Bound together by lifelong friendship and shared experience for more than 25 years, the Fisherman’s Friends have met on the Platt (harbour) in their native Port Isaac to raise money for charity, singing the traditional songs of the sea handed down to them by their forefathers. In 2010 they signed a major record deal and their album Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends went gold as they became the first traditional folk act to land a UK top ten album. Since then they’ve been the subject of an ITV documentary, released the hit albums One and All and Proper Job and played to hundreds of thousands of fans at home and abroad. The Fisherman’s Friends have been widely credited with starting the revival of interest in shanty-style choral singing but a cornerstone of their success has been their constantly evolving and expanding repertoire.

“They’ve lasted because they are brilliant” Radio 2 Brothers Patrick and Gregory Kane formed Hue and Cry in the ’80s and the duo made a huge impact with the release of their debut album Seduced and Abandoned (1987) which featured their first top ten single Labour of Love. The follow up album Remote continued the trend and produced the huge hits Looking for Linda and Violently. Albums like Stars Crash Down, Showtime and Jazz Not Jazz ensured Hue and Cry’s continued successful run through the ’90s, whilst their 2005 appearances as finalists on ITV’s primetime show Hit Me Baby One More Time, featuring their version of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love, thrust the band firmly back into the mainstream limelight. A number of successful album releases and accompanying live appearances followed which included Open Soul (2008), Xmasday (2009), Bitter Suite Again (2010), Hot Wire (2012), Remote: Major to Minor (2014), September Songs (2015), Pocketful of Stones (2017). To date Hue and Cry have sold in excess of two million records worldwide. In 2019, Hue and Cry sold out their Summer Nights at the Bandstand show at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove park within forty-eight hours and finished the year by playing live all over the UK. With the global pandemic bringing live touring to a halt during 2020/21, Hue and Cry introduced their pioneering Live from Lockdown streaming shows which were broadcast live from the band’s Glasgow based studio and viewed online by thousands of fans around the world. A collection of their favourite tracks from these shows was released as a Best of Lockdown album (2022). Hue and Cry have sold tens of thousands of concert tickets worldwide. As well as performing alongside some of the greatest artists in music history – appearing with U2, James Brown, Madonna, Al Green and Van Morrison to name but a few – the band have undertaken a multitude of their own headline tours and made numerous festival appearances. Hue and Cry were recognised by their peers when they were recently presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Music Awards. The band are currently working on a brand new album and have made a welcome return to performing in front of audiences.

Irish pop duo featuring ex-members of Westlife and Boyzone. Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy perform pop hits by their former bands. There are few acts that accomplished the level of success that Boyzone and Westlife respectively achieved. As two of the defining groups of 90s and 00s boyband era, both boybands together scored an incredible 21+ UK No.1 singles and can consider countless millions of audience members performed to worldwide.

Midge Ure, born James Ure, is a Scottish musician, singer-songwriter, and producer known for his work in various bands and as a solo artist. He gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly with the bands Slik, Rich Kids, Visage, and most notably, Ultravox. Ure is also recognized for his co-writing and production of the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and his involvement in organizing Band Aid, Live Aid, and Live 8.

Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.  Channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time.

A Country Night In Nashville recreates the scene of a buzzing Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music. Prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present. Hits from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson to Little Big Town, are showcased by the amazing Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes. With songs including Ring Of Fire, Crazy, Follow Your Arrow, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, Need You Now, 9-5, and The Gambler to name just a few, this incredible celebration of country music is a night not to be missed.

One of Britain's most celebrated contemporary folk singers, known for her mix of thoughtful originals, tasteful covers, and traditional fare.

Our in-house Haydn specialists, Royal Northern Sinfonia, plus violinist and director Maria Włoszczowska.

We’re joined this afternoon by a very special guest in the Piano Greats series, Nicholas McCarthy, the world’s only one-handed concert pianist.

Royal Northern Sinfonia is reunited with old friend Thomas Zehetmair, the orchestra’s former Music Director.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (the UK’s oldest professional orchestra) and their Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan, who has described this orchestra as ‘a great collective force formed by brilliant individuals.’

