Singer-songwriter Scott Matthews who grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, got his first guitar when he was seven and knew then that music was his future. His first album Passing Stranger caught the attention of Janice Long, Mark Radcliffe and Lauren Laverne and won him the Ivor Novello award for the single Elusive. He’s toured with the Foo Fighters, Robert Plant and Rufus Wainwright and his folk, blues and rock fusion continue to attract a devoted band of supporters.

Danny George Wilson has been touring the world and making critically acclaimed records for nearly 20 years now, the first Grand Drive release was on Loose Back in 1997. Since forming as ‘Danny & The Champions of the World’, the band have released four albums, the latest, ‘Stay True’, being their ‘finest set yet’ according to Mojo Magazine. Danny & The Champions Of The World are and have always been a loose collection of great musicians, songwriters, stowaways and adventurers. Danny talks of Stay True as being inspired by the ‘great soul, country and rock n roll of Stax, Muscle Shoals, The Band, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham, Dion DiMucci, Van Morrisson, Ronnie Lane meets Ronnie Spector’! It is an album steeped in good times, bad times, family, friends and powered by a great jukebox. It is without a doubt, the work of a champ.

The Delines debut album Colfax surprised fans and critics alike. The band had only been together a week when they went into the studio and cut the record. Uncut gave it 9/10 stars and praised its widescreen romanticism, calling it the richest collection of songs Vlautin has written. Evoking the feel of a beat-up Dusty Springfield or a weary Rickie Lee Jones, Colfax made a dozen top ten records of the year lists and the Delines sold out venues in the UK, Ireland, and had successful tours in the Europe and Australia. The Guardian declared them the surprise hit of the End of the Road festival and then it all came to a stop.

One of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK’s festival scene, Ozric Tentacles formed during the solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival 1983 going on to become psychedelic staples at Glastonbury and other festivals. The creative vision of multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne, the Ozrics’ uniquely trippy soundscapes connect fans of progressive rock, psychedelia and dance music culture.

Thomas Giles Robinson is a British singer, bassist, radio presenter and long-time LGBT rights activist, best known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band. He later peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart with his solo single "War Baby".

Step into the world of Nina Simone with the incredible, award-winning Lady Nade, as she honours Simone’s legacy with her powerhouse vocals and a talented six-piece band. From Feeling Good to I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.

A Louisiana-native turned Nashville-resident, Mary Gauthier (it’s French - pronounced Go-SHAY) has had an extraordinary life. A teenage runaway who found her first shelter among addicts and drag queens, struggled with drug addiction and became a chef/owner of three restaurants in Boston before selling them in 2001 to become a full time songwriter. She has subsequently received countless accolades for her six studio albums. The New York Times music writer John Pareles picked 2001’s Filth and Fire as the #1 Indy release of the year, 2005’s Mercy Now earned her the Americana Music Association’s New/Emerging Artist of the Year title and 2011’s The Foundling was named as one of the Records of the Year by the LA Times. Trouble and Love, her first studio CD since 2010, was co-produced by Mary with Patrick Granado (whose credits include Grammys for a Delbert McClinton record he produced and a tribute CD to Stephen Foster), recorded in Ricky Skaggs studio outside Nashville and features the support of Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Ashley Cleveland. One track from Trouble and Love, How You Learn To Live Alone, co-written with Gretchen Peters, was chosen for Season II of the hit TV show Nashville. On the record, the legendary Duane Eddy plays guitar on this song.

Chris Difford is a rare breed. As a member of one of London’s best-loved bands, the Squeeze co-founder has made a lasting contribution to English music with hits such as ‘Cool For Cats’, ‘Up The Junction’, ‘Labelled With Love’, ‘Hourglass’ and ‘Tempted’.

