The personal becomes political in this understated North East-set drama that also serves as a worryingly timely and necessary reminder of how institutional bigotry is hawked under the pretence of concern for ‘family values’. Rosy McEwan is Jean, a private…

This is RuPaul’s fifteenth album, with the self-proclaimed “queen of drag” blessing us with the ultimate hype songs since 1993. Yet, what’s so great about RuPaul - and the reason she has remained iconic for so many years - is that she is constantly evolvi…

Newcastle’s very own DIY cinema Star and Shadow are screening a whole bunch of LGBTQ+ films to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month. Star and Shadow has everything you could want this History Month, with a huge programme of films that have made history them…

Comedian Sophie Duker appears to be on a mission to reclaim the word “hag” in her new show, ‘Hag’. Sophie Duker has become a familiar, and very welcome, presence on our TV screens appearing on a whole bunch of shows such as ‘Frankie Boyle’s New World Orde…

Mega Japanese metal band Esprit D’Air are roaring into Newcastle this February to literally lift the roof of The Cluny (legal note: not literally). Esprit D’Air sold out Cluny 2 last time they were in Newcastle and the people who were at that gig saw some…

Bristol’s Run Logan Run are one of the most feted names in jazz right now and their gig at Sage Gateshead – which sees them teaming up with Annie Gardiner – promises to be one of THE events of February. Run Logan Run’s fourth album ‘Nature Will Take Care …

When Norman Jay, one of the most respected DJs in the world, comes your way, there’s only one thing to do: buy a ticket. Norman Jay became hooked on all aspects of Black music right from the get-go, as soon as he got his hands on his dad’s huge collection…

Is County-Durham’s Isabel Maria a fresh name to look out for in 2023? I’m answering that with a hearty “Yes!” Isabel Maria’s new single (out 3 February fact fans) is called ‘Addicted’ and I don’t think the stuff she’s addicted to is Sherbet Dib-Dabs, or e…

Crime fiction fans! Get yourself to Whitley Bay in early March for ‘Bay Tales Live’, featuring some of the world’s top authors. Some line-up this! Cop for Ann Cleeves, Trevor Wood, Ruth Ware (pictured), Brian McGilloway, Fiona Cummins, CJ Tudor and more, …

Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ is a real theatrical spectacular. It’s coming to Sunderland in February (and Newcastle in July). This production has got some oomph behind it, and make no mistake. It’s been penned by Neil Gaiman, one of th…

Newcastle Contemporary Art is hosting a retrospective of the work of Sally Madge. She died in 2020, but her works continues to challenge and delight. Sally Madge had the ability to come at the commonplace from an oblique angle to transfigure it totally. “…

Northern Stage have pulled together a real grab-bag of good stuff for 2023 and this lot – in particular – have got us really excited. My January blues were well and truly banished when I clocked the cavalcade of exciting productions that will be lighting …