Northeast Music Guide

Consett Festival Friday 25th  and Saturday 26th April Tickets: Buy here

POETS PUTTING THE RADIKAL INTO RADIKAL WORDS Join us this April for the first of the bi-annual feasts that is Radikal Words. Always eclectic, always excellent, this spoken word night brings the finest poets from around the UK and the north-east region to the intimate, experimental Stage 3 space at Northern Stage. We are very excited that this month we have not one, but two headliners, each of them socially and politically engaged but representing different generations and cultures – Bristol based “folk hero’ Dizraeli and American-born firebrand David Lee Morgan.  They will be ably supported by local poets Mandy Maxwell, Rowan McCabe and Arabella Arnott, with music from singer-songwriter Ditte Elly. The evening is hosted by founder member of Radikal Words, Jeff Price. "If you can catch another Radikal Words night, do." Jowheretogo "Radikal Words was a real triumph" The Courier ABOUT DIZRAELI Dizraeli is a BBC Slam Poetry Champion and Farrago UK Slam ...

Observations from 27/03/2014 At The Cluny Photos all ©Jowheretogo Words by James Clarke: Had to nip along to  The Cluny  when I heard there was a fundraising band extravaganza for relatively new muso mag  NE:MM , ran by  Russell Poad , whom I’ve always admired for promoting excellent live shows in t he past. Last night’s line-up was another fine example of quality Northeast talent.  I rocked up around 9pm and caught the end of a set by a duo named “what we call progress” Their Chemical Brothers meets singer songwriter setup had me intrigued, it wasn’t just button pushing techno-nonsense, it was clever, melodic, unique and quite beautiful. These guys wouldn’t be out of place in some kind of post clubbing chillout backroom. I’d like to see more of them.  Next up was mint Yorkshire lass  Meghann Clancy . I’m massively biased as I’ve always loved her music plus accompanying cellist  Katie Hall   is also in my band  3 at Sea . I wa...

DERREN BROWN BRINGS NEW SHOW TO NEWCASTLE The multi-award winning acknowledged master of psychological illusion is back on tour with his smash-hit show  Derren Brown: Infamous . The show is at Theatre Royal for one week only, 2 – 7 June, and is sure to demonstrate why Derren is one of the world’s most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control. Critics and the public have been universal in their praise for what has proven to be Derren’s most ‘heart-felt’ show and audiences have flocked from around the world to be part of this unique theatrical experience. Derren commented: “ After six months of touring a much more personal show - quite a 'brave' move away from the template of previous shows - it's been hugely rewarding to repeatedly hear audience members and critics say it's the best show yet”. Infamous  is Derren’s 6th show since 2003. Since then he has toured every year and been watched by an estimated audience of over o...

CATCH A CLASSIC BRITISH DRAMA AT THEATRE ROYAL Alistair McGowan reprises his West End role as Henry Higgins in a new production of Bernard Shaw’s best-known play,  Pygmalion , which comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal, 22 – 26 April, as part of a 16 week national tour. The aristocratic and egocentric Professor of Phonetics Henry Higgins, makes a bet with his friend, the amiable Colonel Pickering, that he can transform the manners and speech of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle and pass her off as a lady in society. Packed with a host of larger than life characters including Alfred Doolittle and lovelorn Freddy Eynsford-Hill,  Pygmalion  remains one of the most popular of Bernard Shaw’s plays and is perhaps best known as the inspiration for the Lerner and Loewe musical  My Fair Lady.  This ever-entertaining dramatic tour de force is full of Shaw’s trademark wit, style and provocative insights, as well as a beguiling and enduring humour. A classic Brit...

