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Our pick of some of the best events taking place across the region this week…
Image: Andy Zaltzman by Matt Stronge
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
She Drew The Gun is the musical brainchild of Louisa Roach, who brings her UK tour to Newcastle on Tuesday 18th February. With support from Paige Kennedy, the show promises a combination of laser-sharp political lyricism and deeply exciting electronica soundscapes, showcasing what Roach and her fourth album Howl have to offer.
Tuesday 18th February @ The Grove, Newcastle
ART & LIT
This exhibit showcases a selection of 70 regional pieces of fine art, design, music and writing from a variety of criminal justice systems. The works were selected with the help of 6 women in a prison art class, and they reflect many different ideas and symbols of home.
Wednesday 19th February – Sunday 11th May @ Baltic, Newcastle
Image: Koestler Arts
MUSIC
Can this be the first ever article about The Bug Club to not use the phrase “tongue in cheek” to describe the Sub Pop signed duo’s style? Evidently not-but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll find a simplistic, one dimensional offering at Pop Recs from these Welsh dynamos.
A few days before they spread their wings and fly to the likes of Canada, The Netherlands, France and Germany you’re likely to realise very quickly that you’re not witnessing some kind of novelty band. Quirky? Definitely – some might say a little eccentric. But this is a band who started with their roots in blues but have metamorphosised into an energetic, post punk and rather unique outfit. And as you might expect from this particular label, there is an edge, humour and intimacy about The Bug Club’s performance.
You’re likely to hear plenty of their third LP “On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System” where you’ll be treated to some off the wall explorations of everyday life usually packing a short and sharp punch before you’ll be off again to the next song, all delivered with plenty of dry wit and sarcasm.
Thursday 20th February @ Pop Recs, Sunderland
COMEDY
Is Andy Zaltzman one of the country’s hardest working comedians? He may well be. Working primarily in radio and podcasts, he has worked with John Oliver on Political Animal, The Department and The Bugle. Andy has also hosted Radio 4’s The News Quiz since 2020 and is a cricket statistician for BBC’s Test Match Special broadcasts. Known for his political and satirical stand-up routines, he has performed at just about all of the major global comedy festivals over the past 25 years and is showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh from being crowned as the champion of the Channel 4 smash hit comedy series Taskmaster, Andy continues his The Zaltgeist tour throughout the first half of 2025, stopping at Newcastle’s The Stand on Saturday 8th February and The Gala Theatre, Durham on Friday 21st February. Expect political satire, clever wordplay plus an attempt to both analyse the state of the planet and to answer life’s key questions such as What, Who, Where and Why?
Friday 21st February @ Gala Theatre, Durham
MUSIC
Coastal Crawl ’25 takes place across three venues in North Shields on Saturday 22nd February. Salt Market Social, Three Tanners Bank and the Engine Room will host a fine range of bona fide indie idols, North East trailblazers and emerging local acts. The event will be headlined by Leicestershire era-defining indie-rockers Young Knives with hits such as Terra Firma & Turn Tail, and it will be concluded with an after show DJ set from legendary Smiths drummer Mike Joyce.
Elsewhere on the bill will be North Shields legend Michael Curran with his Deaf Fiction band, Newcastle’s indie heroes Bear Park (fresh from supporting The Libertines on tour in 2024), Gateshead singer-songwriter Kieran Bowe and ex The Smokin Barrels member Craig Redpath.
However, it is the depth of programming that really excites at this sister event to June’s Coast Fest with the likes of 7 Bridges, Alation, Ben Harwood, Dylan Peterson, Heal, Idle Hands, Park View, Oliver Thomas Armstrong & The Glorious Chaos Machine, Ramellos, Richie Harrison, NARC favourites Snakes With Tits, Scrannabis, Short Back & Shields, Strays, The Magnetic North Band and The Northern Threads all getting the nod. And what’s more, this promises to be just the first roll call with more still to be announced!
Saturday 22nd February @ Salt Market Social, Three Tanners Bank & The Engine Room, North Shields
