to learn more.

“I was always making up songs from when I was five and singing melodies. It came from an internal feeling of wanting to express emotions that are hard to explain in any other way,”

Mama relays. They have this wonderful skill in making you feel all the feels; their gentle vocals combined with guitar is wholesome yet heart-wrenching, unafraid to go to dark places, but you always feel safe. Their music is like having a much needed coffee and cathartic catch-up with a friend. They go through tough stuff, but they’re kind, always lined with hope.

“It's just a natural thing I do. Like breathing. When the time is right to put an album out, that's when I know. It's fun to see a project grow from nothing to a fully formed thing.”

And what a profound thing it is. Perhaps the most perfectly named album ever, Life Is Beautiful is a deeply personal, Cure-inspired, folk punk/anti-folk album with a surreal edge – a glimpse into how they have been feeling for the last five years. “I lost my parents in such a short period of time and other family

SPROATES CHATS WITH PITY ME BASED FOLK PUNK/ANTI-FOLK SINGER-SONGWRITER MAMA LIPS ABOUT THEIR PROFOUNDLY HONEST, DEEPLY PERSONAL AND HEALING NEW SONGS FROM THEIR 50TH ALBUM RELEASE, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL WRITING SONGS IS LIKE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH YOURSELF AND DISCOVERING THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW. I'M IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE NOW BECAUSE OF THE ALBUM

members and friends,” Mama explains. “The album reminds myself that although there has been such a massive loss that has broken me in a lot of ways, there’s still wonder in the world and I'm glad I have memories of the people that I love who are gone. I feel it would be doing a disservice to them to not appreciate the life I've been given.”

Their process is always “new and experimental”, telling a complete story from years of different puzzle pieces of songs which they eventually all slotted together. “I tried to create how the world sounds inside my head on the album. Sort of ethereal.” There are also some very special voices in some of the songs. “You can hear my Dad on his deathbed. I was by his side in the hospital for a week and I was recording voice notes for songs, so his voice and my Mam's is now part of the music.” What a powerful way to commemorate a person by having them be a part of music forever. I asked if this whole process had been helpful in their healing. “I think it's like therapy. Writing songs is like having a conversation with yourself and discovering things you didn't know. I'm in a much better place now because of the album.”

I wondered whether they had any advice that they’d share with folks who may have experienced something similar. “Write down the day-to-day. Keep a diary. Eventually you will see that the goodness comes back. The sadness comes back too, but it's a reminder that there is always an upswing around the corner.”

Mama Lips’ self-published new album, Life is Beautiful, is released on Friday 5th September. www.mamalips.bandcamp.com

ROWAN MCCABE

FRAN HARVEY CHATS TO THE POET AND PERFORMER ABOUT HIS BOOK WHICH CHRONICLES HIS YEAR OF TAKING SPOKEN WORD TO THE DOORSTEPS OF THE UK

On the surface, poet and performer Rowan McCabe’s book, The Door-To-Door Poet: My Adventures Across England (Eye Books, released 18th September), is a funny, self-aware chronicle of the year McCabe spent in pursuit of a madly brilliant project: namely, to travel to 12 different places in England, knock on random doors, find out what’s important to the people who answer, and write them a poem. He set out in March 2019, trying to cover as diverse a range of locations possible, and it all ends in the shadow of a global pandemic. Absolute. Madness.

But once you’ve met McCabe, the Door-to-Door Poet seems less mad and more… well, inevitable. He’s an expressive and interested person – not once does glitching Zoom freeze on a blank expression. And though you can wrap it up in silliness, the core idea hangs on McCabe’s innate belief that art needs to be brought to people where they’re at. The Arts Council has been targeting ‘areas of deprivation’ for some years now. Does he think that’s working? McCabe tells me that his hometown of Hebburn has recently started putting on theatre in a working man’s club (“unheard of”), and it was a hit – his grandma loved it. But, he says, “it's easy when you're in that line of work to see the good and only the good. I think it's also worth not underestimating just how many people there are still out there who haven't found the right poetry for them yet; for who the term ‘spoken word’ means nothing at all. It’s a meaningless phrase, you know, and so they’re missing out. I don't think that's the fault of the arts gods in particular. I just think it comes down to lack of funding.”

McCabe didn’t always receive a warm welcome. “One in ten people answered the door; and one in ten of those spoke to me,” he says, “but only one person actually slammed it in my face.”

And he became aware of the trust people who did respond were placing in him. Some were desperate to be heard, sharing stories of loss and war. But others were more suspicious. He visited both Stockton and Jaywick – towns regularly used as media fodder for ‘what is Britain coming to?’ headlines: “You sort of fight an uphill battle, where you have to gain the trust of people and show them that you’ll try and tell their story in a way that's fair and doesn't feed into those stereotypes.”

So, since it’s been five years, what’s important to McCabe now? He thinks carefully before answering. “Maybe it's just because of what we've been talking about in the last few minutes, but trying to change people's minds about poetry and art, I think, is important. That's a lot of what I do. It's getting up in an assembly filled with 200 Year Nine students: you get up and make a bit of a tool out of yourself, and you do some silly poems. And with a bit of luck, you've shown them something that they weren't expecting, and maybe won a few of them round to the idea of writing. And that's really important to us.”

Rowan McCabe brings his Door-to-Door poetry to The Word, South Shields (2nd Sept), The Cluny 2 in Newcastle (16th Sept), Arts Centre Washington (18th Sept), Pop Recs Ltd. in Sunderland (24th Sept) and Drake The Bookshop, Stockton (25th Sept).

www.rowanthepoet.com

LAST TRAIN HOME

IF YOU LIKE…

PRE & POST FUN

This year sees the return of LTH Express at Hopetown Darlington on Thursday 4th September. Headliners Sunflower Thieves bring layered, melodic pop with themes of connection, mental health and relationships. Support comes from Darlington’s Americana outfit North Riding and folk-influenced songwriter Phil Cox.

On Saturday morning, The Forum Music Centre hosts the On Point Music Conference (10am–12pm), a free, informal session of round-table discussions programmed by Tees Music Alliance. It’s aimed at artists and creatives looking to develop their practice and build connections, with guests including Shakk (BBC Introducing), Boo (Tees Valley Artist of the Year), Henry Carden (Quiet Crown Management), Nicola Coaker (nrthrnbaby) and Tom Salmon (Arts Council England). New for 2025, the event extends into Sunday with a free afternoon of live music in Darlington’s Market Square. Running 1pm–7pm, it’s a laid-back, family-friendly close to the weekend.

MUSIC

2025’s line-up brings together musical talent from the North East, across the UK and beyond. Du Blonde headlines the Noisy Daughters stage at The Hullabaloo, delivering explosive riffs, punk ferocity and power-pop hooks. Support comes from Leeds alt. rockers Venus Grrrls, fresh from Download Festival and the Royal Albert Hall. At The Forum, Newcastle alt. rock trio The Pale White whip up the crowd with catchy songs and live energy. Darlington Hippodrome’s second stage, curated by NARC. Magazine, features

MUSIC

WORDS: DAVID SAUNDERS

For those who don’t know (or care), Darlington is marking 200 years since the first passenger railway journey to Stockton. As part of the celebrations, the journals of Locomotion No. 1 engineer George Stephenson and railway founding father Joseph Pease have been made public. Pease apparently hoped future generations would mark the occasion with a “kick-ass arts extravaganza,” while Stephenson simply wished the good people of Darlington would “let their hair down.”

Luckily, for them and the legacy of the railways, Tracks have announced the 2025 edition of their railway-acknowledging music and comedy festival, Last Train Home, taking place Saturday 6th September, with spin-off events either side of the big day. www.tracksdarlington.co.uk

Dinky Bosetti, fan favourite Perfect Chicken and Hartlepool’s Marketplace. The main stage hosts rising local talent George Bailey, BBC Introducing pick Lovely Assistant, and a headline set from Ruth Lyon, known for evocative narratives and angular indie folk. Main support comes from Dilettante, bringing genre-hopping loops, fuzz guitars and five-part sax harmonies. This year also marks the festival’s first international bookings: Germany’s Lawn Chair play their Beck/ Devo-inspired set at The Hullabaloo, while Spanish hip-hop duo Dupla bring high-energy to The Forum.

LOLS

Bringing the laughs is Hilarity Bites. Their comedy all-dayer, included in the same ticket as the music, runs throughout Saturday. It’s a drop-in format – stay for a set or settle in for the full day – and features touring comics and rising names including Paul Tonkinson, Laura Davis, Micky P. Kerr, Tom Taylor, Alex Mitchell, Anth Young, Amy Albright, Gareth the Poet and El Purnell. Hosting duties fall to Elaine Robertson.

WATCHING BANDS IN A BEAUTIFUL THEATRE

Darlington Hippodrome opened on 2nd September 1907 under Signor Rino Pepi and had a major restoration in 2017. Its ornate gold and red velvet interior adds grandiosity to performances and sometimes, if you look up at the dress circle during an artist’s set, you might catch the ghost of Mr Pepi smiling down – making devil horn signs with his hands (he loves to rock out).