JOURNAL CULTURE AWARD NOMINATED EVENT OF THE YEAR RETURNS FOR 2014 40 ARTISTS TO PLAY THE NORTH EAST’S BIGGEST EVENT FOR EMERGING MUSIC SATURDAY 24 th MAY OUSEBURN VALLEY , NEWCASTLE TICKETS ON SALE FROM 12noon, WED 12 th MARCH £3 Gig Entry/£5 Gig Plus Aftershow www.evolutionemerging.com Doors 7PM+ / Aftershow 10.30PM-3AM / Wristband Exchange open from 4pm GENERATOR ANNOUNCE BIGGEST LINEUP YET WITH THE LAKE POETS , BOY JUMPS SHIP, BRIDIE JACKSON & THE ARBOUR, BLESSA, GALLERY CIRCUS, SAM FENDER, VINYL JACKET, FÉ, ROSSI NOISE & MANY MORE Generator are proud to announce this year’s Evolution Emerging lineup. With over 500 artist submissions this year, Generator are squeezing as much talent into one night as possible. Evolution Emerging 2014 features the very best emerging artists from the North East , special guest headliners and our favourite new artists from across the UK unearthed through the agency’s Tippi...

We Wanted More! Usurper took to the stage at the Head of Steam and quickly overcame what seemed to be a little apprehension to demonstrate their unique brand of rapidly changing agit rock. It took a while for me to get attuned to it but I really rather enjoyed the last two songs especially Stand up Motherfucker . I have tried to research these guys but they seem not to be set up on the social networks yet. The Carnabells were a huge contrast to their dark indie rock support. This was real retro rock and roll of the kind you can’t help but enjoy. Great songs, sing-along choruses, lovely shirts and a bright stage presence added up to a highly enjoyable performance. I find myself wanting their CD for my car, good driving tunes. Emergency Door Release appeared still buzzing from a successful support slot for The Twang at the O2 last week. The band were even more “up for it” and the chemistry between them all was infectious. James Rooney had no difficulty getting the a...

Petra pearls has been going Viral! It's over a year since Petra Pearls began to whisper sweet somethings on Twitter; her humour, astute take on life and charm have won the interest of many followers. Petra's stories from the office strike a knowing chord and heartfelt response from followers; Sick Note Suzy, a sickly twenty something misfit reliant on Petra's pearls of wisdom, Mike who scares everyone in the office and the Vandwich man who creates a new sandwich filling each week and insists Petra be the first to try. Emotionally engaging virtual connection with people works, Petra Pearls draws in an audience and spends time listening to the tweets of others, she's connected with the cultural buzz of todays complex world so that she can be involved and offer her thoughts. There is one fundamental factor in the style and quality of Petra's thoughts - they are focussed on emotional intelligence. Petra demonstrates self awareness, she knows how she wants ...

Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair The story of the power hungry murderous Macbeth, driven mad with visions from ghosts and a trio meddlesome witches, is familiar to most theatre-goers. As a Shakespeare classic I would say this one is definitely a good one to start with. It is usually one of the shorter ones and moves along at a fair old lick as a story.  This production had an industrial style set with a military feel that fit well with the costumes of the cast. The lighting, a changing background sky and the use of sound gave this the feel of a professional production. That said, in between amplified sections, the speakers should probably be turned down to avoid the mildly distracting hiss. The cast were all completely immersed in their roles. The three witches were played in a suitably manic, yet controlled way by Sarah Harrison Dowd, Penny Lamport and Ann Cater. Their hair and makeup added nicely to their unhinged appearance. The whole cast did a fabulous job of bringing this...

Macbeth­­­­ by William Shakespeare Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 March @ 7.30pm   “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” In one of the most searing portrayals of evil ever written, Shakespeare examines the dangers of ambition and the potentially overwhelming power of the human conscience. Part supernatural horror, part bloodthirsty tragedy, this Jacobean masterpiece continues to enthral as a timeless warning against political tyranny. INFORMATION: MACBETH by William Shakespeare DATE:             Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 March 2014 TIME:              7.30pm VENUE:          The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF TICKETS:       £12.50 (Concessions £10) 10% discount for parties of 10+ TELE:       ...