You might remember Eve Selis from her performances at Summertyne Festival@ Sage San Diego born, Franklin Tennessee based artist Eve Selis has been a singer for as long as she can remember she grew up in the San Diego region and as a youngster began performing in her local church band, all the while dreaming of becoming a rock star After an abortive spell at university studying musical theater and English, Selis began a career performing, writing and recording her own music and has released 10 albums to date She has gigged at the infamous Abbey Road Studios, toured Europe, and her last studio album, See Me With Your Heart was produced by GRAMMY-award winning producer Kenny Greenberg (Allison Moorer, The Mavericks, Joan Baez) Asking why more people should know about Eve Selis can be answered simply by pointing to her 25-year solo career during which she's released ten albums and garnered many awards. Add to that her memorable live performances and the fact that she can attract the very best musicians to play alongside her and there's a strong case to be made. Americana UK Acclaimed local musicians Archie Brown & Pat Rafferty support

Audience! Are you our secret ingredient for developing north east talent and new theatrical work? Join us for this new community event where local theatre makers will share new writing and ‘works in progress’ in the hope that you, dear audience, will help shape and develop with your generous feedback… Playwrights! Theatre Makers! Performers and Artists! We invite you to take part in a new community event for sharing new works and works in progress. Perform 10 - 20 minutes of your piece in a professional theatre for audience feedback. This evening is created by and for local artists to have a nurturing platform to develop works whilst performing in a professional setting with support. You can pose questions to the audience by written format and your hosts will gather up the written responses for you to take with you on your development journey.

A superb night of stand up comedy that will leave you in stitches. Get ready to ROFL as some of the funniest comedians take the stage to tickle your funny bone. With side-splitting jokes, witty one-liners, and belly-aching performances, this event is a must-attend for comedy enthusiasts. So, gather your friends and get ready for a night of non-stop laughter at Jesterval Comedy. ​- MC David Hadingham - Adam Bloom - Gavin Webster

An evening celebrating young people and their creative talents who answered the question "What would you do if you had the freedom to be to be creative? The freedom to make your own work and perform in a professional theatre?" There will be 10 performance pieces from 14-24 year olds across different art forms to showcase in our first youth platform.

Summer Schools at Gosforth Civic Theatre for 7 - 16 year olds and young people with additional needs aged 14 - 24. Join us for an action-packed summer school where there is something new to try each day; sign up and you can enjoy sports, gaming, science, dance, songwriting, film, and crafts with dedicated arts professionals to help you learn new skills. The week ends with 'Fun day Friday' featuring a film screening of your choice. We invite you to takeover GCT with your energy and enthusiasm. Book now- limited spaces.

Gladys Duffy has completely lost the plot. Plot? This show doesn’t have a plot?! Enter the broken mind of your favourite drag cabaret superstar in a vain effort to pull the very show you are watching from the jaws of defeat. Only with your help can Gladys spin an evening of absolutely nothing into a non-stop comedy show that will have you laughing till the house lights come up. Everything you are watching is completely improvised, unscripted, and 100% LIVE.

The tag line on the Sing United logo since the beginning was deliberately Voices Together – not just to signify our singing, but also because of what we want the power of Sing United to be able to achieve for our community. As Voices Together we have now raised more than £46,000 for local good causes in the region, and are using our music to close in on the big £50k! Join us this term for “Stronger Together” as we add our passion for the power of music to the power of standing together. Songs include: - “One Love” – Bob Marley - “Hey Brother” – Avicii - “Together Again” – Janet Jackson - “Everyday People” – Sly & The Family Stone - “Better Together” – Jack Johnson … and much more. Plus we’ll be raising money for the incredible Liberdade who are our charity of the year for 2025!

Combining movement, comedy, and theatre, Kylie Jenner’s Private Jet navigates the well-known wasteland of Gen- Z climate anxiety. Growing up being told the world is ending, and it’s all our fault, how do we begin to even think about saving it? The show delves into those complex feelings and nonsensical decisions, with dry humour keeping us one step away from total nihilism (just about). ​What power do we have as individuals in the face of climate collapse? What impact do our tiny actions have, compared to those of selfish celebrities and consumption on a global scale? Through fresh, surrealist dance theatre, Kylie Jenner’s Private Jet boldly asks the question that keeps us all up at night - what is the point?

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood “The most feel-good show in town” ★★★★ (_The Daily Mail_) has spread nostalgia and laughter throughout the UK and has the seal of approval from Victoria’s very own school- chums and colleagues. Featuring the star of BBC1’s ‘_All Together Now_’, Paulus The Cabaret Geek “King of Cabaret” (_The Stage_) with Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aïda) on piano, it is an evening of pure joy filled with Victoria’s best-loved songs, including the iconic ‘_Ballad of Barry & Freda’ (Let’s Do It)_ and the classic ‘_It Would Never Have Worked_’. This show is for fans of Victoria and for those yet to discover her, to come together and relish her breathtaking wizardry with words. In telling Victoria’s story, Paulus unfolds his own. A relatable story of a 1970s childhood and what it really means to find your tribe. So, pair your stilettos with an oven glove, zip up your cocktail slacks and get booking! "Vic would have loved this" Sue Devaney, _dinnerladies._ “We loved it!” Fascinating Aïda “Poignancy and heart” ★★★★ _The Scotsman._

