The Glasshouse looks particularly lovely at this time of year—a beacon to all gig goers looking to light up their winter months. What’s inside isn’t too shabby either, and here’s our pick of their forthcoming programme.

Naturally, there are plenty of Christmas treats coming up at The Glasshouse over the next month or two—more on those later—but it’s not just these festive fancies that have got me excited this November and December. The Glasshouse are also giving a platform to artists such as Jasmine Myra (4 November), the Leeds-based alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader who will be bringing her signature mix of euphoric, uplifting jazz and lush, cinematic arrangements our way. Combining soaring horn lines with rich string textures and subtle electronic nuances, it’s easy to see why she slots nicely into The Glasshouse’s ‘Innovators’ strand. And the next Friday Night Club with The Unthanks looks particularly enticing too (6 November). This edition’s line-up is straight out of the top drawer and includes choral, post-rock and retro inspired band Ugly; cutting-edge collaborating composers Aidan O’Rourke and Graeme Stephen; feminist folklore from Lucy Wright; and the brilliant Me Lost Me, the Newcastle-based artist whose envelope-pushing ways see her deconstructing folk, art-pop, noise and ambience. And, pleased to report, Bellowhead are back (11 November). With their unique blend of traditional English folk music and a modern big-band sound, this extraordinary outfit celebrated their 20th anniversary this year by releasing their exuberant ‘Burlesque’ album—a long-player that has received all kinds of glittering plaudits. And the wonderful Ben Folds returns to the region once again with his ‘Paper Airplane Request Tour’ (16 November). This unique concert invites the audience to request their favourite Ben Folds song by writing it on a piece of paper, folding it into a paper aeroplane, and launching it towards the stage. It’s true! (Note: He’ll play a traditional set in the first half of the show, before the paper planes take flight.) And I can’t wait to catch the latest show from Lambchop (26 November). Led by the distinctively wry, baritone vocals of main songwriter Kurt Wagner, the long-running Nashville outfit will be hitting us up with their genre-defying mix of alt-country, soul, lounge, and experimental electronic. Following their August release ‘Punching The Clown’, the show promises a masterclass in quiet intensity, understated humour, and gorgeous acoustic arrangements. More local heroes arrive towards the back end of November in the shape of Hector Gannet (27 November), with the North Shields’ outfit playing songs from their brilliant new album ‘The Great Shakedown’. It’s a rousing, expansive, and beautiful release that lifts your heart and soul up into the clouds. Also causing a stir will be the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra (29 November). They will be reimagining classic hits from the cream of the rock crop including AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, and more. We’ve long championed the work of Teesside’s Amelia Coburn, and she always goes down a storm in the live arena (5 December). Last year’s ‘Between the Moon and the Milkman’ album was one of 2026’s finest and was a brilliant showcase for her melodic folk songs which are populated by vivid characters galore. Another folkie who has long claimed my heart is Rhiannon Giddens (8 December). The Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-winning singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer will be bringing her vital reclamation of American roots music our way. Showcasing her virtuosic clawhammer banjo and soaring vocals, the show draws from her broad catalogue for an evening that spans folk, blues, opera, and traditional roots lineages. Of course, The Glasshouse’s halls will be decorated with much metaphorical holly this December, and they have some cracking Christmas shows in the offing too. Among my favourites this year are I’m Dreaming of a Wandering Hearts Christmas (pictured - luscious harmonies and bonhomie from this delectable trio – 6 December); Kate Rusby at Christmas (2026 marks 21 years of Christmas shows from this Yorkshire lass – 14 December); The Rat Pack at Christmas (swing’s the thing from Frank, Dean and Sammy – 18 December); and—why not!—Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film (one of the best screen versions of the Dickens’ classic, with Royal Northern Sinfonia providing the live soundtrack – 22 December). Moving into 2027, I’d quickly like to flag up José González (28 January), one of the truly captivating live performers in contemporary music; the legendary guitarist Robben Ford (28 January); and the force of nature that is Emeli Sandé (6 February). All of the above gigs are ones that have particularly caught my eye, but make sure you check out the full programme to find your own cockle-warmers this winter season. DP

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead. Full programme and ticket details from: theglasshouseicm.org