For all those uninterested in anti-climatic firework displays tonight, this can be the day you go and see The Kills at The Other Rooms instead. Or, Hanoi Rocks will be at The Carling, desperately clinging to their 1980s, drug addicted rock personas. The Cluny meanwhile, has Solange. Not a medicated, throat pain relief capsule, but Beyonce’s kid sister.
Thursday is another Get Involved day at The End Bar, with acts such as The French Quarter. It’s also the day that Tygers of Pan Tang finally come to Trillans. Get to The Sage on Friday, as Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals is playing with his producer, Boom Bip.
From the school of ‘old crooners’, Peter Grant is at The Tyne Theatre. Otherwise, and I hope you’re ready for this, its Elliot Minor at Northumbria University.Apparently, it’s ‘a strange hybrid of emo, pop-punk and indie…like nothing you’ve heard before’. Call the contradiction police!
Saturday 8th has the legendary Skinnyman at The Cluny and covers band, Ask Ruby at Martha’s Vineyard (Hebburn). To round off the week, Ida Maria is at The Carling Academy with Mercury Rev. Local talent 27 Club will be playing at The Tyne.
w/c 10th November
Joe Bonamassa has been plying the guitar since the age of four, he’s grown up now and no doubt improved his rock and blues sound which he’ll play tonight (Monday) at The Sage. Tuesday brings another almighty talent to The Sage with 1960s legends, The Temptations. The Carling Academy has a slightly more youthful edge with Team Water Polo who cite Deaftones, The Beatles and Wu-Tang as their influences.
Local seven piece, indie band The Eye Jab will be playing in The End Bar on Wednesday. If you want to hear the negative aspects if higher education summed up in a hip-hop style, Kanye West is at Metro Radio Arena on Thursday 13th. If that doesn’t do justice to your Thursday feeling, take a chance on The Tyne with Hiccup Riot. By far the highlight of Friday night has to be influential jazz pianist, Herbie Hancock at The Sage.
Alternatively, The Black Keys are playing at The Carling Academy. Sexy ageing rocker Paul Weller will be raising middle aged blood pressures at Metro Radio Arena on Saturday. The Whip, Manchester electro-pop group will be playing at The Other Rooms. They’ve been recommended by NME so they’re pretty likely to sound like most things you’ve heard already.
Remember The Christians? Well they sang ‘When will there be a Harvest for the World?’, and they’re obviously still waiting for an answer as they’ll be at TheTyne Theatre on Saturday 15th. Finally, the week will end with geeky, Leeds based band The Grammatics at The End Bar and alt-rock, Texan outfit White Denim at The Cluny.
w/c 17th November
Heartfelt, housewives favourite from the late 80s Extreme will be blasting out hits such as ‘More Than Words’ at City Hall, whilst the band who seem to provide a fantastic soundtrack to a teen movie montage, Less Than Jake will be at Northumbria Student’s Union. John Otway and the Big Band will be playing at The Cluny on Tuesday, whilst Fever host an Open Mic Night.
Wednesday, why not see Peculiar Disco Moves and Radio Dynamics as well as many more at The HoS, courtesy of Too Far North. Irish soul band The Commitments, who gave us the unforgettable music for Alan Parker’s BAFTA winning film are playing at The Carling on Thursday 20th. Giant Sand and James Apollo will be playing at The Cluny, if alt-rock is more to your liking.
On Friday, limber up for Cybernetics at The End Bar, which promises a load of the finest trance, dub and techno. On the rockier side of things, Gladstone will be at Egypt Cottage. On Saturday at The Other Rooms, we’ll have Little Boots, who is everything that is good about pop apparently. Matt Schofield, one of those from the new generation of British blues musicians will be playing at The Cluny. The Zutons will be playing at The Carling Academy on Sunday, whilst Buen Chico will be at The HoS as part of Fakeindielabel.
w/c 24th November
NME gave Future of the Left an eyebrow raising 8/10, which means they must be rubbish! Just kidding, of course! They’re playing at The Cluny with our favourite local band Moleck. On Tuesday, New Found Glory are at The Carling Academy whilst Queen Mab Trio are at The Cluny.
Unique and charming, so they are; The Shortwave Set will be Wednesday’s Cluny treat. Meanwhile, Little Comets are at The Bridge Hotel. Ralph McTell is best known for his poignant narratives and the tune, ‘Streets of London’, and he’ll be at The Sage on Thursday 27th, whereas The Cornshed Sisters will be at The Tyne.
For some rock and pop covers this Friday, head to The Star Inn for Knee Jerk Reaction. Also on Friday, Brutus Gold, the pretendy 70s disco MC will be doing lord knows what with the Love Train at The Carling Academy. Saturday; cute Swedish pop-tarts who mix Northern Soul into their floaty, happy-go-lucky charm are Those Dancing Days and will be at The Other Rooms.
Imelda May, Irish soul chanteuse will be at The Cluny, spreading her intelligent, bluesy, folky pop. Finally, to end the week and the month check out dancy, electro-pop quartet Flamboyant Bella at The Carling Academy, or talented local boys, The Pilots at The HoS.
In the words of Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (look it up), good news, everyone!
Well, we think it is, but that’s because we love the best band to hail from Las Vegas to teeny tiny bits. Actually, they’re about the only band to hail from Las Vegas, aside from Panic At The Disco. But that’s not the point. Shut up. Read full story
w/c 29th September
Monday’s highlights come in the form of Ratty & The Sh*tkickers at The Cluny and Sam Sparro at The Carling Academy. For something utterly different though try The Carling for Cajun Dance Party on Tuesday or The Sage for a Little Man Tate experience. Read full story
Despite a second album that - thanks to drink, drugs and constant fighting that threatened to tear the band apart - truly was the difficult second album, Keane have survived their musical infancy and are ready to release their third effort, Perfect Symmetry. Read full story
For the final time, we’ll be delivering our weekly Newcastle gig recommendations before we go big and monthly… Read full story
According to boffins at Heriot-Watt University, your preferred choice of music can be a direct link to your personality. Given that the summary of personality types is as limited as ‘gentle with low self esteem’, compared to, say, ‘high self esteem, yet not gentle’, we remain to be convinced.
But if it sounds like something you’re into, have a little look at this selection of Newcastle gigs and see what personality you’re going to adopt this week… Read full story
It’s slim pickins while the student-free days of the dreary summer are washed away, so until the buzzing excitement of Newcastle’s live music scene picks up again, here’s what’s on offer this week. Read full story
Afternoons spent on long walks with undesirable in-laws. The futility and expense of present shopping. Lamenting over the lack of excitement concerning ITV’s festive film schedule. Read full story