Get ready to swing the night away with the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band as they bring to life the timeless music of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. The show’s projected backdrop explores the intricacies of these greats, their music and various collaborators. Plus, with vocalist Alice Grace leading the charge, you’ll be transported back to a golden age of jazz. An exciting journey through the music and lives of these two legends featuring Let’s Do It, Time After Time, A Tisket, A Tasket, Perdido and many more both original and brand-new arrangements. Together, Michael Lamb’s Strictly Smokin’ Big Band and Alice Grace deliver a performance that’s sure to get your feet tapping and your heart singing.

On the eve of the 2025 Tour de France, Carlton Kirby, the Voice of Cycling, brings a night of tall tales and frank opinions from his 25 years’ covering the sport. In a funny and revealing evening for all cycling fans, Carlton will be sharing his front-row experiences from the Tour de France and other big races – plus the lessons he’s learned from life on the road, as a bon viveur in budget hotels across Europe. Carlton is the last in the line of the great character commentators - cycling's answer to cricket's Henry Blofeld, F1's Murray Walker or darts' Sid Waddell. He has been in the commentary box for a golden age of British cycling and the evening will also include stories of his not-always-happy dealings with British stars from Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome to Mark Cavendish and his gantry partner-in-crime Sean Kelly. Carlton will be in conversation with former Procycling magazine writer Duncan Steer.

Havisham is written and performed by Heather Alexander "If you knew my story, your heart would break too…" In 1825 a young woman, arrives in London. She is full of hope and ready to embrace a fresh start. However, she soon finds herself as ‘the leading lady in drama she can’t comprehend.’ The gaslighting is subtle, the manipulation slick. Can Miss Havisham discern her fate? Or is she destined to relive the devastation of her trauma? Havisham offers a fresh perspective of Charles Dickens’ greatest work of Gothic characterisation -Miss Havisham is the embodiment of stuck trauma and malignant rage. But how did she arrive at this place and what are the tragic secrets of her calamitous past…? The story appeals to both fans of Dickens as well as those new to his stories and confronts how the ripples of fate can lead to devastating consequences.

A playful and musical new show for children and their grown-ups about community, adventure and becoming a hero. Robyn Hood tells the story of Robyn, a little girl who lives in a big city. Robyn likes to play outside and on a small patch of green land she builds a den; a magical space all of her own, where she dreams big dreams of woodland adventures. Until one day, developers arrive and Robyn’s den is under threat. Robyn retreats into her fantastical forest world where she is the audacious hero with a brave band of outlaws. Robyn and the adventurous outlaws teach the mean Sheriff a lesson and she learns to be the real-world hero that everyone needs. Robyn Hood is a magical new show for children and their families. An original take on the classic folktale, the production features playful storytelling, original live music, and integrated audio description. ​

San Diego-born, Franklin, Tennessee-based artist Eve Selis has been a singer for as long as she can remember – she grew up in the San Diego region and, as a youngster, began performing in her local church band, all the while dreaming of becoming a rock star. After an abortive university spell studying musical theatre and English, Selis began a career performing, writing, and recording her own music. She has released 10 albums to date. She has performed at the infamous Abbey Road Studios and toured Europe. Her last studio album, See Me With Your Heart, was produced by GRAMMY-award-winning producer Kenny Greenberg (Allison Moorer, The Mavericks, Joan Baez).

David Haldane in conversation with Ed Waugh Tuesday 30 September, 2025. 2pm. £7 Please check out our terms and conditions when buying tickets with us.​ Buy tickets David Haldane has been a topical and political cartoonist for 50 years. His first cartoon was published in Punch in 1977 and he was a weekly contributor until the magazine closed in 1992. ​ Working for numerous National newspapers, his cartoons have appeared in The Express, Mirror, Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail and the Sunday Times. He produced daily pocket cartoons for the Times from 2005 until 2017. During the 1980s David contributed sketches to the original series of Spitting Image and worked on OINK a comic for young adults created by Tony Husband. His children’s book, The Zoo goes to France was published by Methuen in 1983. Recently David has had a large retrospective exhibition in York and Haldane Cartoons can still be found regularly in Private Eye. ​ Join him for an in depth conversation about his life and career with award-winning playwright Ed Waugh. This will take place in our Studio with unreserved seating.

