I’ll tell you what’s going on with Hector Gannet: a fab new single; a Newcastle gig in early January; and an album to follow. Oh, my!

Aaron Duff – the singer/songwriter from North Shields working under the artist moniker Hector Gannet – is the proud recipient of an Album of the Month rosette from The Crack (it’s a strictly metaphorical rosette, but hopefully he is proud of it). He and his band have been winning much acclaim for their atmospheric and heartfelt folk-rock – so much so that they have been much in demand. They’ve toured with Sam Fender (including those stadium shows at St. James’) and supported the likes of Elbow, Sea Power and Richard Thompson. Indeed, their new single ‘The Jetty’s End’ has all the melodic power of someone like Thompson, but they’ve coupled it with an arena filling sound that’s lifted by church bells (recorded live at the 17th century Christ Church in North Shields), a punchy brass section, and a youth choir. It’s breath-taking stuff and bodes well for their album, which is due out next spring. In the meantime, they have a gig at Cluny 2 in January, and it promises to be quite a night. DP

Hector Gannet, Monday 12 January, Cluny 2, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £20, thecluny.com