Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE BEST EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE REGION THIS WEEK…
Image: Pits, People & Players by Will Osborne
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.
STAGE
Pits, People & Players is a powerful new production from Ensemble 84 taking place at Horden Methodist Church from Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd August, delving into the heart and history of Horden; a village which was once a thriving coal-mining community of the North East, and a symbol of Britain’s industrial strength. Through prose, politics and human stories, the piece of theatre details the village’s rapid rise and devastating decline following the pit closures of 1987, which affected the village in a catastrophic way.
Told through the voices of miners, families and local footballers who found solidarity both underground and on the pitch, the production captures the resilience and camaraderie that endured in the face of economic collapse and cultural erasure all across Britain in the 1980s. Ensemble 84’s signature style –stripped back, raw, and rooted in community ideas –brings this history to life with raw emotional impact and thoughtful theatricality.
In a production which is more than simply a tale of loss, Pits, People & Players is a perfect chance for remembering and honouring the working-class heritage of the North East. With a cast and a creative team committed to authentic local storytelling, the show promises to resonate with anyone from the region who has lived through change, fought for their community, or felt the effects of being left behind by society. This show is a bold tribute to a village which helped shape the nation.
Tuesday 19th August @ Horden Methodist Church
MUSIC
One of Scotland’s most beloved musical storytellers, King Creosote brings his latest album I, Des to The Georgian Theatre in Stockton on Thursday 21stAugust, offering a rare and intimate opportunity to catch a true cult icon up close.
The project of Fife legend Kenny Anderson, King Creosote has quietly released over 100 records since the late ‘90s, weaving lo-fi folk, off-kilter pop and lyrical magic into a deeply human discography that has influenced everyone from Patti Smith to Simple Minds. His latest release, made with long-time collaborator Derek O’Neill, revisits fragments from past records while forging something entirely new… a haunting, humorous and heart-stirring album rich with accordion drones, guitar laments and sonic quirks. Known for his Mercury-nominated work with Jon Hopkins (Diamond Mine) and his stirring soundtrack for From Scotland With Love, Anderson’s live shows are equally versatile – equally at home in a packed concert hall or a Fife fishing pub. At The Georgian, fans can expect a set that journeys through decades of creativity with the roguish charm only KC can deliver. This is a master at work – don’t miss your chance to be swept into the wild, wonderful world of King Creosote.
Thursday 21st August @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton
Image: King Creosote by Calum Gordon
ART & LIT
Printed Response
Printed Response is a brand new exhibition supported by Durham University, in which a handful of artists – Annie O’Donnell, Tony Charles, Nick Kennedy, Rachel Clewlow, Francesca Simon and Emma Bennett – have created brand new pieces of work inspired by pieces from Durham’s own collection. It celebrates and spotlights printmaking as a means for artistic expression.
Thursday 21st August @ Platform A Gallery, Middlesbrough
COMEDY
Award-winning Catherine Young will host the hoot-filled Hilarity Bites comedy club. This wacky and whimsical edition will treat audiences to the ever silly dog-loving Zoe, the nerdy and odd world of Laurence Tuck and Tony Law, AKA king of nonsense, providing his zany brand of bizarre storytelling and surrealness.
Friday 22nd August @ Bishop Auckland Town Hall
MUSIC
You can rely on promoters Wandering Oak to put on a solid show, and this one with YARD headlining promises to be no different. The electro punk trio take to Zerox, Newcastle’s favourite paint-splattered noise nook, for a seriously spectacular (and likely seriously sweaty…) outing on Friday 22nd August.
The Dublin-grown three-piece are known for thrilling live sets and bold choices, not blurring the line between electronica and post-punk but instead zigzagging it into an unrecognisable squiggle; and surely this is what live music is all about. The trio’s self-titled debut EP arrived in May to the delight of fans and the critical acclaim of press and radio.
If you’re into Death Grips, Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy, I’d wager that you’ll also be into these guys’ show at Zerox. This isn’t lazy music – it’s noise that has been painstakingly reshaped into something electrifying, cool and downright enjoyable. Expect to get your best head-banging moves out – already YARD have been deemed worthy of support slots with the likes of A Place To Bury Strangers and Psychotic Monks as well as a generous handful (or several) of European festivals this year. Catch them before they reach the stage of having ticket wars – because, we assure you, they will.
Friday 22nd August @ Zerox, Newcastle
Image: YARD by Patricia Rosingana
MUSIC
For over three decades, Errol Linton has quietly become one of Britain’s most authentic and enduring blues artists. Blending deep Delta rhythms with the syncopated pulse of Jamaican roots music, Linton’s sound is unmistakably his own – earthy and soulful.
