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…

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 …