WWW.NEVOLUME.CO.UK THE SHERLOCKS HEAD TO TEESSIDE AND NEWCASTLE
An evening with Shaun Ryder at Independent, Sunderland! Artist Spotlight: Five Pence Game! Post-Mortem of XFest at KU Bar! We speak to Dutch Uncles as WE’RE LISTENING! they head to Newcastle! ISSUE #19 Canny Fringe Festival Preview! FEB 2017 FOLLOW People Making Noises’ NEW EP! NE VOLUME ON SOCIAL MEDIA And much, much more!
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PG.29 Main Feature - The Sherlocks NEWS! Head to the North East! WELCOME! Thank you so much for picking up NE Gig Preview: Volume music magazine - the magazine PG.5 Shaun Ryder at the Independent! INTERVIEWS! produced by local music fans, for local Gig Preview: music fans. We’re back for 2017! Did you PG.6 Lindisfarne at ARC! PG.25 Dutch Uncles! miss us? We hope so! I personally managed to take some time off over the festival Gig Preview: PG.27 Max Bianco! (The Jar Family) period to refresh (drink a few beers and PG.7 Beat Goes Bang at the Longlands! head to some local gigs), and now I’m back PG.34 Olivia Kate Smith! and raring to go again! If 2017 is anything Gig Preview: like what 2016 was like for the local music PG.9 RedFaces at KU Bar! PG.35 Callum Pitt! scene, then local music fans really do have a lot to look forward to – starting now. Gig Preview: PG.11 PG.38 Frank Carter! Anyhow, in this month’s edition we chat Coquin Migale at Jumpin’ Jacks! to The Sherlocks as they prepare to play both the Empire in Middlesbrough and the Re-launch Gig Preview: PG.41 White Lies! 02 Academy 2 in Newcastle; we provide PG.13 Folklines at TP Coffee House! you with our honest opinion of XFest in Gig Preview: GIG REVIEWS! Stockton; we keep you up-to-date with PG.15 The Godfathers in what’s happening in the region this month Middlesbrough and Newcastle! PG.44 The 1975 at Metro Radio Arena! including: Shaun Ryder in Sunderland, Lindisfarne in Stockton, The Godfathers in PG.45 XFest 2016 at KU Bar! Middlesbrough and Newcastle, and Cape ARTIST SPOTLIGHT! Cub/Kingsley Chapman Joint headlining PG.46 Avenged Sevenfold in Newcastle! a gig in Saltburn; North East project Fibe Artist Spotlight: Pence Game are put in the spotlight, PG.16 Five Pence Game! PG.47 The Blue Aeroplanes at the and so much more. Just to remind you, if O2 Acacdemy! you’ll be running a gig or bringing any new FEATURES! material out in March/April then please email our team at [email protected] PG.17 Readers’ Thoughts! ALBUM/EP/SINGLE REVIEWS! and we’ll do all we possibly can to include a review/news piece in our March edition PG.18 Culture Corner: Ale & Arty! PG.52 People Making Noises, Set Your which will be released on the 3rd of March. Sights, Four Colour Ghosts, And thank you so much for your support PG.20 Canny Fringe Festival! Echolines, Monkey Puzzle, this year, it really does mean the world PG.21 Music Community Meet Up Jonathan Honour! to me. PG.23 Soundwaves Music Competition! Lee Allcock - Editor PG.56 - FEBRUARY GIG LISTINGS! NE Volume Magazine
All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in whole or part without permission from the publishers. The opinions expressed in NE Volume belong to the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of NE Volume or its staff. NE Volume welcomes ideas and contrbutions but can assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. NE Volume holds no responsiblilty to incorrect content supplied in adverts. NE VOLUME NEWS AN EVENING WITH: SHAUN USE NE VOLUME RYDER TO PROMOTE YOUR GIGS AND/OR YOUR BUSINESS! AT INDEPENDENT, SUNDERLAND Promote your gigs and your Our prices start from £65.00! Written by Jake Brown business to more than 16,000 We produce adverts in eighth, music fans in the North East! quarter, half, full page and double Few people have lived the life Shaun Ryder has: he’s been an ever-present in British page spreads. If you would like a culture since arriving in the music industry This magazine, with a readership of 16,000+, full NE Volume advertising pack fresh from the streets of Salford in 1987 is a fantastic tool for local gig promoters sent out, please contact as chief songwriter and frontman of much and businesses to market themselves to [email protected] adored Madchester band, Happy Mondays. local audiences. NE Volume is a North East And, come Saturday 4th March, you’ll be or call us on 01642 237348. GIG PREVIEW: able to have unique insight into the life of magazine delivered FREE to a range of the true British legend at the Independent communities in the North East - covering Our trained journalists can write your in Sunderland. In his later years Ryder has Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, copy while our professional designers become a popular face on television - Darlington, Redcar, Newcastle, Sunderland, can help to put your adverts together. So TELEMAN featuring on the likes of Celebrity Storage Wars, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of and many more. Our next issue will be out whatever your requirements are, we are AT RIVERSIDE, Here and Frank Skinner’s Room 101 - and on Friday 3rd March so get in touch now to here to help! he’s never lost his unprecedented wit and get involved! NEWCASTLE cheeky charm. With a career spanning three decades, an evening with Shaun Written by Jake Brown Ryder promises to be packed with laughs and anecdotes from a man who has Riverside in Newcastle has become an secured his position as a national treasure. extremely popular venue on Tyneside, Happy Mondays formed in the early 1980s having featured acts such as Swim Deep in Salford and swiftly became an important and Sundara Karma in recent years. face in the Manchester music scene. With And next up at Riverside are another tracks like ‘24 Hour Party People’ and band destined for big things, as London ‘Hallelujah’, they cemented themselves four-piece Teleman bring their soft, 2016 album ‘Brilliant Sanity’ - supporting as the new band to watch in the indie LET'S GET alternative sound to the North East. CONTACT legendary Glaswegian outfit Belle and scene; reaching their peak in 1990 Teleman, made up of brothers Thomas Sebastian along the way - and featured with legendary album ‘Pills, Thrills and (vocals) and Jonny (synths), Peter (bass) in publications such as The Guardian Bellyaches’ spawning hits like ‘Kinky Afro’ and Hiro (drums), formed in 2012 after and DIY. and ‘Step On’. Shaun continued to delight the breakup of Peter and the Pirates In terms of recordings, Teleman noted fans by forming Black Grape in 1993 SOCIAL! (featuring Thomas, Johnny and Peter). that they’re keen to stress that: “every with best mate and everyone’s favourite EDITOR: LEE ALLCOCK Their debut single, ‘Christina’ was song is a collaborative effort and whilst maraca shaker Bez and rapper Kermit, released in 2013 and instantly created lyrics are written by vocalist Thomas SUB-EDITOR & GIG LISTINGS : EMILY HOOK and together they achieved a number 1 a lot of buzz around the band. They Sanders, each song features each band album in 1995 with ‘It’s Great When You’re CREATIVE: TOM BROWN then went on to release their debut member adding their own touch”. Straight…Yeah’. Since Black Grape’s split - LP, ‘Breakfast’ in mid-2014 (produced Live, Teleman are a very tight outfit. in 1998 Ryder has featured on Gorillaz by legendary Suede guitarist Bernard And at the Riverside gig on Friday 24th track ‘Dare’, penned an autobiography and Contact information Butler), and began touring with big February you should expect to hear finished runner up on I’m A Celebrity; as Email: [email protected] names such as Suede, Kaiser Chiefs and renowned hits such as ‘Christine’, ‘Glory well as reforming both Happy Mondays Franz Ferdinand in the process. Phone: 01642 237348 Hallelujah’ and ‘Düsseldorf’ – along with and Black Grape. Catch an evening with FOLLOW US TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH THE The Londoners have become an some surprises. Shaun Ryder at Independent, Sunderland www.nevolume.co.uk/contact established face in alternative music Tickets, priced at £14.00 in advance on Saturday 4th March. NORTH EAST MUSIC SCENE! WWW.NEVOLUME.CO.UK in recent times, having toured across (plus booking fee), are available now at Tickets, priced at £14.30, are available the UK and Europe in support of their riversidenewcastle.co.uk. from independentsunderland.com. Published monthly by NE Volume. Printed by JAK HQ Limited (www.jakinc.uk) Magazine designed by Tom Brown Graphic Design. Unit 4 Station Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3DY. [email protected] Free quotes on Design and Photography services, contact for more details. For more information please contact [email protected] Contact - [email protected]
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GIG PREVIEW: GIG PREVIEW: HIDDEN BEAT GOES CHARMS BANG AT THINK TANK?, AT THE LONGLANDS, NEWCASTLE MIDDLESBROUGH Written by Jake Brown Written by Emma Bolland
Fancy getting your psychedelic, bluesy This February In Crowd Promotions rock kick this month? Then get yourself is proud to present Beat Goes Bang, down to Think Tank?, Newcastle on who are due to hit the stage at Thursday 9th February and check out Middlesbrough’s Longlands club on London four-piece Hidden Charms. Saturday 18th. Heavily influenced by 60s culture in Formed from original members of music and appearance, Hidden Charms The Beat and Dexy’s, the band have are one of a whole host of good young GIG PREVIEW: GIG PREVIEW: carried on with the same classic punk/ bands to come out of the capital in ska style that fans have grown to love recent years. since the beginning. The Beat were a Hidden Charms play alternative indie LINDISFARNE KICKBACK Birmingham-based band from the late which is slightly bluesy and has a 1970s. With their influences heavily heap of rock n roll-esque riffs. They’re based around fusions of ska and reminiscent of The Kinks and The AT ARC, STOCKTON punk rock, the band enjoyed notable Rolling Stones but all done without GENERATION success throughout their huge career. Written by Nathan Douthwaite sounding like 60s pretenders. Emerging Since then, original drummer Everett in 2015 with debut single ‘Dreaming of + SUPPORT AT Morton has continued in Beat Goes Another Girl’, the heavily facial haired North East folk rock/progressive Bang and has brought together some quartet are creating quite the buzz rock band, Lindisfarne are heading to MUSICLOUNGE, of the most talented artists in the in the music scene. Fresh from a UK Stockton’s very own ARC this month to Birmingham area that make up the tour in November, the boys are eager play what is set to be a very special gig. STOCKTON group. Beat Goes Bang are currently The band emerged from the Tyneside to get out on the road again and build Written by Thom Anderson working on brand new music, as well up a fan-base that is already rapidly area in the 1960s/70s and became as re-vamping some of the old classics increasing. It’s not just punters that well-known for their renowned, homely Stockton is in for a treat this month band, Kickback Generation - who are before bringing them to the stage. are excited about Hidden Charms track ‘Fog on the Tyne’ –which was also as a barrage of underground punk well-known for doing their fair share of The band has brought together either as Shel Talmy (producer of The the name of their 1971 album, a release and indie music is set to pack out the rounds in the Teesside punk scene - will old and new fans alike, and have Kinks and The Who’s legendary debut which became the UK’s fastest selling intimate Musiclounge. finish proceedings. With jumpy guitar created exciting and innovative ‘My Generation’) has been in contact album of that year. Although the band The Yada Yada Yadas will open the night bridges and elongated battle cry-esque new sounds that bring fresh, new to work with the boys. If all that isn’t will always be remembered as one of with an unexpected yet seemingly choruses, it’s a strong closer all round. ideas to the group whilst keeping enough, the lads as a live outfit speak the North East’s finest, their sound and fitting melodic indie explosion. The The promoter has picked the perfect the same style that brought The for themselves. Prepare for rollicking live performance resonates around the and if that doesn’t prove that this band Durham-based band are currently band to finish off the night as they have Beat so much success. Now, the riffs and gravely vocals and expect world. And tracks like ‘Lady Eleanor’ are still as good as they were when they gigging the North East like mad men enough energy to get you hyped up and band are due to bring their sounds favourites like ‘Long Way Down’ and and ‘Run for Home’ will always be started, then go and see them perform whilst they work on their new EP. wear you out. to Middlesbrough for this highly- unreleased tracks that promise to be remembered as classic rock songs and for yourself. Expect the unexpected, but also expect In terms of the venue, students will anticipated performance. As well as up there with the best of their have stood the test of time. Lindisfarne were known for their classic jazzy indie solo’s, smooth vocals and a be well at home with cheap beer and this, the band are due to be supported material when they rock up on The original band disbanded in 2003, rock sound meeting mandolins and high-energy crowd. In terms of the next further discounts for those with a by Hartlepool and Teesside quintet Tyneside this month. but that doesn’t mean that this new line fiddles to create this classic rock and band, Spitfire Bullets won’t be messing student card. The Milgrams, who aim to please In terms of the venue, Think Tank? has up – still including original songwriter blues mixture. Now, they’re coming to around. With an unnecessary amount With the venue boasting a social room with their own renditions of classic seen some brilliant acts grace its stage Rod Clements - can’t capture the sound the ARC to show Stockton exactly what of exclamation marks in their record and free pool, all for only £3.00 entry British and American rock tracks from over the years including The Fall, The of the original Lindisfarne in all its glory. they are still capable of. material and even more in-your-face on the door too, you’d be silly not to the likes of The Ramones, The Clash, 1975 and Jake Bugg, and this Hidden In fact, Alan Hull’s son-in-law, Dave Lindifarne play ARC, Stockton on lyrics, these guys mean business. Armed get yourself down on Saturday 18th Green Day, The Sex Pistols and many Charms gig is sure to be another gig Hull-Denholm is now a major part of Saturday 4th March. Tickets, priced at with a ‘stick-it-to-the-man’ mentality, the February. And don’t forget, there’ll also more. Tickets are priced at £10.00 in were you state: “I was there”. the bands’ new sound and direction. £17.50, are available from arconline. Spitfire Bullets will have you thinking be and indie/alternative playlist being advance from wegottickets.com or Tickets, priced at £7.70, are available This new Lindisfarne also features ex co.uk. punks not dead. Expect high energy and smashed out until 2:00am so it’s bound are £12.00 on the door (if there are from seetickets.com. Roxy Music drummer, Paul Thompson a bouncing crowd. Signature Brit-punk to be a great night. any tickets left on the night).
6 7 NE VOLUME NEWS GIG PREVIEW: LOCAL JOINT HEADLINERS + SUPPORT AT THE SPA HOTEL, SALTBURN Written by Hannah Dodsworth
‘Live’ By the Sea are set to present a show focusing on the strength of the local music scene as Cape Club, Kingsley Chapman & The Murder and The Black Sheep Frederick Dickens head to the Spa Hotel, Saltburn on Saturday 25th February. Known for their no strings attached, gut-wrenching music, emerging Teesside band Cape Club have just recently followed up their first EP, ‘Closer’ GIG PREVIEW: (released early 2016) by announcing their second in ‘6am’. Cape Club, fronted by Chad Male, will be showcasing his vocal talent, alongside their euphoric indie pop REDFACES hooks at this ‘Live’ By the Sea event. With their last EP gathering previous support + SUPPORT AT KU BAR, from Radio One DJ Huw Stevens and Phil Taggart, it has been streamed over one STOCKTON million times on Spotify alone. Joint headliners, Kingsley Chapman & Written by Damian Robinson The Murder are a phenomenal Northern art rock band, with frontman Kingsley Past releases by Sheffield’s RedFaces previously belonging to highly-regarded have certainly proved that, with some band The Chapman family. With a career thought and imagination, the guitar pop resulting in ups and downs, once the band sound of Britpop can be made to sound broke up Kingsley was left completely both refreshed and reinvigorated. burnt out and ready to give up on music In particular, 2015 single ‘Katie Come appearing so innocent, and sounding altogether. However, it was during this Home’ gained strong press by blending as though they’ve gone through a time that Kingsley began to vision a new together Cast’s good time Mersey Supergrass Alright to Richard 3rd style project and this is how seven-piece, The beat with Blur’s(coffee-and-tv era) metamorphosis, RedFaces return with Murder, came into being. They create anti-macho rock’n’roll melodies to an edgy indie anthem in the making. Still a dizzying mix of thundering drums, produce a single which was as revealing youthful in its outcry (“come on, let’s sparkling pianos, lush strings, skyscraping as it was harmonious. Youthful in its try something new”) but with louder horns and barbed wire guitars all outlook, the single was almost a perfect guitars and a heavier motown-esque underpinned by a distinctly Northern encapsulation of the band themselves - rythmn, they sound, well, like they would croon. Support comes in the form of seemingly innocent and happy-go-lucky, leave Katie at home rather than wonder The Black Sheep Frederick Dickens - a but with a knowing glint in the spaces where she was. two-piece gothic/electro outfit from between the words. Stylistically, it also If the new single is anything to go by, this Darlington consisting of Dave Saunders possessed the witty attitude of early should be a night of indie at its very best and Rob Irish. Their dark and cinematic Arctic Monkey’s; a fact not lost on - loud, edgy, inclusive and stomping. soundscapes, combined with unhinged, any train spotter who noted that they RedFaces play Stockton’s KU Bar on baritone vocals, conceptualise the life recorded early demos with Alan Smyth, Friday 10th February. and legacy of Charles Dickens’ wastrel the man behind the Monkey’s first Tickets, priced at £3.00 in advance, are brother. Tickets, priced at £7.00 (plus ventures. available from seetickets.com, Sound online booking fee), are available at Almost two years later, and recently It Out Records and the Storytellers. eventbrite.co.uk. For further information signed to RCA, the lads return with Support for this one comes from please email Julie Ryan at julie@ new single ‘Kerosene’. No longer Figmennt and Little Doves. thespahotelsaltburn.co.uk.