Born and raised in London to Jamaican parents, Linton channels both musical traditions with masterful ease. His album, Break The Seal (the last recorded at Toe Rag Studios) is dedicated to his mother, Ruby Naomi Linton. As Linton expressed: “At least I’ve got music to express my pain.”Whether performing solo or fronting his tight five-piece band, Linton’s performances are known for their conflation of pain with hope. His most recent release, No Entry, showcases an artist at the peak of his storytelling powers – mixing timeless reflections on urban life, resilience and identity.If you’ve never seen Errol Linton live, his show at The Cluny 2 on Friday 22ndAugust will be your chance to witness a true craftsman in his element. And if you have seen him play before, you already know: this isn’t just blues – it’s a journey through sound, history and soul.
Friday 22nd August @ Cluny 2, Newcastle
EVENTS
Kicking off this month, Blyth Celebrates is a hefty programme of over 60 exciting, eclectic experiences taking place in Blyth.
The programme will present a triumphant kick-off on Saturday 23nd and Sunday 24th August with the Blyth Celebrates Launch Weekend. This weekend will allow attendees to hear incredible live music, take part in magical creative workshops and witness the People Powered Parade, a closing procession led by a life-sized, bicycle-powered replica of Stephenson’s Rocket built by residents of the town. And what’s more, it will all be taking place on the freshly redeveloped Market Place, so the weekend will also see the unveiling ofBlyth’s shiny new Market Pavilion, a central cinema and events venue.
Elsewhere in August, there’s a Jack & The Beanstalk storytelling workshop on Thursday 21st, a Travelling Tales art installation, a Menhdi hand art workshop and a Cultural Awareness Day complete with food and crafts on Saturday 23rd, a Male Voice Choir Celebration on Saturday 24th, a 15-minute performance of the delightful Blyth Song on the Friday 29th and a Seaside Souvenir paper craft workshop on Saturday 30th… You’re truly spoilt for choice! And the fun continues in the coming months with more magical programming.
This venture is part of Energising Blyth, a £95 million regeneration programme centring around renewing and connecting the town – so Blyth, consider yourselves in for a treat or several across the next year and beyond!
Friday 22nd August @ Various Venues
EVENTS
Side Projects: Weekend Plans
Newcastle based arts organisation Side present a four day programme of exhibitions, workshops, talks and community conversations centring around documentary practice and social engagement. Taking place at Side Gallery & Cinema in Newcastle, the bank holiday event celebrates documentary and dialogue.
Friday 22nd – Monday 25th August @ Side Gallery, Newcastle
Image: Side Gallery – The Wait Is Over (2025) by Maria Maza
MUSIC
It’s been simply brilliant to experience the vast resurgence of alt. leaning guitar music in the last decade. The more straightforward revival of post-punk sound in the mid-2010s has indisputably opened the floodgates for a revival of the wonderful and versatile sub genres that sprung up in the wake of the late-70s/early-80s post-punk boom (try saying that fast, three times in front of a mirror and see what it spawns).
Horse Jumper Of Love initially traded in the classic shoegaze sound that was brought back into fashion by the likes of DIIV, but on recent LP Disaster Trick they’ve evolved into a slowgaze outfit, co-opting the spacey tempos and deep melodic sheen of Low and Codeine. The result is a glorious ocean of sound that demands a keen ear. Although it has alienated some of the fanbase they’ve built up over ten prolific years of touring and recording, it represents a bold step forward into beautiful, cerebral rock that innovates and excites without resorting to being a tired pastiche of the genre’s greats. It’s a dynamic sound that will translate brilliantly to the holy stage of Quayside’s Zerox on Saturday 23rd August
Saturday 23rd August @ Zerox, Newcastle
Image: Horse Jumper Of Love by POND Creative
ART & LIT
On Saturday 23rd August, HydraCon comes to ARC Stockton. This day-long indie book festival brings together local and national authors with workshops, book readings, and even events for kids of all ages. As a celebration of literature and creativity, the festival allows for indie book fans in the North East to come together for one of the best book events of the year. Whether you’re a passionate reader, a budding author, or a self-published writer, this event offers something for everyone.
Throughout the day you can enjoy interactive panels discussing everything from the challenges and highlights of self-publishing, to the digital future of literature and e-books. You’ll get the chance to meet authors who will be sharing insights on their creative journeys and the art of storytelling. As well as this, you’ll also have a chance to browse a variety of new books across genres, discover hidden gems, and perhaps even take home a signed copy from your favourite writer.
The event promises to be both intimate and engaging, with plenty of opportunities for networking, book signings and lively discussions. Whether you’re looking to learn and connect with fellow writers, or simply enjoy a day of books and creativity as a fan, HydraCon is an event you won’t want to miss.
Saturday 23rd August @ ARC Stockton
