NE Volume

David Lewis Gedge is an extraordinary songwriter, crafting kitchen-sink dramas filled with tales of unrequited love and heartbreak. He also possesses one of the most recognisable voices in British indie music, alongside his distinctive guitar style. Of course, that is only my humble opinion. However, if you have never heard The Wedding Present, finish reading this excellent publication, then go and listen to them…loudly.

Contemporary printmaking takes centre stage this autumn as Lino North arrives at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle from 11th September to 29th November. Bringing together 16 artists from across the North of England, Wales and Scotland, the exhibition celebrates the versatility and enduring appeal of linocut printmaking.

One of Teesside’s best-remembered club nights from the 1990s is returning this September, with Modern Life taking over KU in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday 5th September for an afternoon and evening of live music, DJs, records, vintage clothes and scooter culture. For those who remember the North East club scene of the Britpop years, the name Modern Life may already be familiar.

Scottish comedy star Gary Meikle is heading to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 5th September with his brand-new stand-up show, Yer Maw. Packed with sharp storytelling, quick-fire observations and down-to-earth humour, it is another chance to see one of the UK’s most popular comedians live. Drawing on the funny side of everyday life, Gary has built a loyal fanbase by turning relatable situations into stories that regularly leave audiences in stitches.

Looking like a romantic heroine from a Wes Anderson film while writing lyrics that feel like secret diary entries, award-winning singer-songwriter Isabel Maria is a rising talent from Sunderland. Her music overflows with a delicate blend of enchantment, wit and emotional honesty. The self-confessed “pensive popstar” and her full band will perform a “sad song shindig” at Cluny 2, nestled among Ouseburn’s urban greenery.

Tracks’ Last Train Home returns for its sixth flagship music and comedy festival on Saturday 5th September in Darlington, continuing to establish itself as a highlight of the North East’s cultural calendar. Celebrating independent creativity, the festival champions emerging and grassroots talent alongside established favourites, transforming the town into a vibrant showcase of music, comedy and community.

Yorkshire-based artist Akeim Toussaint Buck brings his acclaimed one-man production Windows of Displacement to ARC in Stockton on Saturday 5th September, combining contemporary dance, spoken word and live music in a powerful exploration of identity, migration and belonging. Inspired by his own journey from Jamaica to the UK, Akeim draws on personal experience to examine what it means to leave one home behind while searching for another.

It’s fair to say that few festivals can rival the spectacular setting of Lindisfarne Festival. With breathtaking views across the Northumberland coastline towards the iconic Holy Island, the annual event has firmly established itself as one of the region’s best-known music festivals, attracting visitors from across the UK while retaining the independent spirit on which it was founded.

910 Newcastle singer-songwriter Simon Taylor’s latest single, ‘I Smell A Rat’, is an energetic release that blends melodic songwriting with polished drum & bass-infused production. It is an immediate, uplifting track, driven by a memorable groove and confident arrangement, while subtle Latin and jazz influences add colour to the mix. From the opening bars, a driving bassline provides the song’s backbone, complemented by crisp percussion and clean production that gives it a contemporary edge.

Two different art forms, two different artists, united by a shared inspiration: honouring the natural world through their creations. Nature Up North will showcase artwork by Donna Slyfield, whose paintings capture hazy, naturalistic scenes of organic beauty.