The Glasshouse’s finest, Royal Northern Sinfonia, with Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska

Rounding off our classical season, it’s of course got to be Royal Northern Sinfonia and their Music Director Dinis Sousa. We’ve also got two extremely special guests in the shape of the pianist legends that are Imogen Cooper and Paul Lewis.

Suzi Quatro has always been a performing musician. Born in Michigan she was in successful bands, but got her real career break when super-producer Mickie Most saw her perform live. She flew to England in 1971 and went on to quickly create the monster hit Can The Can with songwriters Chinn and Chapman. Two and a half million copies of this song were snapped by an entranced public, catapulting her to the top, where she has stayed. A star was well and truly born. Having now sold over 55 million records – she featured in the UK charts for 101 weeks between 1973 and 1980! – Suzi has never lost the knack for great rock and roll. Suzi has also proved her versatility over the years: Stumblin’ In was a duet with Chris Norman that sold a million copies in the US but she has excelled in many other areas too. Acting, writing novels, broadcasting, her documentary film Suzi Q, presenting her autobiography Unzipped, live as a successful one-woman show! She has released albums with her peers, and with her son, No Control and The Devil In Me and in 2023 Face To Face with KT Tunstall.

The exceptional classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić will return with one of the UK’s top chamber orchestras. The Montenegran guitar hero with the chiselled jaw and perma-stubble brings his artistry to music from the baroque period to the 1960s, with a chamber orchestra at his back.

Royal Northern Sinfonia is joined on stage at Middlesbrough Town Hall this afternoon by their Conductor Laureate and long-time friend Thomas Zehetmair.

Royal Northern Sinfonia is directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska for a lively season finale to Middlesbrough Classics at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

With a back-catalogue of hits to his name including "How Long", "Tempted" and "The Living Years", Paul's uniquely soulful voice is a must for his millions of fans around the world. His amazing songs have been performed by some of the biggest names in music including The Eagles, Diana Ross and Tom Jones and he is constantly in demand as a session keyboardist, having recorded and toured with Elton John, Van Morrison, Roger Waters and BB King, and most recently on Eric Clapton's world tour. Dubbed by the BBC as 'The Man with the Golden Voice', Paul is undoubtedly a key figure in British pop history, an all-rounded musical talent. And as his devoted fans know all too well, a Paul Carrack show is truly something very special.

Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia and conductor Stephen Bell are taking you on a journey from Tatooine to Naboo before venturing back to Carlisle.

Orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia, their wonderful Chorus and Music Director Dinis Sousa, plus a dreamy cast of singers.

Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian pianist and film score composer playing new age and neoclassical music. Trained at the Conservatorio Verdi in Milan, Einaudi began his career as a classical composer, later incorporating other styles and genres such as pop, rock, folk, and world music.

Boundary breaking pioneers fusing the omnipotent power of the orchestra with innovative technology and the raucous rebellion of rock, London Symphonic Rock Orchestra deliver iconic rock hits in the most spectacular way. A collective of 12 classically trained artists brought together by their love of rock music and immense talent, the LSRO formed in 2018 and have been wowing audiences ever since. LSRO have collaborated and performed with many artists including the Trevor Horn Band and Queen Machine and have played more than 200 shows to over 400,000 fans! Adorned in the guise of rock warriors, LSRO perform whilst immersed in a candlelit fantasy forest. The atmosphere is electric, the musicians are mesmerising and the supersonic, 100% live, wall of sound they create leaves the audience instantly captivated. Expect reimagined classic hits from: AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Motörhead, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, System Of A Down and many more.

The legendary Genesis album Foxtrot which, in 1972, was pivotal in establishing the band as a major force in British rock. Guitarist Steve Hackett joined Genesis in 1971, making his band debut on the Nursery Cryme album which enjoyed a greater commercial success in Europe than the UK. After extensive touring, the band were encouraged, by audience reactions, to further experiment with ever longer compositions and develop their ability to incorporate strong narratives. This, in turn, allowed frontman Peter Gabriel more opportunity to indulge in the theatrics which helped to raise the band’s profile. Foxtrot was critically acclaimed and became the first Genesis album to make the UK album charts. The Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights tour also promises more Genesis favourites and highlights from Hackett’s extensive solo catalogue.

