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Our pick of some of the best events taking place across the region this week…
Image: Be Quiet. Shout Loud! by EnA Photography
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.
COMEDY
From his time spent as the face of The Word, to regular appearances on Jeremy Vine – and even one violently noughties appearance on Celebrity Big Brother with Coolio, La Toya Jackson and Mutya from the Sugababes – Terry Christian’s career has seen him chime in on everything from Madchester to (slightly ill-judged comments on) Brexit. Whether you love him or loathe him, his latest foray onto the stage, which takes the form of an autobiographical comedy show based on his gritty childhood in Greater Manchester, is sure to be a brilliant and turbulent watch. In this one-man show, Christian aims to lift the lid on Catholicism, the swaggering scene of 90’s Manchester, Hollywood stars and the cult of celebrity. He’ll be threading his way through a precarious youth spent among gangs and nuns in Moss Side and Old Trafford, recounting some hilarious tales of what it was like to grow up as a working-class immigrant before an eventual – and somewhat unexpected – rise to TV stardom. You can catch Terry Christian at The Stand on Monday 25th August.
Monday 25th August @ The Stand, Newcastle
ART & LIT
The Hometown Bookshop: Jenna Warren
Heading to Saltburn Library is local author and bookshop owner Jenna Warren, who will have her brand new book The Hometown Bookshop – out 21st August – in hand for a reading. Expect mingling, drinks and nibbles alongside an extract from the new cosy seaside story (which is set in an indie bookshop!).
Tuesday 26th August @ Saltburn Library
COMEDY
What is there to say about Bill Bailey that hasn’t been said a thousand times over? Known from every British TV show ever, the QI, Cats Do Countdown, Never Mind The Buzzcocks regular was the plucky sidekick in Black Books and is now roundly hailed as one of Britain’s undeniable kings of alternative comedy, not to mention capturing the heart of the nation as 2020s Strictly Come Dancing winner. Since 1995 Bailey has been touring his unique blend of musical observations and spiralling absurdism, delivering an act that is both informed and worldly, while utterly silly and ridiculous. The musical savant litters his shows with an array of bizarre instruments that he uses to anchor each of his ambitious acts, thrusting the show in an array of directions. Between musical set pieces, the peculiar performer is no stranger to aloof and sprawling rambles, musings and observations. From Tom Waits interpretations, opera observations and intricately woven rants about anything and everything, the only guarantee is that a night with Bailey is never going to be dull. Bringing his mammoth tour, Thoughtifier, to Stockton’s Globe on Tuesday 26th August, this erudite comedy institution is never one to miss.
Tuesday 26th August @ The Globe Stockton
Image: Dean & Britta by Luz Gallardo
MUSIC
American duo Dean & Britta are heading to The Engine Room in North Shields on Tuesday 26th August for a long-awaited night of their beautiful, exciting indie pop. The duo’s music draws on psychedelic folk to create warm, evocative tracks – much like their work in Luna, the psych-pop band they’re both members in. Dean was also the guitarist in Galaxie 500, a short-lived yet highly influential band which helped shape the direction of melancholy pop-rock in the late ‘80s. Britta has revealed, via Instagram, that we can expect tracks from both bands, as well as some offerings from Dean’s latest album, That’s the Price of Loving Me. With such a broad discography to choose from, it’s hard to guess which favourites might make the setlist, but at the duo’s level of experience in successfully pleasing audiences, it’s guaranteed to be a striking performance among their very best. Dean and Britta’s show at The Holy Grale in Durham sold out incredibly quickly, so if you’re planning on going along to The Engine Room, you’d better grab your tickets now before it’s too late!
Tuesday 26th August @ The Engine Room
MUSIC
Sunderland’s Pop Recs won’t know what hit it when This Is The Kit and Robin Kester share the stage on Wednesday 27th August, as they bring a welcome distraction from this fast-paced, mid-apocalyptic world we’re currently living in. This Is The Kit is the pseudonym of songwriter, banjo strummer and pinhole camera lover Kate Stables, under this musical moniker she releases music that is honest, raw and welcoming. They continue to evolve and grow and through their music place companionship at a premium, which makes for comfortable live settings which they share with stellar band Rozi Plain (bass), Jamie Whitby-Coles (drums) and Neil Smith (guitar). Support comes from chamber pop, electronic music and psychedelic rock-inspired artist Robin Kester. She combines a hazy euphoria with a dark tension and seamlessly blends in with the aesthetic and musically pleasing sounds of This Is The Kit. Robin made waves with the release of her debut album Honeycomb Shades, and received radio plays on BBC 6Music, KEXP and France’s FIP. This Is The Kit and Robin Kester will bring their boundary-pushing sounds to the welcoming venue, promising a night to remember.
