Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Our pick of some of the best events taking place across the region this week…
Image: Meg McWilliam
Every week we pull together some of the best events taking place across the region, from music and theatre, to comedy, art and film. Read more on these, and other events, in the latest issue of NARC. magazine in print and online.
MUSIC
Revered hardcore punk outfit Muro come to The Lubber Fiend on Tuesday 20th May, hot on the heels of their third album Nuevo Dogma, which was released in 2024. Muro are a band committed to DIY attitudes, with Nuevo Dogma having mixed influences from plenty of places, and the record having been hand-assembled by the band. They have named many different influences from all over the world, and their eclectic inspiration definitely comes through when they are performing live. The blistering punks from Bogota will feel right at home at The Lubber Fiend, a venue similarly committed to DIY ethics that has been consistent in its mission of bringing great music from all around the world to the heart of Newcastle, with a strong belief in equality and making excellent performances accessible to all. Muro are the band to be listening to, interesting and eclectic, with commitment that is rarely seen these days.
Tuesday 20th May @ The Lubber Fiend
MUSIC
BIIG TIME are an indie rock secret that’s about to be blown wide open. With their new shoegaze-inspired, emphatic single Better Than Nothing, they come to Stockton’s KU Bar on Tuesday 20th May to celebrate. The band is made up of Johnny Took, guitarist of DMAs, and brother Matthew Took, singer of PLANET, who have reunited to create a heartfelt and emotional performance. Their stand-alone debut single, It’s You, enticed listeners with a West Coast garage rock sound back in 2020, and follow-up Bigger Than Nothing presents a shoegaze stomper. “Bigger Than Nothing is our first release since our first and only single It’s You back in 2020!” The band affirm. “It’s quintessential BIIG TIME. Harmonies the whole way through and distorted guitars. Lyrically it’s full of tongue in cheek self-deprecation and floating in and out of the feeling of not being good enough for people and situations around you.” The band’s debut record, 200K, is released this month, and the band explain it features “a collection of gems that we have written over the years”.
Tuesday 20th May @ KU Bar, Stockton
ART & LIT
Baltic X Northumbria University BA Fine Art Degree Show
Three years of student-artist learning culminates in this cross-venue exhibition which will feature some of the region’s most breathtaking up-and-coming multidisciplinary artists exploring painting, sculpture, installation and more, showcasing their work at Gallery North in Northumbria University, and Baltic and Vane art galleries in Gateshead.
Wednesday 21st – Sunday 25th May @ Various Venues
STAGE
Newcastle’s Live Theatre are doubling down on their dedication to new work and artist development with the launch of Unearthed Festival. The institution already prides itself on being one of the few theatres outside of London dedicated to helping new-to-the-game actors and writers hone their craft within its walls, and now Unearthed will push the boat out in its championing of new talent fresh from the North East. The 11 day festival, which runs from Tuesday 20th-Saturday 31st May, will feature a jam-packed roster of readings, performances and scratch nights to highlight the best of tomorrow’s biggest names. From the smorgasbord of new shows put on by the region’s up-and-comers, to artist and creative socials for professionals at the beginning and middle of their careers, and even a Q&A with Oscar winner and co-writer of Moonlight (based upon his original stage play) Tarell Alvin McCraney; Unearthed Festival boasts ample chances for anyone to partake in the North East’s most exciting developmental opportunities in the industry. Whether you’re a professional or a humble theatre goer, browse Unearthed’s programme to dig out a little something you’d like to experience.
Wednesday 21st May @ Live Theatre
MUSIC
If you are looking for something incredibly creative and unexpected to go and see, Louise Goult’s first solo exhibition in the North East is the one for you. Identity which runs from Friday 23rd – Monday 26th May at the BottleWorks gallery in Ouseburn, Newcastle explores identity and personality in contemporary embroidery. When you think of embroidery you probably first think of tidy, small and traditional patterns on the same types of neutral materials. What this show guarantees to do is flip that idea on its head completely and give you a new perspective of the art form. The embroidery in this show is brought to life in a fresh and unique way that sees it take over fabric, paper, found items and even to form parts of three-dimensional works – this is an exhibition that is pushing boundaries. Just as embroidery pieces things together, Louise is inviting the viewer to piece their own ideas around the sense of self together while in the space. It’s a space for reflection, exploration and new experiences. Louise describes how the artwork “demonstrates the impactfulness of textile art…and emphasises its place in the world of art”. If this sounds right up your street you can also head online to Louise’s website to book a space on an accompanying workshop on Thursday 22nd May.
Thursday 22nd May @ BottleWorks, Newcastle
EVENTS
Join artist Meg McWilliam at The Grove in Newcastle on Thursday 22nd May to celebrate the launch of her new radical magazine, RADGE. Meg’s work is infamous for her provocative political art which champions the causes of feminist, working-class artists through quirky design. With her unique punk collage style, McWilliam’s pieces are rife with cutting-edge social commentary; she rejects filter and faff, serving gritty yet exciting work that will make your jaw drop. Having tackled print art, Meg is moving on to editing her own magazine which will platform North East creatives, and look to break through the pretentious arts scene and offer a place for artists to express themselves, unfiltered. Through launching RADGE, Meg aims to make space for all artists – publishing work that stands up to patriarchy and is unapologetic about it. The reign of RADGE begins at The Grove, with a night full of fabulous chaos including drag performances, DJ sets and personalised cocktails!
