Talking Northeast
@talkingnortheast.bsky.social
Interview-based journalist from Northeast England's cultural scene. Check it out at https://talkingnortheast.substack.com/
High quality experimental sounds in Sunderland this weekend at the ever-excellent Boundaries festival. Preview here: talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/boundaries...
Boundaries 2025
Sunderland music fest celebrates 5 years of experimental sounds
talkingnortheast.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
High quality experimental sounds in Sunderland this weekend at the ever-excellent Boundaries festival. Preview here: talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/boundaries...
Small venues are facing big problems. Yet these are the very fabric of our cultural life - far more so than oversized, overpriced arenas. So it's encouraging to see efforts to keep Middlesbrough's Disgraceland afloat: talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/saving-dis...
Saving Disgraceland
Middlesbrough’s alternative community rallies round its flagship venue
talkingnortheast.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Small venues are facing big problems. Yet these are the very fabric of our cultural life - far more so than oversized, overpriced arenas. So it's encouraging to see efforts to keep Middlesbrough's Disgraceland afloat: talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/saving-dis...
Underwhelmed with the Mercury Prize in Newcastle last night? Fortunately, the Mercury Fringe was much more fun - and probably more valuable for the local music scene. Bit of a blog about it here: vocal.media/beat/mercury...
@poprecsltd.bsky.social @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social
@poprecsltd.bsky.social @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social
Mercury rising
A tired award ceremony turns out to have a promising fringe
vocal.media
October 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Underwhelmed with the Mercury Prize in Newcastle last night? Fortunately, the Mercury Fringe was much more fun - and probably more valuable for the local music scene. Bit of a blog about it here: vocal.media/beat/mercury...
@poprecsltd.bsky.social @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social
@poprecsltd.bsky.social @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social
Had a top night in Sacriston, listening to Driven Serious and @millsandfarrell.bsky.social in the atmospheric surroundings of the Old Church. Small-scale, intimate, but full of beauty and energy. The photos don't do it justice, the review might: vocal.media/beat/gig-rev...
Gig review: Driven Serious
A campfire vibe at an acoustic set
vocal.media
October 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Had a top night in Sacriston, listening to Driven Serious and @millsandfarrell.bsky.social in the atmospheric surroundings of the Old Church. Small-scale, intimate, but full of beauty and energy. The photos don't do it justice, the review might: vocal.media/beat/gig-rev...
Feels like a good moment to repost my review of the excellent Constant Noise by @benefitstheband.bsky.social
TL;DR - it's a loud slice of what we need right now.
Full review: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
TL;DR - it's a loud slice of what we need right now.
Full review: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
September 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Feels like a good moment to repost my review of the excellent Constant Noise by @benefitstheband.bsky.social
TL;DR - it's a loud slice of what we need right now.
Full review: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
TL;DR - it's a loud slice of what we need right now.
Full review: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
Life after mining. Art. Videos. Sound installation. Lots of good stuff to enjoy at Going Back Brockens in Sunderland Museum. More at vocal.media/art/going-ba...
@narbiprice.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @wemakeculture.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social
@narbiprice.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @wemakeculture.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social
Going Back Brockens
Sounds, films and paintings reflect on life after industry
vocal.media
September 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Life after mining. Art. Videos. Sound installation. Lots of good stuff to enjoy at Going Back Brockens in Sunderland Museum. More at vocal.media/art/going-ba...
@narbiprice.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @wemakeculture.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social
@narbiprice.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @wemakeculture.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social
A bit more from Horden, where Ensemble 84 is doing exciting things on stage. Here's a review of the most recent production, Pits, People and Players, which reached the end of its run at the weekend: vocal.media/geeks/pits-p...
Pits, People and Players
Tapping into a seam of drama in Horden
vocal.media
August 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A bit more from Horden, where Ensemble 84 is doing exciting things on stage. Here's a review of the most recent production, Pits, People and Players, which reached the end of its run at the weekend: vocal.media/geeks/pits-p...
Going Back Brockens is in its final week at Horden church. Meanwhile, looking back at where it began - a disused warehouse in a Bishop Auckland shopping centre - offers ideas about regenerating town centres. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/newgate-wa...
August 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Going Back Brockens is in its final week at Horden church. Meanwhile, looking back at where it began - a disused warehouse in a Bishop Auckland shopping centre - offers ideas about regenerating town centres. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/newgate-wa...
Another write-up about Going Back Brockens, this time in North East Bylines: @narbiprice.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social
Going Back Brockens: monuments and rhetoric after the Miners Strike
New exhibition opens
northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/goin...
New exhibition opens
northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/goin...
Going Back Brockens: monuments and rhetoric after the Miners Strike
New exhibition opens
northeastbylines.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Another write-up about Going Back Brockens, this time in North East Bylines: @narbiprice.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social
Exciting times for art in Bishop Auckland with the opening of Going Back Brockens last week. Click for an interview with artist @narbiprice.bsky.social about his work. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/going-back...
June 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Exciting times for art in Bishop Auckland with the opening of Going Back Brockens last week. Click for an interview with artist @narbiprice.bsky.social about his work. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/going-back...
One from an occasional series about interesting pubs. The Pele in Corbridge is a cracker - 700 years old, built to protect a nervous vicar from Border raids, and now a fine spot for a quick pint. More at vocal.media/proof/mine-s...