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GIG PREVIEW: GIG PREVIEW: THE NEVILLE COQUIN STAPLE BAND AT LONGLANDS CLUB, MIGALE MIDDLESBROUGH AT JUMPIN’ JACKS, Written by Samantha Hall NEWCASTLE Coventry-based outfit, The Written by Damian Robinson Neville Staple Band are set to play Middlesbrough’s Longlands Club on The genre of shoegazing is connected to Saturday 4th March as part of their many things (most of which can be tied UK tour. back to Fender Jaguars and distortion Following on from his 2012 departure peddles) but perhaps too rarely to pop from The Specials, ‘The Original music. Critical and commercial success Rudeboy’, Neville Staple continues for the genre in the early 90’s began to to entertain global audiences with stall the moment Brit Pop broke (around his new band. Staple has been a key ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW: GIG PREVIEW: 1994), leaving the shoegazing legacy (bar, influence in the ska scene since being say, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, part of The Specials in 1977, and has Nirvana or Teenage Fanclub) looking like continued to build a loyal fan-base the attempt of well-read art students, that has followed him through all of MOON HAYLEY with fancy guitars, to make highbrow art his musical endeavours, including band - often at the sake of a strong melody. Fun Boy Three. The Neville Staple band It’s an unfair legacy and one which is have had an exciting past few years only beginning to be rectified thanks including playing dates at a range of UK ROVER MCKAY to the reunion of old favourites (most festivals such as headlining the Avalon noticeably Ride) and the formation of stage at Glastonbury in 2015. The band AT EMPTY SHOP HQ, AT THE CLUNY, new favourites, both of which champion also played at Stockton Calling in 2015, the musicianship and pop sensibilities performing both fan favourites and DURHAM NEWCASTLE that shoegazing has to offer. Of the classic ska hits. new crop of ‘gazers, Newcastle based Written by Caitlin Thompson Written by Emma Bolland Staple and his band are sure to wow Coquin Migale seem most keen to push Photography by Katherine Miller Photography by Rob Irish audiences at the Longlands Club and track was met with dazzling praise and the MBV template further to both the are certain to play classic hits from The Despite currently being unsigned, for Moon Rover to work alongside for This month, North East singer- promises exciting new things for the pop and the art extremes. As a perfect Specials including those such as ‘Ghost Newcastle rock band Moon Rover are on their album launch show. songwriter Hayley McKay is set to singer in the New Year. example, their most recent (and BBC Town’ and ‘A Message To You Rudy’, the cusp of releasing their debut self-titled The evenings support acts are set to take headline Newcastle’s The Cluny for one With hauntingly beautiful vocals and soft heavily rotated) single ‘Soft’ displays which have proved to be frequent record. However, their distinctive sound the form of Mouses, Casual Threats and of her first shows of 2017. piano melodies, ‘Unspoken’ continues serious musicianship, serious artistic crowd-pleasers. has already seen the four-piece garner Japanese TV Club. Mouses, in particular, Originally from Darlington, Hayley to demonstrate McKay’s ability to write vision and serious vocal delivery in a way Renowned track ‘Ghost Town’, with its airplay on BBC Radio Tees while also have become heroes of the Teesside has made waves across the country moving lyrics which portray deeply which blends dreamy vocals with intense eerie yet enchanting lyrics and range of performing at numerous venues across music scene since their formation in 2014. with her stunning vocal performances, personal stories and feelings. Her latest musical soundscapes. This is the sound of musical instruments, has a sound unlike the North East of England.On Friday 3rd As the main support band for Moon which won her a national scholarship single follows on from the release of her perfect pop music being delivered by an what any other ska band out there has February, Moon Rover are expected to Rover’s debut album launch show, Mouses, for The British and Irish Institute of last album ‘Favourite Place’, which you angry courier. created. Its reminiscent features easily celebrate the imminent release with an alongside high quality acts from across Modern Music in 2011. From here, she can buy now from her official website at If you’ve seen them before, you’ll know relate to both fans new and old, with album launch show at Durham’s Empty the region, are expected to provide an has gone on to enjoy massive success hayleymckay.co.uk. that you should expect pitch-perfect its overall intriguing sound showing off Shop HQ. While little is known about appropriately riotous introduction to the as a musician with a number of notable The Cluny is one of two places Miss vocal delivery, aggravated musical assault Staple’s talent at its finest. what will be in store for the performance main event. With only forty tickets available performances with some legendary UK McKay is due to visit in the coming and good between-song banter. With The Neville Staple band at Longlands (they’re keeping a tight lip), the record is for this intimate all ages show in the heart artists. months. She heads to Newcastle on their star on the ascent, and shoegazing club is sure to be a memorable and described as a: “grandiose concept album” of Durham, be sure to grab yours while 2016 saw Hayley support artists such February 9th before popping along to being given the praise it deserves, this is thrilling gig for both new and old – suggesting an evening of excitement and you still can. Moon Rover play Durham’s as Sir Tom Jones during his Isle of Man Barnard Castle on March 15th, where the perfect time to see Coquin. fans alike, with Staple’s friendly yet drama for those who attend. Durham’s Empty Shop HQ on Friday 3rd February show and London-based indie rockers she will play at The Witham. A ten-date national tour in February professional stage presence sure to Empty Shop is a non-profit organisation, with doors to the venue opening at Scouting for Girls, to name just a Tickets for Hayley’s performance at The brings them to Newcastle’s Jumpin’ Jacks create an unforgettable evening full of formed with the intention to make 7:00pm. Tickets are available to purchase couple. As well as this, she has been Cluny are priced at £8.00 in advance and on the 23rd. Ear plugs are optional. skanking ska music. the arts attainable for people of all online from wegottickets.com and are busy releasing new music and most can be bought from thecluny.com, where Tickets, priced at £4.00 in advance Tickets, priced at £15.00, are available backgrounds. With this in mind, there are priced at £3.00 in advance (plus booking recently unveiled her newest single you can also find further information (plus booking fee), are available from from seetickets.com and The Longlands. surely few organisations more worthwhile fee) or £4.00 on the door. ‘Unspoken’ on December 9th. The about the event. seetickets.com.
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GIG PREVIEW: GIG PREVIEW: PETE BRY AT RIVERSIDE, MORTON NEWCASTLE + SUPPORT AT TOFT Written by Rebecca Schott
HOUSE, MIDDLESBROUGH In celebration of his new album, Irish singer-songwriter Brian O’Reilly - or Photographed by Joe Dilworth more commonly known as Bry - is coming to Newcastle’s Riverside Toft House (that white building next venue this month. to the Little Theatre in Middlesbrough), The singer is well-known for his continue their ongoing mission of YouTube channel antics where he showcasing social commentary shares his own music, covers of songs, songwriters, protest singers, folk/punk and highlights from his various trips bands, poets and other “part-time around the world as he attempts to members of the awkward squad” visit and perform in every country (copyright Robb Johnson) as Pete GIG PREVIEW: GIG PREVIEW: in the world. So far, he has played Morton, Pete Davies and Barbara Helen in 62 of them. And on his channel head to the venue on Saturday 18th he has amassed over 350 thousand February. Headliner, Pete Morton has subscribers and has over 12 million released 14 albums at the last count. He SEAN FOLKLINES total views. may well ply his trade on the folk club For three years, Bry travelled without circuit in the UK but his appeal goes RE-LAUNCH AT TP a manager, record label or booking much further - being widely popular agent and sought to share his glorious abroad, particularly in Europe. In fact, all TAYLOR COFFEE HOUSE & CAFE, indie folky rock fusion with the world. ten tracks on his album ‘Casa Abierta’ The singer’s loyal community of fans are performed in different languages. AT THE EARTHBEAT MIDDLESBROUGH would show up in their masses to In 2014 he released a song called ‘The Photography by Gark Mockler listen to Bry with his guitar - playing Journey Man’ which foresaw The Labour CENTRE, SALTBURN in places around the world from New Party’s policy to re-nationalise the Folklines returns to Middlesbrough whilst showcasing established or well- York to Estonia. railways. Lately, some of his songs have On Saturday 11th March blues lovers in this month with a new venue and big known musicians and spoken word Now being published by Polar Patrol employed what Pete calls “frapping” Teesside are in for a treat as Saltburn personal, political anthems, moving tributes plans for the future. The contemporary artists. The re-launch event takes place Publishing (set up by members of (folk rapping) to get things off his chest Blues Club presents London-based blues/ or steeped in the arts, the effect is intense. folk, roots music and spoken word on Friday 10th February, with doors the band Snow Patrol), Bry tours the in between traditional folk choruses - a contemporary singer-songwriter, Sean Live performance is what Sean loves. He event began in 2011 in Basement, opening at 7:30pm at Folklines’ new world: ticking countries visited off sort of speeded up talking blues. Second Taylor at the intimate the Earthbeat describes it as magical and his career as: “a Middlesbrough - with support from home, TP Coffee House & Cafe in the his bucket list and sharing music with up, Pete Davies has been a stalwart of Centre in Saltburn. never-ending train tour”. Luckily that tour Middlesbrough Council - and grew to Python Gallery. his fans. Teesside’s music scene for many years Fifteen years into the music business - and includes Saltburn. attract a steady audience, showcasing There will be music from folk band, Peg In October and November of 2016, and is a regular supporter of Vin Garbutt having gigged over those years prolifically The gig will give Sean the chance to great local talent. Powler whose album ‘Northern Lines’ Bry was the support act for Twenty at Vin’s many concerts around the area. including Glastonbury and opening for perform tracks from his latest album, Folklines was dreamt up by local singer- has garnered great support with regular One Pilots on their ‘Emotional Pete’s last album, ‘Long Way Home’ John Mayall at the Avignon Festival in ‘Flood & Burn’ which came out this month. songwriter and then library professional national radio play. And also playing Roadshow’ tour across Europe. Bry was a cracking effort and got some France - Sean Taylor has now established Now that he’s a seasoned performer and Sara Dennis who, over a pint with Boro will be talented singer-songwriter, Phil also released his self-titled debut tremendous reviews from as far away as a very strong fanbase and a superb recording artist of 10 years standing, Sean bard Andy Willoughby, came up with the Armstrong. Julie Hogg, whose poetry has album last year which included the Canada. For this gig he has promised gig- catalogue of self-penned numbers. His Taylor has achieved a special maturity name and format. Taking influence from been published in numerous anthologies, songs ‘You’re Alright’ and ‘Adventure goers one or two new songs that should music goes across the genres but the blues stemming from experience, but also from Ek Zuban’s Electric Kool Aid Cabaret will be reading. Her book of poetry, Time’. The album includes all the appear on his next record. Opener, dominates - influenced by the likes of the the excitement in artistic freedom that (Bob Beagrie & Andy Willoughby) and ‘Majuba Road’ was published to great emotive lyrics, soft vocals, and Irish Barbara Helen recently performed at Kings, Albert and BB, and Skip James. Bob experience can sometimes bring. P.A. Morbid’s Black Light Engine Room, acclaim in 2016. There’s also poetry from charm that you could want from an the second “We Shall Overcome” gig Harris describes him as: “an absolutely This is Sean’s third visit to Saltburn (by Sara put together the acoustic music Duggy Verrill, the poet about town - a album and that will be brought to at Toft House, helping to raise money, superb guitarist”. Eminent artists Eric Bibb train) and is returning by popular demand. focused event. man whose keen eye for the Boro life the Riverside this February. Bry plays food and clothes for needy local people. and bassist, Danny Thompson are, among He always performs to a sell-out audience Now teaming up with her Peg Powler he sees in and out of his taxi cab is both at the Riverside in Newcastle on Saltburn’s sweetest voice is also a very others, big fans too. so ensure you get your tickets early. bandmate Ian Bartholomew, the pair honest and hilarious. There’s also an Monday 13th February with doors fine songwriter with over 30 original Sean gigs extensively through the UK and Tickets, priced at £10.00, are available from aim to take Folklines to the next level open mic so bring your music and words opening at 7:30pm. Tickets, priced songs on Soundcloud. Europe and regularly records his albums Whitlestop Wines, the Earthbeat Centre, and nurture and encourage new and join in. at £11.00 in advance, can be bought Tickets for this one are priced at just in Austin, Texas. His music has a mesmeric Yorkshire Ticket Shop, and by calling 07960 performers to attend, play and engage Tickets are priced at just £3.00 OTD. from riversidenewcastle.com. £7.00 OTD. quality. Whether the tracks are arrestingly 935263.
12 13 NE VOLUME NEWS GIG PREVIEW: X-RAY CAT TRIO + SUPPORT AT WESTGARTH SOCIAL CLUB, MIDDLESBROUGH Written by Nathan Douthwaite
Leeds-based band X-Ray Cat Trio are heading to Middlesbrough on Friday 3rd March to grace the stage of the renowned Westgarth Social Club – a club well-known for hosting upcoming bands that have gone on to play a huge GIG PREVIEW: part in the global music scene. Described as vampire surf rock, X-Ray Cat Trio are one of Leeds’s THE finest underground bands around at the moment. Replacing The Mobbs as headliners for this gig, X Ray Cat Trio GODFATHERS will be ready to put on a fantastic show for all in attendance – so expect the IN MIDDLESBROUGH unexpected. Their debut album, ‘Out For Blood’ still hasn’t received the true AND NEWCASTLE credit it deserves - although those who have heard it know just how impressive Written by Nathan Douthwaite it really is. Their live performance never goes unnoticed either. Musicians The Godfathers haven’t played in and magazines alike have said great Middlesbrough since 1986, where they things about the band. Gavin Jay (Jim performed their only Teesside gig at the Jones Revue/Righteous Mind) stated Teesside Polytechnic. Now, 35 years that their album is: “jagged, twisted, on, this rock ‘n’ roll band are returning fair to say that this is a band that have: f*****-up Schizobilly. Great playing and to play a show at Middlesbrough’s “been there and done that”. wild energy. A shot in the arm for rock Westgarth Social Club. Not only that, Now is the first time to see this band ‘n’ roll” and Shakin Katz Radio noted: but The Godfathers will be stopping in Middlesbrough in 35 years and it’s an “’Out For Blood’ struts in with a whack in at Newcastle’s The Cluny 2 as well opportunity you don’t want to miss. Of of swagger, maintains it and leaves you - just to make sure their tour really course, if you live a little further North wanting more. Yes it’s dark, raw and resonates across the North East. then there’s always the Newcastle date, rough but hell it’s also damn good. Fresh out of the studio, The Godfathers or why not head to both? And take part Recommended!” This is X-Ray Cat kick start 2017 with a brand new in two incredible events. Trio’s first appearance in Middlesbrough album titled, ‘A Big Bad Beautiful Noise’ You can catch The Godfathers at the this year and they’re armed to the teeth which is set for release this month. Westgarth Social Club on Thursday 9th with new material to show off on stage. After its release the band will be taking February. Support for the night comes from to a worldwide tour and of course, Tickets, priced at £12.00 (plus booking Middlesbrough’s very own indie outfit stopping in at both Middlesbrough and fee), are available from seetickets.com Shrug, the finest garage rock duo Newcastle. or it’s £15.00 OTD. And remember, you Snakerattlers and the mysterious The band themselves have famous fans can also head to their Newcastle date Rambler. including the late great David Bowie at The Cluny 2 which takes place just a The gig takes place on Friday 3rd and the notorious actor, Johnny Depp. week later, on Thursday 16th February. March, with tickets priced at just £5.00 Not to mention their range of releases Tickets are again priced at £12.00 and in advance (plus booking fee) from dating right back to the mid 1980’s, it’s are available from thecluny.com. seetickets.com.
