Local outfit North Riding play a glorious mix of Americana roots and Tees Valley soul, and they’ll be showing just why they’ve been a hit on both sides of the Atlantic when they play The Forum in Darlington this June.

North Riding has been winning praise from all quarters, particularly on the UK roots scene, and they’ve already nabbed the title of BBC Radio 2 New Horizon Artists. And BBC Radio 2 stalwart “Whispering” Bob Harris is also on board with them, stating, “I love their music.” And Bob, as is his wont, certainly knows his stuff because this duo has “The Real Deal” running through every ounce of their sound. They’re made up of Hayley McKay – the international award-winning singer-songwriter known for her soaring, soulful vocals and heartfelt storytelling (she’s also been named as “UK Entertainer of the Year”) – and David Neil Crabtree, a multi-instrumentalist and producer who provides the band’s rich, textured sound and harmony arrangements. And those very harmony arrangements are one of the things that make their live shows so captivating. The band are playing various festivals this year (including Durham Fringe Festival, Hardwick Festival and Lindisfarne Festival), but if you’d like to see them up close and personal – with full band – then check out this gig in Darlington. GM

North Riding + support, Friday 19 June, The Forum, Darlington, 7pm, £12.50, theforumonline.co.uk