YOUNG REBEL SET

STEVE SPITHRAY CATCHES UP WITH THE TEESSIDE FOLK ROCK HEROES TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR FIRST NEW MUSIC FOR 10 YEARS AND UPCOMING NORTH EAST SHOWS

A lot can happen in 10 years, especially for a band who have released no new music during that time. Originally going on hiatus in 2015, Young Rebel Set reconvened for two big hometown shows in Middlesbrough in 2019 only for frontman Matty to pass away a couple of weeks before taking the stage. Six years later, three of the original members (guitarist Andy Parmley, bassist Chris Parmley and drummer Luke Evans) are back with a new singer (Hartlepool’s Tom Blackwell, along with keyboardist Alfred Annable and guitarist Andy Bensley) and a clutch of new and old songs recorded at Abbey Road and Polestar in Newcastle earlier in the year, and they were keen to tell me all about it.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly, the new music doesn't really sound like Young Rebel Set. It sounds familiar but it sounds different… Luke: “I think part of it is circumstantial. It's hard to sound like Young Rebel Set when we had one main singer throughout the 15 years we were together.” Andy: “We knew we never wanted to replicate Matty. Tom's got such a unique voice so that aspect of it was always going to be different.”

With a German tour and some choice North East dates lined up for the autumn, I wondered how this would all translate into the live arena. Luke explains: “There may be a few surprises in terms of who sings what songs, but Tom's going to be doing the majority of it. Every song we think people want to hear we are doing. But there's some new ones, there's some nice moments and it sounds massive.” Andy continues: “There'll be certain songs that we'll play for the ARC shows that we will never play again live. As a band, you want to write new music. You want people to hear new music.”

MUSIC

THERE'LL BE CERTAIN SONGS THAT WE'LL PLAY FOR THE ARC SHOWS THAT WE WILL NEVER PLAY AGAIN LIVE. AS A BAND, YOU WANT TO WRITE NEW MUSIC

Chris was also keen to tell me how all this came about in the first place. “We did a charity night for what would have been Matty's 40th birthday last September, and about half an hour after the gig our old German label [Grand Hotel van Cleef] got in touch. At that point it was still just a last hurrah but it started to take legs, and that's when we started thinking about it properly…”

If this sounds exhausting already, Luke explained how the band will make it work. “It's been a full-on year, but we've got the bug. We are best mates but working together again means we get to see each other even more.” Andy says: “We've purposefully set up the German tour so we get some time each day to write and we can do some demoing and things like that. To think about going back into the studio next year.” Chris continues: “And then a full remix album,” only partly jesting, one suspects, seeing how genuinely invigorated the three of them are.

Young Rebel Set’s Sun EP is released on Friday 5th September. The band play an EP launch show at Zerox, Newcastle on Saturday 6th September, and play at ARC, Stockton on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November. www.facebook.com/youngrebelset

SCARRED FOR LIFE

CAMERON WRIGHT TALKS TO STEPHEN BROTHERSTONE AND BOB FISCHER ABOUT THEIR FOLK HORROR OBSESSION

When you look back through the decades, there are milestones encased in time that perfectly represent the time it was conceived. Disco in the 80s seems to capture the core discussions and mentalities of that moment, in the same way gothic fiction reveals something so quintessential to the late 18th Century. In a way, these themes become time capsules, little vessels to voyage back to a bygone era.

Another example is folk horror, the obsession of writer/ broadcaster Bob Fischer and author/artist Stephen Brotherstone, which emerged in the early 1970s and enveloped the film industry in its own quiet, cult way, before vanishing as quickly as it arrived. Now, the two performers are delivering Scarred For Life, a presentation that unpacks the genre, delving into the lore behind it to understand what it is and why it was so impactful.

“Bob is fanatic about it,” concedes Stephen, “he has such a vast, encyclopaedic knowledge of the genre, it’s fascinating to delve in and have him educate me every day, it’s been eye-opening.”

Bob candidly talks about his entry into the niche genre: “I lived out in the countryside, as a child most of my days were spent walking across the coast or up the hills and there were always folk stories that go with it. This tree was the resting place of a dragon or this cliff is where a sea-witch put a hex on the cliffs

NOBODY SEEMED TO SEE THAT ALL THESE STORIES WERE HAPPENING ORGANICALLY, ALL SHARING THE SAME BLUEPRINT – IT REALLY ASKS THE QUESTION AS TO WHAT PROMOTED THIS SUDDEN CULTURAL FASCINATION

– it was impossible to avoid. But it wasn’t until I watched The Wickerman that my whole life changed. In a way, it provides me with a lot of comfort, making me think of home.”

“It had the opposite effect of me,” Stephen sniggers. “I grew up as a city boy, so folk horror always chilled me and scared me about what might be out there in the countryside!”

The Wickerman may have become the cultural touchstone, but films like Blood On Satan’s Claw, Witchfinder General or TV series like Children of The Stone all forged a path for folk horror that is still being trodden today, with films like Midsommar bringing a host of new audiences back to this very British genre. “What’s interesting to me is, folk horror wasn’t a genre in the 70s. Nobody was calling it that, it’s only a term we use now in retrospect.” Says Stephen, elaborating: “Nobody seemed to see that all these stories were happening organically, all sharing the same blueprint – it really asks the question as to what promoted this sudden cultural fascination.”

Touching on the weirdness of the 70s, Scarred For Life explores the factors that pushed out this obscure genre, from the political climate, issues of classism and the bygone era of the hippy movement, as well as digging into some essential viewing, along with a few deep cuts. “It’s something for everyone we hope, be it a younger audience knowing nothing or an older connoisseur – we aim to get everyone excited about it, as well as squeeze in a few laughs along the way!”

With costumes and anecdotes, and even their own parody play, Sex Witches Of The Fens, Scarred For Life will be a night of intrigue for anyone with a flair for the spooky!

Bob Fischer and Stephen Brotherstone bring Scarred For Life to ARC, Stockton on Wednesday 10th September. www.arconline.co.uk

KATHRYN WILLIAMS

ISABEL JOHNSON DEEP-DIVES INTO THE MERCURY-NOMINATED SINGER-SONGWRITER’S STUNNING NEW RECORD

Tender, tranquil and emotionally tumultuous: that’s how I’d describe Kathryn Williams’ new album Mystery Park, which, impressively, is her 15th studio offering. Over her 27 year career so far, Williams’ work has never strayed from being utterly, unflappably beautiful – a feat once again achieved on album number 15.

“There are quite a lot of tangents to the title,” Williams explains. “First of all, there's a place in Liverpool – where I'm from –called Mystery Park, and it was called that because it was donated by a mystery owner to the city for the people. And every time someone new would come to Liverpool, my dad would tell that story about Mystery Park. There's also a track on the album called The Mystery, which is about my dad and dementia, so those things put together rang bells that made it feel like the right title.” This title is paired with an equally fascinating work of cover art, hand-painted by Williams herself and emblazoned with symbols relating to each of the album tracks. “I wanted it to be quite a precious thing, where the art and the songs all interlink.”

Thematically, Mystery Park is Williams’ most personal work yet, with lyrics that pinch at your heartstrings. “I’m 51 now, and there’s this strange feeling of being on a bridge between your kids growing up and your parents getting older, and you’re at this sort of middle point where you’re looking backwards and forwards. It's about connecting and sharing those parts of my story and my family and hoping that they resonate with other people.” Connection is inevitable, because this album sees emotion conveyed tremendously, each song like a fable on motherhood, solitude, hope and age.

Mystery Park is a sonic flashback to some of Williams’ earlier work: intimate, woody, folk-adjacent musings – sparse in the

I LOVE THE ‘RUNNING DOWN THE HILL, HOLDING HANDS TOGETHER’ FEELING OF WRITING A SONG WITH SOMEONE

most affecting of ways – but it’s fresh in the sense that it welcomes new voices to her work too. The Mercury-prize nominee cites collaboration as a big hero in her life, and particularly on this record. “When everything went big I just didn’t feel like I could handle it, really, and I tried to hide that vulnerability and pretend that everything was okay – whilst not leaving the house. Over the years I’ve learnt that collaborating and having a community of people is a brilliant way to help you through that stuff.”

The community in question on this album is an impressive one – co-writers include rock legend Paul Weller, Polly Paulusma, Neill MacColl and a handful of other critically acclaimed names. “I love the ‘running down the hill, holding hands together’ feeling of writing a song with someone. You have the best laughs when it doesn't go well. It's like a fast-track to getting to know someone.”

If you want a fast-track to getting to know Kathryn Williams and her music, she’s taking her new album on an extensive UK tour in October, joined by former Oasis member and talented guitarist and songwriter Matt Deighton. Expect magic, and don’t miss it.

Mystery Park is released on 26th September. Kathryn Williams plays The Glasshouse, Gateshead on Thursday 30th October. www.kathrynwilliams.co.uk

MIDDLESBROUGH ART WEEK

DAMIAN ROBINSON TALKS TO FESTIVAL DIRECTOR LIAM SLEVIN ABOUT MAW’S AMBITIOUS PLANS AND INSPIRATIONAL PROGRAMME

Returning for it’s eighth year, the continually impressive Middlesbrough Art Week has gained a reputation for their bold and inclusive programming, bringing (and creating) interesting art and culture to region.

