Love getting all the latest family gossip around a cup of tea or a dinner? Tommy The Queer Historian’s got just the show for you: My Dear Aunty Nell. This show’s on a Wednesday, but My Dear Aunty Nell will make you feel like it’s a Sunday, with Tommy recr…

Actually, your dad MIGHT like him, but only if your dad likes free-form and improvisational guitar pieces that are untroubled by melody. It’s Tashi Dorji! Cobalt Studio continue to push envelopes in the most pleasing of manners, and they’ve got a real doo…

One of the region’s finest feel-good bands Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra are visiting The Witham in Banard Castle in early July, and we’re assured that the venue will make room for dancing. Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra have been slapped with many…

One of Nashville’s favourite daughters Laura Cantrell is back with a new album and – at last! – she’s finally back on the road again and swinging by Sunderland this June. Laura Cantrell is a real hero among those of us in thrall to the finest Americana/ro…

The always brilliant Ladyhawke is coming to light up The Cluny in Newcastle this May. Could I be happier? (Answer: no.) The new-wavy New Zealander Ladyhawke has been a fixture in my life ever since I caught her playing the Evolution Festival in Newcastle …

Kelis is one of the world’s most inventive pop stars and she’ll be showing just why she’s so talented when she visits Sage Gateshead in June. Kelis slips so easily between the worlds of pop, R&B and hip-hop, but wherever she lands she always sounds so fre…

Aussie Jack Ladder is one of the most singular talents around and he’ll be showing just why he’s so cherished when he plays Stockton in early July. The fact that Jack Ladder (aka Sydney songwriter Tim Rogers) is not a huge global star is an utterly bemusi…

This Country Durham lass has had me in the palm of her hand over the last few weeks. Why? It’s those smooth vibes, man. Elizabeth Liddle certainly knows how to wear a floppy hat. She also knows how to rock the hell out of a pair of bell-bottoms; and a pai…

“We are Dead Wet Things, a North East council estate rock band. We are looking to expand our following and would love to get involved with your magazine!” Hey Dead Wet Things! Thanks for your email, which goes on to say: “Even a small feature would be ama…

The Stone Valley Festival returns to Durham this June with three days of mod, ska, punk and indie sounds. The Stone Valley Festival offers up one of the friendliest vibes around with three days of top quality live stuff from some really big hitters who al…

Brighton go-getters Youth Sector are the art-rock saviours putting the new into new wave, and they’re playing The Engine Room in North Shields at the back end of June. Brighton is renowned for having a vibrant live music scene, and it’s often hard for ski…

The Cumberland Arms in Newcastle are ushering in summer with a whole bunch of good stuff on their famous terrace (I’m talking DJs, live music and food). When Lonely Planet released their top ten hottest destinations to visit in 2023, I was aghast that The…

The Caper is taking over Baltic for one night in June with music, food, DJs, comedy, drink, live art and more. The Caper is one of those real clear the diaries and make sure that you’re there events, and their knees-up at Baltic in June is promising thril…

Aussie band Nice Biscuit are a glorious melange of all that is good about psych/pop/rock. They’re hitting The Cluny in Newcastle on 1 June with Baby Cool, another band from down under that exude viiibes. If you’re aiming for a sun-kissed sound, then it’s …

The award-winning Australian musician and activist Lindy Morrison was in Newcastle to record a new album with The Girl With The Replaceable Head (at Polestar Studios) – just the latest chapter of a distinguished career, which goes way back. In the late 19…