Say “Hi!” to Elizabeth Liddle and Billy Smith – a duo whose debut single is a real thing of beauty and joy. As singles go Smith & Liddle’s ‘Piece of You’ is among the best debuts I’ve heard in a while. Recorded at Blank Studios in Newcastle it’s a real…

This female-fronted five-piece from Newcastle are alt-rocking heroes in the making and I was on board with them from the very first riffs. PØRTERS first hovered onto my radar when they released their debut single ‘Recover’ – a confident chunk of tick-t…

The frankly awesome Brass Festival returns to Durham for eight glorious days this July, and the line-up for 2025 is straight out of the top drawer. Check this little lot out. Durham is a special city whatever the time of year, but come July it really b…

The Durham Fringe Festival returns for five days this July with a programme that’ll knock your ruddy socks off. Last time I checked, the Durham Fringe website had 112 events listed for this year’s festival. 112! (One hundred and twelve!) And talk about…

8-piece movers and groovers Discography will be bringing a touch of disco mecca Studio 54 to Darlington this early August when they play The Forum. You can almost feel the satin sheen of Discography’s sonics when they hit their stride. Because make no …

Newcastle Castle has got an incredible line-up of live acts lined up for a very special evening this July. And that incredible line-up includes: Crack fave India Arkin (pictured – this hotly tipped singer-songwriter draws influences from the likes of W…

The Newcastle Fringe Festival returns this July and August with 110 performances scheduled right across the city. I’ll say that again: 110. Wow! It’s bigger, it’s bolder and it’s even more bountiful with its delights. It’s the Newcastle Fringe Festival…

The Glasshouse in Gateshead is hosting a major weekend of BBC Proms this July, and it’s absolutely bountiful with major names and surprises. Oh my giddy aunt! The brilliant JADE (pictured) is part of the BBC Proms at The Glasshouse this year. Yes – the…