Selling out at venues all over the world, Clearwater Creedence Revival feature road-hardened players who, collectively have performed with – Stax legend Steve Cropper, Big Country, Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues), Eric Haydocks Hollies, Animals And Friends, Alan Silson (Smokie), Wayne Fontana’s Mindbenders and more. Together, they are the best celebration of the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Fogerty you’re ever likely to see – and a band selling out all over the world, as audiences in Germany, Israel,Russia, Holland, Scandinavia, UK and more will attest! A tribute band like no other.

The Colin Currie Quartet takes to the Concourse Stage for a performance that’s free for all to enjoy.

Nobody plays Reich’s music quite like the Colin Currie Group. They’ll be taking to our free Concourse Stage for our festival’s final concert.

Colin Blunstone co-founded The Zombies in 1962. After signing to Decca Records the band enjoyed their first million selling chart hit with She's Not There in 1964. The band toured the world and released their last album Odessey and Oracle in 1968 which featured another huge selling song Time of the Season. Colin’s solo career began with the 1971 album One Year on Epic Records, from which the hit single Say You Don’t Mind was taken. Further hits included I Don’t Believe In Miracles, How Can We Dare To Be Wrong, What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted, Tracks Of My Tears and The Alan Parson’s Project’s Old And Wise. The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent continue to tour around the world. This is your chance to catch one of the UK's most unique vocalists and songwriters.

Beverley Knight has been one of the UK's most consistent artists for almost three decades. Back together with her live band expect a fun-filled night where she will perform all of her classic hits and fan favourites along with brand new songs, celebrating her incredible career over the years.

Over the past three years, Priddy has quietly been building a growing following, captivating audiences around the UK with her haunting vocals, rich harmonies, distinctive finger picking guitar style and enchanting songs whose lyrics celebrate her life-long love affair with literature and poetry. She has been championed by BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music and her debut EP 'Wolf' was chosen by Richard Thompson as his Best Thing I've Heard All Year in MOJO Magazine in 2018. With the buzz around her building, Priddy is making her mark in 2021 with the release of an eagerly-anticipated debut album on Navigator Records, The Eternal Rocks Beneath, which is set to bring her to even wider notice. The 10 self-penned tracks are delivered with a maturity and depth that belie the fact that this is her first full length release. At times tender, at times carrying a darker edge, the stories she weaves are transporting. Not surprising then that Nick Drake, John Martyn, Tunng and Scott Matthews are amongst her many influences. It has already received an amazing response from radio and press, including a 4 star review from The Observer, which described it as 'an accomplished set of original songs delivered in a breathtaking voice'. Meanwhile, Folk Radio declared it 'A debut of true substance, it's like searching for a simple shelter and stumbling upon a diamond mine'. The album was recorded over a 2-year period at Rebellious Jukebox studios, a little basement studio hidden beneath inner-city Birmingham and presided over by masterful producer Simon Weaver. The ensemble cast of musicians, including a sweeping string section, occasionally cut through by raw electric guitar and drums, as well as Richard March (Pop Will Eat Itself) on double bass and Mikey Kenny on fiddle, enhance Priddy's command of melody and lyricism and provide the perfect backdrop for the feelings of nostalgia and timelessness that underpin the record. Having already racked up some serious air play from the likes of Tom Robinson, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews, Radcliffe & Maconie, Gideon Coe, Steve Lamacq and Janice Long, as well as supported the likes of Richard Thompson & The Chieftains and playing well-earned spots at festivals and sell-out headline shows around the country, Priddy is a fast-rising star on the scene. The Eternal Rocks Beneath is poised to cement the place of this determined young woman in the folk world and beyond.

Mike Dawes is hailed as one of the world’s finest and most creative modern fingerstyle guitar performers.

The Wonder Stuff’s Miles Hunt returns to perform songs from his forthcoming album Things Can Change, alongside classics from his 36-year career. For the new album, Miles did what he’s always done and wrote about things that were happening around him, and what had happened to him in the past. Endeavouring to make the music as uplifting as possible, Miles came to accept that we live in a constant state of flux - things can, and will, change. But one thing that he can always be sure of is that his community of friends and family keep him from sinking.