15 NE VOLUME ARTIST SPOTLIGHT NE VOLUME READERS’ THOUGHTS
“What band, local or otherwise, are you looking “Radiohead at Glastonbury, it’s going to be monumental. Plus, I’ve never seen them before so it adds to the forward to seeing this year excitement. ‘Creep’ on the Pyramid stage will be something else.” and why?” Luke Watson, Sunderland “I’m excited to see Russ Tippins play Billingham’s Catholic Club - they always have great musicians on and Russ Tippins is an amazing guitarist.” Josh Hindsmarsh, Billingham
“I’m excited to see local band, Swilly Chill this year. I’ve seen them play in a lot of local venues last year and to see them grow as a band really excites me.” Bethany Hughes, Middlesbrough ARTIST SPOTLIGHT “Looking forward to seeing Kings of Leon at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena. It’s “The songs are actually recorded spontaneously!” a great venue for a great band and I’m FIVE PENCE GAME looking forward to hearing new music from ‘WALLS’ live.” Lauren Earle, Hartlepool individual collaborator who would come the form of promoting gigs as Massa Written by Hannah Dodsworth to my bedroom studio to record, “said Confusa Presents. As a result, I have Five Pence Game is the collaborative Ally. met a lot of talented musicians that I side project of Ally Morton (Massa “I told each artist not to bring any full decided I wanted to ask to collaborate Confusa). With little to no preparation ideas, maybe a few lyrics or riff ideas, on another project I began in 2013, this he invites other artists from across the but I wasn’t going to record any full being Five Pence Game. READERS’ THOUGHTS North East into the studio to record songs from them. The songs are actually “Some artists recorded in one session, WITH NATHAN DOUTHWAITE music in the moment. recorded spontaneously. I record parts some over many, and some have more “It’d have to be 21 Pilots as I love their Ally composes tracks around what is of them playing their chosen instrument, than demo which I may or may not lyrics and music. Their live performance recorded in the session - chopping, guitar, keys or vocals for example. I then complete later.” looks absolutely incredible too – it’s looping, manipulating, and often altering sequence a demo of a track; looping, FPG has performed twice live just so creative and inspiring, not to the contributors’ original idea. mention unique.” cutting, overlaying and editing what they previously but, due to the amount of Soham De, Durham After the release of two previous are performing as we work together. collaborators, it is not a project that “I’m looking forward to seeing Dream EPs, the third ‘Fuel’ is out now. It is I then add additional instrumentation can regularly play live. However, to “I’m excited to see White at Wife play at The Cluny. I’ve seen some the first part of a new three-part after the session with the collaborator, mark the end of the project there will Stockton Calling - they’re my good bands in that venue and Dream digital EP series, alongside ‘Heat,’ and including the bass which I perform on all be a special one-off live band show at favourite band right now and it’s Wife will be no different.” Connor Lagus, Billingham ‘Oxygen’. They feature collaborations of the recordings. Newcastle’s Think Tank Underground great they’re coming back to the with Jackie Purver (Retriever), Aran “I’ve been making music since I was (Head of Steam) with Ilser and Outside North East.” Glover (We Are Knuckle Dragger), Ben around 13, primarily with my brother Your House on Saturday 17th June. Sean Douthwaite, Norton Bowsher, Ian Cowie, Rachael Whittle, Tony who produces today as Symmatik Rachael from Ilser features on EP,’ “I’m excited to see Blossoms play Newcastle’s o2 Academy - they Tom Hollingworth (therunningchelsea), and Preqwal. He has also provided the Fuel’ (EP 1 of the project) and Faithful were so successful last year and I’m Jack Fallows, Jenny Gilberg (Steel Pan final mixing on all of my recordings to Johannes from Outside Your House excited to see them play live.” Soloist). Bea García Cisneros (Twist date including this EP. features on EP 3, ‘Oxygen’. The 2nd Joe Brady, Billingham “I’m looking forward to seeing the Helix), Kate Edwards, Faithful Johannes “We have a hard drive of recordings EP is titled ‘Heat’, and all 3 EPs will be Marsicans. I love the ‘Absence’ EP (Outside Your House), and Andrew we have made together over the years compiled as a limited CD album titled and for one reason or another Paget (Tighten Grip) recorded 2014- - many abandoned, and had a band that ‘Fire’ which will be released at this the last couple of times they’ve 2016. only ever played 2 house shows before gig and made available on Clarty Cat “Blaenavon are the band I’m played up North, I’ve missed out - looking forward to seeing. “The recording process involved he moved away from Newcastle. At this Records via clartycat.bandcamp.com. not this year though.” They’re playing Think Tank this Adam Gallagher, Middlesbrough arranging blocks of time, usually at time I decided to start my own project, April and just before their debut weekends or on an evening, with each Massa Confusa which has also taken album comes out. I can’t wait.” Alex Blackburn, Billingham
16 17 NE VOLUME CULTURE CORNER
ADVERTISE YOUR GIG | SELL YOUR MUSIC | INCREASE YOUR CUSTOMER BASE | RAISE AWARENESS OF YOUR BUSINESS WANT TO ADVERTISE IN CULTURE CORNER ALE & ARTY FESTIVAL 2017 serve their own dose of hilariously funny of a living icon – and even that in itself GET YOUR GIG OR Written by Wayne Madden comedy. A double bill of comedy hosted by is surprising! So do as McGowan does, The Ale & Arty Festival returns to mammoth Jason Cook sees Perrier winning down the ale with passion and pride and Stockton’s ARC venue for what promises Phil Nichol and rising star Adam Rowe may it offer you a long and healthy life in BUSINESS OUT THERE to be its best year yet! Already attracting (everyone’s favourite Scouser) serve up a the spirit of the music. attention throughout the region for routine likely to make you buy two ales on their huge selection of quality real ales, every order, just in case you spill one out! Daytime festival (Thu - Sat) 11.00am - FROM AS LITTLE AS Ale & Arty provides a weekend of fun Cook, who began his working life in the 5.00pm - payable on the day to CAMRA and entertainment that’s sure to make merchant navy after a spell in South Tyneside staff. Entry £2.00 (free to card-carrying anyone’s pallet tingle. Thursday evening College, recently achieved televisual success CAMRA members). begins the weekend with full spirit, as with two seasons of the BBC Two comedy veteran rockers Limehouse Lizzy perform ‘Hebburn’ and has also been the face of Evening festival (Thu - Sat) 6.30pm to what is expected to be a packed Jacob’s biscuits. Don’t miss your chance to 11.00pm - bookable online and via house. Having performed worldwide see these three before they blast off into the ARC Box Office. Beer Festival only (no and on various stages, Limehouse are an atmosphere of success! entertainment) entry £4.50 (Thursday & incredibly experienced band; with their And finally, to close the festival with a Friday), £3.50 (Saturday) Irish inspirations firmly set on paying triumphant bang, Saturday night belongs tribute and homage to the late vocalist/ to Stockton’s own Mike McGrother. Limehouse Lizzy - Thu 23rd Feb, 8.00pm, £65.00! bassist Phil Lynnott and guitarist Gary Following on from his recent project ‘Wild £15.00 (includes entry to the evening beer Moore. Limehouse may not have written Rover’, which saw him walk from Ireland festival) these songs, which include hits such as to Teesside to understand more about the ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’ and ‘Don’t Teesside-Irish immigrant struggle, Mike will Catch 22 Ale & Arty special: Adam Rowe, Believe A Word’, but their skill and passion perform Streams of Whiskey - a tribute to Phil Nichol plus MC Jason Cook – Fri CONTACT: [email protected] in performing them hasn’t gone unnoticed the father of heavy drinkers, Irishman Shane 24th Feb, 8.00pm, £15.00 (includes entry - with several band members recruited McGowan of The Pogues. Expect a full house to the evening beer festival) by former members of Thin Lizzy to of hits which show just how much ale has perform on tour. With the luck of the Irish been mixed with McGowan’s Irish blood Streams of Whiskey – Saturday 25th Feb, ADVERTISE YOUR GIG | SELL YOUR MUSIC | INCREASE YOUR CUSTOMER BASE | RAISE AWARENESS OF YOUR BUSINESS still ringing in your ears, perhaps Saturday to create this unique and mesmerising art 8.00pm, £12.00 (includes entry to the night will also reward with a refreshing piece. Expect songs of love, hate, death and evening beer festival) change of pace, as Catch 22 Comedy Club drink mixed with the poetry and ramblings
18 Photo : Plaza. Photography by Daniel Stark by Photography Plaza. Photo : NE VOLUME FEATURES NE VOLUME FEATURES
CANNY FRINGE FESTIVAL MUSIC COMMUNITY MEET UP
beyond. 2013 and 2014 saw Brookfield play at over 50 UK scene.Connections are needed for any artist to make waves Written by Adam Hutchinson Written by Adam Hutchinson festivals including Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and Bearded in their genre. The meet up will provide building blocks Photography by Hana Marie Photography Theory - firmly cementing him as a festival favourite for Music throughout the world is something that can bind pivotal to artist’s long term careers.” Without Creation Canny Fringe Festival is set to showcase some of the 2015. Other bands gracing the indie stage include North communities together, so Shadow Sounds are hosting a Records Primal Scream would still be a gigging pub band; finest talent currently emerging from the Northern East’s own Blesh, Fosseway and Crying Lions. meet-up event on Sunday 5th February for those involved without Brian Epstein The Beatles wouldn’t have gained the indie and acoustic scene. The event at Northumbria The festival also features a folk/acoustic stage which in the music community in Middlesbrough. So, what exactly worldwide audience they acquired, so what’s stopping you Students Union, which takes place between Friday 3rd and showcases artists from a genre not celebrated enough in is the reason for the meet-up? from making the connections to become something greater Sunday 5th March, will offer both an indie and acoustic the North East music community. Acoustic and folk in the The event has been established to, as Shadow Sounds than another small North East act? stage - catering to the needs of many local music fans. region is somewhat of an underground genre not being a owner Stee Brooks puts it: “Allow people to build Some may argue why people are so hungry for success and The indie stage at the festival holds a diverse line-up with prominent feature amongst our music scene. connections, promote themselves and to meet people who approval in this industry. For many they start bands as a way headline acts being some of the most well-established Headlining the acoustic/folk stage is Soham De. Soham has have the same goals as themselves. The event welcomes to do what they love to do and have no aspiration to be the acts of recent times. Topping the indie stage are Yorkshire supported Gabrielle Aplin at the UEA whilst on her ‘English anyone working within the music scene to come and most successful in their genre. Contradictory to this, some garage act, Avalanche Party who’s Rain’ UK tour and performed at venues interact amongst the North East music community; aspire to the biggest act in the world. Famously Oasis had influences by the Sex Pistols such as The Bedford, The Waterfront, whether you are an aspiring DJ or manager for example, this drive and this passion which is clearly visible today when and The Damned are instantly The Junction and Selwyn College as part the event welcomes all.” talking to up-and-coming artists in the visible with their performances SOME OF THE FINEST of Cambridge University’s 2015 Mayball. Although the music scene inside of area. The music community meet up is the exuding anarchic raw passion. The TALENT CURRENTLY He’s also had radio play for many of his the North East is thriving, for some BUILD CONNECTIONS place for all of these people striving to be five-piece have been picked up by songs including multiple plays (and live it is still a struggle to find someone the next big thing. major publications such as Louder EMERGING FROM THE performances) on BBC Introducing in on the same wave-length as them. PROMOTE YOURSELF AND The free event is being held by Shadow Than War who said: “Avalanche Norfolk. In 2016, he was nominated as The meet up allows for a wider Sounds – a company based in Teesside Party truly set pulses racing”. NORTHERN INDIE & Best Unsigned Artist in the Best of British community to come together and MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE that provide recording facilities as well as Alongside Avalanche Party as one ACOUSTIC SCENE Unsigned Music Awards, so he’s definitely help make connections which they take part in their own radio show. The of the main acts are Teesside duo, going from strength-to-strength in his need to become successful in their company’s owner, Stee Brooks, will be Mouses. The duo has undoubtedly genre. Alongside Soham headlining the field. there to promote their facilities to new artists which gives had the best year of their music career in 2016 releasing stage is Newcastle artist, Jodie Fitzgibbon. Budding musicians are produced almost every day in this another incentive for budding artists to go to the event. a critically-acclaimed LP, ‘The Mouses Album’ and Singing from the age of 14, she is currently working on an region, which makes for one of the most diverse and Other major players in the North East music scene will performing at major festivals. EP with Resound Media. She is a favourite amongst North exciting music communities in the UK. By making an event be attending the event to promote their services, so it’s The final headline act of the 3-day festival is Bristolian, East acoustic crowds, performing originals and covers in which all these people can meet and talk about their definitely worth going. Gaz Brookfield. The acoustic artist has received continual influenced by the likes of Fleetwood Mac. passion, it allows for these people to make steps in the The event is free to all and is being held at Middlesbrough’s praise from peers and critics alike through his vast career. The 3-day music festival spans from March 3rd– 5th in right direction towards a more accepting music scene and a Central Bar on Sunday 5th February from 2pm till 5pm. The Since winning Acoustic Magazine’s 2010 Singer Songwriter Northumbria Students Union. Day tickets for the event greater success rate amongst it. event provides the essential ingredients needed for musicians of the year, he has spent his time on the road touring the cost £5.00 (£2.50 for gig society members), whereas Stee Brooks added: “The meet up is available to anyone to acquire a bigger platform. The event also encourages UK and Europe. In his time, he has shared the stage with weekend tickets cost £8.00 (£4.00 for gig society aspiring to part of the vast music scene. For managers businesses to come along to the event to promote their the likes of Levellers, Frank Turner, New Model Army, Nick members), and both are available to purchase online on it gives a chance to be amongst rising artists and allows work and gain new insight into the heart of the North East’s Harper, Newton Faulkner, Miles Hunt, and many more - Northumbria Student Union’s website at mynsu.co.uk. them to scout out new talent. For instrumentalists it gives music community. racking up over 1000 gigs to date. Often playing as many The event is set up to showcase the rising talent to come them a chance to meet like-minded people. For magazine For more information on the event you can visit the events as 200 gigs a year, Gaz’s relentless and never-ending tour out of the UK in both the indie and acoustic genre. More representatives it gives them the chance to see what artists Facebook page by searching “Shadow Sounds Hosts Music schedule takes him to every corner of the country and acts are set to be announced soon. will be rising through the ranks in our forever growing Meet Up Community”.
