NARC. #189 out now!

The November issue of NARC. magazine is out now, available in print from outlets across the North East, and digitally via Issuu.

This month’s cover stars are Sunderland noise-makers bigfatbig. Linsey Teggert talks to Robyn Walker and Katie Ryall about the release of their debut pop punk EP, recognising privilege and taking up space. Exclusive images by Amelia Read.

Elsewhere this month, there’s previews of live shows from W.H. Lung, Rachael Dadd, Jarboe, Whitney K, Bob Vylan, Divide & Dissolve, Lande Hekt, The Orb, William Basinski, Gawjuss and more; plus neurodiverse stand-up courtesy of Lava Elastic at ARC, political comedy from Mark Thomas at The Stand, and techy titters from Dave Gorman at Tyne Theatre & Opera House and Middlesbrough Town Hall; there’s theatrical wonders courtesy of One Off and Tomorrow’s Parties at Live Theatre, Revier – Tales From The Borders at various venues, The Wicked Problem at ARC; literary festival Books on Tyne returns, ceramicist Lucie Rie presents an exhibition at MIMA, and there’s two film festivals Doc’N Roll and North East International Film Festival, taking place in Newcastle, alongside much more!

Plus! November will see us dip our toes into documentary making, with a month’s worth of short documentary programmes being screened. Ranging from topics including cultural activism, niche music scenes, anti-food waste and alternative culture venues, our NARC. Mini-Docs season will premiere from Thursday 3^rd November. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for much more besides!

Interview-wise, with Brave Exhibitions mutating into a multi-venue programme of gigs, Lee Fisher takes a look at what’s on offer and asks BE mainman Joel Thomson what he has planned; Jake Anderson talks to folk punks Driven Serious about mythical beasts, poetic influences and the epic adventure of their new album; Cameron Wright talks to erudite comic Gavin Webster about the joy of wordplay, punk influences and his passion for the region; Lizzie Lovejoy discovers the experiences that have contributed to musical polymath Harriet Bradshaw’s debut album; Claire Dupree talks to Ben Richardson to find out how Sunderland-based Waves festival has expanded its outlook; Ali Welford talks to idiosyncratic songwriter Jesca Hoop about bending genres, playful songcraft and her commitment to weighty topics; Steve Spithray finds out about experimental cassette label Industrial Coast’s growing ambitions; ahead of a run of gigs celebrating the amazing longevity of Jumpin’ Hot Club, Lee Fisher asked Graham ‘Shippy’ Anderson how it all started and, more importantly, how it’s still going; Ali Welford talks to the bedroom-pop artist-turned-producer ahead of her new album release Mayshe-Mayshe; Damian Robinson talks to musician and debut author Phil Saunders about his love letter to Teesside’s alternative clubbing scene; as Richard Dawson prepares to release perhaps his most ambitious record yet, Lee Fisher asked him about language, technology and clavigers; Helen Redfern talks to Papi Jeovani and Rhian Jade from Newcastle-based SoreSlap theatre company, as they prepare to explore systems of oppression in their new production; Claire Dupree discovers the abundant joy on Teessiders The Lulas’ debut album; and ahead of their 20^th birthday celebrations, the team at art gallery The Biscuit Factory pick some of their favourite tunes.

In the Review section, there’s reports from the front row of Shilpa Ray, Alabaster dePlume, Lemonheads, Divorce, Dunstan Bruce, Kathryn Joseph, Dilettante, The Snuts and more; reviews of Demos by Alice Elle, Second To Nothing, Mike Hebden, Vanguard and Paper Boats; reviews of local singles and EPs from Faithful Johannes, Hannah Robinson, Ruth Lyon, Scott Michael Cavagan, Polyvinyl, Earth Farm, Chris Kelly, Eve Simpson and more; plus album reviews of Caitlin Rose, Wildes, Prince Bishop, Autoleisureland, Breanna Barbara, Ivan The Tolerable, Tenci, Carla dal Forno, Steve Pledger, Larkin Poe, Shake Chain, Andrew Wasylyk and more.

Enjoy!