Running from Thursday 25th September-Saturday 4th October, MAW pushes its creative boundaries even further with a bold programme that includes exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops and public interventions, as programme director Liam Slevin explains: “This year we’re working with a much larger group of programme collaborators, which is very exciting as they all bring such different flavours to the way they programme and curate. It’s definitely made this year’s festival the broadest yet in terms of ideas, concepts and the scope of artists involved.”

Supporting the breadth of artistry, and providing a solid infrastructure to the programme, one of the brand new MAW initiatives for 2025 includes the brand new Auxiliary Project Space, a 13,000 sq ft creative complex in a repurposed industrial warehouse which includes features from Erin Dickson, Richie Culver and Sophie Beresford. As Slevin admits, the space not only supports the history of the MAW but also pushes it forward into a new and exciting future. “The Auxiliary is very much the mothership and all the ideas stream out from it. The new gallery space is beautiful and a step away from our DIY roots – well, at least with the material fabric of the building.” Opening alongside the Auxiliary, MAW will also bring together

over 70 artists, curators and collaborators with the intention of inspiring participants to imagine new futures through art, care and creative resistance. As Slevin admits, part of the care and attention built into the curation of MAW comes from the desire to ensure that all participants are able to find something which feels both accessible and inspiring: “Aspirationally, my hopes for Middlesbrough Art Week are that it continues to be a catalyst for connection, because we all need a bit more of that in our lives. MAW can be an event that not only showcases outstanding contemporary work but also invites people to see their own place in the cultural conversation. I’d like it to be a week where local communities feel ownership of the art being shown, where emerging artists can stand alongside established names, and where there’s space for honest reactions.”

Alongside a range of artistic vehicles, from pop-up exhibitions in ex-retail units and public spaces, to workshops, talks, live performances and screenings, MAW will also continue to inspire the region through its commitment to artist development thanks to the return of the North East Open Call and New Graduate Award, as well as focusing on opportunities for human connection. “The Auxiliary will be the festival hub, with screenings including We Are Making A Film About Mark Fisher and Censoring Palestine, gigs including Demdike Stare and Regis, plus workshops and four exhibitions. It’ll be really buzzy.”

Motivated to make 2025 the most successful MAW yet, Slevin makes no apologies for thinking even bigger in the future as the programme nears it’s 10th birthday. “In the next three years, the expanded infrastructure such at The Auxiliary’s new building, the global attention from MIMA hosting the Turner Prize in 2026, and deeper accessibility initiatives will all boost its visibility and I think that’s the last piece of the puzzle.” www.middlesbroughartweek.com

TWISTERELLA

IF YOU LIKE…

TOURING BANDS

Edinburgh’s Swim School return with their crunching guitar-driven indie rock in support of their self-titled debut album; Leeds-based six-piece Adult DVD bring their infectious hooks and grooves, guaranteeing an uplifting experience; Y present upbeat genre-defying kaleidoscopic sounds from London; there’s woozy Americana from Our Man In The Field; art punk courtesy of energetic and socially-engaged duo Scrounge; noisy genre-bending punk quartet PISS; the electronic dance vibes of Glasgow’s Roller Disco Death Party; folk-tinged slacker rock from Leeds’ Nature Kids; Welsh electronic dance punks Teethin, alongside many more to be announced.

LOCAL ARTISTS

A key element of Twisterella is showing off the variety of the region’s music scene. Enjoy sets from Tyneside’s punk outfit Irked; the 60s beat of Smith & Liddle; the psychedelic indie sound of Blackout The Arcade; Hartlepool’s Champ, who have just released their debut single Taste To Run; FKA Ajimal, Fran O’Hanlon returns to the North East with his gorgeous alt. indie project Mezanmi; hotly-tipped artist Loren Heat offers introspective yet expansive electro pop; multi-instrumentalist Parissa Zarifi’s sound is typified by emotive vocals and melodic violin improv; there’s raw and grungy noise courtesy of Teesside’s Dossers; post-punk new wave vibes from Middle Management, and much more.

MUSIC

WORDS: STEPHEN OLIVER

Now in its eleventh year, this Middlesbrough music festival showcasing the brightest emerging talent returns on Saturday 11th October. The all-day show will feature around 40 bands across five stages and each of the venues is a short walking distance from each other. Central to the action is the Teesside University Students’ Union, with venues radiating out on nearby Linthorpe Road and Southfield Road. In addition, there are pop-up sessions in some of Middlesbrough’s bars in nearby Baker Street and Bedford Street. Twisterella specialises in giving a platform to up and coming acts and represents a great opportunity to find your next favourite band. With a ticket costing about the same as seeing a couple of new touring acts, Twisterella offers a chance to access a showcase of highly talented acts on the verge of going up to the next level, and give you bragging rights into the bargain. Here’s a few selected highlights from this year’s line-up… www.twisterella.co.uk

INSIDER TIPS

It’s worth noting that one of the headliners often opens the larger Teesside University stage at the start of the day, making it worthwhile to arrive early. Study the clash checker and plan your route around the venues – there’s always something interesting going on!

If you’re an artist looking to get your head around the world of the music industry, don’t miss an opportunity to attend the (Un)Conference on the morning. With a focus on bringing key music industry figures to the town to share their expertise and offer advice to new and developing musicians, there’s a chance to hear from likeminded artists, share tips and contacts and make valuable new pals. The listening panel offers a supportive and constructive opportunity to get your music heard.

LISTINGS

THE BEST OF THE REST… EVEN MORE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC, THEATRE, COMEDY, ART AND FILM TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST THIS MONTH

MONDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

FEATURED // On Fragments of Yearning, I Linger

Encounter archival / collection pieces through a renewed Queer lens, tracing stories and histories through community artworks co-created with artists Bex Harvey and Sarah Li. Runs until Friday 17th October with a special closing party // Oriental Museum, Durham

TUESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER

CHASE PETRA

Quarter-life-crisis pop band with support from Soot Sprite // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

NEWCASTLE QUEER ART CLUB

Newcastle Queer Art Club are looking for people to donate their abandoned hobbies for their Hobby Swap with an emphasis on art materials and books // One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE

The primary new folk musical project of guitarist Ben Chasny, with support from Horse Loom // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

GOOD LOOKS

Kindhearted and cathartic rock songs from Austin, Texas // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

THURSDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE Teenage kickback against the American Dream, Dean's last film role before his fatal crash. Nick Ray in top form // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

THE BURNING HELL

Densely populated genre-shifting songs packed with an abundance of literary, historical and pop-cultural forebears, heroes and villains, subjects and objects, stories and hooks. Support from Jon McKiel // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER

NOYOU

Three band bill of Sunderland’s finest. noyou, Celadore and Wool come together for an end of summer celebration of emerging music on Wearside // The Ship Isis, Sunderland

SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

HELM

Electronic musician known for his intuitive approach to sound design and immersive sonic landscapes; taking elements from drone, noise, ambient and industrial music // Cafe Etch, Middlesborough

PRIAPISM ALBUM LAUNCH

One for lovers of pure old school head banging metal; Priapism’s debut album launch is a must see – packed with thunderous drums, chunky riffs and gruff, husky vocals (and maybe a bigfoot) // Little Buildings, Newcastle

SPILT MILK

Funk and jazz indie band Spilt Milk launch their brand new music video, followed by a high energy set with Beatles and Bee Gees-inspired layered harmonies // Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER

THE HARVEST

A one day celebration of movement, creativity and community, inviting participants and audiences of all backgrounds to engage in workshops, performances and discussions // Dance City, Newcastle

THURSDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER

OVERPASS

Emerging as the most exciting homegrown indie rock act to come out of the Midlands in over a decade // Independent, Sunderland

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NARRATIVES

Newcastle Skeptics In The Pub present a talk from Professor Jamie Tehrani exploring the art, life and death of storytelling // Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle

FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER

THE MEFFS

Purveyors of frantic punk rock and an absolute must-see live sensation // Independent, Sunderland

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Award-winning nature photography, and a crucial reminder of what value our woodlands, wetlands and other ecosystems still hold. Runs until 29th November // Bishop Auckland Town Hall

SUNDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER

FEATURED //

Mexican Film Festival

All-day film festival to celebrate Mexican Independence Day showcasing exemplary Mexican cinema through the ages // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

NAOMI KELLY

A unique blend of indie, folk and pop music combining to create a distinctly homegrown sound. Support from Isabel Maria // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

THE CUMBERLAND DOES HARVEST FESTIVAL

There'll be all the fun of the fair (not an actual fair though) with events to enter, fun to be had PLUS the pub’s annual Dog Show // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER

THE PEE PEE POO POO MAN

Screening of a new sensation in cult cinema based on a bizarre true story, following one man's gross-out reign of terror upon the people of Toronto // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

WEDNESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER

BEN BROWN

Armed with ready wit, raucous vibes and a shed load of grin-inducing great songs, Ben Brown is the newest signing to Xtra Mile Recordings // The Ship Isis, Newcastle

THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER

THE TOXIC AVENGER

When meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste, he transforms into the Toxic Avenger. His mission? To clean up Tromaville! // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER

DREAMING OF YOU: THE MAKING OF THE CORAL

This immersive doc captures The Coral’s dreamlike rise through music, friendship and psychedelic sound featuring an exclusive Q&A with the director // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

BILLY ELLIOT + Q&A

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this liberating North East set coming-of-age classic with a special Q&A with writer Lee Hall // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

CASEY MCQUILLEN

Vocal powerhouse and songwriter as seen on American Idol // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER/CAPE FEAR

Double screening of Robert Mitchum films: two shadows of menace. Mitchum haunts as preacher and predator – Night of the Hunter’s lyrical terror meets Cape Fear’s relentless revenge // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

MONDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER

BBC NEW COMEDY AWARDS

An epic night of free comedy hosted by Amy Gledhill featuring Dan Tiernan, Phil Dunning (Smoggie Queens) and Fatiha El-Ghorri (Taskmaster) // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

THURSDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

HOMEBAKE

Homebake returns for another evening of platforming and shaping emerging theatre works. Expect a variety of new work by local playwrights where your feedback is the secret ingredient // Gosforth Civic Centre

JENNY COLQUITT

A special evening featuring contemporary music that struggles to be pigeonholed but straddles indie, folk and pop. Also featuring néomí, Josephine Illingworth and la loye // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

WAKING LIFE

A man has various meetings with different people, discussing a wide range of philosophical ideas, beliefs and theories // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER

HELICON

Glasgow-based band Helicon blend neo-psych rock with sitars, electronica, ambient soundscapes and irresistible grooves to take psychedelic music into fresh, new territory, with support from Patrick Gosling // The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle

THE TOXIC AVENGER

All-star remake of the ’80s cult classic. Peter Dinklage stars as a mutant janitor who uses his super strength to fight criminals and a corrupt CEO // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER

DEAD WET THINGS

Sweaty, snarling and unapologetically in your face, Dead Wet Things will tear through their set like it’s the last gig on earth. Support from Critch and Seizure // Independent, Sunderland

MARTIN CHRISTIE, BADGER & DISTANT LISTENING

Three electronic performers from drum kit-triggered modular synths to spoken word // Pop Recs Ltd., Sunderland

FEATURED // Queer Prom

Navii Media and Sister Shack invite the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to gather for Queer Prom 2025, with the theme Bloom Loudly // Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle

ROBSON GREEN

Head to the Tyneside for a warm welcome for North East actor Robson Green, with an illuminating conversation evening featuring episodes of his celebrated documentary series // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

ELISABETH ELEKTRA

Glasgow-based pop polymath // The Cluny, Newcastle

THREE COLOURS (WHITE)

Second film in Kieślowski’s acclaimed trilogy. A man is falsely accused of arson and begins to restore equality to his life through revenge // Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle

MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER

PICTURE PARLOUR

Female-fronted classic rock duo full of bite, raw energy and undeniable style // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

TUESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

TABA CHAKE

Renowned Indian singer-songwriter, finger-style guitarist, and multiinstrumentalist from Arunachal Pradesh // The Cluny 2, Newcastle

LATER IN THE YEAR…

THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER

RADIOHEAD X NOSFERATU

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience this imaginative new take on the 1922 horror classic! An unmissable reimagining featuring Radiohead's Kid A and Amnesiac albums // Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER

JR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE DOUBLE BILL

Two spine chilling adaptations the Robert Louis Stevenson creepy classics; The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Body Snatcher // Laurels, Whitley Bay

THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER

FEATURED // Party’s Over

Invitations have arrived for six wildly different parties on the same night. Party's Over, a rehearsed reading of a brand new anthology play written by dark comedy king Lewis Cuthbert and performed by a stunning local cast. Also on Friday 10th October // Laurels, Whitley Bay

FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER

IDLEWILD

Alt rock outfit Idlewild cover punk to poetry across their extensive catalogue and chart invading treasures // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER

BEYOND THE MOOR FESTIVAL

A fantastic celebration of folk and roots music with artists such as Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening, Martin Simpson, Ross Couper & Tom Oakes, Ceitidh Mac, Nev Clay, Andy Watt, Eddie Doyle, and Newcastle University Folk Degree // Gosforth Civic Theatre

SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER

NORTH EAST CALLING

An explosion of the coolest punk and rock bands such as Rezillios, Ferocious Dog, Spear of Destiny, Split Dogs and more // Northumbria University Students’ Union, Newcastle

THURSDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

MR BLACKPOOL’S SEASIDE SPECTACULAR

Set against the backdrop of climate collapse or late stage capitalism, Mr Blackpool’s Seaside Spectacular is an end of the pier show at the end of the world from performance artist and theatre maker Harry Clayton-Wright // Northern Stage, Newcastle

THURSDAY 13TH NOVEMBER

POP WILL EAT ITSELF

The Poppies are back out on patrol, bringing with them their frenzied energy and genre bending beloved tunes such as Wise Up! Sucker, Def Con One plus electro punk bangers from their upcoming album // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

18TH NOVEMBER

ENGLISH TEACHER

Rising indie stars English Teacher inhabit a sonic identity all their own, with nineties touchpoints, melodic, college rock-worthy guitars; forever shifting gears and searing energy // NX, Newcastle

TUESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER

WHEATUS

In honour of the 20th anniversary of the soundtrack to a generation, Teenage Dirtbag, Wheatus set to tour and are releasing a new and expanded edition of their now classic debut album // Boiler Shop, Newcastle

REVIEWS

MARRAPALOOZA

@ VARIOUS VENUES, NEWCASTLE (08.08.25-09.08.25)

Words: Ali Welford

Festivals have come and gone over the years, but after three editions, Marrapalooza is fast on its way to becoming an Ouseburn staple. Sprawled across six of the valley’s finest venues (plus a Friday night opening at The Lubber Fiend), this genre-spanning celebration of grassroots music showcases a flourishing local scene alongside handpicked cult favourites and emerging names from across the UK. If anything there’s too much choice – perhaps reflected in some of the event’s thinner crowds – yet this allows for new discoveries amongst the familiar faces. Cath & Phil Tyler’s fragile folk songbook, irrepressible robo-rockers Zilch Patrol and maximalist indie-pop troupe Amateur Ornithologist, for instance, are reliably excellent, but Reverie are a new one to me – fresh-faced newcomers keeping 90s-coded shoegaze alive with startlingly accomplished slices of fuzzed-up catharsis. Among the travelling contingent, Native James bring jet fuelled, down tuned rap metal rancour, ex-Wild Beast Hayden Thorpe shares the sounds and inspirations behind new project Ness, while Chris Brain recalls greats such as Drake and Jansch with a set of glorious, pastoral folk gems. At the opposite end of the energy spectrum sit University – not that anyone seems to have told their fourth member, who’s crouched centre stage engrossed in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 amidst the extraordinary, brain melting math/emo/post-hardcore melee cascading around him. Here’s hoping this “thing in the north” returns for a fourth year!

THE YUMMY FUR, MILKY WIMPSHAKE @ POP RECS, SUNDERLAND (09.08.25)

Words: Matthew McDonnell

The Yummy Fur have always interested me with their approach to songwriting, managing to be both dancey yet discordant, they were something of a precursor to the post-punk sound we know today. So, when I heard that they'd be playing Pop Recs in Sunderland, I jumped at the chance. Something of an elusive band, even by underground standards, I knew this was my chance. Up first were Milky Wimpshake, another veteran band of which the

Yummy Fur had clearly taken a shine to, and it's not hard to see why. This three piece wasted no time jumping into their set with an infectious energy and playfulness. Each song raced along with overdriven guitar riffs and upbeat bass lines, not letting up until the final song.

Not ones to be outdone, the Yummy Fur jumped into their set with an explosive energy and presence, from the first song they had the audience where they wanted them. Not only did they play the classics with songs like Department and Kirsty Cooper, but they also introduced some new songs with which to win the audience over. The reaction to which was as strong as old ones, which if you've been going to gigs for any length of time you'll know, is no mean feat.

RAMONA’S TEA PARTY, HOLLY REES @ CLUNY 2, NEWCASTLE

(08.08.25)

Words: Isabel Johnson

Imagine a tea party with all of your coolest friends, except there’s moshing. And it’s at the Cluny 2. This is precisely what went down tonight, and it was all kicked off by Holly Rees - a consistently incredible yet ever-evolving indie rockstar who we’re lucky to be able to claim as one of the North East’s greats. Tonight is their first show in a year, but there are no traces of rust; Holly, alongside their bandmates Ross and Ryan, deliver charming indie tunes seasoned with themes of queer identity, the abysmal state of our political world, and how kindness is the true core of rock and roll. Impeccable craft, impeccable craic.

And then, after the setup of a lifetime, Ramona’s Tea Party came bounding onto the stage in a dizzying blur of hair dye, high kicks, and harmonies to die for. The Norway based pop rockers have the Cluny 2 in a sort of fun-loving bubble I’ve never seen before - they’re making waves and then quite literally crowd-surfing all over them. Forgive me for observing you, crowd members, but there were ear to ear grins all over the shop, all catalysed by the sheer energy and enthusiasm of Ramona’s Tea Party and their sometimes hilarious, sometimes dark, sometimes riotous - but always fun - setlist.