20 21 NE VOLUME FEATURES
SOUNDWAVES MUSIC COMPETITION
commendable six years since his first ever live performance. Written by Thom Anderson Plastic Thieves will also be joining the show with their The final showcase for one of the North’s most prestigious soothing rock ballads and intoxication bluesy guitar solos. music competitions (Soundwave Competition) will be Other unsigned bands/artists to be playing alongside the hitting Newcastle’s 02 Academy on Saturday 4th February aforementioned are: Sam Davison, Brian Smith, Pinky, Tahnee where 13 local, unsigned artists will battle it out to win Kelly, Tom Jeffery, Paige Seymour and Neutopians. With such the opportunity of a life-time in a finale event set to truly a wide range of acts, it’s definitely not something to miss help North East acts. 300 artists each from three major out on. No matter who wins the finals, the Soundwave Northern Cities including Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow Competition has given every artist a rewarding journey. applied for entry into the Soundwaves Music Competition Each act has been through a rigorous audition process from last year. With only a few acts voted through to the final when they first applied to the 2016/17 competition last round, the stakes are high - with each act competing for year. The first audition stage started right after all the artists a chance to gain massive exposure and recognition in the applied as the judges only contacted those with the most music industry. promising applications. In terms of the rules, a winner will The artists who were contacted by the be picked from each city when judges then performed a closed audition, they’re judged by industry moguls where the acts were judged purely on at the final showcase this month. ONLY THE BEST AND music ability. Whoever got through this Not only will the winners have the HIGHEST STANDARD stage then moved on to the first live opportunity to play the biggest audition stage, where they performed in venues in the UK alongside major ACTS WILL MAKE IT! front of a crowd and a group of expert artists, but the winning act will also music judges. In this stage not only was gain press and media coverage the artist judged by their musical talent and a bundle of free professional recording packages. With but also how well they performed in front of a crowd. Next a variety of artist ranging from ‘Classical Rap infused ‘R n came the checkpoint stage where this time the remaining B’ star Dee Leerious, to exotic Roman rock band Venus’s acts faced another panel of industry experts who decided Delight, the show will be one to remember. It’s not just fans who will play the finals in one of the UK’s largest venues. that are excited, the bands and singers are especially hyped Officials at Soundwave said that: “only the best and highest - with most reaching over 500 nominations in the previous standard acts will make it” – so find out for yourself on round to get this far. Female-fronted rock band, Forgotten Saturday 4th February. Souls began to spread the love on Facebook after hearing Although yes, the stakes do seem high, Soundwaves main the news: “A huge thank you to everyone who voted for focus is to help develop artist’s careers. With such positive us in the last round of the competition, we can’t wait to intentions and bundles of passion in one event, it’s something get back out there and show you all what we can do!” Big we can all get involved with - whether you’re a musician up north, alt-rockers Trappers will be giving it all they’ve yourself or just a local gig-goer. got as well with their sombre yet uplifting concoction of Tickets, priced at £7.55 (plus booking fee), are available from punky, punchy vocals and edgy guitar tracks. Darlington ticketweb.co.uk. singer and songwriter Chris Pyke will be playing too, with a
23 NE VOLUME INTERVIEWS
Photography by Manox Images
DUTCH UNCLES “If you don’t like the music you are playing or making in the first place, you are already en route to disappointment” prince regent st. Dutch Uncles head to The Cluny, tempo and meter will be the first part the established bands bit, it is absurd Advanced tickets stockton-on-tees Newcastle on Thursday 2nd March to of an idea’s conception and I try to use really. My initial feelings about it were www.seetickets.com www.kubar.co.uk promote their new album ‘Big Balloon’ them as integral roles in the character that these bands should just accept so Martin Sharman caught up with the or focal point of each individual song. the size of their audience in relation band to discuss the new release as well to their sound, and if they want to Saturday 28th January Saturday 18th February as controversial government grants. There’s been some controversy have the whole world love them, then recently about government grants why don’t they bugger off and sound Howling Rhythm Daft as Punk I’ve been trying for years to define supporting established bands (Fat like Coldplay, but there’s more to it Manchester’s Legendary Clubnight Takeover The world’s No1 DAFT PUNK Experience your music in a short phrase...can you White Family have been stirring the than that. But the fact that Slaves want help me out? pot about Slaves receiving a share (and received) the money to go and It’s a difficult one, but the terms that of the BPI’s Music Exports Growth play SXSW (amongst other things) is Saturday 4th February pop up more often than not are Scheme grant.) How did your 2013 ridiculous. Saturday 4th March ‘prog-pop’ and ‘math pop’. I feel like Momentum grant help the band? Do Counterfeit prog-pop is a more suitable term as a you agree with established artists There’s a number of aspiring musicians Mused fair few of our influences come from receiving taxpayer subsidies in within our readership...what pearls Beatles progressive rock or contemporary principle? of advice would you give to bands One of the UK’s most sought + Queens of the Bone Age after international acts. The UK’s No1 Muse Tribute classical artists, but we still try and Well it did help, but it allowed us to aspiring to your level of critical keep pop sensibilities within our music. fall into quite an indulgent hole of success? instrumentation and composition If you don’t like the music you Your songs are full of unpredictable that was far beyond our reach as a are playing or making in the first changes of meter. Do these appear band. Our new album, ‘Big Balloon’ place, you are already en route to Friday 10th February Friday 10th March naturally in the songwriting process? is kind of a response to that, where disappointment. Or do you deliberately add them after everything had to be playable in the RedFaces Marsicans the song is finished? live room first. The money helped of Dutch Uncles play The Cluny, + special guests + special guests They are not necessarily deliberate course, but I guess one thing doesn’t Newcastle on Thursday 2nd March. as I have sometimes written songs work without the other, and if you’re Tickets, priced at £10.00 (plus booking in irregular time signatures without spending so much on the album, you’ll fee), are available from thecluny.com. realising it until I record a demo of need to spend so much on pushing Saturday 11th March the idea. In a lot of cases, the rhythm, it as well and so forth. In relation to The Stone Roses Vs Oaysis Ultimate tribute night 25 NE VOLUME INTERVIEWS NE VOLUME INTERVIEWS
Photography by Jeff Moh
LLOVERS “I found myself getting really nervous which has never happened MAX BIANCO before in previous bands” After receiving critical-acclaim from their What’s it like being a new band in the on the bill as well. When you’ve got a great first single ‘Borderlands’, Samantha Hall North East music scene right now? line-up like that with a solid bunch around “It’s going to sound like Elvis’s 1968 comeback gig sung by Bob Dylan” spoke with David and Jack from North East Amazing and daunting. There’s so many you it takes the pressure off. I think we got The Jar Family’s Max Bianco is gearing It’s about halfway done now and it’ll be Any plans to tour the EP? band Llovers to find out what to expect amazing bands all doing tremendously well. a relatively shocked response when we up to release his debut EP, so Damian something to remember. Yes, I want to do a string of acoustic gigs from the band this year. We’re big fans of music and like to get down proclaimed it to be our first gig on stage Robinson caught up with him to find out around the North East in the summer to gigs as much as we can anyway, so we actually, so if a few gasps are anything to go how things are coming along so far, and You recorded part of the new EP in time. There’s nothing set in stone just yet You released your debut single ‘Borderlands’ were already tight with Avalanche Party, by, I think we got over the nerves quite well. what listeners can expect. Portobello with Jimmy Bollan and Kevin but the best place to keep up to date a couple of months back now... were you Plaza, The Pale White, Mouses etc. All of a I found myself getting really nervous which Harris... how’s it sounding? is my Facebook page (Facebook.com/ prepared for the success that was going to sudden we decide we’re coming on to the has never happened before in previous So the start of 2017 is looking very busy It was raw, acoustic and harmonica, but I’m maxbiancomusic). I’m hoping to venture come from it? scene, we almost feel like we’re playing catch bands, but once we got through the first for you Max, you have the release of your reworking a few tracks and now it’s going out into Europe by the end of the year too. I don’t think so. We’d been in the studio all up. Fortunately, I think with ‘Borderlands’ song it got easier. I just can’t wait to do new EP coming soon and a Jar Family tour. to sound like Elvis’s 1968 comeback gig summer just messing around with these we did just that: there’s still a long way to go more now. Of the two, which are you looking forward sung by Bob Dylan. And you keep yourself busy with the solo fragments of a track - I don’t think we ever and we’re definitely still babies of the scene to the most? career and the Jar Family work, so what’s took it that seriously until it all started to but we’ve been quick to show everyone So what can we expect from you in 2017? I’m looking forward to both of them; You’ve always had something interesting next? come together. At that point there was a bit what we can do. Everyone in the scene has We’re just excited to get out there. Right they’re both completely different projects. to say on your recordings, whether that’s I’m not really sure myself at the minute: of a ‘hang on a minute, we’ve got something been nothing but supportive – they’re all now we’re back in the studio recording When I’m with the Jar Family it’s like a full been introspective on h/town blues or we’re talking about recording some new good here’ moment. It was the first track really nice people who are insanely good at some new tracks, which we’re seriously outfit and one where we all know what social commentary on Superfluous, so Jar Family stuff and I want to be gigging a we created as a band so any measure of what they do. excited about. But we’ve also got a gig we’re doing. I have a good laugh with the what will you be saying on the new record? lot more than I have been. CD releases success was important, and we could never coming up at Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle boys. I’ve never been in a band with a It’ll be a way of introducing myself to don’t really count anymore, unless you really be prepared for it. Before it existed Your first gig was at Think Tank? in on Friday10th Feb with Van Ts and stranger bunch of lads in my life and it’s people, and also a commentary from an do some great work with vinyl, which I’ll we didn’t know what kind of band we December supporting Bruising...how did Foreignfox. Also, we’ve got a couple of nice good fun with them. The thing on my own average lad in the North East about how be doing solo and with the Jar Family. But wanted to be. ‘Borderlands’ decided that for that go? Was it nerve-wrecking to play live announcements already in the pipeline and is a new venture I’ve been doing the last he sees things: it’s some things that other really, at the minute, it’s all about the live us. That being said, to get on the Amazing as a band for the first time? there’s a lot more to come. few months and it’s been getting a good people aren’t saying at the minute which shows which is the best part anyway, so Radio B-list was f****** insane. We recorded That gig was truly wonderful. It was great to reception. It’s my goal to have recordings could be said. enjoying them and making new friends. the track ourselves and, as I’m only learning get a solid gig like that under our belt early. To keep up-to-date with Llovers, or to out on social media in the next few I think a lot of people can relate to that, how to record, we had a few days where it The lads from Beyond the Wall sorted us find out more, please head to: facebook. months. So I’m excited for both of them. and everybody I talk to seems to get it. As To keep up-to-date with how the EP is just went all wrong which was completely out big time with that one and we like to com/wearellovers. Tickets for Llover’s gig at well as I’d like to introduce the South to coming along please head to Facebook. soul destroying but it was all worth it for think we repaid them with a really good Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle can be purchased Tell us about the new EP... the North, the North East has always been com/maxbiancomusic ,. And to find out how the tracks been received. show. The whole gig was surprisingly calm now at seetickets.com. The EP is still a work in progress. There’s a mythical place I think to some people. more about the Jar Family’s up-and-coming to be honest. Dose and Dome Hall were definitely something coming out very soon. tour head to facebook.com/TheJarFamily.
26 27 NE VOLUME MAIN FEATURE // THE SHERLOCKS NE VOLUME MAIN FEATURE // THE SHERLOCKS
Do you have any tricks up your sleeve? home city last year. How was that for you? and enjoyed wearing their clothes. Besides the Well this year we’re obviously going to be Selling the Leadmill out was a milestone for clothes, the people were really sound to work releasing new material so you could say there’s us - it felt like something we needed to tick with and not too fussy with us. “We feel like one of the first a few surprises as we’ve been experimenting off the ‘to do’ list and when we did it felt class. with sounds. It’s different to what we’ve done We’ve done it twice now just to prove we can And finally, if someone reading this hasn’t before! comfortably do it, and let everyone else know checked out your music, why do you think where we’re at. Then we build from there and they should? ‘people’s bands’ in a long time!” Having two sets of brothers in the band, does step it up again. Sheffield is well behind us and Basically, I’d say that we feel like one of the that make touring stressful or more enjoyable? we can feel that each time we play it. It’s like a first ‘people’s bands’ in a long time! We’re not It makes things much more enjoyable as it’s big party each time we return! fake and we’ve literally started from playing The Sherlocks head to the North East to play two fascinating gigs like one big family! It’s just constant banter and in a garage and have slowly worked our way it gives us much more of an understanding Away from touring, you’re a Sheffield-based through the stages of different success. We’ve of each other. We’ve been together now for group, obviously home of Arctic Monkeys. Do played to empty rooms many times, but it Sheffield indie/alternative band, The Sherlocks European dates in the pipeline and we feel You’re performing in both Middlesbrough and seven years and it’s always a great laugh on and you feel there’s an expectation of the band didn’t dishearten us. We knew that we had head out on a 30-date UK tour this month more than ready to start getting out there and Newcastle...do you have any fond memories off stage, so our morale is very high! This is because of this? something and as time has moved on the and will be heading to both Middlesbrough doing our thing. of the area from your past tours? why we love touring. Being a Sheffield-based band gives people an songs are there now. The songs are proper, big and Newcastle, so Adam Hutchinson caught We had a Parmo before our gig in obvious high expectation because of all the songs. There aren’t any gimmicks to our shows up with the band to find out a bit more about Your UK and Ireland shows in February and Middlesbrough and it nearly sent us to sleep. You have several bands supporting you bands over the years. I think that’s a good thing to distract from the music. When you come to life on the road and what gig-goers can expect. March total to over 30 dates. How do you Parmo is the way forward! This is our third throughout the 2 months. Are there any of because people judge you in a high light. We do our gigs everyone knows that they’re walking plan on keeping the run of shows energetic headline show in Newcastle. They are always these you’re most excited to see play and share our home city with Arctic Monkeys but into a room that is going to bounce and thrive 2016 was certainly a massive year for the band and interesting? an amazing crowd and always show up in why? that for me is where the similarities end - we off the band. And it’s the same with us...we - signing a record deal with Infectious Music There are a lot of dates but if we weren’t numbers. Our fans in both Middlesbrough and On all of our tours we get bands that we like have our own sound and our own direction. thrive off the crowd. When you get that sort and releasing two singles. So what’s the main doing this what else would we be doing? 35 Newcastle are very passionate and know how the sound of and are interested in; also we like of connection sparked from the off then you priority for The Sherlocks this year with your dates sounds a lot but it’s surprising how quick to have a good time. to choose bands that will work well with our You quite recently worked with Pretty Green know that you’re in for a great night with a new platform? it goes. It’s more mentally tiring than physically, sound and something our fans will appreciate. as part of their “Best Of British” series. How band that are capable of huge things. This year our main aim is to stay as active as but as a band we’re very self-motivated and What can gig-goers expect at both your We also like to help upcoming bands because did that come about? we can on the live side of things and get our it doesn’t take a lot to get us pumped before Middlesbrough and Newcastle dates? everyone needs a leg up at some point and I believe it came about through Scotts Catch The Sherlocks at the Newcastle’s 02 tunes heard by as many people as possible. a gig. Surprisingly, we’re very chilled out They can expect their socks being blown off. it’s nice to be able to do that. We’re looking menswear. We know them quite well and Academy 2 on Tuesday 2nd February and the There’ll definitely be more music to come backstage and that’s probably why doing a lot It’ll be four lads playing their absolute hearts forward to hearing them all. have done a few things together in the past so Middlesbrough Empire on Wednesday 8th very soon. You should see us on the festival of dates doesn’t bother us at all. I think we just out to passionate fans! It will be a sweaty when the opportunity came about to work February. Tickets are on sale now at seetickets. circuit this year as well, which we always have save it for the stage. Just hearing the crowd atmosphere so turn up ready to bounce. You were the first unsigned band since Arctic with Pretty Green we looked forward to it! com. a good time at. There’s already big plans for gets us in the mood. Monkeys to sell out The Leadmill in your It’s a great brand which we’re all familiar with