Tony Award winning English tenor and platinum-selling singer, Alfie Boe brings his hits to the stage. The highly acclaimed singer performs classical crossover works such as opera arias, show tunes and light music.

The Legends: Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian in their brand new Show Vegas: After Hours–Where the Dance Floor Never Sleeps! Get ready for the ultimate night out-Vegas: After Hours brings five Strictly dance legends together for a spectacular new show that captures all the glitz, glamour, and excitement of Las Vegas. After two highly successful tours, Strictly stars Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone,and Ian Waite are back—this time joining forces to create a show that celebrates the magic, glamour and thrill of Las Vegas like never before. Think neon lights and electric nights, roulette tables spinning, glamorous showgirls, dazzling casinos, desert sunsets, lavish pool parties, whirlwind weddings, iconic hotels, and world-class entertainment. Vegas: After Hours captures it all in one unforgettable evening. With their incredible female partners, our five dance legends will bring the spirit of Sin City to life through breathtaking routines and nonstop entertainment—all set to a soundtrack inspired by the greatest Las Vegas performers of all time. Vegas: After Hours isn’t just a show—it’s a celebration of the entertainment capital of the world, promising five legends, one stage and a night of pure Vegas magic. Lights, Legends and Vegas–Vegas: After Hours has It All. From Strictly to Sin City, it is the ultimate dance spectacle!

Four of the greatest lead guitar legends in the business have asked her to perform with them: in concert with Jeff Beck, in concert and on two spellbinding albums (Don't Explain and Seesaw) with Joe Bonamassa, on two powerhouse records with Slash, and on a very special blues album, Rhythm and Blues, with Buddy Guy. It's no wonder she's been nominated for two Blues Music Awards! Every live performance gets a standing ovation, because no one knows how to rock the house better than Beth Hart. When she sings clocks stop, hearts dance and neck-hair tingles - it's that compelling!

One of the most successful Spanish language bands of the last 40 years, Gipsy Kings are revered for their 1989 self-titled album spending 40 weeks on the US charts and their top five songs amassing over 160 million listens on Spotify. Known for their infectious tunes and jubilant performances, the party favourites and spectacular performers have been consistently in demand for over four decades.

Acclaimed band of Tuareg refugees who play a politically charged style of "desert blues."

A Night to Remember - The brand-new show from Strictly favourites Aljaž Škorjanec & Janette Manrara! It will be a night of unforgettable dancing, great music and plenty of laughter! Aljaž and Janette have graced UK stages across the country for over 6 years, always delivering great shows with spectacular jaw dropping dances that have left audiences wanting more. A Night to Remember is finally here. It promises to deliver an even greater dancing experience than ever before. Aljaž & Janette return with their very own live big band, fronted by boogie woogie legend Tom Seals, and a terrific ensemble cast of dancers and singers. This show capitalises on Aljaž's hugely popular return to Strictly Come Dancing, whilst his wife Janette continues to shine, hosting It Takes Two and BBC’s Morning live. It will be an opportunity to see them take to the dancefloor performing stunning routines to music from the Great American songbook right up to modern day classics. Please join your favourite couple once again for a night of first-class family entertainment in a truly magical Night to Remember!

Walter Trout's backstory is a page-turner you won't want to put down. Five decades in the making; it is equal parts thriller, romance, suspense and horror. There are musical fireworks, critical acclaim and fists-aloft triumph, offset by wilderness years and brushes with the jaws of narcotic oblivion. There are feted early stints as gunslinger in bands from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers to Canned Heat, and the solo career that’s still blazing a quarter-century later. The veteran bluesman has seen and done it all - plays earth shattering blues rock music. In only a little over a decade, Dan Patlansky has become one of the busiest and most respected blues artists to ever come out of South Africa. After his debut album which garnered Dan a reputation as a Blues-phenomenon, and his subsequent “Readers Choice” vote as “Best Blues Guitarist in Southern Africa”, Dan’s second album was released by EMI on the famed Blue Note label. Dan is one of the only South Africans to ever achieve “Blue Note” status and one of only six Fender endorsed guitarists in South Africa. Dan Patlansky, #1 Blues Rock Album 2016 by Blues Rock Review.