Thursday 22nd May @ The Grove, Newcastle
MUSIC
Following an immense 2024, Scottish indie rockers The Snuts head to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Friday 23rd May. Last year, the West Lothian-heralding group toured the world with their third album, Millennials, including dates in Europe, the US and Japan, and a huge slot at Glastonbury festival. Millennials was released on their own record label, Happy Artist Records, and charted highly. Helped by hits including Gloria, Millionaires and Dreams, which continue the bright, breezy guitar sound they made their name from, the album saw The Snuts take a more direct songwriting approach, which tapped into previously unexplored ideas and emotions. Later this year, they also return to the North East for the brand new Come Together Festival, and to support The Wombats in December, but be sure to catch their headline show at Middlesbrough Town Hall to see them at their very best: commanding their own space and in control of their own atmosphere, as they celebrate their 10th year as a frontrunner in modern Scottish rock music.
Friday 23rd May @ Middlesbrough Town Hall
Image: Pixies by Travis Shinn
MUSIC
Speaking from experience, I can personally guarantee that any Pixies concert delivers a raw energy that is largely unrivalled. Their unique cocktail of Iggy Pop-esque angst, Talking Heads-inspired art pop and Black Flag existentialism (to name just a few of their inspirations) never disappoints live. The only ‘inspired by’ list that would be longer than the Pixies would be the list of notable bands they themselves have influenced. Touring their tenth studio album The Night The Zombies Came, and gracing Newcastle’s O2 City Hall on Friday 23rd May, you can expect to experience intense versions of latest single Motoroller (inspired by Black Francis’ scooter ride in Berlin) interspersed with offerings from god-level LPs such as Doolittle and Surfer Rosa. It would be fair to say that you can expect a slightly harder and darker sound than the last couple of releases but the arrangements, guitar genius and performance will also hit hard. Pixies are a rare example of a band who have continued to innovate across multiple decades without losing the core of their sound and appeal. During that time they have seemingly honed the ability to craft perfect set lists which have been and continue to be a benchmark for alternative rock groups everywhere.
Friday 23rd May @ O2 City Hall, Newcastle
EVENTS
Fancy some lovely DIY arty vibes? Then soak up the brilliance of Tees Zine Fest, returning to Navigator North in Middlesbrough on Saturday 24th May. With a whole host of talented local makers and zine stalls, the Fest will also include excellent zine libraries to explore and interesting workshops to get stuck into, plus a community table where you could showcase your own zine. With community and inclusion at its core, Tees Zine Fest rightfully places Middlesbrough on the map for the underground zine scene, serving as a brilliant way to connect with others in the local DIY, punk arts scene, in a friendly like-minded space. I love the never ending possibilities of zines; there are so many different ways to capture an individual’s voice, whether that be through poetry, collage or just pictures of your cat; zines can really make a difference in helping shed a light on topics that are not usually spoken about in mainstream media, celebrating voices that might go unheard, and can be unapologetically truthful and raw. Pick up a zine that might open your mind to something new and beautiful, or leave with the inspiration to start your own… Either way make sure you pop by Tees Zine Fair on Saturday 24th May, followed by a Makers Market on Saturday 30th May at Navigator North, Middlesbrough.
Saturday 24th May @ Navigator North, Middlesborough
Image by: Mandy Barker
ART & LIT
Newcastle University BA Fine Art Degree Show
Running until 7th June, Hatton Gallery proudly presents the future of Newcastle’s art scene featuring artwork created by fourth year Newcastle University Fine Art BA students. Mediums such as painting, new media, film, sculpture, photography, print, sound installation and more result in a diverse array of thought provoking work.
Friday 23rd May – Saturday 7 June @ Hatton Gallery, Newcastle
MUSIC
For fans of contemporary African sounds, Florence Adooni ought to be top of your list to see this spring. Born to Frafra parents in Kumasi, Ghana, her music bridges the gaps between Northern and Southern Ghanaian cultures, to create a sound which blends soul, Gospel and high-life. Adooni is a key contributor to the Frafra gospel scene but, with an upbringing in the Southern Ashanti capital of Kumasi (nestled in the heart of the Ghanaian rainforest), her sound takes a distinct deviation from the traditional Frafra gospel sound, creating a unique collision of cultures. This has deservedly earned her the title The Queen of Frafra Gospel, and her recently released album An Ordinary Exercise In Unity has been hugely successful in the Frafra gospel scene, throughout Ghana, and across the world – in particular the track Mam Pe’ela Su’ure. Adooni now embarks on a huge tour, enlisting the help of some of the finest Kumasi high-life talent to truly bring her music to life. Bringing energy, charm and an abundance of talent, she plays Newcastle’s Cobalt Studios on Sunday 25th May; there is surely no better way to spend your Bank Holiday Sunday.
Sunday 25th May @ Cobalt Studios
MUSIC
Beth Orton, Roger Taylor, erm, Cathy Dennis – the Norfolk music scene might not be as historically prolific as Manchester, London or the North East but there is gold in them there fens. Psychedelic quintet Floral Image’s debut album Gone Down Meadowland gleams brightly, draws upon inspirations from the Norfolk landscape and is being toured across the UK and Europe as I type. Their Newcastle leg at Zerox on Sunday 25th May is on the home straight and it is likely that you’ll discover a finely tuned performance, particularly as the band had already whittled down the songs for their self-produced album from over 30 they concocted during an intensive six month period living in one another’s pockets. Mitch Forsyth drives the percussion skilfully and your experience will be augmented by mind bending visual displays. Coupled with a blend of ferocious and delicate guitar work and Fergus Nolan’s poetic lyrics and vocal range you’ll be whisked away with some sophisticated arrangements and pulsating tunes. Floral Image put on a show that has a mixture of structure and freedom that will help take your mind off the controversies surrounding the pedestrianisation of Norwich city centre.
Sunday 25th May @ Zerox