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STORNOWAY “The North East is the source of some of my happiest memories as a musician” “Finding hope in unlikely places…” Stornoway return to the North East for one conjures up - and the simple layering of the tour. Our last shows in the area were last time as they head to Sage, Gateshead on acoustic instruments. Its lyrics span hundreds Chase Park and Scarborough Open Air Monday 27th February, so Rebecca Schott of thousands of years, but the focus is on a Theatre - both highlights of 2016 with the caught up with the band to discuss being in a single tiny moment in the present. band. Gateshead has always been good to us: Saturday 18 February band for over 10 years. we might have to bring out our cover of ‘Fog How do North East crowds compare to the On The Tyne’, for one final outing! Your time as a band has spanned over 10 rest of the country, in your opinion? It’s sad to be saying ‘so long’ to the touring years...do you have any particular highlights of My favourite shows we’ve played have all life, but we’re still going to be making music your time as a group? been in the North East. Middlesbrough has as individuals and it might not be too long Highlights include being fortunate enough to always been so receptive - whether we were before you see one or two of us again. We’re see the world from the back of band buses playing to the smallest club or the biggest all doing bits and pieces and it’s not too hard and jumbo jets, travelling far and wide to festival (Middlesbrough Music Live 2009 was to find those with a quick search online. make friends in far away places, along with a massive highlight). I’m always checking back being introduced to a crazy planet of people in with a particular promoter called The What else can we expect from you in 2017? in the most fun way imaginable. The highlight Kids Are Solid Gold, who gave us our first That’s all folks! Maybe you’ll spot one of us would be any of the US tours; we’d drive for shows in the area and who introduced me stuck in traffic returning the tour bus on hours through the open countryside, pressing to so many of the bands I love. Bands such Monday morning, after the final Oxford on in the knowledge that at the end of the as GLASS, The Last Spectacular, Ditte Elly, date. One last Stornoway recording will be road a few folk with shared tastes would be Pale Seas, and many more – they’re all totally released by Autolycus Records as part of the gathering, to enjoy sounds together in a box brilliant. The North East is the source of Food Of Love project: an ancient Gaelic tune for a few hours. Playing live is my favourite some of my happiest memories as a musician, called ‘Eibhlin a Ruin ‘(the album also features part of music and I’m so glad we’re able to going right back to the early days of touring, some of our favourite folk contemporaries put on one final tour this spring. when we’d use actual paper maps and AM and fellow Oxford musicians, Flights of Helios, radio, all before phones could work magic. Brickwork Lizards, and James Bell). Thanks What’s your favourite song to play live and for the ride! why? How does it feel to be setting out on a THE STUDIO - TOFT HOUSE ‘Gondwanaland’ goes right back to the very farewell tour and to be opening it in the The gig is now completely sold out, but @ 7.30pm (doors 7pm) £7 start of the band’s existence and is a favourite North East? please call 0191 443 4661 for returns and Middlesbrough Little Theatre Club, The for the memories and hazy images the song I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off restricted view tickets. Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6SA [email protected] 31 NE VOLUME INTERVIEWS NE VOLUME INTERVIEWS
Photography by Steve Pringle Photography by Herbie Lewis
AMBER RUN THE STRAYS "We have a better understanding of what “We’re going to be jumping back music we want to make" in the studio to do some Callum Thornhill had a little chat with Nottingham rock band, Amber Run as they prepare to play Newcastle’s 02 Academy more recordings” on Thursday 16th Feb. After a vast amount of successful gigs throughout 2016, Darlington band The Strays are heading to Newcastle’s 02 ‘For A Moment, I Was Lost’ is out on Feb 10th… has there Academy this month to support Scalesia. Samantha Hall been much of a response to the news so far? speaks to the band to find out more. There has been a wicked response. It’s terrifying when FLYING MACHINES you’ve been away for a while and release new music - you You’ve been gigging for just over a year now... do you find just assume everyone has forgotten you and that you’ll sell a your nerves have gone? Are you usually more excited or healthy 10 copies to uncles and aunts. more nervous? Some of the responses we’ve got have been really liberating I’m not nervous - we don’t get nervous anymore. We used to "We all love improvisation because there is nothing like the feeling as well because we attacked the writing and recording and then the more we’ve done, it becomes less about being process of this album a lot differently to the first. nervous and more about just focussing on looking good and of executing an idea that has come to you in the moment” having a good time and playing good music and just putting What are the main differences between this LP and ‘5am’? on a good show. London’s Flying Machines, known for their From January to April you are pretty softer, more lyrical material. You also get a For want of a better word - soul. We were 18 when we decadent mash up of prog rock energy, non-stop, so how do you keep yourselves really great connection with the audience wrote the first record, and I think there are some amazing You have a gig at the 02 Academy in Newcastle, supporting free-wheeling improvisations and ambient occupied while out on the road? too that isn’t always easy in really big songs on it, but we have a better understanding of what Scalesia very soon! How do you feel about going from meditations that never detract from the Well for one we’ll be spending lots venues. music we want to make and the kinds of messages we want performing at much smaller venues to this? emotive lyricism at the music’s core, of time in the car on the motorways to get across now. We’re absolutely buzzing. It’s a well renowned venue, isn’t it! head to Newcastle this month so Callum and I love long car journey chats! With The Guardian described you as: “Gritty Years of touring has helped us become better musicians, and We’ve seen some of our favourite bands play there and to be Thornhill caught up with the band to find the right companion, the car can offer rock-powered guitar improv”, so can we any success the first album had has given us the confidence able to share the same stage as them is amazing. I’ve wanted out what gig-goers can expect. incredibly fertile ground for conversation. expect some improv in Newcastle? to make the kind of music we really want to make. to play there since we started. Absolutely! While there are obviously You head to Jazz Cafe, Newcastle this The venues you are playing are super melodies and themes that always form Your touring the UK to promote your album release, so can Have you got much else coming up in 2017? month... how are you feeling ahead of the intimate, so what can we expect from the core of a piece, there will normally we expect to hear it in full? We’re going to be jumping back in the studio to do some show? your live shows in them? also be a section where one or indeed Not on this tour I don’t think. I’d love to play this first record more recordings. We’re going to get some more songs out We are feeling super excited to be finally Accessible, melodic, contemporary jazz all of us will improvise, but within the in full but I’m sure there will be a lot of people coming to the because we haven’t had a song out in ages. Well, we’ve made getting out on the road and bringing with lots of rock influences and lush, parameters and sound world of that shows who are just as desperate to hear some of the older more music but we’ve not documented it in any way yet. this music to some new audiences. By epic soundscapes. Our music is aimed at specific piece of music. We all love tunes, so we’ll play a mixture of both. the time we get to Newcastle we will the heart more than the brain. There’s improvisation because there is nothing I always hated that band that refused to play their older The Strays play 02 Academy 2, Newcastle on Sunday 26th be well into the swing of things so you a certain amount of sophistication that like the feeling of executing an idea that material, however they might have felt about it. It doesn’t February. Tickets, priced at £7.05, are available now at can expect a slick show! The really has brought it all together but ultimately has come to you in the moment, that make it any less special to you. seetickets.com. exciting part of this tour for me is that there’s lots of drama, dynamics and relates to what everyone else is doing in for so much of it we’re playing night after excitement in our music and this will be that moment as well. What is the plan for after this tour? To keep up to date with the Strays, follow the band on night and, given that lots of the music really heightened by the fact that we’re Tour and tour and tour. Festivals, tour, then finish work on Facebook - facebook.com/TheStraysUk features improvisation, there are plenty of playing in intimate spaces. I love playing Flying Machines play the Jazz Cafe, the 3rd album. SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/thestraysband opportunities to make each performance in these kind of venues because the loud Newcastle on Tuesday 28th Feb. Tickets, different. bits are going to have a lot of clout and priced at £8.80-£11.00, can be bought Tickets for Amber Run’s gig at the 02 Academy, Newcastle impact, which will contrast nicely with our from jazznortheast.com. can be purchased at academymusicgroup.com.
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Photography by Peter Fannen of PJFimages Photography by Radcliffe Studios
BAND OF HORSES CALLUM PITT "I’m very lucky that my wife doesn’t "I’ve had this song written since I was 15" listen to Band of Horses” Newcastle alternative/indie-folk artist, Callum Pitt is set to bring out his debut single this month, so Lee Allcock caught up with him American rock band, Band of Horses head to the North East this to find out a bit more about the track. OLIVIA KATE SMITH month so Colin McCann caught up with the band to chat about their latest album, UK audiences, and Donald Trump. You’re set to release your debut single ‘You’d Better Sell It While You Can’ on the 24th Feb... has it been a long time coming? Are “I started penning my own music from the age of nine” How do you find UK audiences and the UK in general? you glad it’s finally going to be released? Lee Allcock spoke to Darlington singer- Rob Irish by David Saunders at a series of You were nominated for 2 awards at the I find UK audiences to be very warm and hospitable, honestly. I find It’s been ages coming! I’ve had this song written since I was 15, songwriter, Olivia Kate Smith following Darlington Music Forum industry talks that I Ubeat TV Music Awards 2016, how did the island’s weather to be miserable as hell most of the time, but so it’s satisfying now to release it into the world and I’m looking the recent release of her 5-track debut EP, decided to record. that feel? that has its charms as well. forward to people hearing it. ‘We’ll Fly’. It was amazing to be recognised for my Apart from the EP, what have you been up work this year. I was nominated for ‘Pop The current album feels very personal. Is it difficult to expose your How did the recording process go? Were there any issues/ What influenced the EP, both musically and to recently? Anything exciting? Act of the Year’ and ‘Best Single - Lilypad’. inner-self like that? complications? lyrically? It has been an extremely busy year for me. It was a fantastic night at the O2 Academy Yes! As creepy as it is to think that complete strangers may be privy The recording process was smooth as can be. We recorded it My music’s largely influenced by my I won my age category at Beyond the Lights in Newcastle which showcased the great to my innermost thoughts, there’s solace in claiming artistic licence at Blank Studios in Ouseburn with John Martindale and it was a personal experiences so far. As for the 2016, was offered a five-year international talent from the North East Music Scene. when confronted by particulars. pleasure. I went into the studio knowing exactly what I wanted sound, it draws from a lot of blues, funk & music management deal (having been Also, I’m very lucky that my wife doesn’t listen to Band of Horses! and John helped me reach that pretty much right away. pop influences; so there’s grooving basslines, spotted at an Open Mic) but turned it What have you got in store for 2017? vintage keys and syncopated guitar riffs, as down. I’m going to concentrate on developing The album features some real American heavyweights: Jason Lytle You’re due to showcase the single on Friday 10th February as you well as vocal hooks that’ll be stuck in your I performed at numerous gigs/festivals myself as an artist - particularly writing. I (producer), J Mascis (vocals), Rick Rubin (exec producer). Is that head to The Cluny, so what can gig-goers expect? head for days (ask my Dad). including the MightyDubFest (Alnwick), Gig have a lot of exciting opportunities coming something you had planned? Yeah I’m really looking forward to that show! It’s a Kaleidoscope on the Green (Scorton), VW Fest (Leeds), up, including working with some high-profile Jason was the only one I really planned to nab. The others came UK label showcase with Shields of course headlining, and myself, What was the recording process like? supported Hayley Mckay (The Forum Music writers. This will mean travelling a lot in naturally as the recording evolved. I’ll note that the album and Londoners Organised Scum and Amy Gillespie supporting. My I spent most of the summer recording Centre, Darlington) and supported Jack between London, Scotland and home. I am also features Jenn The Champion aka S, Sera Cahoone, and Matt live shows are full of energy and emotion, and this will be only my the EP with music producer, Rob Irish. He Walton (Hyena Club, Newcastle). also appearing on ‘Ubeat TV’. Gentling, Eric Johnson from Archers of Loaf. Hero Party! second show with a full band so I’m very excited to show people has a home studio and I spent 70+ hours what we’ve been working on! recording there with my dad. A shout out Your vocal chords were described recently What is your dream? Are there any other artists you would love to work with and why? has to go to my dad as Rob has cats which by Dean Jackson on BBC Introducing I want people to hear my music. I want to Big K.R.I.T., Blake Mills, Gareth Liddiard from the Drones, Warren G, So what’s the single actually about? Is there a deep meaning? my dad is allergic to. Nottinghamshire as “incredible”, and the perform to sell out concerts worldwide. Stephen Malkmus, Ronnie Wood... I could go on for weeks. ‘‘You’d better sell it when you can” is a line borrowed from Elliott track ‘Paradise’ which you collaborated on Smith’s ‘Junkbond Trader’ and refers to the speed in which life can So where did it all begin? with ‘Division’ as “a real musical journey - With a voice and songwriting ability that What are your thoughts on Donald Trump? move around you. While that is the case, it’s a song which talks Ever since I could speak I made up silly breathtaking” that could “go straight into truly transcends her years, that dream may Scourge. about the importance of patience, compassion and being genuine songs and rhymes which I sang anywhere National Radio Top 10”. How did that yet come true. There’s definitely something within such a fast-paced society. and everywhere…but mainly in the bath. collaboration come about? totally mesmerising about Olivia Kate Smith Do you still read your own reviews? My main inspiration, which has influenced I was contacted by Jared from ‘Division’ both on and off stage. I’ll read a couple of them maybe when a record gets released, then And finally, what do you have planned for the rest of 2017? my bluesy sound, comes from soulful after hearing my vocals on social media. just kind of forget about the critical side of it. We’re lucky to get our The rest of 2017 looks to be exciting musically; I’ll be recording musicians such as Nina Simone, Nancy They sent through a dance track and asked Find Olivia Kate Smith online: butts kicked with promo and tour work - it’s at least a good enough my EP in mid February, playing full band and looking for shows Sinatra and Amy Winehouse. if I wanted to get involved. It is a completely Facebook: /oliviakatesmithmusic distraction to rally around a new phase for the band and forget around the country, and have applications in for several festivals. I started penning my own music from the different genre of music from what I’m used Instagram: @oliviakatesmithmusic about all outside forces beyond your control. Should be fun! age of nine and kept my songwriting book a to writing but I thought it was an exciting Twitter: @oliviaksing. secret from my parents until recently. opportunity not to be missed. Band of Horses play the 02 Academy, Newcastle on Friday 17th Catch Callum at the Cluny, Newcastle on Friday 10th February. It was only when I was introduced to February. Tickets, priced at £24.75, are available from seetickets.com. Tickets are available from thecluny.com.
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Photography by John Johnson
PELE “Back in the day you needed a record contract or you simply weren’t in the music industry” To celebrate the 25th anniversary of job. When I was 16 I left school and went You’ve been in the music scene for over 30 ‘Fireworks’, by Pele, the band head to straight to the Isle Of Man to work on the years... how do you think things have changed Stockton as part of their UK tour. So Lisa funfair in Summerland in order to buy my in that time? Bartos spoke to frontman, Ian Prowse, to find first amplifier. It’s pretty straightforward really; back in out what to expect. the day you needed a record contract or Do you think growing up in Liverpool you simply weren’t in the music industry, You’re playing The Georgian Theatre in with the music heritage influenced you in nowadays anyone who sets up a Facebook Stockton on Saturday 25th March.... how do becoming musicians? page is in. The modern version is brilliant for you find North East Crowds? Absolutely, yeah. You can’t help but be me and people who’ve always followed my I hadn’t played up there for eight years until inspired by the city and its deep musical music, but for younger musicians though it’s 2016 and then did Hartlepool twice - the roots, although I’m probably the only one incredibly difficult to get on, I feel for them. Wintertide show was probably our gig of the who channels the Irish influence so openly. year as we had a magnificent, mad crowd! Even now there’s 100’s of bands all totally Recently big named stars have become ignoring the fact the music industry has frustrated with fans talking and videoing gigs This tour is a celebration of your first album, collapsed. I love it. while they are performing...how do you feel ‘Fireworks’ turning 25! So what can the fans about this? expect? Do you think Social media has changed the I’d agree with them - put yer bloody phone We’ll play the entire album and because it’s way we listen and experience music, and away and live it for real! Any performer only 38 minutes long that leaves time for why? worth his salt knows the answer to a crowd another set which will include the best of It has yeah, and not all for the best. We’re all talking too much though, just play quieter.. Amsterdam/solo and other Pele songs. cherry pickers now but the most satisfaction I’ve ever got from music is the album Catch Pele at The Georgian Theatre, What was the worst job you have had before experience. For me, the LP is the greatest Stockton on Saturday 25th March. Tickets, you became a musician and why? artistic expression humans have ever had and priced at £10.00 in advance, are available It’s hard to say because I’ve only ever had one I’ll always think in those terms. from teemusicalliance.org.uk.