While the U.K.'s Marillion aren't the best-known rock band in the 21st century, they've influenced many acts that followed in their wake, directly or indirectly, from Porcupine Tree and Radiohead to the Pineapple Thief and Gazpacho. They are rightfully credited with having established the neo-prog subgenre, and have explored many types of music over the decades that, thanks to their expert musicianship, have celebrated their long, inventive passages for electric guitars and keyboards.

Hailed as "the dream ambassador for classical music" by Gramophone, organist Anna Lapwood brings an evening of festive organ music to some of the UK's most stunning instruments. Anna Lapwood MBE is an organist, conductor and broadcaster, and is the Organist of the Royal Albert Hall. A terrific protagonist for her instrument, Anna has gathered a following of more than 2 million on social media and performs to sold-out venues around the world. Equally at home with the world's great orchestras and conductors, she has also performed with RAYE, Florence and the Machine, Bonobo and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Kilimanjaro, esk and Nibbs Events present: BAFTA Games in Concert A landmark live concert celebrating two decades of BAFTA-nominated and award-winning games music. Join the full forces of a 65-piece orchestra in the official performance of nominated and award-winning music from 20 years of the BAFTA Games Awards, synchronised live with dynamic visuals, gameplay and imagery on screen. Celebrating the outstanding composers behind the music, this concert features exclusive suites from iconic games soundtracks, spanning household names to pioneering independent studios including: Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture by Jessica Curry Baldur’s Gate 3 by Borislav Slavov Hitman: Contracts by Jesper Kyd Tomb Raider: Legend by Troels Brun Folmann Assassin’s Creed by Jesper Kyd Cuphead by Kris Maddigan Journey by Austin Wintory Helldivers 2 by Wilbert Roget, II Fallout 4 by Inon Zur Disco Elysium by Sea Power Ori and the Will of the Wisps by Gareth Coker Returnal by Bobby Krlic Uncharted 2: Among Thieves by Greg Edmonson Far Cry 4 by Cliff Martinez Virginia by Lyndon Holland For ages 7+ only. Recommended for ages 12+. Under-15s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+ Film Rating: 12A

Starting out as the bedroom project of Jazz pianist Scott Bradlee and rapidly growing into a viral and real-world sensation, the US group's vintage-pop mash ups have racked up over 811 million views on YouTube. Imagine marrying the 21st century party vibe of Miley Cyrus or the minimalist angst of Radiohead with the crackly warmth of a vintage 78 or the plunger-muted barrelhouse howl of a forgotten Kansas City jazzman. Bradlee's choice of material ranges from the '80s hard rock of Guns N' Roses to hits as recent as Taylor Swift's controversial "Look What You Made Me Do." They're rendered by a rotating cast of musicians and singers in fashions that date back to a time when Axl, Slash and T-Swift's parents had yet to be born - a time of street corner harmonies and torch singers, blues belters and golden-voiced crooners.

Following the success of Vonda’s recent UK tours, including the barnstorming joint tour with Sharon Corr which sold out venues across the UK, Vonda will be returning to play a set of greatest hits and favourites with her full band.

Vibrant, chaotic and upbeat international folk on a variety of instruments.

What happens after an artist has achieved his dreams? That was the major ques­tion Jason Isbell was asking himself leading up to the creation of his newest album, Re­unions, recorded with the 400 Unit and produced by celebrated producer Dave Cobb. After all, four-time Grammy winner Isbell is at the top of his game. He is widely acclaimed as one of our best songwriters and possesses a devoted audience who have pushed his last two albums to the tops of the charts. The result is a seamless collection of ten new songs that delve into relationships with lovers, friends, chil­dren, parents, and one’s self. There are rousing an­thems that will have stadiums singing along, lyrical standouts that highlight some of Isbell’s best writing to date, moving looks at youth and childhood, a deep dive into the challenges of relationships, and deeply personal songs about alcoholism and parenthood. All of them offer us an artist at the height of his powers and a band fully charged with creativity and confidence.