SALTBURN FOLK FESTIVAL @ VARIOUS VENUES, SALTBURN (08.09.25-10.09.25)

Words: Simon Lunt

Saltburn Folk Festival 2025 turned the seaside town into one big stage, with music spilling from the bandstand, community centre, and every corner in between. Folk dancing troupes such as Will Pound and the Queer Folk Showcase popped up throughout the day, adding bursts of colour and rhythm to the streets. At Saltburn Community Centre, The Pegwells brought a modern sparkle to classical folk. With banjo, guitar, and fiddle in perfect conversation, they had the audience clapping and tapping along from the first tune. On the bandstand, The Saltburn Ukulele Band fought a lively battle with the coastal wind, ending with a breezy, crowd-pleasing Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

Hyem, a young fiddler trio, blended North East tradition with French influences, producing music that felt equal parts cliff-top and Parisian café – fresh, intricate, and full of energy.

At Emmanuel Church, Wear’d Aliens – a youth folk band from Teesdale showcased tunes from the century-old Collingwood Collection. Led by tutors Saul Rose and Rupert Eyers, they played with both the skill and the heart to carry their heritage forward.

Closing the festival, Emily Portman cast a spell with fairytale-inspired songs on concertina and banjo, her voice filling the church with something both intimate and otherworldly.

By the final note, Saltburn Folk Festival 2025 had proved itself a joyful blend of music, dance, and community, a weekend where tradition met invention, and the sea breeze carried every tune just a little further.

ARAB STRAP, ERNIE @ BOILER SHOP, NEWCASTLE (12.08.25)

Words: Lee Hammond

Though rightfully lauded by the audience for their incredible back catalogue, tonight also sees Arab Strap delve into their excellent new record, I’m Totally Fine With It Don’t Give A Fuck Anymore. First, Ernie’s opening set serenades tonight’s crowd in an unexpectedly up-beat fashion, not hard given Arab Strap’s rather dour repertoire, and his stripped-back and laptop-backed set feels like the perfect start to the evening.

Arab Strap immediately take things up a notch as their set moves between dark rave and miserable rock. Earlier tracks like Fucking Little

Bastards and Girls Of Summer feature early in the set, their bombast and raw honesty lighting up the room alongside their pulsating beats. Sparkling synths, spoken-word vocals, thrashing guitars and prolonged post-rock elements bring Arab Strap’s set to life in all of its filth-ridden glory, Aidan Moffat presiding over the crowd as he croons through the set in his own unmistakable style,

There are lighter moments peppered throughout their set in the form of Islands and New Birds, as they wind up towards newer track Strawberry Moon, which feels like an assault on the senses in comparison. Come for the tracks about shagging and booze, stay for the city wildlife content as they charge into Fable of the Urban Fox, all before winding things up with an excellent rendition of Soaps. A truly brilliant evening.

PROLAPSE, SUPER BURNER, TCHOTCHKE @ CLUNY 2, NEWCASTLE (14.08.25)

Words: Lee Fisher

Tchotchke remind me of a kinder, fuzzier time when slacker wasn’t an insult and guitars were warm and noisy. Hints of Teenage Fanclub and US acts like Buffalo Tom and homeopathic drops of shoegaze, the rhythm section laid down a looping bedrock for Leon’s chiming, inventive guitar and understated vocals. All in all they were a lovely, melancholy time. Kicking off with a Gilbert O’Sullivan cover that takes cojones but happily Super Burner kept up the pressure with a set of arch bangers that were cleverly constructed, catchy AF and included playground chants, Chinny-Chap stomps, killer harmonies and a healthy disrespect for being cool. Super Burner are a huge amount of fun. I hate fun, but I like Super Burner.

As they hit the ground running with perennial banger Doorstop Rhythmic Bloc, it’s clear Prolapse remain defiantly, definitely Prolapse. The lurching, relentless rhythms, slashing guitars and, up front, Mick and Linda physically and vocally twisting and turning around each other, Scots roar meeting sweet disdain. Their 10-song set showed the new tracks (in particular Cha Cha Cha 2000 and Government Of Spain) as totally fit to stand alongside Slash / Oblique, Visa For Violet & Van and the rest. Like the years had melted away, Mick pestered Linda, Linda looked faux-perplexed and they finished with a version of Flex that went HARD. I don’t know how long they’ll stick around this time, so we best treasure them while we can.

ALAN SPARHAWK, KOGUMAZA @ THE CLUNY, NEWCASTLE (12.08.25)

Words: Lee Fisher

Kogumaza have been dormant for a while, but a new album is taking shape and it’s three new songs that we get tonight – working titles Religious, 2017 and Kingdoms. They’re wonderful of course, Katy’s subtle, sparse drums underpinning Neil and Chris’ guitars, all Ouroboros circling and simmering, shimmering swells. I guess Earth are a reference point and they’ll still probably get tagged post-rock but as they explode into inner and outer space, Kogumaza are very much their own special creation.

It's hard to relate the Sparhawk we saw fronting Low for 30 years to the Sparhawk roaming across the stage, shirtless, hair braided, tormenting an FX unit - and some punters look visibly shocked. The first half of the set is last year’s beat-driven, vocoder-treated White Roses… material and it’s bracing, affecting stuff, although perhaps a little goes a long way. The raw, intense energy continues into the second, guitar half of the set – that hurt, bruised voice sounding more pained than ever. There are a couple of Retribution Gospel Choir songs that remind me to dig those records out again – Poor Man’s Daughter especially is monolithic, huge, Crazy Horse-esque – and the Trampled By Turtles songs couldn’t be more different from the first half of the set but are still clearly from the same emotional place. Two Low encores – Days Like These and Holy Ghost – are a perfect close, but Sparhawk’s restless creativity clearly isn’t content to coast on his catalogue.

PEA SEA, NEV CLAY @ POP RECS, SUNDERLAND (15.08.25)

Words: Ben Lowes-Smith Nev Clay’s performances begin to defy superlatives, and the songs from his most recent record So Little Happened For So Long are among his best. Tonight we are treated to a mix of old and new, including a particularly astonishing version of Flytipper, and gorgeous versions of Strummer and Star and Shadow from the new LP. That Nev has the capacity to conceive and perform such intricate and beautiful music, juxtaposed with incredible and astute lyrics is truly something to be treasured, as evidenced by the two punters who have driven from Birmingham tonight.

Similarly, Pea Sea (aka Chris Rollen of Les Cox Sportifs) has recently made a record containing some of his best material in A Pyke Of Patina

Slate. Chris’ idiosyncratic and dense writing is complimented by some of his melodically direct music, and the wonderful power trio conveying it this evening- completed by Tom English on drums and Dom Berry on bass, manage to interpret songs from across Chris’ career including Les Cox’s Mixing Up The Cordite and shimmeringly beautiful version of Come Over from The Debatable Land. Chris’ guitar playing, which has taken a folkier bent on this new record, is showcased beautifully tonight, most noticeably on a reinterpretation of a Shirley Collins song but Chris’ own songs are so rich in personality one is left with a world of ideas echoing around for some time after.

FEROCIOUS DOG, GIMP FIST, DEAD WET THINGS @ FIRE STATION, SUNDERLAND (16.08.25)

Words: Neil Ainger

With bands such as The Wall, Red London, Red Alert, HDQ, Hooton 3 Car, Leatherface and Kenickie to name but a few, Sunderland has a long and rich history as a hot bed for great punk bands. That tradition lives on and Dead Wet Things are one of many current Mackem bands shaking things up at the forefront of the current scene. Their sleazy riffs and explosive tempo changes set the tone, while they continuously jump back and forth between tongue-in-cheek humour and infectious, unadulterated filth. The radge-punks are going from strength to strength and are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Gimp Fist from Bishop Auckland generate a lot of aggression and make a lot of noise for a trio. They play with passion and fire through their set of melodious street punk anthems with such authority that their slot feels as though it is over before it has even begun.

Ferocious Dog are a mood changer. After an hour and a half of fervent celtic-punk screamers, sing-a-longs and mosh pits the passion that exudes from the stage can only be matched by the diehard, closely knit Hell Hounds - the community of fans that would walk to the ends of the earth for their next fix of the hyper energetic Nottingham sixpiece. By the time they close their set with a dance-a-long to The Toy Dolls’ Nelly the Elephant it feels as though the party is just getting started.

TRACKS

(PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)

SMITH & LIDDLE

MINUTE AGO

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Searching for a song that feels like summer in a bottle? Smith & Liddle’s soft rock track Minute Ago delivers an emotionally charged, nostalgic experience.

The second single from their upcoming debut album, Songs For The Desert, completely embodies the vibes of 70s music. Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the track pairs a slow-paced drumbeat and guitar strings imbued with sunshine with lyrics that reflect the realisation that you deserve better.