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Photography by Katy King
CELLAR DOOR MENACE BEACH “The songs really took their final form "We challenged Nestor to order a full when we got in the studio” parmo, which I think nearly killed him!"
Teesside indie/post-punk band Cellar Door are set to release Leeds indie rock band Menace Beach head to the Cluny, their new single, ‘War Paint’ so Rebecca Schott caught up Newcastle this month to promote their new album, so Lee with the band to find out a bit more. Allcock caught up with them to find out what to expect from the new record. For those that don’t know much about you, could you tell us a bit about the history of Cellar Door? You’ve just released your second album, ‘Lemon Memory’. We’ve have been playing together for around 4/5 years and What, in your opinion, is the main difference between this FRANK CARTER released a number of singles and EPs. After our last release, album and your first? ‘Gold and Gore’ in October 2015 we took some time away I think the main difference is the way we constructed the and played only a handful of gigs during 2016. Having wrote songs: we took more time demoing the songs on ‘Lemon the two new songs for the ‘War Paint’ release we decided to Memory’ at home, recording full versions and chopping them "Newcastle is one of my favourite cities to play in the get back on the scene in 2017. up. ‘Ratworld’ was pretty different because we would just try different things out in the studio to figure out what worked. whole of the UK, I love it!” Did you have any stand-out highlights, as a band, from 2016? Despite being quiet during the year, we were lucky enough What was it like working with producer, Ross Orton? Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes are, Do you have any particular rituals while album it just means that we have more to play Stockton Calling festival. We played a packed-out, hot Really great. We’ve known Ross for a while and he’s worked in my opinion, one of the greatest British out on tour? to choose from so we can let the people and sexy Georgian Theatre and we’ve often since said it’s our with a number of people close to us. He’s got some really rock exports of recent years. Debut We all make lunch together. For a long hear what they want. I want to get to a favourite gig to date. cool stuff including some old synths previously owned by Add album, ‘Blossom’ gave a glimpse of what time I was pretty ridiculous and my rider point down the line where we just take N to (X), so it was fun to play with all that. the band had to offer. Now, two years was full of alcohol and then I realised I submissions for each set. The fans that What was the writing process like for your new single, ‘War on, they are back with their sophomore could save money and eat well by giving come vote for what they want and the Paint’? You’re playing 14 gigs in total in February to promote the record, ‘Modern Ruin’ and a full UK tour. someone a shopping list every day. Our highest songs get played that night. The two songs ‘War Paint’ and b-side ‘Fugue’ were both release, so what can gig-goers expect? rider is just a shopping list and we all make wrote late 2015 and started out as riffs we liked. They We’re playing most of the new record which is really exciting Ahead of their show at Newcastle’s a pretty serious salad for each other. Also, And finally, what can we expect from the evolved over the following year but, having decided to take for us because we haven’t played live very much this year and Riverside on March 18th, Callum Thornhill after soundcheck and load in we do a bit Rattlesnakers after the album release and the plunge and release them for 2017, the songs really took we really miss it, but we’re definitely going to be playing quite spoke to Frank about the exciting times of boxing. It is mainly just pad work to get tour are over? their final form when we got in the studio (Blast Recording in a bit of older stuff too - it’s definitely a good balance. ahead. the blood going. We listen to a lot of blues We are going to America at some point. Newcastle) with our producer Bramwell Bronte. in the dressing room too. We will do a month there, then after that What’s your favourite memory from one of your previous ‘Modern Ruin’ has quite an interesting mix we will fit as many summer festivals in as What can fans expect from your upcoming single launch at North East dates? of tracks...what was the reason behind the Will ‘Modern Ruin’ dominate the setlist? we can during that three month festival The Green Room in Stockton this month? We played in Middlesbrough at Twisterella festival in variations? Or will some ‘Blossom’ tracks make an season. Expect new music, good company, copious amounts of Westgarth Social Club back in 2014. We were all weirdly I didn’t want to sell myself short: I wanted appearance? alcohol, a lead vocalist speaking in robotic tones and a dog hungry afterwards so we went to get food and we challenged to make an album where it was complex I am incredibly proud of everything I have Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes head with opposable thumbs. Nestor to order a ‘full parmo’ which I think nearly killed him. and compelling. I think it has a lot of depth written so for me the one thing I am to Riverside, Newcastle on Saturday 18th to it, but it has a lot of focus. We wrote 15 looking forward to is having more songs March. Cellar Door release new single ‘War Paint’ at the Green Menace Beach play The Cluny, Newcastle on Thursday 16th or 16 songs, but picked the 12 that made to play. Last year I felt that I could have Room, Stockton on Saturday 18th February with support February. Tickets, priced at £7.50 (plus booking fee), are the best record. A song like ‘Bluebelle’ is a been on the stage longer if I had three Tickets, priced from £14.00 (plus booking from the Approved and Casual Threats. Tickets are priced at available from thecluny.com. minute long and about my dog, but it adds of four more songs, so I think it will be a fee), are available from riversidenewcastle. £4.00 in advance and £5.00 OTD. some atmosphere and to leave it off the lot of ‘Modern Ruin’ because we are so co.uk. record would have been criminal. desperate to play it. By bringing out a new
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GALATIC EMPIRE WHITE LIES "Our helmets severely limit our field of vision" "I can not wait to play the new songs to one of the best crowds in the world"
Star Wars-themed rock group, Galactic The musicianship and the requires a lot of theatrics. We’ve got London post-punk band, White Lies head from your old work focusing on guitars to sing-along ending.. Empire are heading out on tour this characterisations of the band are both iconic music paired with costumes, an to the 02 Academy this month, so Adam the synth-heavy sound now? month and are set to take in Newcastle’s really impressive. Do you consider one awesome light show and even some Hutchinson caught up with the band to Well, White Lies have never been a band that You’re playing O2 Academy in Newcastle on 02 Academy 2 on Monday 13th February. part more important than the other? witty banter with Vader. speak about their latest album and past writes songs just on an acoustic guitar in the February 28th. You’ve played in the North Damian Robinson caught up with the I would say they’re both held in equal North East experiences. way many bands do. We have always been East a few times over your career, have extravagant band to find out more about standing as one doesn’t really work How difficult do the costumes make it more comfortable in finding an interesting there been any highlights from your shows exactly what to expect. without the other. We’d like to think to play your instruments? Last year saw the release of your newest synth sound (usually just on a laptop using in the city? And what can gig-goers expect the music could speak for itself but It’s certainly an adjustment. Our helmets album, ‘Friends’. How have crowds software synths) and using it as a jumping off at this gig? The concept of what you do as Galactic realistically, the imagery is just as severely limit our field of vision, but now responded to the songs when touring the point creatively. Well actually we have played the Academy so Empire is incredibly interesting. Where essential to grabbing people’s attention. that we’ve got a few shows under our album? many times over the years and I can speak did the idea come from? belts we’ve gotten pretty comfortable After a few years away from touring you Something the band has been credited for for all three of us when I say, we love that gig. A few years ago our drummer, Grant Who tends to come to the show? Star with them. By comparison, the original really do forget that very specific feeling of throughout your career is the lyrical content. We’ve never had a bad one there. When we McFarland (aka Boba Sett) arranged his Wars fans or metal fans? costumes (the ones seen in the first nervousness about playing a song for the What’s one of your favourite lyrics from went on tour last year and Newcastle wasn’t own drum part to go along with the Our audience is definitely much more two videos) were literally impossible first time, but across the board the new ‘Friends’? on the routing, we got so many messages Imperial March for a play-through video. versatile than the usual metal crowd, but to perform in – they were hot, heavy, songs have added something exciting to the Well I know we would probably all have on twitter from Geordies (or adopted That was the initial idea which gave it’s definitely a mix of both. The easiest cumbersome and just an all around set lists. We have been able to use crowd favourite lyrics from this record that would Geordies) demanding we remedy the way to what we do. Eventually he came crowd you could compare ours to is nightmare. reaction to judge which songs should be be different from each other, but mine is situation ASAP. So Newcastle was the first up with the idea of adding guitars and that which you’d see at Comic Con: it’s singles. Our next single, ‘Don’t Want to actually an easy choice because I think there show we put in this time. One really special brought in our bassist, Carson Slovak just a room full of different people of You’re all from the dark side of the force, Feel It All’ was chosen in that way. It was is a refrain in the song, ‘Swing’ that I really memory of playing in the city actually came (aka Bass Commander) and myself. We all ages celebrating a common interest, but would you let the Wookiee win? not really even in the running to be a single place up there with my favourite White Lies when we supported Kings of Leon at St weren’t entirely sure where the idea which we think is awesome. If he’d stop collaborating with Rebel before we toured the record last year, and moments we have put to record in our James Park a few years back. I really feel like would take us, but eventually we found scum maybe we could find him a spot since then it has sort of forced itself into the career. The refrain is: “Now I’m not trying we are firing on all cylinders at the moment ourselves with 11 finished songs, all from What can people expect from a Galactic within our ranks. Until then he gets the position of the next single. to hide it / Disguise or deny it / Raise a and I cannot wait to play the new songs to the Star Wars saga. Once that was done Empire show? same treatment as the rest of them. hand and fight what’s part of me / This is all one of the best crowds in the world. it just felt natural to be as ridiculous with We try to put on the best show we One of the prominent features of ‘Friends’ I need”. I love the way it repeats as a sort of it as we could. can. This subject matter (along with the Tickets can now be bought at is the synth and electronic elements. What chant as the song comes to an end. In my Purchase tickets for White Lies’ 02 Academy production value of our music videos) academymusicgroup.com. do you think the main reason is for the shift opinion, it’s a great (albeit quit complicated) gig at seetickets.com.
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Lisa KIlcar, who opened the show. The Teesside singer-songwriter continues to go PINDROP from strength-to-strength after ditching her rock covers band to perform her excellent self-penned bluesy folk material. Songs like FAREWELL GIG ‘Down The Drain’, ‘No More’ and ‘Coming Home’ were insightful and wonderfully delivered by Lisa alongside her ace guitarist. At Fisherman’s Arms, Second up was Barnsley bluesman Scott Wainwright - a one man tour de force with Hartlepool great slide-guitar, harmonica and rasping vocals. Songs like ‘Won’t See The Sun Again’ 09/12/2016 are fantastic. And his between song banter, including how he invented hip hop on his Written by Martha Monaghan allotment, is a riot. Photographed by Brian Barnes Pete Greenwood delivered another set of his thoughtful songs with a great tribute After six years or so of regular bi- to the recently-departed Leonard Cohen monthly/monthly acoustic shows, gigs and in ‘Suzanne’. Nick Harper knows how to festivals in Hartlepool and beyond, this entertain an audience with a mix of his was an emotional very last PinDrop show. own great songs like ‘Lost In The Snow’ and Local promoter, Brian Barnes has done brilliant covers like Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine On’ a fantastic job of putting on some great and Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ - all done in that music evenings over the last number of irresistible voice. years – curating gigs including the likes It was a fitting end to PinDrop at its of Mark Morrison, Blue Rose Code, Tom spiritual home after many great nights and Hingley, Josienne Clarke, Cattle & Cane, it’ll be interesting to see if anything can take The Lake Poets and Michelle Stodart, its place on the Teesside music scene. Just to name but a few - and the impresario to note, PinDrop will be bowing out with brought the curtain down on this popular their 100th and last ever event at Stockton’s venture with a great bill of Nick Harper, Georgian Theatre on Saturday 25th March. Pete Greenwood, Scott Wainwright and AT KU Bar, Stockton 30/12/2016 Unaware of it’ broke through the silence, Written and photographed by Adam Parkin and frontman Matty Healy was stood XFEST 2016 centre stage with his arms outstretched THE 1975 It’s New Years Eve’s Eve and, with everybody concluded with their new single ‘War Paint’ turn as the band paid a fitting tribute to David welcoming the fans. Not only did Healy captivate the audience with his distinctive in high spirits, tonight eight bands performed and ‘Bandito’ which included frontman, Liam Bowie. At Metro Radio Arena, dancing throughout the event, but he also over two stages in renowned Stockton playing a drum in the intro. The new tracks Just when you thought that it was a fitting end had them hooked with relatable lyrics to venue, KU Bar. were different (a little edgy) and provided great to the night I remembered that there was Newcastle the songs which reached out to everyone The first band on performed in the second contrast to opener, ‘Jackals’. still one more band to perform. Headlining in the crowd. The band took fans on a room in KU Bar on a pop up stage in front Moving on, Middlesbrough’s Idle Violets had a the main stage were Avalanche Party - the 17/12/2016 rollercoaster of emotions with songs of the infamous ‘You and I will Live Forever’ special guest performing with them tonight. Yorkshire Moors-based band who played the ‘A Change of Heart’, ‘Please be Naked’, sign. Then, after they finished performing, the Due to their bassist still being away, Johnathan BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds Written and photographed by ‘Robbers’ and ‘Loving Someone’, but it next band played on the main stage and this Staff (from local band Crease) had agreed to Festivals this year. Before that though, Ben Sarah-Jayne Smith was not just the songs that had the crowd continued until the headliners had performed step in. And, fantastically, his appearance brought Muriel provided the intro to the set by singing cheering. Healy took a moment to talk to – meaning there was no break between some more depth to the performance as they ‘The Chemical Workers’ song acapella. The bands, fantastic! became a three-piece for the evening, instead of song is a traditional folk track about Teesside’s Alternative pop rock band, The 1975 played the fans in between songs about how bad Opening the first stage were Casual Threats, just a two piece of drums and guitar. chemical industry at ICI, and was a great way to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena tonight a year 2016 had been - not just for the a three piece post-punk formed in Newcastle. Abel Raise the Cain were the penultimate band showcase the regions roots and heritage. and it was everything and more than the music industry but for the world - urging Their heavy blend of drums and bass, to perform on the main stage. This seven-piece As Ben was finishing the band started to fans expected from the band who got their fans to: “lead the way” and be: “voices of combined with scratchy guitar and poetic band were the biggest band on stage and perform; starting with a grunge/punk intro breakthrough back in 2012. progression.” He added: “If we’re young, vocals, entertained the crowds that had certainly packed out the main room for their before playing a number of fast-paced songs While the band debuted a fresh new sound liberal and compassionate, it’s also our arrived earlier to catch this upcoming band. set. The intro to their set was electric and from their self titled EP. This set was probably with hits from their new album, it was clear responsibility to be understanding and not Darlington’s Black Sheep Fredrick Dickens attracted the attention of the crowd instantly – the most energetic of the night - not only from that the show was also full of nostalgic be patronising”. were probably the most unique band on the allowing them to have the audience in the palm the band itself but from the audience. The main undertones from their debut self-titled The band concluded the almost two hour line up. Their captivating dark wave electronic of their hands from start to finish. room was packed to the rafters and the fans album.The lights went out and the band set with the iconic hit ‘Chocolate’ - which music, combined with their energetic and Headlining the second stage were Gallery were bouncing around to the music. The set teased fans with a cinematic backing track gained them mainstream chart success theatrical performance, was certainly a hit Circus. These two twin brothers always put on featured special guest performances from Dave that gradually built up, encouraging fans back in 2013 - and ‘The Sound’, which and got the crowd dancing along from start a great performance, with one playing drums Saunders (Black Sheep Frederick Dickens) and to scream and shout for the band who heard the pounding of feet fill the arena at to finish. and the other playing guitar and keyboards. Nathan Duff (Mouses) and ended with several momentarily would take the stage. As the Matty Healy’s command. Back to the main stage now and up step The set started with the drummer playing KU fascinating encores – it was as if they didn’t neon lights lit up the stage, the familiar The 1975 gave their all in a poignant and Teessiders Cellar Door - bringing their indie Bar’s walls as a drum (interesting), and the set want to finish, and we didn’t want them to. It electronic guitar riffs of ‘Love Me’ from intimate performance full of passion and and post punk feel to the audience. Their set continued with the rowdy blues theme before was a fascinating event, and I’m already looking their second studio album ‘I Like it When dramatic flair which left fans longing for started with renowned track ‘Jackals’ and the final songs of the set then took a solemn forward to the next one. You Sleep, For You Are so Beautiful Yet so more.
