‘Seriously Uplifting’ is a trance night of rare quality that is coming to The Globe in Newcastle this May, and it’s toting north-east royalty in the shape of headliner James Cottle. The electronic music DJ and producer James Cottle has won fans and pl…

Saba Sams was selected as one of Granta’s Best Young British Novelists in 2023, and her 2023 ‘Send Nudes’ short story collection won plaudits from all quarters. ‘Gunk’ is her first novel and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. It begins: “The baby is twenty-…

I’m a big fan of Joe Keery’s work as an actor (I’ll be inconsolable if they kill off Steve in the Stranger Things finale) but this is my first encounter with his musical alias, Djo. I fear I’ve been missing out. The Crux is a patchwork blanket of an album…

The Expo Sunderland Pavilion is a striking new landmark in the city’s Keel Square, bringing together arts, culture, music and cutting-edge technology to create an inspiring community space. Featuring one of the UK’s largest semi-transparent LED screens…

Part wry epistolary character sketch, and part song and dance performance piece, Forsyth and Pollard’s film ingeniously and catchily profiles the titular woman via songs by Icelandic singer-songwriter Emilíana Torrini, as well as readings of letters Flowe…

Few bands are quite as iconic as The Rolling Stones, but did you know they also have their very own shop? The Rolling Stones Shop takes classic merch to a whole new level, with everything from cosy knitwear and bomber jackets to classic tees and homewa…

Plenty of great things have hailed from the north-east over the years, and that includes some brilliant fashion brands. One that recently landed on our radar is Pretty Mama, a brand designed especially for breastfeeding mothers. Alex Malley and Jenny …

Cult Japanese singer/songwriter Kaneko Ayano is coming to Cluny 2 in Newcastle this May and bringing her lauded band with her. Gonna be good! First up: Kaneko Ayano is the woman pictured, laughing at the world in all its absurdities. But kanekoayano (o…

The awesome Gimp Fist will be bringing the tunes and the fury when they visit The Georgian Theatre in Stockton this early June. I remember first catching Gimp Fist – ooh, maybe over a decade ago – at a punk festival. They weren’t among the headliners –…

‘Ladies of Laughter’ promises an uproarious night of stand-up comedy when four top comics join forces for an evening of high mirth at The Stand in Newcastle. The ‘Ladies of Laughter’ tour was such a hoot with audience members last time round – whateve…

The Sunderland Shorts Film Festival returns in May for a 10th anniversary special, and the depth, breadth and quality of work on show this year remains as astonishing as ever. This week long celebration of short films is one of the real gems of the nor…

There’s some stellar talent behind ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ – the extraordinary theatrical debut piece from Durham’s Ensemble '84 – including award-winning screenwriter Lee Hall and South Africa’s highly acclaimed Isango Ensemble. Theatre comp…

Sacred Paws make hopped-up indie-pop that is good for your head, heart and gyrating hips. Watch them kick up a right old fuss when they play Newcastle this May. Glasgow post-punks Ray Aggs and Eilidh Rodgers hit the ground running when they released ‘S…

World poetry slam champion Harry Baker is heading to Darlington in early June to celebrate friendship, postcodes and wellies. Harry Baker has had something of a meteoric rise, continually going viral for his poetry videos which mix heartfelt emotions a…

The two-day after-hours cultural crawl that is The Late Shows returns in May, and this year over 70 vibrant venues are taking part. When The Late Shows’ programme is announced each year, my wandering eye usually alights on something that makes me think…

A few weeks ago, I was standing on the touchline watching an under 14’s football match. The parental chat mainly aimed at who was playing well and the coach’s team selections. I tend not to chat about serious stuff and steer well clear of politics. Sure, …