One of the fastest rising stars in the north-east, Finn Forster is all set to play Sunderland this May. Middlesbrough-lad Finn Forster has rapidly risen through the ranks to find himself as one of the UK’s most promising breakout artists. And what mak…

The astonishing Davina & the Vagabonds are coming to tear up Cluny 2 in Newcastle this May, which is nice of them. If you’re looking for a performance that feels less like a concert and more like a high-octane time machine, Davina & The Vagabonds are e…

1984 return to The Forum in Darlington once again this May with their electrifying pop show featuring massive synthesiser sounds, captivating visuals, and the amazingly versatile voice of Ed Blaney. Ed Blaney is a Salford-born musician (and manager) wi…

The fourth ‘A Stone’s Throw’ festival is taking over the coastal town for one day in May. And that line-up? It’s pure chef’s kiss. On headline duties this year are two up and coming acts who are among the most exciting in the UK today. I’m talking Luv…

Leba, the acclaimed singer, songwriter, record producer and daughter of the legendary Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, is now fronting up the new look Toots and the Maytals. They’re playing Middlesbrough this May. The transition of Toots and the Maytels into…

Born in Wales – but now based on Tyneside – this singer/songwriter/cello player should be your go-to artist for folk music that’s been warped into something very special indeed. We’ve previously waxed lyrical about Ceitidh Mac within these pages before…

This Sunderland/Gateshead band has a new album out in May, and it’s a bewitching delight from start to finish. And that album is called ‘The Haunted Life of Architecture’ (released 15 May) and its gestation came about after their songwriter Daniel Clif…

In early June, the Gosforth Civic Theatre welcomes the spellbinding sounds of Kassi Valazza to their stage, a songwriter rapidly becoming a titan of the new American roots movement. Originally hailing from the vast, open landscapes of Arizona and now …

Newcastle’s abundantly talented Melanie Baker has just signed to Tambourhinoceros, news which gets a hearty “Woo hoo!” from me. And the first fruits of Melanie Baker’s dalliance with Tambourhinoceros is her latest single ‘Sad Clown’, which is a blister…

Dolder are Dani and Zara Dolder, twin sisters from Newcastle who have been turning plenty of heads recently with their harmony-dunked alt-pop. And one of the heads that Dolder has been turning is that of Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards, who, on hearing a t…