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Our pick of some of the best events taking place across the region this week…
Image: Emily Barker by Luke Kellett
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
Independent Venue Week
Independent Venue Week will take place from Monday 27th January-Sunday 2nd February, once more celebrating all the best things about independent music and venues.
One of our region’s finest independent venues, KU in Stockton, will host a trio of fantastic shows that will further cement their popularity among fans of guitar-centric indie rock. First up on Thursday 30th January is a headline show from Church Village Collective (CVC); the band have a long history of impressing Stockton crowds, with previous sets at the likes of Stockton Calling and The Gathering Sounds. They’ll play songs from their critically acclaimed album Get Real, which ably showcases their tremendous psych pop leanings. On Friday 31st January, Glasgow indie punk band Gallus will take to the stage. They’ve supported the likes of Biffy Clyro and won Best Rock/Alternative Act at the Scottish Music Awards. Their cathartic sound will be perfect for fans of Sports Team, Yard Act and Fontaines DC. Supports are well-matched, with Teesside garage rock band Onlooker and indie blues band The Purnells also performing.
Manchester-based indie rock quartet The Covasettes complete the trio of shows on Saturday 1st February, when you can expect signature rock vocals, melodic guitar and catchy rhythms. Support will come from Newcastle-based alt. rockers The Avelons and Teesside rock ‘n’ roll band Risco.
Monday 27th January-Sunday 2nd February @ KU
MUSIC
Emily Barker
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so Australian singer-songwriter Emily Barker must be as keen as mustard to get back over to the UK for a run of shows after a year of being back Down Under, as she pops up at The Cluny 2 on Tuesday 28th January. But what we lack in blistering heat, golden sands and gorgeous scenery, we more than make up for in a complete lack of massive bugs and venomous fauna. A fair trade in my opinion!
This hemisphere is also where she made a name for herself with her orchestral country folk stylings, bagging herself acclaim across two decades – from radio legend John Peel, to folk punk artist Frank Turner – and most recognisably to an RTS award for her work on the theme tune to the BBC serial Wallander. This year saw the release of her first solo record in three years with Fragile As Humans, a deep-dive into the human condition with powerful and emotive effects. The album was written and recorded near the end of her living full-time in the UK, and so bringing it back to the country where it was birthed for a victory tour of sorts feels all too fitting before Barker heads back to her homeland to work on whatever comes next.
Tuesday 28th January @ The Cluny
Image: Hayden Thorpe by Eeva Rinne
MUSIC
Hayden Thorpe & Propellor Ensemble
One of the greatest, most underrated British bands of the 21st century, the demise of Wild Beasts remains a source of regret among many admirers. Nonetheless, frontman Hayden Thorpe has made full use of the freedom it’s afforded in the years since – notably with excellent solo albums Diviner (2019) and Moondust for My Diamond (2021).
Perhaps more than any previous year, 2024 has seen the Cumbrian songwriter’s creative instincts blossom. First came The Hide, an installation dedicated to finding peace and observing wildlife in urban spaces, created and exhibited during his stint as an Artist in Residence at The Glasshouse, with help from Royal Northern Sinfonia. This was followed by another celebration of nature in September’s studio album Ness, featuring repurposed words from best-selling poet and writer Robert Macfarlane’s book of the same name.
It’s with this latest project that Thorpe will be making a quickfire return, showcasing Ness at a special show at The Glasshouse’s Hall 2 on Thursday 30th January. Backed by members of the cross-genre Propellor Ensemble – whose director, Jack McNeill, contributed the record’s orchestral arrangements – the performance will see Thorpe transport audience members to Orford Ness, a 10-mile-long beach on the coast of Suffolk. Once a nuclear test site, it’s since been rewilded and repurposed as a nature reserve by the National Trust, providing inspiration for his most ambitious and immersive music to date!
Thursday 30th January @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead
MUSIC
Generator’s First Notes programme seeks to empower young artists to take their first steps in the music industry. Funded by Youth Music and open to musicians aged 18-25, this year’s cohort are engaged in mentoring and recording sessions designed to support their burgeoning careers, and audiences can get a flavour of their progress at a special showcase event at Newcastle’s Cluny 2 on Thursday 30th January.
Performers taking part include Ashington musician Ben Harwood, whose articulate and passionate sound is informed by the likes of The War on Drugs, The 1975 and Phoebe Bridgers; Kurdish artist Akam’s sound blends contemporary pop, electronica and rap, with a fresh and alternative take on music rooted in internet culture; country/rock artist Katie Grace shows off her interesting sound; fast-rising Sunderland-based songwriter Isabel Maria has already achieved significant acclaim thanks to her alternative pop sounds and mature songwriting; art pop band Swindled bring harmony-filled songs and intricate lyrics to the table; fruity Newcastle four-piece CITRUS offer up a fresh and melodic sound full of punchy guitars and energetic vibes; twin sister duo Twayn’s mature and sardonic pop songwriting has been met with acclaim far and wide; plus Sunderland songwriter Hannah Roeves offers piano-led storytelling and pretty vocals.
Thursday 30th January @ Cluny 2
STAGE
We’ve all heard of Animal Farm; however, I’ve certainly never heard of it being performed as a one-man show – that was until now. Guy Masterson, one of Britain’s most talented and respected theatre producers, brings his breathtaking one-man production to Darlington Hippodrome on Friday 31st January.
Masterson’s rendition has earned worldwide acclaim, captivating audiences with its blend of humour, poignancy and craft. Through his dynamic portrayal of the farm’s infamous characters, Masterson expertly preserves Orwell’s themes, making them feel as relevant today as ever. This unique interpretation invites the audience into an imaginative retelling of a classic which remains both thought-provoking and deeply entertaining.
With a reputation for transforming iconic works into unforgettable solo performances, the Olivier-winning producer, director and actor promises an evening of theatre that will inspire and engage. This adaptation of Animal Farm is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts, showcasing Masterson’s exceptional talent and stage presence.
Friday 31st January @ Darlington Hippodrome
