It’s not very often that you find an artist that is clearly incredibly talented but so naturally humble, indie folk artist Melanie Baker is the epitome of this. Born and raised in Cumbria her music displays the same quiet, effortless magic as her home, th…

If I said to you: “Wrest are a band from Edinburgh who have one of the fastest growing reputations in indie-rock circles,” I wouldn’t be telling you a word of a line. They’re in Sunderland this October. Wrest love a big chorus; a chorus that comes with…

The Magpies burst onto the UK folk scene but a blink of an eye ago, but their fresh sound has already won them much praise and a real following. They’re at The Globe in Newcastle this October. The Magpies released their debut album ‘Tidings’ in 2020 to hu…

Soumik Datta has worked with everyone from Beyonce to Jay Z, Joss Stone to (ahem) Bill Bailey, but he’s taking centre stage for his ‘The Hope Notes Tour’. Soumik Datta – an award-winning musician, producer and television presenter – plays the 19-stringed …

Fronted by one of the region’s most talented stars – Pauline Murray – Penetration are arguably the most feted punk band to ever come out of the north-east. The original line-up of The Damned are hitting the road in 2022 and the venerable punk legends have…

LA’s Kate Clover hacks away at the same sort of rich seam of rock and roll that Iggy Pop and Patti Smith mined so successfully. Enjoy her rumbustious ways when she visits Newcastle this October. Did Kate Clover grow up on the fringes of skating culture? O…

Local lad Daniel Clifford IS Amateur Ornithologist, and he’s launching his new album with a gig at Gateshead’s glorious Central Bar in October. It’s damning Amateur Ornithologist with faint praise to say his new album (called ‘Building The Bird’ fact fans…

The Unthanks are the latest recipients of our much sought after, and highly metaphorical, ‘Album of the Month’ trophy, which they’ve won for their latest release ‘Sorrows Away’. They’ve got three gigs in the region this October. The Unthanks played London…

The region’s greatest big band – Strictly Smokin’ Big Band – are celebrating 20 years in the biz with an extra special gig at Hoochie Coochie in October featuring the incredible Dave O’Higgins (pictured). Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins has played with many of…

North Shields’ beautiful venue The Exchange has a great line-up of good stuff coming up over the next few months. One of the hottest shows coming to The Exchange in the near future is Am I Invisible Yet? (Friday 7 & Saturday 8 October - pictured). A perso…

There’s no better way to wave goodbye to a summer of post-covid partying than taking one last generous sip of the party themselves – Los Bitchos formed in 2017 through meeting at various house parties and you can definitely tell. Combining cumbia, psyched…

Now I don’t know about you, but I’m a strong believer that Disney villains outshine their heroic counterparts, and The Little Mermaid’s Ursula is without a doubt one of the most legendary. In fact, the aquatic diva has achieved a lot of attention in recen…

Rock fans crowded the doors of Northumbria SU this Saturday for the first annual Risefest. Acts including Cassyette and Vukovi local Rise Battle of the Bands winners Kidpunk, shared the floor across 2 stages providing something for everyone. Boston Manor …

Middlesbrough’s amazing one-day music festival Twisterella is hovering into view once again, which is your cue to get very excited. Forty of the best up and coming bands around. Five stages. One ticket. Does it get any better than that? (Answer: No.) And …