Snake Davis is one of the most in-demand rock, soul and jazz sax players in the world (IN THE WORLD!) and he, and his band, are coming to Middlesbrough in early September. When it comes to sax appeal, Snake Davis has just got it. He has played and recorde…

The multi-faceted raw talent that is Hempress Sativa (aka The Lyrical machine) blends traditional roots reggae with off-shoots of hip-hop, afrobeats and R&B for a sound she’s slapped with a ‘UniverSoul’ label. Born and raised in Jamaica, to Rastafarian pa…

Joshua Ray Walker has set tongues a-clacking among the country set, and you can see what all the fuss is about when he plays the Gosforth Civic Theatre in August. A native of Dallas, Texas, Joshua Ray Walker was a virtual unknown three years ago, but when…

Is anyone writing better country songs at the minute than Brandy Clark? I’m saying no. She’s coming to Sunderland in early September. Brandy Clark grew up in the tiny lumber town of Morton in Washington and forged her reputation by co-writing songs for ot…

The Weather Station – fronted by Tamara Linderman – are one of the most enigmatic bands to emerge from Toronto’s vibrant folk scene. They’re coming to Gosforth Civic Theatre in early September. The Weather Station’s stunning fifth album ‘Ignorance’ was re…

The Newcastle Jazz Festival is set to return in August with four days of sizzling hot sounds. Miss it and miss out! The Newcastle Jazz Festival began life in 1974 and over the years it played host to some of the biggest names you’ll find anywhere. Due to …

Base Camp in Middlesbrough is hosting a gig night in August featuring Sorry Escalator (FYI: brilliant), Apollo Ghosts (FYI: brilliant - pictured) and James Leonard Hewitson (FYI: brilliant). Brilliant. This is the kind of night that looks like it’s going …

Straddling the genres of R&B, disco and house is the huge talent that is Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King and she’s coming to Hoochie Coochie in early September. ‘Shame’ – which Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King released in 1978 – is one of THE greatest singles of all time.…

Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler have produced one of the year’s best albums in ‘For All Our Days That Tear the Heart’, and their current tour sees them coming to Whitley Bay Playhouse on 25 August. Bernard Butler, of course, has one of the most enviable…