Wednesday 27th August @ Pop Recs
MUSIC
Diary entries to the otherworldly: Rainbow Girls’ discography is categorised by an air of spirituality and feminist undertones, alongside a host of witty, popular culture references. The three-piece band combine indie, rock and folk elements throughout their comprehensive catalogue. Each of their tracks is complete with bewitching lyrics which will frequent the listener’s mind even after the tracks come to a close. Their older tracks have an undeniable rock feel to them, with feminist rage coming to the forefront of works like She-Bop Nation. HAUNTING, however, is an album that is defined by eerie and ethereal vibes. Acoustic guitars meet soft vocals and euphonious harmonies, creating the impression that a melancholic ghost is trapped within the confines of the piece. Nevertheless, distinctive components set each individual track apart from the others. In Paying My Tab an exceptional guitar riff leaves listeners mesmerised, while Loser feels like it belongs on the soundtrack of a coming of age film. As a part of their summer tour, the band will be playing The Cluny in Newcastle on Thursday 28th August. Known for their warm and intimate performances, it’s safe to say that an alchemy of harmonies, reflective reverie and a spellbinding sense of mystic chaos awaits.
Thursday 28th August @ The Cluny
MUSIC
Renowned Scottish outfit Teenage Fanclub promise to turn things up a notch at Sunderland’s Fire Station with their guitar-driven anthems on Thursday 28th August. One of Britain’s most beloved cult outfits, with a career spanning three decades and an ever-growing fanbase, they’ve been heralded as the unexpected stars of the alternative rock era, having morphed and developed into a distinctive and established outfit, born in the Bellshill area of Scotland. They’ve got a CV filled with hits that were released throughout the decades, and they’re still bringing the unexpected. Modern rock hits Star Sign, What You Do To Me and The Concept have been passing the revue for ages and will be for the foreseeable. The Scottish outfit will be supported by Selma French, a songwriter and musician renowned and revered within the Norwegian folk scene. She grew up with traditional music and has been playing and creating music all her life. In 2022 she released her debut album after which she toured extensively to much acclaim.
Thursday 28th August @ Fire Station, Sunderland
MUSIC
With a name that literally means ‘grind school’, self‐assured Massachusetts powerhouse Escuela Grind will deliver more than just intensity at their show at The Grove on Thursday 28th August – they promise a lesson in devoted, deliberate grindcore. The band thrives on rigorous practice, conscious intent and a fierce mindset. Having chalked up over 250 shows worldwide in the last year, they’ve carved out a reputation as one of the hardest‐working acts in modern heavy music. The band’s forthcoming album, Dreams On Algorithms, was born on the road, penned in a bus nearing collapse during their NASCAR‐level touring schedule. Vocalist Katerina Economou emphasises that they’re done conforming to genre boxes. Their music is a direct reflection of their collective tastes and personalities, and a mirror for fans to “get to know us when they come to see us play”. Expect relentless riffs, hammering rhythms and raw, undiluted energy from start to finish. Whether you’re a hardcore punk veteran or a curious newcomer, Escuela Grind promises a live experience that’s both unapologetic and fearless.
Thursday 28th August @ The Grove
MUSIC
1998’s Deserter’s Songs may be most people’s touchstone for American psych pop band Mercury Rev; it was their breakthrough release, NME’s album of the year and a clear vision of the future of pop music. Linking closely to the sound of The Flaming Lips, these upbeat, almost ballad-like, infectious and triumphant performances merged the soulful with the blissful and euphoric. From swooning trumpets to crackling vocals, the album was indebted to the 90s as it was a blueprint of what was to come. Before that, they were experimenting with shoegaze, crafting acclaimed records and honing a sound, but from Deserter’s Songs on, Mercury Rev became unstoppable. 2001’s All Is A Dream carried the torch further and since then they have been garnering positive reviews for their tender, poignant sound. Even now, with latest album Born Horses, the band showcases a delicate understanding of storytelling and emotional dexterity, with tender vocal delivery purring out over a bed of sweet melodies and tender instrumentation. The band will bring their decades of experience to Stockton’s KU Bar on Thursday 28th August after a fantastic touring leg in late 2024, their shows have been hailed as bold and symphonic. Frontman Jonathan Donahue’s voice is as elegant and frail as ever, carrying the weight of a thousand worlds on each syllable – matching perfectly the ethereal poetry that has made Mercury Rev an institution. This is not a show to miss.
