The exceptionally talented singer-songwriter Tom Hickox is coming to The Grove in Newcastle in early October, which is good news for those of us who long to be transported to a different plane. Known for his evocative lyrics, haunting melodies, and a v…

Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem) is a woman who very much ploughs her own glorious furrow, and luckily for us that furrow is coming through Newcastle this September. Self Esteem’s deliriously good ‘A Complicated Woman’ album will undoubtedly be ne…

Overpass are currently one of the real creams of the indie crop, and they’ll be showing just why they’re being slapped heartily across the back when they play Independent in Sunderland this September. Overpass are a very thrilling proposition indeed. A…

Get ready for an evening of exquisite musicianship and heartfelt lyrics as the acclaimed singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot gets set to grace the stage of The Georgian Theatre in Stockton in early October. Known for her captivating voice, poignant storytell…

If you’re in need of an evening of captivating folk and Americana, then brace yourself for Lorraine Nash (pictured) and Dan Sealy. They’re bringing their ‘Winter Sun Tour’ to Cluny 2 in Newcastle in early October. Hailing from County Kerry, Lorraine Na…

Get ready for an evening of captivating and unconventional sound as Black Country, New Road take to the stage at The Glasshouse in Gateshead this September. Known for their genre-mangling approach, this London-based ensemble has carved out a unique spa…

When Scott Turnbull plays ARC in Stockton this September, can you expect a certain amount of lo-fi animation? Yes you ruddy well can. After he’s held a very well received residency at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year (the Guardian saw fit to fro…

Modern Nature’s ever evolving sound has reached new heights on their latest album ‘The Heat Warps’. They’re playing Pop Recs in Sunderland on the first day of October. Modern Nature’s brilliance has always been their ability to blend seemingly disparat…

The new single from this Newcastle based multidisciplinary artist is most definitely “out there”, and, hey, that’s a very good place to be. And that single is ‘Restoration’ and of it Tamara Kazziha says: “It’s sung in a made-up language – not as a conc…

This Newcastle-based chap is a new one on me, but after giving his latest track ‘SE19’ the once over, I’m more than eager to hear more. Isn’t SE19 in London? Sort of Croydon, Crystal Palace, Croydon etc? Yes indeed, and, as it happens, Chyaro was actua…

L.A. Witch (pictured) are currently on a co-headline tour with Buttertones, which will mean hubble, bubble and double the thrills when they come to The Cluny in Newcastle this September. L.A. Witch’s thrilling appeal lies in their masterful blend of ra…

One of the region’s finest music festivals – The Gathering Sounds – is returning to Stockton once again this September and they’ve got a line-up toting thrills wherever you look. When us live music lovers hear the call – the call that speaks of up and …

One of the region’s finest bands The Unthanks are launching a new eclectic night at The Glasshouse that is going by the name of The Friday Night Club. Folky go-getters The Unthanks know the score, and so when I heard they were launching a new quarterly…

The Accelerate Festival – presented by the super-hot Second Speed – is the high-energy dance music event that’s set to take over Gateshead Stadium this September. Oh, man! This one’s gonna go off like a boxful of Catherine wheels. Building on the succe…

Hayden Pedigo’s fingerpicking guitar style is an absolute joy to behold, particularly live, and – luckily for us – he’s back at The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle in early September. I note that the Wikipedia entry for Hayden Pedigo casts him as an Americ…