Tall tales and top tunes from 50 years in the record industry. Tom Robinson presents an evening of songs and stories from fifty years wandering the wilder shores of the Record Industry. Classic hits such as War Baby, Up Against The Wall, and 2-4-6-8 Motorway rub shoulders with a Radio 1 ban for being Glad To be Gay, rocking against racism with The Clash, writing songs with Elton John, headlining Glasto with Peter Gabriel, drug smuggling in East Germany, two nervous breakdowns and a year in tabloid hell after falling in love with a woman. Plus fan favourites from his vast back catalogue, spanning Café Society in 1975 to his acclaimed 2015 comeback album Only The Now. Tom Robinson's first record release was in 1975 as one-third of Café Society: an acoustic harmony trio discovered by Ray Davies at The Troubadour folk club in London's Earls Court. The album sold just 500 copies. After seeing an early Sex Pistols gig at The 100 Club, Tom made a rapid change of direction and formed the Tom Robinson Band with rock guitarist Danny Kustow. TRB were early supporters of Rock Against Racism and soon enjoyed Top 5 success with their debut single for EMI: 2-4-6-8 Motorway. Brief notoriety followed in early 1978 with the LGBT anthem Glad To Be Gay, and a few months later the band's first album Power In The Darkness entered the charts at No.4. Over the last 50 years Tom's been mentored by Alexis Korner and Martin Carthy, written songs with Elton John and Peter Gabriel, toured with The Police, Red Wedge and The Undertones, and Rocked Against Racism for a crowd of 80,000 - alongside The Clash, Steel Pulse and X-Ray Spex. He's been banned by Radio One, exiled in East Berlin, and hounded by the tabloids for being in love with a woman. More recently he's given over ten thousand artists their first national airplay on his BBC Introducing shows for 6 Music and served for ten years on the Ivor Novello Awards committee. At age 75 Tom still enjoys a reputation among his punk contemporaries - and in the world of acoustic/roots music - as both a master songsmith and a funny, ferocious live performer. Gabrielle Sey: Richly rhythmic, lyrically lead and soulfully infused, Sey draws from her Ghanaian heritage to craft a distinctive sound true to her roots but also embodies the influences of her Black British upbringing. Sey’s artistry is incomplete without her signature performative flair; a characteristic of her music that can only be appreciated at her live shows. These shows have taken place at renowned venues and events including:, The Roundhouse, BST Hyde Park, Black Deer Festival, Tedx Soho, Tedx Brighton, The Green Note and Earth Hackney. She has gained praise and recognition from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Introducing, Worldwide FM, Fresh on the Net, Exile fm, Gal-Dem and AFROPUNK.

The Book of Darkness & Light Presents A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted by Adam Z. Robinson Marley was dead to begin with. The Book of Darkness & Light theatre company return with their ghostly adaption of this most beloved festive classic. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a supernatural journey into the past, present and yet-to-come. The chilling atmosphere of Victorian London is brought to life and the spirits of Christmas return from the dead all through the spellbinding art of storytelling in this thrilling solo show. Adapted and performed by Adam Z. Robinson in his inimitable style, this production ofA Christmas Carol teases out the gothic aspects, presenting Dickens remarkable story as youve never seen it before. This enthralling version is by turns hair-raising, thrilling and heartwarming. Using a combination of gripping narration, eerie recorded voices and an immersive soundscape, the show transports audiences to the office of Scrooge and Marley, the humble Cratchit household and the fearful, final resting place of that most infamous miser. Its like gathering round a fireside and being invited into the world of this Christmas classic. With Robinson portraying 28 different characters in the show, this is an extraordinary experience not to be missed this Christmas.

Who is the God of dog poo bags? How did the microwave get its ping? What ancient crime was Yorkshire the punishment for? And why was it inflicted upon us Senior professors of history, and rather silly men? Lee Hithersay and Robert Rhys Bond, forge three new myths from the unhinged minds of their audience - and a boatload of cardboard props! Will it be Greek Viking Ancient Babylonian They haven't a clue! That's all up to you. Help shape the stories, and even become the hero yourself (if you want, no pressure) in this EPIC interactive experience. The renowned Rubbish Shakespeare Company and Silly History Boys present a hilarious hour of high-octane adventure for children and childish adults. Featuring clowning, storytelling, live music and more. You'd be mad to myth it!

