Music What’s On

Kokoroko

Riverside: May 18th 2021

Take the improvisational character of jazz, combine it with the raunchiness of funk, flavour the mixture with African tradition. What do you end up with? Afrobeat and KOKOROKO (meaning 'be strong' in Urhobo). They are a collective of young musicians brought together by a love for Afrobeat. They specialise in a soul shaking, horn fuelled sound with West African roots and Inner London hues.

John Grant

The Sage Gateshead: May 19th 2021

Following a successful year touring Love Is Magic, his critically-acclaimed fourth solo album, John Grant has announced a tour performing as a duo with his long-time piano player Chris Pemberton. For these dates Grant will be taking a stripped-back approach, performing classics from across his career on just piano and keys.

Folkworks: Talisk

The Sage Gateshead: May 19th 2021

In their five years, Scottish firebrands Talisk have stacked up several major awards for their explosively energetic yet artfully woven sound, including 2017’s Folk Band of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Plus Folkestra.

Modern Studies

Bobik's: May 19th 2021

A chamber pop band from Glasgow-via-Yorkshire. Their quietly experimental landscape songs are played on analogue synths, cello, double bass, drums, guitars, a wine-glass orchestra and, at the creaking centre of things, a Victorian pedal harmonium.

Boyzlife

O2 City Hall: May 20th 2021

Brian McFadden from Westlife and Keith Duffy from Boyzone are coming together to perform the bands’ greatest hits at a very special, full production, live show.

Dappy

Newcastle University Students Union: May 20th 2021

North London MC / vocalist Dappy was instrumental in the commercial breakthrough of his urban-pop trio N-Dubz, before breaking out on a solo career.

Gong

The Cluny: May 20th 2021

The ever metamorphosing entity that is GONG launches, as ever, into unknown – and unknowing – territory with a new tour for 2021, destined to be talked about, discussed, and argued over, up and down the land. Gong’s musically diverse world includes shades of psychedelia, space rock, jazz, avant-garde, krautrock and surreal soundscapes.

YES - Relayer - The Album Series Tour

The Sage Gateshead: May 20th 2021

The Album Series 2020 Tour will feature their 1974 Relayer album in its entirety together with a selection of other classic YES favourites.

The Smyths…"The Queen is Dead" 35th Anniversary Tour

O2 Academy Newcastle: May 21st 2021

Gong

The Georgian Theatre: May 21st 2021

Teesside based Psych promoters Lost in the Woods after a 3year email exchange have finally landed the big sonic psychedelic behometh of GONG and are bringing them to the Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Tees for a special spring gathering, supports to be confirmed, but will be complimented by the Lost in the Woods DJ collective.

Pet Shop Boys - Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live

Utilita Arena Newcastle: May 21st 2021

Pop pioneers and electropop dance gurus, Neil & Chris are the most successful recording duo in British history, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

Urban Voodoo Machine

The Cluny 2: May 21st 2021

Paul-Ronney Angel and his family of suberbly talented musical miscreants have spent the last 16 years bringing the bible black and blood red music they call Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop’n’Stroll to the people!

Set It Off

Riverside: May 21st 2021

This Los Angeles based band have become known for creating their own original brand of pop music, infusing bold electronic elements that guide loud, driving rock instrumentations with guitar riffs as catchy as the choruses and an overall feel-good, dance-worthy vibe. Commanding attention, Set It Off bring authenticity back to pop music in a bold and unapologetic way.