Mine's a pint: The Pele
A stronghold for strong ale
vocal.media
June 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
One from an occasional series about interesting pubs. The Pele in Corbridge is a cracker - 700 years old, built to protect a nervous vicar from Border raids, and now a fine spot for a quick pint. More at vocal.media/proof/mine-s...
Recently had the pleasure of a quick chat with Jeff Brown after reviewing The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre. Plenty about the importance of live performance - and the need to bring it beyond traditional stages. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/plays-to-t...
June 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Recently had the pleasure of a quick chat with Jeff Brown after reviewing The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre. Plenty about the importance of live performance - and the need to bring it beyond traditional stages. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/plays-to-t...
So, some people kicked a ball around for a bit yesterday. Some of us got a bit excited. Red-and-White striped waffling available here: vocal.media/cleats/why-w...
Why we do it
A couple of hours’ of stress, a couple of moments of joy
vocal.media
May 25, 2025 at 8:57 AM
So, some people kicked a ball around for a bit yesterday. Some of us got a bit excited. Red-and-White striped waffling available here: vocal.media/cleats/why-w...
It must be at least 15 years since I last reviewed a play. Until yesterday, when I got to see The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre for @thereviewshub.bsky.social. Enjoyable show, accessible and thought-provoking. You can check out my review here: www.thereviewshub.com/the-bench-ga...
The Bench - Gala Theatre, Durham - The Reviews Hub
Writer: Jeff Brown Director: Olivia Millar-Ross Translating sport onto the stage is a thankless task. It’s impossible to top the natural drama of last-gasp goals and underdog triumphs without veering ...
www.thereviewshub.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It must be at least 15 years since I last reviewed a play. Until yesterday, when I got to see The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre for @thereviewshub.bsky.social. Enjoyable show, accessible and thought-provoking. You can check out my review here: www.thereviewshub.com/the-bench-ga...
As a kid, I grew up over the road from William. This was a fascinating chance to discover more about his poetry in a fantastic new anthology jointly edited by @jakecampbell88.bsky.social and Peter Armstrong. Well worth checking out if you've an interest in contemporary poetry, or northern England.
Marratide: a timely retrospective of a Wearside bard
Review of the new anthology collection by Sunderlands, poet William Martin
northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/poet...
Review of the new anthology collection by Sunderlands, poet William Martin
northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/poet...
Marratide: a timely retrospective of a Wearside bard
Review of the new anthology collection by Sunderlands, poet William Martin
northeastbylines.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
As a kid, I grew up over the road from William. This was a fascinating chance to discover more about his poetry in a fantastic new anthology jointly edited by @jakecampbell88.bsky.social and Peter Armstrong. Well worth checking out if you've an interest in contemporary poetry, or northern England.
So, from time to time I'm motivated to review music. @benefitstheband.bsky.social latest album, Constant Noise, was just the motivation. A modern-day Dante's Inferno, perhaps? Read, listen, buy a copy and decide: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
Benefits: Constant Noise
From Dante to Damon Albarn, Teesside's angriest are fiery and glacial by turns
vocal.media
March 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
So, from time to time I'm motivated to review music. @benefitstheband.bsky.social latest album, Constant Noise, was just the motivation. A modern-day Dante's Inferno, perhaps? Read, listen, buy a copy and decide: vocal.media/beat/benefit...
Had a great time last night at the launch of Between the Salt and the Ash by @jakecampbell88.bsky.social. Only had time to skim my copy so far, but it's full of good things. And hard not to love a travelogue that (briefly) visits the cul-de-sac where I grew up in Sunderland!
March 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Had a great time last night at the launch of Between the Salt and the Ash by @jakecampbell88.bsky.social. Only had time to skim my copy so far, but it's full of good things. And hard not to love a travelogue that (briefly) visits the cul-de-sac where I grew up in Sunderland!
Was great to work with @northeastbylines.co.uk on this article. The upcoming exhibition in Newcastle promises to be a powerful response to an often-overlooked failure in child services.
Mothers tell their stories through art in A Story of Hope, an exhibition on child removal, resilience, and healing at Newcastle Cathedral
A story of hope at Newcastle Cathedral
Mothers tell their stories through art in A Story of Hope, an exhibition on child removal, resilience, and healing at Newcastle Cathedral
northeastbylines.co.uk
March 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Was great to work with @northeastbylines.co.uk on this article. The upcoming exhibition in Newcastle promises to be a powerful response to an often-overlooked failure in child services.
Why can't a former pit village have its own art gallery? In Ushaw Moor, County Durham, that's exactly what's happening this half term. Grassroots culture, gotta love it! Read more at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/great-big-...
#community #art #Durham
#community #art #Durham
February 26, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Why can't a former pit village have its own art gallery? In Ushaw Moor, County Durham, that's exactly what's happening this half term. Grassroots culture, gotta love it! Read more at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/great-big-...
#community #art #Durham
#community #art #Durham
Saturday night, pub night? If you're anywhere near Hartlepool, this might be one to check out. The Princess Helena, colourfully proving that pubs still have a role to play. Read more at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/the-prince...
#pubs #hartlepool
#pubs #hartlepool
February 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Saturday night, pub night? If you're anywhere near Hartlepool, this might be one to check out. The Princess Helena, colourfully proving that pubs still have a role to play. Read more at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/the-prince...
#pubs #hartlepool
#pubs #hartlepool