Elizabeth Liddle’s tender, almost ethereal voice shares vocal similarity to the evocative vocals of Andrea Corr. Each component of the track works to create a blissful listening experience

With its time-warped nature and a soundscape that embodies California sun, Minute Ago is the perfect addition to your summer playlist.

Released: 05.09.25

www.smithandliddle.bandcamp.com

POLYFILLAS

PERIOD/PAD I’M GLAD

Words: Matt Young

This bouncing, post-punk sounding song by Sunderland’s Polyfillas explores the under-discussed issue of period poverty and much more. Musically, it alludes to a punk era of the past, recalling bands like The Slits, X-Ray Spex and venturing into the dance funk realm of Gang of Four, while still sounding fresh, fun and commenting on contemporary social injustice. The bass line grooves and squirms around the choppy guitar riffs, while the solid drumming keeps everything compact. Vocalist Ava‘s singing is given an expansive reverb as she delivers her lyrics with a gleeful mix of sarcasm and contempt for anyone finding the subject of feminine hygiene “too much”. It’s bold, bright and immediately catchy, as well as dealing with important issues.

Released: 05.09.25

www.polyfillas.bandcamp.com

ERNIE

SUNSOAKED EP

Words: John Knox

Fresh off the back of his acclaimed debut EP, and a Sam Fender support slot at home in Newcastle, local lad ERNIE drops his sophomore EP Sunsoaked. The mood is lo-fi folk, a dreamy adventure through somewhere forested in North America. This collection of cinematic tracks rides the wide wavelengths of thought at the fuzzy edge of wakefulness. A contrast of hope is coaxed from the captivating vocal performances, slowly undoing the heavy coat of yearning brought on by subtly soft tracks that wrap around the heart. We’re exploring the warm bath of personal truths located below your frontal lobe. It’s music for the modern-day meditator who perhaps owns a Carhartt flannel shirt.

Released: 12.09.25 www.linktr.ee/erniethechefhq

CORTNEY

DIXON

HAZARD A GUESS EP

Words: James Hattersley

If this is your first time reading about glam indie pop darling Cortney Dixon, then you are already behind - KEEP UP LOSER! Her debut EP, Hazard A Guess, is smeared with razor-sharp gloss and promises to put Dixon’s name on everyone’s lips. The six-track EP contains more variety than a Kellogg’s multipack, offering precisely crafted nuggets of fuzzy indie guitars, smothered in melodic pop sensibilities. Once this ride starts, it’s impossible to get off - each track pulls you in deeper. The discotheque rhythm of Life Goes On, the swaggerful regret of If You Love Somebody… and the joyous and infectious Little Big Sister; an ode to Dixon’s undefeatable sister Toni. The choice to listen is yours dear reader - don’t fuck it up.

Released: 17.10.25 www.cortneydixon.com

HMRC

THIS FEMMER STATE EP

Words: James Hattersley

Reeking of dissatisfaction and disdain for modern times, post-punk radgies HMRC are set to release their newest EP This Femmer State, which truly captures the zeitgeist of our current, crumbling society. Continuing their sonic evolution and building on what has come before, the band’s distinctive punk riffs are doused in nu metal and atmospheric splendour. A welcoming, rhythmic stutter emphasises the struggle of trying to survive in this never-ending political hellscape.

Defiant throughout, HMRC are pissed and have no qualms with calling out the bullshit throughout this release; the underperforming government, the injustice of the post-masters scandal and Piers Morgan. They’ll take you to the edge of giving up - just to pull you back and urge you to carry on.

Released: 14.09.25

www.linktr.ee/_hmrc

SIMON TAYLOR

THE DAY YOU SWALLOWED THE SUN

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Newcastle-based Simon Taylor melds folk and pop into a philosophical exploration of emotion with The Day You Swallowed The Sun.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Nick Drake, Taylor highlights people’s inclination towards pessimism and cynicism, ignoring life’s beauty, and “closing the blinds” on a brighter future. Throughout, there is a stark contrast between the melodic instrumentation and Taylor’s deep vocals –symbolic of the friction between nature’s charm and ‘half-empty glass’ sorts. Piano and guitar fuse to frame the cathartic vocals. Broken sentences reflect feelings of emotional fragmentation that flow throughout the lyrics. A carefully constructed commentary on the human condition, the track serves as a small fragment of what is to come from Taylor in his upcoming EP Stars.

Released: 02.09.25 www.simontaylormusic.com

CHARTS & GRAPHS

BULLETPROOF

Words: Matt Young

Bulletproof is the opening salvo from Newcastle trio Charts & Graphs’ upcoming fifth album and it hits like a jolt of anxious energy. The sound is urgent, bass-driven and almost impossible to sit still through. Infectious grooves pull you into a tense, twitchy rhythm; whilst it’s danceable, it’s also disorienting. Beneath the surface it grapples with contradictions, feeling invincible yet invisible, confident one moment and adrift the next. The whole song is a sonic tug-of-war between swagger and self-doubt, punctuated by odd TV quotes that only serve to confuse things further. The band are clearly probing an uncomfortable space but that doesn’t always land effectively. For me, even more aggressive vocals would serve the song, and the band’s mutant post-punk sound, far better.

Released: 05.09.25 www.chartsandgraphs.bandcamp.com

BELLE SKIES

BFEGGMAN/GLASS IN THE WAVES

Words: John Knox

Belle Skies from Gosforth drop a contrasting pair of extended cuts chock full of surprises.

The dreamy, surrealist poetry of Glass In The Waves is a half-sung elegy set around the precarious cliffs of Vane Tempest beach. A sense of searching in the lyrics mirrors the band’s quest to find their own sound, a changing kaleidoscope of textures churns like the North Sea.

Sibling single BFEggman is a nine-minute meander through several sections of psychedelic grunge. Melvins-worthy guitar chugs and a Cobain-adjacent vocal eventually give way to spectral saxophones and soaring strings. A section change brings an uneasy polyrhythm, and another some introspective guitar soloing. A fully loaded Christmas tree of a track, well decorated with idea baubles.

Released: 01.09.25

www.belleskies.bandcamp.com

A CIRCLE OF TEETH PRIMAL EP

Words: Michael O’Neill

A wonderfully bold blend of black metal and chilly industrial, Primal blends pulverising downtuned riffs and pummelling beats with icy cold synths, melodic flourishes and musique-concrete sampling to push the EP, recorded solely by the mononymous James, into arresting and visceral sonic ground. Lyrically, Primal tackles fight-or-flight instincts, relentless frustration and the kind of inner conflict that leaves marks, brilliantly matching the multi-faceted soundscapes and served phenomenally by James’s versatile vocals, which vary from guttural screams and shrieks to powerful bursts of melody. It makes for a challenging, cathartic and refreshing listen. The way James switches effortlessly between walls of palm-muted guitars and intricately layered synths keeps things unpredictable, with the immaculate production packing a wealth of sonic detail.

Released: 25.09.25

www.linktr.ee/acircleofteeth

VALENTINE CHARLIE

ONE DAY (THEY’LL SAY)

Words: Michael O’Neill

A lone piano spikes out a minor-key progression which serves as an emotive bed for this intricate ballad, with Valentine Charlie spinning a rich and melancholic narrative with vocals masked and distorted; it’s an effective aesthetic touch which contrasts the broad, open instrumental sound.

The track gently builds to a cacophonous crescendo which supports the desperation and agony in the lyrics before ending on a plaintive solo piano. Despite being almost four and a half minutes long the track rushes by, and I can’t help but feel that it’d be better served with a longer coda to further reinforce the emotional impact; however, it still remains a wonderful piece of accomplished songcraft.

Released: 05.09.25 www.facebook.com/valentinecharlieband

PAVE THE JUNGLE SMILING AT DOGS

Words: Gus Ironside

A familiar name to many NARC. readers, Pave The Jungle have been active on the Newcastle music scene for several years now, based around core members Rachael Whittle and Scott Jeffery, with TV Death singer/guitarist Jack Burlison also having passed through their ranks. After a long break from recording, the group are poised for a new single, the splendidly titled Smiling At Dogs, which finds the duo on sparkling form. Featuring vocals by both band members, Smiling At Dogs is a coolly understated slab of alternative rock with a definite early ‘90s flavour. The song’s slinky groove, surging chorus and earworm chorus evoke early indie rock icons Belly and Pixies, with a dash of Suede’s glam swagger. It’s good to have them back.

Released: 04.09.25

www.pavethejungle.bandcamp.com

SAM SHIELDS

FAREWELL AND GODSPEED EP

Words: Simon Lunt

On Farewell And Godspeed, Northumberland’s Sam Shields strips things back to the marrow. Five songs, just voice, guitar, and occasional harmonies from Emma Robson and Lauren Barnes.

Opener Magdalena aches with quiet longing, setting the pace for a collection content to walk rather than sprint. Alex Blamire’s production at Polestar Studios captures Shields with unvarnished clarity: fingers sliding on strings, breaths between lines, the warmth of human company in harmonies. Those seeking intricate arrangements or cryptic lyrics may find it plain, but that’s both its charm and limitation.

Sincere and unpretentious, it’s a troubadour holding his songs to the light, letting you see straight through them and sometimes, that’s enough.

