One of my fave albums of the year is from Låpsley (‘I'M A HURRICANE I'M A WOMAN IN LOVE’) and she’ll be hitting us up with songs from it when she plays Newcastle this October. Låpsley stands out as one of the most thrilling artists today due to her consi…

Underground hero Scott Lavene will appeal to fans of Ian Dury et al, and he’s coming to North Shields this October at the wonderful Engine Room. There’s a strong story-telling element to Scott Lavene’s stuff as he draws upon real-life experiences and …

Much loved local rock band Dam Yankee are playing a charity gig in Newcastle on Friday 31 October, with all money raised going to St. Oswald’s Hospice. I’m not a huge fan of Halloween. All those parties with bozos dressed as The Bride of Frankenstein a…

One of Tyneside’s finest cultural institutions, the Jumpin’ Hot Club, is 40 years old this year and they’re celebrating with a fascinating exhibition at Gateshead’s St Mary’s Heritage Centre. Naturally, they’ve also got plenty of gigs lined up too. One…

Are Sunderland’s Polyfillas one of the most exciting bands in the north-east today? I’m answering that with a firm “Hell, yeah!” When’s the last time you bopped around the kitchen to a song about period poverty? For me it was last Tuesday. The track in…

No one can ever feel short changed by Pity Me’s Mama Lips as in September they released their 50th album (50!). And – get this! – it’s absolutely wonderful. I was feeling a tad down this morning – more than a tad, actually – when I decided I’d give Mam…