Thursday 28th August @ KU, Stockton
MUSIC
The state of California has long been a hotbed of sonic innovation across the spectrum of sound; I would be wasting your time if I tried to condense a vast history into a mere few sentences, but even those who are only slightly acquainted with the alternative world will know a thing or two about the state’s crucial role in the history of punk and alt. music. From the heyday of the late-70s/early-80s punk explosion onwards, cities such as San Diego and L.A. have continued to birth incredible forward-thinking, alt. leaning acts who continue to enthrall with their glorious squall. And they bloody love playing Newcastle too. Crocodiles are no strangers to the marvelous neon-daubed Zerox stage, and they’re making a return on Thursday 28th August, fresh in the wake of recent LP Upside Down In Heaven. The duo worship at the altar of melody and noise, and have spent a prolific career pushing the boundaries to their very limits which makes for one hell of a visceral experience on stage. The support is also extraordinary: Jade Hairpins are an offshoot of modern punk legends Fucked Up, consisting of drummer Jonah Falco and songwriter/guitarist Mike Haliechuck.
Thursday 28th August @ Zerox
MUSIC
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
It’s difficult to believe only six years have passed since Sharon Van Etten last played in the North East. Plenty has changed in that time, of course – musically, culturally, geopolitically – yet the New Jersey native’s status among indie rock’s singer-songwriter elite remains undisputed. That legacy has only enhanced off the back of her latest eponymous record – the first to be co-credited to her band, The Attachment Theory, whose members were also invited into the creative process. The upshot is the most compelling SVE collection in years, with vintage newcomers such as Afterlife and Trouble likely to be live staples far beyond the current touring cycle. Fortunately, we’ll not have to wait until then to hear them, as Sharon and her Attachment Theory pay a keenly anticipated visit to Newcastle’s Boiler Shop on Saturday 30th August. With a healthy smattering of classics from beloved records such as Remind Me Tomorrow, Are We There and Tramp also in store, prepare for an evening of stirring emotional turbulence from one of indie rock’s most piercing, cathartic voices. Don’t miss Nabihah Iqbal, either – an adventurous and absorbing artist whose hazy concoction of shoegaze and electronic pop ought to reverberate beautifully in an early evening slot, with sun still beaming through the side windows. A late summer treat ripe for discovery!
Saturday 30th August @ Boiler Shop
MUSIC
Local DIY noise punk promoters Heavy Psych Damage present a trio of some of the North East’s greatest rising stars of the underground with Boy Latex, SHAN and Carousel at Downcast Studios in Gateshead on Saturday 30th August. Be prepared to experience an explosion of face-melting, post-hardcore, sludgy noise rock, with a sprinkle of grungey shoegaze vibes. Coarse and loose post-hardcore band Boy Latex slither through some eerie and atmospheric set ups, which soon erupt into shouty, loud chaos. Hurtling into raw guitar tones wrapped up with frantic vocals and heavy crashing beats on drums; all too irresistible to those inclined to mosh. For just two musicians, SHAN sound MASSIVE. Gritty, sludgy, heavy distorted guitar fused with thundering drums, cathartic roaring vocals and riffs set to to obliterate; SHAN’s path of destruction leaves you in a hardcore blur, crawling out of the grave of noise rock. Fans of old school EyeHateGod, Helmet and TOOL will love these guys. Noise rock duo Carousel wrap you up in a dreamy, shoegazey trance and suddenly launch into a crunchy, volcanic choruses. The vocals are ace; tearing through songs with fierce energy, drilled with emotion. This night is set to be one of the biggest line-ups for noise rock this summer, so get yourself over to Downcast Studios for this mega experience.