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Donnelly and Sue Ferris (Flute/sax) made Live, lead singer Gerard Langley’s blend up the rest of this extraordinary outfit of poetic-spoken-word-come-singing MADDISON’S who performed a stunning set. THE BLUE are shown off by sonic harmonies With his band behind him, Lee certainly provided by a five-piece band (the 6th rose to the occasion and was in fine voice member, Wojtek Dmochowski, dances). straight from the opening of ‘Where Former Witness man Gerard Langley, THREAD Eagles Fly’ – with the superb stage sound AEROPLANES punk-as-they-come Bec Jevons and (provided by engineer Mark Hand) really Mike Youe provide a three-part blend At Hartlepool Cricket Club helping to emphasise their big sound. At 02 Academy 2, Newcastle of technical guitar playing which both Songs from the new album, including holds and drives the sound of the 06 & 07/01/2017 the charming ‘The Fledgling’, the lovely 13/01/2017 Aeroplanes - making them sound pop ‘Weightless’ and the jiggy ‘Making The and experimental at the same time. Written by Martha Monaghan Morning Last’, were well-received. The Written and photographed by Coupled with deep lyrics and the band’s Photography by Howard White dulcet tones of guest singer Suzy Day Damian Robinson inability to stand still, the show can be joined Lee on stage for an engaging too much at times. But perhaps that’s Maddison’s Thread launched their new country-tinged ‘Love Like Autumn’ from In their 35 years as a band The Blue the point. album with not one but two sold-outs the new record before ‘Jessica’ and ‘Don’t Aeroplanes have certainly been busy New tracks ‘Skin’ and ‘Elvis-Festival’ are nights in two of the best music events this Say Goodbye’ closed the first set. - making over 15 studio albums and treat like old favourites, though encore town has seen in a long time. The second half opened with the jazzy stabling over 50 band members. track ‘Breaking in my Heart’ receives, The band is led by singer-songwriter Lee ‘Night Circus’ - with Lee in husky voice Whatever the Fall-like reason for the justifiably, the loudest cheer of the night Maddison who put the ensemble together - and featured great sax work from Sue number of members, the result of their having been built around the type of to perform on their new album, ‘Sixty Ferris. combined work has been the production guitar riff which get’s inside you and Minutes An Hour’. And the eight-piece band The edgy ‘Charlatans & Beggars’, the of some genuinely adventurous, influential, never lets you go. joined forces to perform these two special elegant ‘A Thomas Hardy Evening’ and and pioneering art rock. Judging by the number of smiles and live shows after the first sold out straight the thoughtful, ‘Lines On A Fisherman’s Not quite jangly enough to sound like hugs between the crowd at the end of away at the town’s salubrious Cricket Club Wife’ followed before the set closing R.E.M; not quiet spoken word enough to the gig, this was a true celebration, and venue. Joining Lee were the sumptuous ‘Wonderful Day’ had the audience up on imitate John Cooper Clark; and not quite a celebration I was glad to be a part of string quartet including Emma Fisk (Violin), their feet and dancing. loud enough to bombast like the Mary in the rather intimate setting of the 02 Jill Blakey (Viola), Fiona Beyer (Cello) and After such a success there is talk of the Chain, the Aeroplanes have carved out Academy 2. Stuart Hardy (violin), who also arranged whole band repeating this performance their own unique style which somehow the strings and produced the album. Nigel and if so then it is not to be missed. manages to lie in-between the best parts Spaven (bass) Darren Moore (Drums), Paul of all three bands at the same time.
seemed a little lifeless, but frontman David vocal and guitar role. Bernardi is Draiman swaggered around the stage whilst described as someone who “passionately AVENGED ticking all the boxes for the requirements of a TOM RUSSELL plays country blues and ragtime, hokum, stereotypical heavy metal frontman. Their cover jug band and rural music from the 20’s of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Sound of Silence’ is and 30’s,” and his passion certainly shone a stand out moment, with the chilling delivery At Sage 2, Gateshead through. SEVENFOLD providing a nice change in dynamics from the The first half of his set was an organised riff-heavy anthems around it. A big problem 17/01/2017 setlist of tracks such as ‘Guadalupe’ and + Disturbed + In Flames with Disturbed, in my opinion, is that much of ‘Tonight We Ride,’ whereas the latter their material is quite simply forgettable but Written and photographed set consisted of song requests from his At Metro Radio Arena, thankfully this cannot be said for ‘Down With by Beth McConnell social media, and the members of the The Sickness’ which wraps up the performance audience. This approach to performing Newcastle 12/01/2017 and whips the crowd into a frenzy. Tonight, Tom Russell performed at the Sage provided a fresh perspective for avid fans Within the current landscape of heavy music, 2, Gateshead for what was an incredibly who intend to follow him on his tours Written by Jake Carr Smith it would not be unfair to say that there is a intimate show. - keeping the shows entertaining, with Photographed by JBottPhoto distinct lack of ‘Big’ bands - bands who are able Russell played 2 sets, both 50 minutes long, different songs and discussions between to headline a festival or sell out an arena tour. which featured stories of his song writing, them. Before performing ‘Who’s Going And, with many of rock and metal’s old guard in tours and wife and it was, in one word, To Build Your Wall?’ (a track released The atmosphere that surrounds an arena fascinating. metal show is something special, and tonight the twilight of their career, it is important that in 2007), the artist briefly discussed we have a band like Avenged Sevenfold in this The American singer-songwriter modern politics and how prominent is no exception as thousands gather to performed tracks new and old: exposing witness South California’s Avenged Sevenfold day and age. the title of the track was (think Donald Fresh from the release of their 7th album, ‘The his new music while keeping his audience Trump), despite the name and track cement their place at the top of the modern interested with his older records which metal hierarchy. Stage’ new tracks such as ‘God Damn’ and being released 10 years prior to today. ‘Paradigm’ sit perfectly alongside classic material. the audience could sing along to. His self- Russell really allowed gig-goers into his Swedish metal outfit In Flames get things proclaimed authentic tex-mex influence underway - showcasing material from their The stage production which accompanies is world through the second part of his set bold and futuristic - complimenting the new intrigued both new and old fans, with as he discussed the likes of his upcoming new album ‘Battles’ as well as classic cuts some members attending purely because such as ‘Take This Life’ and ‘Bullet Ride’. Their albums themes. Frontman M. Shadows owns September album, his own alter-egos, as the stage as he and his band work their way of his new music, as stated by Russell well as his perceptions of the people he presence is somewhat overshadowed by himself after fan requests. Disturbed, however. Returning last year after through material from their back catalogue. saw at Starbucks earlier in the day. It was With the band in this kind of form, metal music For the duration of the evening Russell a fascinating insight into the world of a a lengthy hiatus, the band are received like played alongside Max De Bernardi - an headliners tonight. Their set though sadly is most definitely in good hands. man who is truly a legend in the music Italian who provided an accompanying industry.
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PEOPLE MAKING SET YOUR SIGHTS FOUR COLOUR ECHOLINES MONKEY PUZZLE JONATHAN HONOUR NOISES 'Can You Feel It Too?' GHOSTS 'CostaSilencio' EP Review 'The Multi-Dimensional ‘Revolt’ Demo Tracks Review Written by Caitlin Thompson Written by Jake Dodsworth 'We Set Sail' EP Review Single Review 'Tempting Fate’ Satchel' EP Review Photography by Wayne Bordolli Since the band’s formation in March Written by Samantha Hall Written by Thom Anderson Written by Damian Robinson Album Review Upon listening to North East singer- Artwork by Graham Hopper of last year, Echolines have taken their Artwork by Andrew Clark Written by Wayne Madden own style of alternative rock to grass songwriter, Jonathan Honour’s newly The first thing I’d like to say about North Understanding if someone feels Artwork by Howy White and roots music fans across the region. Not every band can come out with a created ‘Revolt’ demo tracks it’s East instrumental rock band People attracted to you has never been easy, EW Creative Arts Despite having been creating music successful first studio release. However, apparent that his lyrics, and even Making Noises’ new EP, ‘We Set Sail’ is has it? Especially for those of us not for less than a year, the Newcastle Newcastle’s own psychedelic six-piece, vocals, bear quite a few similarities wow, what a beautiful piece of music this lucky enough to look like we should When I first hear the opening bars of four-piece have managed to amass Monkey Puzzle definitely can. to indie-rock frontman Ben Gibbard is. There are no gimmicks or marketing be front and centre of a successful ‘Memories’ the Teesside-based Four a Facebook following of over a ‘The Multi-Dimensional Satchel’ is a – a great accolade for a songwriter on this new release: it’s just pure boyband or girl group. Colour Ghosts transport me back thousand people in the run-up to the perfect insight into the band’s music. that’s into indie rock and untamed musicianship that speaks for itself. First Middlesbrough four-piece, Set Your to my youth. It’s hard to deny the release of their debut EP. Combining a poetic mix of vocals, violins, songwriting. track, ‘We Set Sail’ eases the listener in Sights return to the question asked similarities between vocalist AJ and Pearl Titled ‘CostaSilencio’, Echolines’ guitar, bass, clarinet and drums, ‘The Multi- I seeked out Jonathan and asked with a dreamy opener of ethereal guitars 35 years ago by the Jacksons, and the Jam’s Eddie Vedder, but that doesn’t forthcoming release is a short Dimension Satchel’ is an album like no about his music journey so far: “I’ve and powerful drums. And the track slowly toughest question someone in lust mean you should instinctively dismiss three-track offering that is still able other. ‘3D’ opens the album superbly; with been writing for over 15 years and builds up momentum from the get-go, can ask, ‘do you like me?’ It’s tough them as a poor substitute: it’s the power to illustrate the diversity of the mesmerising vocals from Tamara Kazziha my songs are about my experiences as it erupts in tempo. When eventually because sometimes it’s better not to and passion of Lewis on guitar that band’s capabilities. The eponymous combined with ingenious clarinet playing in life such as my battle with reaching what feels like a crescendo, the know the answer. makes a bold statement of the groups’ opening track delivers emotive from Andy Strong, it really kicks off the depression, which music is the main instruments explode into a feel-good Whatever the answer happens to be individuality. These are talented musicians vocals alongside a lingering feeling of album to a brilliant start. Dynamic drum solace. My songs also tend to speak track victory dance. The high-pitched for our lead character (and it would with a message to give. ‘Time’, for melancholy. In direct contrast to the beats from David French create intriguing about growing up and getting married guitars and jolly snare hits give a sense be nice to find out in the future), if example, is a simple and well-executed opening song, second track ‘Make suspense - proving to listeners that and becoming a father; feeling like an of winning, a sense of righteousness, and ever I was asked if I liked someone, classic rock song which could have been You Mine’ presents an abundance of Monkey Puzzle have got it in them to be a outsider in many circles and social the bass guitar soothes the background I’d like to be asked in the way written now or in 1973, and that’s no attitude that is paired with the most truly successful psychedelic band. cliques; and the current government - adding fullness to the whole piece. The presented by Set Your Sights. easy feat to accomplish. ‘Say to Me’ was energetic and addictive of melodies. With inspiration taken mainly from often pops up as I feel we’ve been outro to this track is something truly As a general rule, a track lasting a personal highlight, which reminded me With this in mind, ‘Make You Mine’ nature, geometry, shifting states of forgotten in this area. I also try and incredible, with ‘da-da-da’s’, mixed with five minutes is always a pretty ballsy of little known Irish band called My Little deserves the title of strongest track consciousness and the global music scene, write songs with hooks that you the instrumentals sounding like they’ve move for a pop punk band - even Funhouse - it’s music that I hear and on the record. Monkey Puzzle know how to excite would remember and lyrics that been sampled from the high heavens. It’s more so when the track veers more immediately feel a strong connection As for the ‘CostaSilencio’ EP’s third and enthral their listeners. Both tracks, people can relate to.” glorious and angelic, until suddenly the towards pop than punk - yet Set with. The unfortunate thing is that and final track, ‘Secrets That I Keep’, ‘Adventures in Mossland’ and ‘Dirty Sloth’ Jonathan is quite the storyteller final track snatches our attention with a Your Sights deliver a stomping tune, even in tracks like ‘Come Alive’ and this evokes a similar feeling to the really broadcast the band’s nature-esque within his music and from listening to sudden sense of all-hope-is-gone. Similar blending Buzzcocks-esque love-pain ‘In the Shadows’ I feel like I’m listening title track – providing listeners with a inspiration - with the rhythmic drumming his demo we learn about a range of to the first track but sadder, with a sense lyrics, Stranglers kicking guitars and to those same skills being repeated. haunting end to the band’s debut. and beautiful violin playing taking listeners aspects of his life. Whether it be to of loss, the story of ‘We Set Sail’ finishes a St Etienne three-part harmony and And, as talented as these four men With the imminent release of the to a place of dangerous tranquillity. The do with love or even the complete on a sad one. But the final track leaves soaring chorus. are, there’s simply the distinct feeling ‘CostaSilencio’ EP and the launch songs allow listeners to get lost in the opposite of a relationship, the listener the listener with a sense of completion If every episode of teenage love you’ve mistakenly put the previous show in support of it, this is surely music, with the atmospheric guitar further will feel at home relating to these - as if they have just been taken on a angst produced uplifting pop like this track on repeat and zoned out. An EP not the last we will hear from transporting them into the unknown. topics. Overall, a few of the most journey - with the outro of the final we would never need anyone to be might have been more commercial Echolines. Final tracks ‘Isisn’t’ and ‘Vanilla Squid Beak’ impressive things about Jonathan and track, ‘When the Whips Were Wade of attracted to us ever again. productive, as the full album (produced Echolines are set to perform at round up the album perfectly, showcasing his latest demo are his writing and Wood’ bringing us back to the start, just The track is available to download by Jorn Cornfield nonetheless) does Trillians, Newcastle on Saturday the superb guitar playing by Ralph Stokes, implementing of a great sound and more jaded than when we heard the now on iTunes and Spotify and is little to expose any musical range or 4th February in support of their with Andy Clarke’s FX and Ian Gibb’s bass his singing which creates a decent, first track. To accomplish something like definitely worth a listen. differentiation – although it’s apparent forthcoming EP ‘CostaSilencio’. talent creating a perfect blend of both climatic, and head-banging sound. this in a mere 16 minutes is something The band can also be found on that this is an honest representation of Tickets for the show are available dark and light elements. With the success To hear Jonathan’s ‘Revolt’ demo quite special, and I’m looking forward Facebook at www.facebook.com/ the bands take on classic rock. “Don’t directly from the band at facebook. that Monkey Puzzle could easily receive tracks, or to keep up-to-date with to hearing more from People Making systeesside so give them a like. you see what’s different in me?” AJ asks, com/echolinesUK and are available from this EP, it’s exciting to see what else more of Johnathan’s work, then Noises. You can now listen to ‘We Set Sail’ and no, unfortunately I don’t. from their website at echolines.co.uk. they have in store for 2017. Listen to please head to soundcloud.com/ on iTunes, Bandcamp and Spotify. The album is available now on iTunes, ‘The Multi-Dimensional Satchel’ now at jonathan-honour. Spotify and Soundcloud. monkeypuzzlemusic.bandcamp.com.
