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Our pick of some of the best events taking place across the region this week…
Image: Bright Lights Festival
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
The bizarre and curious Ozric Tentacles emerged from visionary and multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne, melding together trippy blends of progressive, psychedelic rock with dance and unusual soundscapes. Now in their 40th year and 17th album, the band will delight audiences with their unique sound that will be incredible to experience live.
Mon 10 March @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
STAGE
SH Productions is bringing Danusia Samal’s acclaimed garage/R&B gig theatre show Bangers to Newcastle as part of the show’s first ever tour. An exhilarating night of original music, lyrical storytelling, and pure UK garage vibes, Bangers explores how the bangers we grew up listening to shape who we are today. Featuring original tracks inspired by early noughties and present-day R&B and garage, Bangers follows the highs and lows of two strangers struggling with their own pasts, while hurtling towards the future.
Tuesday 11th-Thursday 13th March @ Live Theatre
CULTURE
Born Lippy International Women’s Day Special
Born Lippy return with their joyful monthly celebrations of the finest toon talents; from poetry, comedy, spoken word and more. They are teaming up with community group Wor Lasses in aid of platforming women’s voices, including Evrah Rose, who will share her poignant work around identity, society and unseen struggles.
Wednesday 12 March @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle
Image: Anna Erhard by Noel Richter
MUSIC
Wandering Oak are once again bringing some of the best international talent to Newcastle; in this instance Swiss-born, Berlin-based Anna Erhard. Having diligently released three albums since 2021’s Short Cut, Erhard caught the collective ears of BBC Radio 6 with her latest record, last year’s Botanical Garden – and it’s lead single 170: built on a Tina Weymouth-esque groove with conversational lyrics about a debate over height. It’s this charming attention to detail that has seen Erhard compared to writers like Jonathan Richman – her songs are plainspoken vignettes about the everyday from a decidedly askew perspective. Her song Spa details passive aggressive interactions when all she wants to do is relax with her mother, B.M.G. Group pontificates on the confounding popularity of the Blue Man Group, and earlier single Campsite is a cut-and-paste account of childhood nostalgia which beautifully straddles the tightrope between incredibly specific and eminently relatable. Musically, Erhard’s compositions recall Odelay-era Beck in their playfulness, with groove and melody sitting front and centre of these deceptively simple, beautiful pop songs. Her show at The Cluny 2 on Wednesday 12th March is an intimate opportunity to see one of Europe’s best songwriters, and not one to be passed up before she starts playing bigger rooms.
Wednesday 12th March @ The Cluny
Image: Snapped Ankles by Louise Mason
MUSIC
Now settled in fertile East London, Snapped Ankles maintain the feral energy of the forest where the mysterious post-punk four-piece claim to have coalesced. Employing primal motorik rhythms mixed with the rush of white noise and post-punk agitation – an aural onslaught played out on homemade log synths, electrified guitars and sticks beating hell on taut animal skin.
Snapped Ankles first rose to prominence in the warehouse and squat party scene of the capital, having formed in 2011 before moving onto performance art collaborations with filmmakers and shows in unlikely locations such as barber shops, games arcades and the forests they once called home, where their original blend of performance art and art rock gained them critical acclaim. However, the band members’ identities remain unknown due to the fact that the group performs in ghillie suits.
Now signed to The Leaf Label, the band will tread the boards at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Thursday 13th March in support of new album Hard Times Furious Dancing, a concept album inspired by the Alice Walker book of a similar name. Support on the night will come from London post-punks, The Sick Man Of Europe.
Thursday 13th March @ The Georgian Theatre
STAGE
Unfolding Theatre presents Night Classes
Unfolding Theatre presents Night Classes, an eye-opening theatrical experience designed to spark your curiosity and challenge society’s perception of independence. Featuring one deaf performer and two hearing performers, Night Classes is performed through a mixture of BSL and spoken word (though all content is interpreted, and there is a heavy emphasis on inclusivity: everyone is invited, and everyone is welcome).
Night Classes is an 80 minute epic exploring the boundaries of self sufficiency and interdependence – it asks important questions like ‘what is independence, really?’, and it opens them up into a joyous, immersive atmosphere. Inspired by real, profound insights from disabled people, the show unites award-winning creatives, including but not limited to co-writers Lisette Auton and Becci Sharrock, director Annie Rigby, designer Lady Kitt and performers Alex Elliott, EJ Raymond and Harrison Rowley-Lynn.
After premiering at ARC Stockton in March 2024, Night Classes is now touring a year later. The only question left for Night Classes to ask is: are you ready to learn?
Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March in Newcastle at Gosforth Civic Theatre, or head to Sunderland’s Seventeen Nineteen on Saturday 15th March.
Image: The Safest Place
MUSIC
Johnny Bond and Louis Adams are The Safest Place, an electric duo of longtime friends from North Shields. Having spent a year in the studio crafting their own darkly cinematic, punchy sound, the pair are ready to take back to the stage on a long-awaited Friday 14th March. Expect to be impressed.
Friday 14th March @ The Cluny, Newcastle
MUSIC
Samuel Moore, the king of modern Flamenco, is coming to Durham – and what a privilege it will be for attendees to catch him at Claypath Deli, when he’s rather familiar with the likes of Carnegie Hall. Together with Mark Boden (who studied Flamenco in Seville, Spain), this isn’t a night to miss.
Saturday 15 March @ Claypath Delicatessen, Durham
ART & LIT
Bright Lights: Youth Arts Exhibition
Exceptional Arts collective Celebrate Different (a group of young artists aged 13-25), have curated a special exhibition exploring important themes that matter to them. From Environmental issues to the internet to gender, this exhibition shines a light on the essential voices and insights from young people in the North East.
