Northeast Music Guide

Getting the happy on at Warehouse 34 Local electro-pop crew Static Soul launched their new EP entitled “C 8 H 11 NO 2”   (that’s dopamine. The brain’s “happy chemical”). There was plenty of dopamine sloshing around the brains of the occupants of warehouse 34 last night. First on stage were Hati – the rebranded Hatti Murdoch band, showing every sign of a move towards an edgier, darker electronic style, but with Hattie’s bluesy rock vocals keeping it all real. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Hati and hearing the new music.     Next up were the, frankly bonkers , Big Beat Bronson . With a massive sound and an approach to stagecraft channelling the Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas and Gwar. They were excellent.   Static Soul claimed the stage with a style familiar to all their fans, they do live pop music so well. Singer Jane has an outstanding voice that can carry a song to a much higher level than your average X-factor finalist. Jaimie o...

Tyne   Created and edited by Michael Chaplin with contributions from Sid Chaplin, Tom Hadaway, Alan Plater and Julia Darling. Directed by Max Roberts.       Musical Director: Kathryn Tickell Live Theatre – until 20 th July 2013 .   Live Theatre reaches 40 and still continues to produce new theatre which both entertains and makes one think. This production has two parallel themes: the Tyne and family life.   The stories about life on the Tyne capture the spirit of the region and its identity. They cover the coal, shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries. Without getting party political the rise, fall and rebirth of the black river are traced. There is nod to the area's immigrants and the food that they brought with them. Stories of the people who worked on the Tyne are intertwined with short scenes written by Sid Chaplin, Tom Hadaway, Alan Plater and Julia Darling. These apparent detours add to rather than de...

 Burning Condors "Dirty Girl Blues" London art punk four piece Burning Condors' return with a new single ‘Dirty Girl Blues’, released on 15 th July 2013 through Snakehand Records. The b-side is the twisted Beach Boys inspired ‘What Your Mama Said’.   So what do I think of it? Mucky. That's the word. The production is reminiscent of a pub in Hull circa 1987 (I know, I was there). Mucky, but in a pleasant way. I was drawn into a world of permissiveness, not a great thing to happen when you're at your desk, but the slide guitar, the muddy bass, and the pleading vocals can do that to an old girl. I love it. It's naughty. And I can't wait until the Condors make their way up north again.   "Your Mama Said" is great fun, a rollercoaster of rock and roll, with a hint of the Rocky Horror at its filthiest. If these boys clean up their music it's all over.   Burning Condors’ debut album ‘Round Our Way’ is due to be released in Septembe...

NEW PERMANENT EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL!   Following a £5.1m restoration in 2011, Newcastle Theatre Royal is further adding to the experience offered with a new permanent exhibition entitled The Story of Theatre, opening Wednesday 26 June at 9am.   The Story of Theatre is a permanent exhibition area and learning space in the Gallery Foyer level at the Theatre Royal Newcastle, illustrating the history of Theatre from its origins in Ancient Greece through to the present day.   Designed by David Hudson, Interior & Exhibitions Designer, it includes costumes from the Victoria & Albert Museum Theatre & Performance Collection – seen for the first time outside of London - and Theatre Royal’s vast collection of memorabilia alongside a large array of other artefacts. The gallery will become a focal point for theatre tours, providing a stimulating historic and cultural context for information about the present...

Tubular Bells for Two Newcastle Tyne Theatre   18/6/2013   As the classic Mike Oldfield work “Tubular Bells” reaches its 40 th anniversary, 2 incredibly talented Australian musicians embark on a tour of the UK , performing the work to 44 venues before appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe.     Aidan Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth are two very gifted musicians who have the virtuosity to tackle a piece of music that took over 30 musicians to perform back in 1973. The stage is packed with many instruments when the two gladiators enter ready to captivate another audience.   The piece starts with the familiar refrain from “The Exorcist”. It is clear from the off that both musicians are passionate about the work. They have tried to recreate the sound and it takes a combination of talent and bravery as they race across the stage, instrument in hand, in order to be in place to change instrument. The first half of the show builds up with gusto to a cr...

Promising Beginnings This was only Anna Leigh Middleton's and Richard Champney's second outing on stage in the form of "Denature". Already familiar on the northeast music scene as "Anna and The Kings" the duo have added an electronic element to their sound and a bassist, keyboard player and drummer to enhance both the visible and audible aspects of the live experience. The night started with a set from Tony Bengtsson . Tony is deservedly respected in the northeast for his incisive songwriting and his "amazing voice" (lost count of how many people said that last night). With an Americana edge and a personal warmth that won over an already appreciative crowd, Tony had a great set last night. These were real songs that go somewhere. I'm looking forward to seeing his career take off.   Tony Bengtsson ©Jowheretogo PR Second to take the stage was Sophie Watson , a product of the Sage Gateshead music education system and purveyor of what I c...

3 Shorts - Alphabetti Spaghetti Theatre Production @ The Dog and Parrot Friday 14/6/2013   The upstairs room of The Dog & Parrot has been transformed in recent years. Now the Alphabetti Spaghetti Theatre group have taken over we have theatre and comedy up here in addition to the music.   3 Shorts is one such theatre production. Local script writers were asked to come up with 30 minute comedy scripts.   Their work has been produced and performed by the company that was described by the BBC as ‘Original, off the wall and clever’. The result are 3 shorts, in a lovely venue, that are both full of humour and pathos in equal measure.   Tonight’s first short play was “Spear Carriers” by Andrew Thompson. 2 actors who have roles as “attendants” in a production of a Shakespeare play featuring Ian McKellen. They discuss the problems of trying to get noticed in a non-speaking role. The two actors also describe their private lives and this ultimately...

NORTH HIT THE ROAD   Northern Stage’s new associate theatre company, NORTH, are branching out and gearing up for an exciting programme of events this summer.  In November 2012 Northern Stage recruited seven recent graduates, emerging artists and actors to form a fresh new company. Led by Northern Stage’s Creative Associate, Mark Calvert, NORTH was a three month opportunity to create work, develop skills and meet some of the regions most important creative minds.  This resulted in a brand new piece: “The Man Who Thought the Moon Would Fall Out of the Sky”. Inspired by a 19 th Century Scrapbook the show “Unearthed the curious tale of a mans life… A riotous evening filled with laughter, live music, and a magical story that may or may not be true.”  Following the success of their debut performance at the end of March the seven young theatre makers have formed their own independent theatre company, and are taking the show on the road.  Their “Summer Festiva...

RENT – 20 th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT –   TOUR EXTENDED DUE TO PHENOMENAL PUBLIC DEMAND!   ‘BIG REUNION’ STAR NATASHA HAMILTON AND ‘SUPERSTAR’ RUNNER UP RORY TAYLOR LEAD A WEST END CAST AND LIVE BAND IN UK CONCERT TOUR OF HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL ‘RENT’   THURSDAY 28 th NOVEMBER 2013 Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre Website: www.millvolvotynetheatre.co.uk   TICKETS ON SALE AT 10AM ON FRIDAY 7 TH JUNE