Released: 05.09.25

www.facebook.com/samshieldssingersongwriter

SEA CHANGE AT NIGHT

Friday 26th September | 6PM | FREE

ALBUMS

4.5 / 5

SAINT ETIENNE

INTERNATIONAL (HEAVENLY RECORDINGS)

Words: Lee Fisher

It feels appropriate that the last AOTM in a print version of NARC. should also be the last album from Saint Etienne, an outfit who have brought us so much sheer bloody joy over their 35-year career. Their grip on the public’s attention might have loosened a little after the first two or three albums (stone cold classics all) but they kept working and evolving: into soundtracks, films and books, into their own beautifully constructed world of nostalgia and possibility, all infused with an uncanny understanding of pop, in all its forms.

Saint Etienne have always been understated, so while International is a victory lap of sorts in the way it touches on so many highlights from their career (and contains some witty callbacks), there’s no mawkishness or grandstanding. And it has to be said that while the desire for a neatly symmetrical story arc would want us to consider International to be as good as their practically perfect debut Foxbase Alpha, it’s not that, not quite. But not many records are, and International is mostly brilliant.

A host of collaborators help reinforce what Saint Etienne are best at: intelligent, brilliantly-crafted, dancefloor-inflected pop classics. Opener Glad is a delight, a stomping paean to finding joy in the mundane that distils everything that’s great about what they do. Dancing Heart is squelchy electro pop, one of two collaborations with Tim from Xenomania, the other being He’s Gone, the moodiest song here – heartbreak set to house pianos. The Nick Heyward duet The Go Between is the only comparatively weak song here – like a slightly sub-par Colourfield single – but it's still got a nagging earworm quality. There are lush, wafty after-party vibes to Sweet Melodies, Save It For A Rainy Day is squelchy, shimmering electro funk and Brand New Me is probably the best thing on International, a close relative to Nothing Can Stop Us (one of the greatest records ever made). Take Me To The Pilot (with Phil Hartnoll) is the album’s undeniable rave anthem and it absolutely bangs. Closer The Last Time is a lush, sweetly melancholy and gently witty farewell. Saint Etienne are leaving us but these songs will be always be with us. And that’s a magical thing. Released: 05.09.25 www.saintetienne.com

ALSO OUT THIS MONTH

Suede – Antidepressants (BMG, 05.09) // Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green (ANTI-, 26.09) // GeeseGetting Killed (Partisan Records, 26.09) // David Byrne - Who Is The Sky? (Matador Records, 04.09) // Gruff Rhys - Dim Probs (Rock Action, 12.09) // Eades - Final Sirens Call (Breakfast Records, 18.09) // Robin Kester - Dark Sky Reserve (Memphis Industries, 12.09) // Falle Nioke - Love From The Sea (Eat Your Own Ears Recordings, 26.09) // Tom Speight - Perfect Strangers (Nettwerk, 26.09) // Coach Party - Caramel (Chess Club Records, 26.09) // Graham Smyth - Music For Babies To Rave And Sleep To (Practise Music, 05.09) // Tom Odell - A Wonderful Life (UROK/Virgin, 05.09) // GANS - Good for the Soul (Strap Originals, 19.09) // Patrick Watson - Uh Oh (Secret City Records, 26.09) // Gwenifer Raymond - Last Night I Heard the Dog Star Bark (We Are Busy Bodies, 05.09) // La Dispute - No One Was Driving the Car (Epitaph, 05.09) // Carson McHone - Pentimento (Merge Records, 12.09) // Motion City Soundtrack - The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World (Epitaph Records, 19.09) // Pickle DarlingBattlebots (Father/Daughter Records, 05.09) // múm - History of Silence (Morr Music, 19.09)

4 / 5

SPRAYDOG

ANYTHING LOUD IN YOUR HEAD (KOUE HEAQTS)

Words: Michaela Hall

If you were lucky enough to experience Spraydog lighting up the 90s music scene in Newcastle, we have good news for you - they're back with their first album since 2008, Anything Loud In Your Head.

And if you haven't experienced Spraydog before, you're in for a treat. The new album has all the messy-around-the-edges charm mixed with harmonious vocals and indie power you could hope for. Starting with Where You Go, the tracks continue to have a strangely unique quality of feeling familiar while also being fresh - this nostalgic feel comes across especially well on Coastal Air. It's clear they're back with a bang, noisy and addictive, and exciting for fans new and old!

Released: 05.09.25 www.spraydog.co.uk

4 / 5

ROJOR

UNDER THE SNOW MOON (SELF-RELEASE)

Words: Robert Nichols

As the world spins perilously close to crisis, Rojor offers a safe haven, throwing a musical comfort blanket over us. Shimmering guitars, simmering keyboards and that crackling voice have been a friendly, familiar guide to chase away the rain over the years from the Teesside-born and now North Yorkshireresiding artist. And he is an artist too; Rojor explores a concept and paints in the round. Hooky melodies have won him masses of radio airplay as well as thousands and thousands of streams. This album is no exception to the rule and there is exotic Eastern mysticism on single My Desert Maiden. A soothing, winter warmer of an album from one of the region's musical treasures.

Released: 05.09.25 www.rojor.com

JOY CROOKES JUNIPER (INSANITY RECORDS)

Words: Michaela Hall

Juniper is the new raw, powerful, brave and punchy album from Joy Crookes. The whole album possesses the perfect balance of vulnerability and control; Joy really lets us in through the honest lyrics that tackle big issues around love, queerness, industry challenges and body politics.

Starting with the deeply soulful Brave, we travel through a range of emotions and musical influences, from punchy Pass The Salt to massive highs of pop, disco and R&B attitude, and featuring some amazing collabs with Kano and Vince Staples. All of the tracks shine in their unique ability to be relatable while also being completely contemporary and poetic. Released: 26.09.25 www.joycrookes.com

BAXTER DURY ALLBARONE (HEAVENLY RECORDINGS)

Words: Robin Webb

Dury’s ninth album takes his poetical matter of fact lyricism and plants it firmly in a disco balled universe, complete with some silky production skills by Paul Epworth. It glisters in the dark, illuminating a tortured soul that Baxter twists and turns into a finely pointed juxtaposition, piercing your consciousness and shocking you into a reality you always knew existed yet wished it didn’t.

It’s full of highlights to whirl away to: title track Allbarone slays it all out on the dancefloor, a bitterly bouncy anthemic commentary on banality; there’s some disturbingly attractive stomping in Hapsburg; and the sublime Return Of The Sharp Heads had my head bopping while snarling menacingly with its vicious sentiment, he’s definitely not on the wrong floor. Released: 12.09.25

www.baxterdury.uk

AUTOMATIC IS IT NOW? (STONES THROW)

Words: Robin Webb

An icy pop affair savoured and loved but never thawed out, this is the trio’s third album of aberrated tunes designed to brood, move but never tarry. Lazy reminded me so much of Altered Images I couldn’t get it out of my head, in fact the whole album is equally infectious; frenzied, hinting at 70s proto-electric post-punk.

Country Song reverbs, percussively Numan-esque; Is It Now? bristles with anxiety and a motorik beat. It’s funky, full of contrasts where lyrics shiver you into an awareness of our complicity in futile, puerile politics and environmental exasperation, while the auto-pulse urges you to motion. Closing track Terminal is a stylishly persistent groove that places a perfect stop on this classy cold convocation.

Released: 26.09.25

www.automatic.band

BIG THIEF DOUBLE INFINITY (4AD)

Words: Michael O’Neill

Double Infinity finds Big Thief emerging from a period of intense change; the now-trio (following the departure of bassist Max Olearchik) expands to an 11-piece band for this LP, blessed with immaculate all-analogue production from Dom Monks. Recorded live to tape in NYC’s Electric Lady Studios, the LP boasts a vivid and full sound, gloriously serving these intricate and rich songs. Adrianne Lenker further displays her immaculate command of the craft, with the live-jammed arrangements offering plenty of room to breathe; never getting too cluttered despite the fact there’s sometimes three (!) drummers in the mix, and the pristine production deserves to be blasted LOUD through good speakers. An essential listen from probably the greatest band in the game. Terrific.

Released: 05.09.25 www.bigthief.net

JOSH RITTER

I BELIEVE IN YOU, MY HONEYDEW (THIRTY TIGERS)

Words: Lee Hammond

The much-anticipated new album from Josh Ritter sees him cemented once again as one of Americana’s best singer-songwriters. I Believe In You, My Honeydew is exquisitely put together, pairing the subdued brilliance of Truth Is A Dimension (Both Invisible and Blinding) with the upbeat Wild Ways and everything in between. Flashes of horns, pedal steel and driving guitars permeate the album, but it’s the stripped-back nature of tracks like I’m Listening that really shine through. At times, this record feels dark, but it’s punctuated with hope in a way that only Ritter can achieve. It’s an introspective album, one that draws you in and holds you as he examines some deep themes. A beautiful record which is sonically exceptional. Released: 12.09.25 www.joshritter.com

Released: 26.09.25 www.biffyclyro.com 5 / 5 5 / 5 5 / 5

BIFFY CLYRO

FUTIQUE (WARNER RECORDS)

Words: Mack Sproates

Futique is a feel-good, life-affirming rock masterpiece. Old blends with new through this majestic album, bursting with roaring riffs and sonic twists and turns. A Little Love is a hopeful, awe-inspiring opening track - soon to be a Biffy anthem - alongside the huge sounding Hunting Season (THAT breakdown…!), and extraordinary Dearest Amygdala. Ben Johnston’s thundering drums jigsaw with hypnotic strings and keys, while James Johnston’s unrelenting bass is the uniting thread. Simon Neil’s lyrical storytelling skills are unparalleled. Emotion weeps through beautifully crafted sentences, demonstrated in the haunting epic Woe Is Me... Guitar and vocals are feral and raw, every melody feels like his soul laid bare. Futique fuses heavy rock with big feelings, soaked in the goodness of what makes Biffy so special, and I love them so much.