Ward Thomas could tell that change was afoot from the moment they wrote Cartwheels, now the punch-to-the-stomach title track of their sensational second album. Straight away the sisters knew the song was special. What they didn’t know was that their second album ‘Cartwheels’ would sail to #1 on the UK Album Chart on release making them the first ever UK country act to do so. Cartwheels the album, as you might guess, contains a cartwheel of emotions and each song suggested its own sound. “Lyrically, it was much more grown-up than anything on our debut. Sonically, it was a move away from country to lots of other influences we grew up with – Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, KT Tunstall, some Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift’s Red album. We’re still influenced by country, we still adore the Dixie Chicks and Kacey Musgraves, but this isn’t just a country album.” In fact, the title track is among several on the album to shrug off country entirely, although the 22 year old twins’ beguiling harmonies remain their calling card. Lose Me is a fast-paced pop song that rocks out. The glorious Almost Easy adds strings and electronics to the mix. Bewitching ballad Who I’m Not is set to shimmering orchestration. Boisterous lead single Carry You Home is simply a storming pop song. The biggest change, however, was that the teenagers became adults. With their co-writers, they were four young women, sitting in a room, pouring their hearts out. They didn’t think in terms of genre, but of stories, emotions and coping mechanisms. They wrote about situations they had either experienced themselves or seen their friends go through. In extraordinary couplets they captured everything from deep friendship to deep despair, from loneliness and heartbreak to the joy of moving on, from feeling like a failure to the pleasure of heading to the hills to de-stress.

Formed in Croydon in 1990 by music journalist Bob Stanley with childhood friend Pete Wiggs, and soon joined by singer Sarah Cracknell, Saint Etienne arose within the context of the indie-dance movement of that era but created a unique sound which – albeit accidentally – paved the way for what would later become known as Britpop.

Max Cooper has carved out a unique position for himself as an artist, merging electronic music, visual art and science through installations, live audio-visual and immersive sound experiences. His label, Mesh, the embodiment of these passions, releasing music which is part of wider collaborations in the arts and sciences. Born in 1980 and raised in Belfast, Cooper pursued music as well as science, earning a PhD in computational biology in 2008, while crystallizing his complex yet melodic sound, and his impressive run of singles dating back to 2007. Since then he has developed his live performances with a focus on sensory immersion, with surround sound live shows 4D Sound, Hyperform, a 360 audio and visual surround dome experience with Canadian artist Maotik, his surround club show featured at Berghain, Aether, and collaborations with Future Wife and Zaha Hadid architects.

Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds, celebrated for his wide-ranging, genre-bending catalogue, returns! He currently tours as a pop artist, while also performing for over two decades with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. Folds, who served for eight years as the first ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, stepped down from his post when Donald Trump announced his takeover of the Center. Just days before the US presidential election, Folds recorded two sold out performances with the NSO which he released as a live album this summer which debuted at the top of the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts. A New York Times Best Selling author, Ben also creates new music for film, tv and theatre, including original songs for an ongoing series of animated Peanuts specials on Apple TV. Ben Fold's Paper Airplane Request Tour is a unique concert format during which the audience is invited to write their favourite Folds song requests on paper, fold them into airplanes, and launch them toward the stage. The concert includes two halves, separated by a short intermission. In the first half, Folds will perform a standard setlist. In the second half, he’ll perform songs requested via paper airplanes launched onto the stage. Those attending are encouraged to bring their pre-made paper airplanes to the show, or they are welcome to use paper and pens made available at the merchandise table to make their own paper airplanes on site.

Shawn Colvin returns for a rare tour of the UK Over the course of three decades, Americana queen Shawn Colvin has established herself as a captivating performer and a revered storyteller, well-deserving of the commendation of her peers and the devoted audiences who have been inspired by her artistry. And as she enters her thirtieth decade as a songwriter and performer, she continues to reaffirm her status as a vital voice in music.

