Narc. Magazine Online
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John Knox enjoys spirited performances and beautifully curated sounds
Image: Soweto Kinch by Tynesight Photography
The great promise of ‘music city’ status for Sunderland is recognition of the depth and diversity of the city’s musical ecosystem which should, in turn, bring attention and investment from industry giants. Cue ‘Round Midnight: a special edition of the acclaimed late-night Radio 3 jazz show, hosted by Soweto Kinch, recorded as part of Proms 2025.
Soweto, a recognised jazz saxophonist in his own right, is known for pushing the boundaries of what modern jazz can be, which is reflected in the variety of acts selected for tonight’s festivities.
Rivkala opens the show with a characterful cabaret flavoured cocktail of choreography, costumery and class. Quickly the stage is transformed into a speakeasy where seedy stories slip sideways out of our showgirl host’s lips like a shared secret between forbidden lovers. Truly captivating.
Joe Webb Trio get heads bopping with a straight ahead tribute to Oscar Peterson, marking 100 years since the legendary pianist’s birth. I struggled to suppress a goofy grin throughout as this intuitive trio stretched-out playfully, breathing contemporary life into piano styles of the past. A surprise sit-in from Soweto left everyone beaming with joy.
Anticipation builds, all ears pointed towards the stage, ready for the closing set from Theo Crocker. 70’s psychedelic carpets of sound emerge, making the air chewy with dissonance. A collection of beautifully curated modern drum kit sounds start to clatter an uneasy kaleidoscope of random patterns. It’s difficult not to draw comparisons to Miles as Theo begins to blow, which is not to say they sound the same, but there is a sense of seeking what he sought, extruding truth from the ether, sending a lifeline of buoyancy through dense seas of sonic information.
Overfed at the jazz buffet I make for the door, mentally bloated. A quick scan whilst cutting through the cosmopolitan crowd of unfamiliar faces: it’s a full house, and a home run for the Mackems.