50 51 NE VOLUME FEBRUARY 2017 GIG LISTINGS NE VOLUME FEBRUARY 2017 GIG LISTINGS
• John Doe Experiment Wednesday 8th February • Madeleine Peyroux. Sunday 12th February + Ghost Signals. • The Sherlocks. The Sage Two, Gateshead. • El Hombre Trajedo. FEBRUARY 2017 GIG LISTINGS The Tavern, Blyth. £3.00. The Empire, Middlesbrough. £9.00 Adv. • Queens of Noise + Black Cat Bones. The Cluny 2, Newcastle. £12.00 Adv. • Chalte-Chalte. • The Blurflies. Trillians, Newcastle. • Stephen Mordue. Wednesday 1st February • Fu Fighters. The Sage Two, Gateshead. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. • Oasis Jam. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. The Ship Isis, Sunderland. Free. • Whirling Dervish Presents: The Voyager, South Shields. Free. • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac: • Folkworks: Transatlantic Sessions. • Gatecrashers. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. • Black Ice (ACDC Tribute). Ten Foot Tom & The Leprosy • The Beer Pigs. Hits to Blues. The Sage, Gateshead. • This Machine. The Tavern, Blyth. Free. Crooks. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. The Sage, Gateshead. • Open Jam with Ojay. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. • So What. TSOne, Middlesbrough. Free. • Rusted Hero + Tom Mousse Smith • The Running Club. Bar Loco, Newcastle. • Redfaces + Figmennt + Little Doves. Bedlington Terries Club. Free. • Open Mic Night. + Sorry Escalator. Elmfield Social Club, Hebburn. Free. • Jah Wobble + The Invaders Ku Bar, Stockton. £3.00 Adv. • Brian Wilson. Hydes Bar, Norton. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. Musiclounge, Stockton. • Pek and Wanley. of the Heart. • The Bluefries. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. • Darlington Jazz Club. Free. • Rivet City + Faux Pas Chaplins, Sunderland. Free. The Cluny, Newcastle. £15.00 Adv. • Velvoir + Casual Threats. Quakerhouse, Darlington. • Black Sedan. + Dead Wet Things. • China Shop Bulls + Pastures. Empire, Middlesbrough. • Ruby and the Mystery Cats. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. Independent, Sunderland. £6.00 OTD, Thursday 9th February Bar Loco, Newcastle. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. • Jazz at the Bay with Tees Hot Club. £5.00 with a tin of food. Saturday 11th February • Yellowstone. Legacy, Sunderland. Free. • Whirling Dervish Presents: Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. Monday 13th February Saturday 4th February • Robson Field. Mr Bigfoot + Black Ocean. • The Mini Mayfair: Thursday 2nd February The Rock n Roll Ballroom, TSOne, Middlesbrough. Free. Home of Classic Rock. • Galactic Empire + Sithu Aye. • Beatlemania. Marske Centre. • Hidden Charms. Theatre Royal, Newcastle. £4.00 Adv. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £11.25 Adv. • Whirling Dervish Presents: ARC, Stockton. £20.00 Adv. • The Menials + The Strawberry Mynds. Think Tank?, Newcastle. £7.70 Adv. • The Killerz. • Bry. Riverside, Newcastle. £11.00 Adv. Lost in the Crowd + Swilly Chill • Albany Music UK + Stoke the Globe Fishermans Arms, Hartlepool. • The Godfathers. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. £12.00. + Strangeways. + Charlie Campbell. Tuesday 14th February • Doyle. Westgarth, Middlesbrough. £12.00 Adv. • Northern Soul. TSOne, Middlesbrough. Free. Musiclounge, Stockton. 02 Academy 2, Newcastle. £10.00 Adv. • The Classic Rock Show: Musiclounge, Stockton. • Portions For Foxes Presents: • The Jazz Session: Stuart Davies • Carl Pemberton. The A-Z of Rock. • The Piragons. Modern Baseball + Thin Lips & the New Standard. Ship Inn, Guisborough. Sunday 5th February The Sage, Gateshead. Longlands Club, Middlesbrough. + Superweaks. Empty Shop HQ, Durham. £5.00 OTD. • Echolines. Trillians, Newcastle. • ICW: The 6th Annual Square Go. • Jess Williamson. • Shake the Snake. Riverside, Newcastle. £15.40 Adv. • Proboscis + Kapil Seshasavee • Tom Jackson. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £22.50 Adv. The Cluny, Newcastle. £6.00 Adv. Saltburn House, Saltburn. Free. + Luna Del Cazador + Snakes Don’t Saltburn House, Saltburn. Free. Wednesday 15th February • Tees Music Alliance Presents: • Acoustic Magic. Bar Loco, Newcastle. • Chernobilly Boogie. Belong In Alaska. • Big Red and the Grinners. Good Music Club with Andy Jones. • Wilkinson. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. • Sacred Heart High Rock School. Trillians, Newcastle. £4.00 OTD. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. The Masham, Stockton. Free. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £18.56 Adv. • Alistair James + Joe Treacy O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £6.05 Adv. • Danny Aspinall. Bar Loco, Newcastle. • So What. • Hillbilly Hookahs. • Vexxes. + Mozin Ali. • Baker Island + Pet Crow + Pale Kids. • Battle of the Bands Heat 3: Brent Lion Sports Bar and Grill, The Voyager, South Shields. Free. Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle. £6.00 Adv. Empire, Middlesbrough. Empty Shop HQ, Durham. £5.00 OTD. and the Brads + The Endeavours. Billingham. Free. • Work in Progress. • Hayley McKay. • Private Eye. • Mike and the Mechanics Bubbles, Ashington. Free. • Rod Clements with Ian Thomas. The Tavern, Blyth. Free. The Cluny 2, Newcastle. £8.00 Adv. Fishermans Arms, Hartlepool. + Ben McKelvey. • Insangel Introduces: Trappist. The Cluny 2, Newcastle. £10.00 Adv. • Naomi Roson. • The Folk Session. • So What. The Sage, Gateshead. Arizona, Sunderland. • Western Sand + Speeder. The Lookout Harbour, Seaham. Free. Empty Shop HQ, Durham. Free. The Dubliners, Thornaby. Free. • Making Tracks Derek Gripper • Kevin McGuire. The Cluny, Newcastle. £8.00 Adv. • Loyle Corner. • Theisis Lives. Trillians, Newcastle. • Velvoir. and Paulo Angeli. Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle. £8.00. • Tees Music Alliance Presents: Riverside, Newcastle. £16.50 Adv. • Battle of the Bands Heat 4: Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. The Sage Two, Gateshead. Driven Serious. Friday 3rd February • Doberman + Local. Petals + Pretty Livid Imps • Paris Dancer. The Tavern, Blyth. Free. • I Destroy. Trillians, Newcastle. Green Room, Stockton. £5.00 Adv. Trillians, Newcastle. + The Circus Villains. • Skyran. Ship Inn, Guisborough. • The Whole Hog. • Moon Rover Album Launch. • Doyle (Misfits). • Sam Gibson. Bubbles, Ashington. Free. • Doggie Doggy. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. Empty Shop HQ, Durham. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £11.25 Adv. The Ship Isis, Sunderland. Free. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. • Kings Contraband. £3.00 Adv, £4.00 OTD. • Worry Dolls. Friday 10th February • Liv ‘n’ G. Hydes Bar, Norton. • Jailhouse Jets. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. Tap and Spile, Guisborough. • RATM + RHCP. Trillians, Newcastle. Independent, Sunderland. £4.00 Adv. • Marshmello. • Bonefish. Captain Cook Inn, Staithes. • Gasto Promotions presents: • SoundWaves Music Competition Tuesday 7th February Thursday 16th February O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £25.87 Adv. • Borderland. Are You Experiences? – The Final. • The Sherlocks. • Folklines Re-Launch Event. Elmfield Social Club, Hebburn. Free. • Amber Run. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £7.55 Adv. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £10.12 Adv. TP Coffee House & Cafe, • Dan McClew. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £10.00. • PROJEKT ft. Danny Howard. • Phil and Pipe’s Musical Intro’s Quiz. Middlesbrough. £3.00 OTD. Chaplins, Sunderland. Free. £11.25 Adv. • The Maze. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £6.05 Adv. Quakerhouse, Darlington. £1.00 OTD. • Darlington R ‘n’ B Club Presents: • The Blacklist. • Whirling Dervish Presents: • The Piccarons. • Big Si. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. John Verity Band. Legacy, Sunderland. Free. Scream of Sirens. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. • This Machine. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. £12.00. TSOne, Middlesbrough. Free.
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Tuesday 21st February • Neon Dolls + Ghost Signals • Flame Squad presents: Gimp Fist Monday 27th February • Leann Rimes. The Sage, Gateshead. + Foreign Tides + Two Hearts. + Homebrew + Geffery Oi!cott • Lady Leshurr. FEBRUARY 2017 GIG LISTINGS Musiclounge, Stockton. + Deadbeat at Dawn. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. Wednesday 22nd February • The Trevor Sowell Band. The Venue, Nortallerton. £9.00 Adv. £14.06 Adv. Thursday 16th February • Who’s Next. • Cabbage. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. • Outrageous Wallpaper. • Open Mic Night. • Menace Beach. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. Think Tank?, Newcastle. £8.80 Adv. • Teleman. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. The Cluny, Newcastle. £7.50 Adv. £12.00. • Groove a Matics. Riverside, Newcastle. £15.40 Adv. • Hell’s Gazelles. Trillians, Newcastle. • Stornoway: The Farewell Tour • KRS ONE. • Ocean. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. • Hellions. • Cape Cub + Kingsley Chapman & the + Brasstronaut. Riverside, Newcastle. £16.50 Adv. • The Yada Yada Yardas + Kickback • Bloodstock BOTB. Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle. £6.00. Murder + Black Sheep Frederick The Sage Two, Gateshead • Blues Lounge Session. Generation + Spitfire Bullets. Trillians, Newcastle. • Thin Lizzy Tribute. Dickens. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. Musiclounge, Stockton. Tuesday 28th February • Wednesday 13. Trillians, Newcastle. The Spa Hotel, Saltburn. £7.00 Adv. • Bloodstock BOTB. • Fossil. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. Newcastle Uni SU. £12.50 Adv. • Maxwells Corner. • Delmonts. • Brit Floyd: Trillians, Newcastle. • Panic Report. • Anton and Erin: Swing Time. Marine Hotel, Hartlepool. Saltburn House, Saltburn. Free. Immerson World Tour 2017. • The Godfathers. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. The Sage, Gateshead. • Last Anthem. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. • Dave Ridley + Kimberly Sweeting. The Sage, Gateshead. The Cluny 2, Newcastle. £12.00 Adv. • The Shoe Gazers. • Jazz at the Bay with Tees Hot Club. • Pat McMahon Band. Chaplins, Sunderland. Free. • BUSKIT: Open Mic Night. • Brent March. Bar Loco, Newcastle. The Tavern, Blyth. Free. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. • So What. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. • D’Arcy and the B Notes. Friday 17th February • Busted: Night Driver UK Tour. • Ayna Pop. Catholic Club, Billingham. Free. • Flying Machines. Fishermans Arms, Hartlepool. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £33.75 Adv. The Normanby, Middlesbrough. Free. • Rock Monster. Jazz Cafe, Newcastle. • Band of Horses. • Saturday Night Speakeasy: Pigs Ears. • Get Carter. The Tavern, Blyth. £3.00. Legacy, Sunderland. Free. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £25.31 Adv. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. Thursday 23rd February • The Blacklist. • Scratch the Surface. • Syd + Mary Jane. • Rews. Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle. £6.50. • Ale & Arty 2017: Limehouse Lizzy. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. Bubbles, Ashington. The Vane Arms, Thorpe Thewles. • Grace Under Pressure. ARC, Stockton. £15.00 Adv. • Alexander O’Neal: WANT TO • Green Days. Elmfield Social Club, Hebburn. Free. Saturday 25th February • White Lies. 30 Years of Hearsay 2017. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. • Danny Smith. O2 Academy, Newcastle. £25.87 Adv. • Ten Feet Tall Presents: The Sage, Gateshead. £7.00 Adv, £8.00 OTD. Chaplins, Sunderland. Free. ADVERTISE IN • BroFest Warm up. Trillians, Newcastle. Elkie Brooks. • Grace Under Pressure. • The Wooden Sky. • The Delta Bay Band. • Whirling Dervish Presents: Towzer + ARC, Stockton. £25.00 Adv. The Runhead, Ryton. Free. Independent, Sunderland. £5.00 Adv. Legacy, Sunderland. Free. Box Wallet & The Roadside Shrimp • Velvoir + Casual Threats + Nancy. • The Handsome Family • Julian Cope. • Cath Ivy + Tom Powell. + Cabin Colour. Musiclounge, Stockton. + Courtney Marie Andrews. Riverside, Newcastle. £23.50 Adv. Ship Inn, Guisborough. TSOne, Middlesbrough. Free. • Saturday Night Speakeasy: The Sage Two, Gateshead. • Lock and Load. Sunday 19th February • The Fall + Trudy and the Romance AudioSouls. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. Sunday 26th February + Blood Sport + Tough Tits. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. GET YOUR • Heaven or Hell. Trillians, Newcastle. • Touche Amore. Boiler Shop, Newcastle. • Ale & Arty 2017: • Scalesias + The Strays. • Ratty and the Watchers. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. • Paul Carrack in Concert: Streams of Whiskey. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £7.05 Adv. Musiclounge, Stockton. £15.75 Adv. GIG OR A Celebration. ARC, Stockton. £12.00 Adv. • Zack Hammond. • So What. Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe. • Steve Daggett. The Sage, Gateshead. • Sigala. O2 Academy, Newcastle. The Ship Isis, Sunderland. Free. • Cadillacs. O’Gradys, Redcar. Free. The Ship Isis, Sunderland. Free. BUSINESS • Blair Dunlop. • Maverick Rejects. • String Edition. • Megson. The Sage Two, Gateshead. • Marc Atkinson. The Sage Two, Gateshead. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. • We Steal Flyers. Gypsy Rover, Redcar. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Free. OUT THERE • The Springsteen Sessions. • Darlington Jazz Club. • Palm Reader. • Harriet. Friday 24th February £10.00 Adv, £12.00 OTD. Quakerhouse, Darlington. Jumpin’ Jacks, Newcastle. £6.50. Sage. Northern Rock Foundation Hall, FROM AS • The Amy Winehouse Experience • Elvis Tribute: Andrew King. • The Grahams. Gateshead. Saturday 18th February … A.K.A Lioness. Ship Inn, Guisborough. Northern Rock Foundation Hall, • The Pitmen Poets. O2 Academy 2, Newcastle. £13.50 Adv. • The Devils Bandits. Gateshead. LITTLE AS • Beat Goes Bang. The Sage Two, Gateshead. • Kings of Leon. Cleveland Hotel, Redcar. • Tempest. Hydes Bar, Norton. Longlands Club, Middlesbrough. • Eigengrau. Bar Loco, Newcastle. Metroradio Arena, Newcastle. • Clippah. The Tavern, Blyth.Free. • So What. • Elederly Brothers. • Skapones. The Tavern, Blyth. Free. • Masters of the Synthesizer • Five Divide. Butchers Arms, Sunderland. Free. Saltburn House, Saltburn. Free. • UK Rock Legends. £65.00! + Man Machine + Liquid Engineers. The Rock n Roll Ballroom, • Acoustic Keys. • Pete Morton + Pete Davies The Voyager, South Shields. Free. Forum Music Centre, Darlington. Marske Centre. The Voyager, South Shields. Free. + Barbara Helen. • Msaic. Hydes Bar, Norton. £8.00 Adv, £10.00 OTD. • Two Blues Band. CONTACT LEE AT Toft House, Middlesbrough. • Zephyr. Fishermans Arms, Hartlepool. £7.00 OTD. [email protected] The Voyager, South Shields. Free.
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