Saturday 30th August @ Downcast Studios, Gateshead
MUSIC
Teesside’s glitter-splashed disco punks Be Quiet. Shout Loud! are back – and this time, they’re louder than ever. Returning from hiatus with a fresh line-up and a fan-picked setlist, the band are set to headline KU Stockton on Saturday 30th August. It marks their first headline show since February 2020, and promises a storm of glitter, confetti and full-throttle indie disco chaos. Alongside favourites from their We Belong To Something compilation, fans will be treated to brand-new material and the debut of a new guitarist. Since forming in 2013, BQSL! have lit up festivals like Stockton Calling and Twisterella with infectious bangers like (You’re Not) Sitting In Tonight and Fake Emergency. Their recent return to the stage at Twisterella 2024 reignited excitement – and now, they’re ready to party properly. Supporting on the night is rising Middlesbrough queer pop icon Loren Heat, noughties indie revivalists Risco and catchy pop punkers Rare Breed, making this a homegrown night of dancefloor unity and local love. Expect sweat, sparkle and more than a few singalongs. Stockton, the dancefloor is calling.
Saturday 30th August @ Ku Stockton
MUSIC
Just a stone’s throw from the heart of Darlington’s centre, The Forum is a marvellous multi-purpose venue that offers rehearsal and recording space alongside a glorious live room which boasts some phenomenal staging and sound. They regularly host a wealth of acts (local and national, established and upcoming) and even some incredible tribute acts too. It’s a glorious repurposing of a former school building and a wonderful testament to the community spirit of the region’s music scene. Their line-up of pop-punk splendour on Saturday 30th August is a brilliant reinforcement of this. The headliners are Set Your Sights, a Teesside-hailing quartet who have toured the country and boast decades of experience, consisting of founding member/drummer Haz Casson, guitarists Alex Smith and Roy Myers (both fixtures of the Middlesbrough music scene since the early 00s) and newest recruit bassist Jamie O’Malley who joined in July 2024. Joining them are Tired of Fighting, an explosive emo punk band from Newcastle with a unique and captivating sound. Inspired by early 00’s emo such as Motion City Soundtrack and Taking Back Sunday, Tired of Fighting blend the energy of Paramore with the storytelling of The Gaslight Anthem. The bill is rounded off with Durham trio The Resurgence.
Saturday 30th August @ The Forum Darlington
EVENTS
Darlington’s only queer film club, The Rainbow Screen, will be showing Layla, a film about a non-binary British-Palestinian drag queen. This is our first-ever community-funded event, and will take place at the Friends’ Meeting House in Darlington town centre. The Rainbow Screen is the only LGBTQIA+ film club in Darlington, and one of only a few in the North East. Its aim is to foster a thriving community of queer people through the power of great cinema, and has grown ever since. Over the last two years, the film club has screened a range of films as diverse as its audience: from Kinky Boots to Call Me By Your Name, The Birdcage to The Matrix, The Rainbow Screen shows the full spectrum of cinema. This month’s screening, Layla (2024), travels through the turmoils and talents of a British-Palestinian drag queen, and their unlikely romance with a man in finance. It’s bound to bring laughs, as Amrou Al-Kadhi’s queer comedic style dresses up Layla’s drag-of-a-dating-life in bold and surprising ways.
Saturday 30th August @ The Rainbow Screen, Darlington
COMEDY
Lee Kyle directs a new series of stand-up shows in the North East, set to spotlight a fresh wave of upcoming and vibrant talents from the region. The new series of shows at The Stand, entitled New Directions, aims to showcase some of the rising comedic voices of the North East. Each instalment in the series offers a headline-length slot to an emerging comic, giving them the opportunity to go deeper and get weirder than their average set has allowed them to before. On Sunday 31st August it’s Kelly Edgar’s turn with her debut hour Dogfish – a show that’s equal parts satirical, meaningful, and chaotic. With a delivery that’s deceptively deadpan, Edgar weaves tales of social awkwardness and navigating life in the modern world. Dogfish blends the personal with the absurd, showcasing why Edgar is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive voices on the North East comedy circuit. The series continues later this summer with similarly exciting names including Jack Fox, Sam Mayes, and Kerris. But first, Edgar is in the spotlight. For anyone looking to catch the next era of comedy talent before it breaks big, Dogfish is unmissable.
Sunday 31st August @ The Stand, Newcastle
