Luckies in Jesmond? It’s only my new favourite micropub (and brewery). I actually tasted Luckies long before I ventured through its doors. That’s because as well as being a pub they also house their own brewery, and I’d sampled their wares in both The …

When it comes to colour, few people do it better than The Jacksons – and no, we don’t mean the ‘Blame It on the Boogie’ hitmakers. Tucked away in Notting Hill, this independent homeware and fashion label is a maximalist’s dream, with everything from c…

If you’re not on board with regional success story SNIDE yet, well now is as good a time as any. September was a great month to be SNIDE. The Newcastle-based independent fashion brand saw a successful pop-up store opening here in the north-east, and we…

Hitting that sweet spot somewhere between louche and chic is the delectable Phix. As we head towards festive parties and debaucherous events, there’s no better time to bring some fun and sparkle to your wardrobe. But this isn’t your ordinary glitzy par…

The UK’s most prestigious art award, The Turner Prize, is coming to MIMA this autumn for what promises to be one of the cultural highlights of the north-east year. Established in 1984, the Turner Prize quickly grew into one of the world’s most feted—a…

I’m a HUGE fan of Fickle Friends (yes, caps) and they’re in Newcastle in early October. Oh, my! Brighton’s premier indie-pop groovers, Fickle Friends are bringing their infectious, sun-drenched synth-pop to the intimate confines of Think Tank? this Oct…

Lola Pony describes herself as a ‘Trashartivist’, with her unique music combining bold lyrics charged with activism and melodies created on instruments rescued from bins. Her debut album Pink Trash Chicken is raw, authentic DIY pop, recorded on a phone an…

This seventh LP from The Strokes is unlike anything we’ve heard from them before with pretty much every track steeped in heavily autotuned vocals. It’s unclear what the band is going for with this - perhaps it’s a tongue in cheek choice to heighten the pl…

In 1939, an Austrian 19-year-old named Hermine Braunsteiner accepted a job as a prison guard in Germany with the hopes of sending more money to her family back home. A decade later, she is known as ‘The Mare’ and is renowned for the brutal violence she en…

Soundtracked to period pop, this 1985-set, crowd-pleasing comedy drama, was a huge hit in its native France. Impressive newcomer Boublil is Vincent, a thirteen-year-old boy and youngest member of a family of Sephardim Jewish immigrants from North Africa l…

Can the browse-tastic Flea Circus be seven years old already? Yes, indeed! And it’s still as good as ever. Situated on the same row as The Star & Shadow cinema in Newcastle, Flea Circus has been my go-to place when I’m in the market for – well – just a…

Well, what a few months. Finally Reform and Restore seem to be on the run and old Nige under the cosh because of all the dodgy donations he’s been touting for and receiving. Tough luck for him. Maybe he needed some big spending unions in his back pocket. …