THE DIVINE COMEDY

RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON (DIVINE COMEDY RECORDS)

Words: Tracy Hyman

It’s six years since The Divine Comedy’s last studio album and much has happened since then, including the passing of Neil Hannon’s father and Neil’s contribution to the soundtrack of global blockbuster Wonka (he wrote all the original songs). These influences are clear on Rainy Sunday Afternoon, which is cinematic in quality, telling stories in a way which only the Divine Comedy can do.

From the frank and reflective The Last Time I Saw The Old Man, to the more absurd and jolly The Man Who Turned Into A Chair. The tracks are orchestral, full of lush vocal harmonies, fairground synths and complementary percussion, weaving between the country and western journey of Achilles, to music hall and jazz. It’s an emotional journey everyone should enjoy.

Released: 19.09.25 www.thedivinecomedy.com

SIR RICHARD BISHOP HILLBILLY RAGAS (DRAG CITY)

Words: Luke Waller

Bursting open with a thunderous eruption of rolling acoustic guitar, Sir Richard Bishop’s latest release is an unapologetically original collection of nine instrumental pieces. Characterised by its stripped-back production of solely acoustic guitar, the album exhibits a wild, enchanting adaptation of American primitivism, aided by a raga-inspired approach. Rooted in the concept of a mountain man exploring a world of sonic possibility, unconfined by rules imposed by musical tradition, each of the album’s nine tracks represents a distinct solitary excursion he makes.

Sir Richard Bishop, best known as the guitarist of Sun City Girls, has always embraced the experimental. Hillbilly Ragas, whilst simple in its instrumentation, marks a thorough, heartfelt embrace.

Released: 26.09.25

www.sirrichardbishop.com

BLACK LIPS

SEASON OF THE PEACH (FIRE RECORDS)

Words: Luke Waller

Filthy, dirty garage rock returns – with more than a healthy helping of surreality in tow. Ten albums on from their 2003 debut, the Atlantan ensemble proves their signature cinematic sonic palette, steeped in the American avant-garde of the 1960s and 1970s, to be as potent and strident as ever. Whilst cohesive as an album, there is no dearth of variety, ranging from the spaghetti-western-stained lamentations of Wild One to the insistent (and groan-peppered) Too Far Gone.

Leading single Tippy Tongue, marked by its twisted, unmistakeably Zappa-tinged Americana, both epitomises the album and stands out within it. Distorted vocals and guitar meld together to produce a corrosive quality, acidic and somewhat nauseating – just as doubtlessly intended by its ever-provocative creators.

Released: 19.09.25 www.black-lips.com

LEISURE

WELCOME TO THE MOOD (NETTWERK)

Words: Kai Palmer

Welcome To The Mood’s title track sets the tone just right: a jazzy, sophisto-pop opener that feels as though you’ve just sat down for an intimate performance.

On this album, the band replace loops and drum-breaks with more emphasis on sonic tranquillity: the proof is in tracks like The Colour Of The Sound, where buoyant guitar flicks bounce off melting vocals, and Sundown, where the soft groove tows you in deeper. Beach House and Desert Moon Sky are airy and full of longing, overall confirming that this album, with its live feel, isn’t designed to be energetic: instead, you’re being serenaded to the best of the band’s ability, without any distractions.

Released: 12.09.25

www.theleisurecollective.com

SVEN WUNDER DAYBREAK (PIANO PIANO RECORDS)

Words: Ikenna Offor

Sven Wunder’s Daybreak doesn’t rush to shake you awake. It sidles in - warm, hazy and just a little self-aware - with the confidence of someone who knows you’ll stick around once the light hits right. Part crate-digger, part mood engineer, the Grammy-nominated Swedish composer deftly blends library music, jazz and psych shimmers into sublimely evocative soundscapes.

Flutes flicker like sunlight through blinds, strings unfurl languidly like they’ve got nowhere better to be, and the percussion just… strolls. Each track is more scene than story - a little dew, a little breeze, a shadow moving inch by inch. Wunder’s trick? Making meticulous feel effortless. Daybreak is music for starting fresh, but without forcing it. The kind that lets the day come to you.

Released: 26.09.25 www.svenwunder.com

LONGFIELD STREET LATE ‘80S (EAT YOUR OWN EARS)

Words: Lee Fisher

If a collaboration between Kieran ‘Four Tet’ Hebden and country folk guitarist William Tyler (Silver Jews, Lambchop etc.) seems unlikely, the results are delicious. Opener If I Had A Boat is the loveliest track I’ve heard all year, an 11-minute exploration of Lyle Lovett’s country classic that slips along on a gorgeous guitar motif before sinking slowly beneath a bubbling, teeming sea of electronics and feedback. Nothing else here is quite that remarkable but that’s no criticism. Spider Ballad is a throbbing, minimal, kosmische trip; When It Rains is five minutes of Tyler exploring his guitar’s limits while Hebden adds flavours; Timber is like another bite of the same apple as …Boat; closer Secret City feels like the extended coda of a particularly moving indie anthem. This is a delight.

Released: 19.09.25 www.eatyourownears.com

MIXTAPE

WORDS: SARAH FARRELL-FORSTER

As co-founder of SeaChange Café and Arts Venue and AutismAble, I am part of a great team whose aim is to provide sustainable employment for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. We also promote live music, festivals and DJ events at our venues in South Shields and Sunderland. Our gigs are not for profit, with all ticket sales going directly to the artists and profits from the bar reinvested into our employment programme. We currently employ 20 staff across our venues. Before SeaChange, I was a professional singer and a member of the band Minotaurs. For my Mixtape, I have chosen a selection of songs I am currently loving. www.seachangecafe.co.uk

JEFF TWEEDY ONE TINY FLOWER

I love this song from his new album and he just seems to get better with age. His sons now play as his backing band, something I first saw on The Tweedy Show which really helped get us through lockdown. I try to see him or Wilco whenever I can, although they do not play in the UK very often.

FIELD MUSIC

THE NOISY DAYS ARE OVER

Field Music just keep releasing brilliant albums and there is plenty to choose from, but I think this is my favourite. They played SeaChange Café in 2022 and somehow managed to fit all their equipment into a tiny space. It was one of the best gigs we have ever had in the cafe.

JALEN NGONDA

JUST AS LONG AS WE’RE TOGETHER

There is not much new music that I hear and instantly love, but I just love this song and his voice.

BIG THIEF MASTERPIECE

A beautiful song. I have liked their music since Shark Smile. I love that they play so many different styles of music, yet whatever they do always sounds like them.

OLDMAN TEENAGERS

This is my husband’s new band and I do some backing vocals, so I hope I can be a little cheeky including it! They will be playing SeaChange Café with the amazing Nev Clay on 5th October.

FONTAINES D.C.

STARBURSTER

We were lucky enough to see them at a secret gig years ago at End of the Road Festival when I had no idea who they were. Something about their energy stuck and I have been into them ever since.

JUNGLE

LET’S GO BACK

I love their soulful music and always keep an eye out for when they are playing, although I have not managed to get to see them yet. I wonder if they might fancy a gig at SeaChange!

ARCADE FIRE

WAKE UP

SeaChange has been nicknamed the Arcade Fire bar because this track has been played so much on our playlist. Even our staff have become reluctant fans. I picked this song for Claire Dupree

LANA DEL REY (FEATURING FATHER JOHN MISTY) LET THE LIGHT IN

This song is in my head non-stop at the moment because my daughters play it on repeat. I was not much of a fan of Lana at first but I have to admit I am now the reluctant fan!

OASIS THE MASTERPLAN

I had to include Oasis as I have been a fan since I was 15. I had gone off them after the early years but seeing their recent reunion tour reminded me why I loved them. They were amazing from start to finish and this song is still my favourite.

DION

ONLY YOU KNOW

Just timeless. I love everything about it - his voice, the song and the production. The whole album is brilliant.

LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY LOVE SENSATION

I have always been into dance music and this track has influenced so many other songs. It has been sampled countless times and its importance should be recognised.

8 –12 October

Escape into a world of literature, light and sound! Walk through ancient texts and become immersed in famous author’s imagina ons with dazzling projec ons on the cathedral walls. Plus upgrade your Luxmuralis cket with a special o er to see the 800 year old Magna Cartas on display in Durham Cathedral Museum.