Sat 18 Feb – Sat 15 March @ Arts Centre Washington
MUSIC
Sunderland-based fast-rising singer-songwriter Ruby Kelly heads to The Ship Isis in Sunderland on Saturday 15th March for her first headline show, with support from Isabel Maria and Daniel Maple. The Welsh musician has already supported The Levellers, The Futureheads and Ferocious Dog, as well as performing at the first Aelius Alternative in Newcastle. She brings open, honest and unadorned pop songs, with a strong voice and great, poetic songwriting skills.
Having released her debut EP King Of The World in 2021, she almost instantly garnered acclaim from critics and fans alike, appearing on the bill for incredible shows that will have undoubtedly led to a steady fanbase for the young artist. At the Sunderland show, she will be supported by Isabel Maria, who was hailed as BBC Introducing One to Watch for this year and won the Alan Hull Award last year. Also performing will be North East-based singer songwriter and guitarist Daniel Maple.
Sunderland’s The Ship Isis has in recent years started to improve their profile within the live scene by booking artists from across the UK, as well as hosting regular buskers nights. The pub will be the perfect setting for Ruby Kelly’s first of many headline shows.
Saturday 15th March @ The Ship Isis
CULTURE
Gem Arts’ Holi Festival of Colours
On Saturday 15th March GemArts present the Holi Festival of Colours at Baltic in Gateshead. From food stalls and creative workshops, to dance and music – the festival has something for all ages and interests.
The one-day event brings together communities and people from across the North East to mark the Hindu festival which celebrates spring, love and new life. A packed programme of events allows everyone to get stuck into the festival, with creative workshops, henna stations, live dance performances as well as music and food to keep the party going.
The venue will be taken over by some thrilling emerging and established artists, and there will be tours throughout the day to take you on a journey to explore the South Asian art which will be scattered around the building.
The festivities will conclude with a vibrant colour-throwing celebration at 3pm. With the venue providing powder pigment for the exciting display. Be sure to book your free tickets for the event to guarantee a space.
Saturday 15th March @ The Baltic
Image: Harry Lawson, Stepney Western (2025). Courtesy of the artist and Newcastle Contemporary Art
ART & LIT
Stepney Western is an ambitious new exhibition by Sunderland based filmmaker Harry Lawson, celebrating Newcastle’s rich culture of horse riding, opening on Saturday 15th March at Newcastle Contemporary Art. As soon as I came across the idea – which is to recast Byker as the Wild West – I was hooked! Featuring archival photography from a bank of talented artists, alongside Lawson’s experimental documentary film, Stepney Western is set to shine a light on one of Newcastle’s most wonderful hidden gems; The Stepney Bank Stables. A group of young inner city horse riders at the stables make up a charity who aim to provide disadvantaged young people with skills in horse riding, socialising and positive well being. The documentary consists of a selection of archival footage and iPhone clips from the riders, as well as Lawson’s own unique and bold footage which presents a contemporary look on the western genre. Featuring original music by local favourites Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me) and Richard Dawson, plus unique sound design by Omar McCutcheon (Batu), this exhibition will be a wonderful and special way to celebrate this community and their stories, and it’s definitely worth checking out. Stepney Western will open with a launch event on Saturday 15th March and will run until Sunday 27th April at NCA, featuring a programme of arts workshops for young people throughout the month.
Saturday 15th March @ Newcastle Contemporary Art
ART & LIT
Behold; We Will Do A New Thing
Bold. Punky. Vivid. Imaginative. If any of those words strike a chord with you, then you simply cannot miss Behold; We Will Do A New Thing… A brand new exhibition running until Saturday 15th March at Newcastle Arts Centre.
Legendary punk artists Chris Morton and Paul Harvey have teamed up for a one of a kind collaboration, exploring the complex line between fine art and graphic design.
Morton, famed for his work as director of Stiff Records, produced some of the most recognisable and iconic record covers for bands like The Cramps, Dire Straits and Siouxsie and the Banshees; contributing massively to the punk rock creative art scene. This inspired the likes of Harvey, an acclaimed, masterful painter in his own right, whose work explores the Stuckist art and Punk movement.
Together, their work is a DIY, punky match made in heaven; a melding pot of magical, zany pop culture and music paintings, record covers and posters. It’s bright, colourful, contrasting and striking; creating its own unique, radical style.
An exciting brochure is available at the exhibition where you can hear more about this collaboration and works – proving to be an absolute rare treat for any punk fans in the Toon!
Saturday 15th March @ Newcastle Arts Centre
MUSIC
RNS Moves With Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno
RNS Moves is a unique, inclusive ensemble featuring disabled musicians and non-disabled members of the Royal Northern Sinfonia originally formed in 2018. While the ensemble rehearses and perform at The Glasshouse in Gateshead, the group’s mission was always for RNS Moves to perform more regularly, and to work with national and international partners on larger collaborations and commissions work further afield than Gateshead.
Now this unique collaboration with Kenyan folk legend Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno will not only perform at The Glasshouse on Saturday 15th March but also a seminal show at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday 16th March. RNS Moves was always intended to explore what it might look like for disabled and non-disabled musicians to work closely together and learning to work in new ways, and this collaboration is an extension of that by incorporating world music into their repertoire.
Listeners can expect a fusion of sounds and cultures from across the world as Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno introduces listeners to his compositions, deeply rooted in traditional storytelling from the Lüo community in western Kenya. There will also be music by African composers Ayo Bankole and Tunde Jegede, Welsh harpist Robert Ap Huw and Jessie Montgomery.
Saturday 15th March @ The Glasshouse & Sunday 16th March @ Middlesbrough Town Hall