What out lesbian moves to Nashville at 40 to start a troubadour career? Who goes from playing open mics to playing the Newport Folk Festival in one years time? Its been 25 years since Mary Gauthier, now revered songwriter, released her groundbreaking debut album Drag Queens in Limousines. Eighteen months after this record was released, the response was so incredible that she hung up her chefs coat, moved to Nashville, and started to make her mark as an exciting new voice in the songwriting world. Drag Queens in Limousines is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It turns out, thats all of us. For twenty-five years, Mary Gauthier has brought all kinds of folks from all walks of life together with her deeply personal, yet paradoxically universal work. By writing about what matters most to her, having the courage to sing whats often too hard for us to say, and delivering the work authentically, Mary Gauthier opened the gate and widened the path that many who came after her have traveled. Join us in celebrating twenty-five years of the unique, courageous songs of Mary Gauthier.

After 15 years of performing together, eight studio albums, four BBC Folk Award nominations, composing Gentleman Jack as the BBC/HBO drama theme tune and hundreds of venues and festivals across the UK and Europe, the much loved Yorkshire folk duo of Belinda OHooley & Heidi Tidow have made the momentous decision to say farewell for now in order to explore other adventures that are beckoning to them. To help their incredibly loving and loyal audiences process this news, they are embarking upon one last tour of all their favourite venues from over the years. Belinda and Heidi's boundless songwriting has been described by The Guardian as exceptional and The Independent as defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in. Moving, melodic, dramatic and tender, from stories of parenthood, the call of a song thrush, to a portrait of the last days of a touching relationship between their neighbour Matthew and his beloved Alsatian, Ted, and even a collaboration with Gentleman Jack herself, Suranne Jones on The Ballad of Anne and Ann, they explore, consider and connect subjects and stories in a distinctive, inventive and memorable way. Having the originality and skill to invite comparison with the most celebrated harmony duos, 6 Music's Tom Robinson says They sing together in the way families do. Normally, you only get that closeness in the voices with family bands like The Coppers or The Watersons.

Ashley Campbell, daughter of country legend Glen Campbell began her career playing banjo and keyboard in her father's band on several world tours and has found success as a solo artist in the country/Americana music scene; most notably with her debut single "Remembering" which she wrote for her father and is featured on the Grammy award winning and Oscar nominated album for the documentary Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me.

Our ever-popular beer festival returns in its usual Summer slot to bring you loads of live music, delicious street food, a relaxed family atmosphere, copious amounts of good times and, oh yeah, 30 taps of the best regional and national craft and cask beer on our festival bar.

As tensions cool following a weekend of MAYHEM, a STORM is brewing over the horizon Prime Wrestling RETURNS to Gosforth Civic Theatre on Saturday 13th September for BATTLESTORM, an ALL-ACTION SPECTACLE suitable for all ages! Prime Champion TOMMY FREEMAN overcame the odds to defeat the cunning JOSEPH CONNERS, who sought the help of Freeman's former Apex partner KRIS DEKKER to take the gold to Nottingham - and nearly did. Having made his way backstage through a crowd of over 100 swarming fans, Freeman raised Dekker's interference with Prime management who have decided to WITHHOLD Dekker's maiden shot at the Prime Championship as punishment. Freeman will instead face excentric Finnish veteran Sami Koivu, making his Prime Wrestling debut. The JACKED, STACKED SHREDDY is on a 3-0 winning streak since returning to Prime at SOUTHERN SHOWDOWN, most recently taking out rising star RORY DAVIS. With his sights firmly set on another run with the Prime Championship, can anyone stop SHREDDY? Levelling the field in the Prime Championship match, MICKY LIMERICK looks to rebound from defeat against a MYSTERY OPPONENT. The question is - WHO? Also scheduled to appear: Prime Skyward Champion MAD DOG MATTHEWS; British rising star CALLUM ANDREWS; west coast cruiserweight sensation JORDAN KANE; lucha sensation SAMURAI SHINOBI and MANY MORE.

Award-winning traditional folk singer-songwriter is joined by special guests and recordings of nightingales for these immersive performances.