Community. Entertainment. Believe in a fairer world. May 4, 2026, will mark the 100th anniversary of the first full day of the 1926 General Strike – the biggest rupture in British society since the English Civil War. Millions of workers and their families withdrew their labour, challenging the British state and the existence of the Establishment. Locally, it led to the imprisonment of the infamous Cramlington Train Wreckers. Centenary is a celebration of the historical nine-day 1926 General Strike – when workers believed a new, equal and better world was possible. It could have happened then – it still can. Join Wisecrack Productions, the team behind smash-hit plays Hadaway Harry, Mr Corvan’s Music Hall, The Great Joe Wilson, Wor Bella and The Cramlington Train Wreckers at The Glasshouse, Gateshead for a show that includes songs, comedy sketches, satire, stand-up comedy and recitations. They put on two sold-out shows called Boris Out!, and look what happened to him.

Acclaimed actor, singer, musician and writer — and proud Geordie icon — Jimmy Nail heads out on the road in 2026 with Stories and Songs, a series of intimate retrospective shows reflecting on an extraordinary seven-decade career. From the landmark television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet to Spender and then Crocodile Shoes — which spawned multi-platinum albums and chart-topping singles — Jimmy Nail has left an indelible mark on British popular culture. His career spans hit records, television series, major film roles including Evita and Still Crazy, and leading performances on both Broadway and London’s West End. Following a recent run of sell-out shows in Newcastle, celebrating the songs of Crocodile Shoes, Jimmy now brings audiences something more personal. Stories and Songs is a warm, witty and revealing evening that blends music, memories and rarely seen images. Audiences can expect candid anecdotes, moments of reflection, and a hand-picked selection of songs drawn from across his remarkable career. And with a catalogue this rich, no two nights will be quite the same. From the 1992 UK number one “Ain’t No Doubt”, to “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”, “Crocodile Shoes”, “Cowboy Dreams”, “Big River”, and music from film and stage, the choices are many—and the stories behind them just as compelling. Jimmy will be joined on stage by long-time collaborator Tony Davis on keyboards and accordion, adding texture and atmosphere to these stripped-back, intimate performances. An evening of Stories and Songs is not just a concert, it’s a journey—through music, memory, and a life lived on stage and screen.

Lucy Spraggan is a British singer-songwriter known for her unique blend of acoustic pop, folk, and witty lyricism. She first gained widespread attention during her appearance on The X Factor in 2012, where her original song "Last Night (Beer Fear)" captured the hearts of viewers. Although she left the competition early, her performance on the show catapulted her into the spotlight, and her debut album Top Room at the Zoo soon followed, reaching high on the UK charts. Her subsequent albums, including Join the Club (2013) and Choices (2021), further showcased her knack for storytelling, tackling themes of love, life, and personal growth. Lucy Spraggan’s live performances are renowned for their intimate, down-to-earth feel, often filled with a mix of humour and heartfelt emotion. She has toured extensively across the UK, performing at major festivals like Glastonbury and Isle of Wight, as well as headlining her own sold-out shows. Her open discussions about mental health, sobriety, and personal resilience have made her a relatable figure to many fans, and her music continues to inspire with its honest and uplifting messages. Lucy remains a beloved figure in the British music scene, known for her authenticity and charm.

Jack Savoretti brings his unique blend of chart-topping folk and soul to Sage Gateshead this Summer. Captivating audiences with his unmistakable voice and heartfelt lyrics, expect an exciting set of familiar favourites including hits from his latest #1 album Europiana. Get your tickets now for a night of beautiful music and heartfelt storytelling.

Vocalist celebrated for her soulful voice and powerful songwriting “Our generation’s songbird,” was what Nicole Scherzinger called Rebecca Ferguson during her X Factor days. Britain fell in love with Ferguson’s voice during the seventh season of the competition show, during which the then 24-year-old singer won hearts with her story of single motherhood and passionate love of music. Shortly after her time on The X Factor, Ferguson released her debut album, Heaven. It was received with universal acclaim from critics, with no publication giving it less than four stars, and was certified platinum in the UK. In early 2012, Ferguson departed on her first headline tour, which sold out across the UK and Ireland. Ferguson’s sophomore album, Freedom, arrived in December 2013. The album saw Ferguson making a departure from her soul-influenced sound in favour of R&B-tinged, dance-friendly tracks. Her next full-length project, Lady Sings The Blues, was even bolder departure from her previous work. It saw Ferguson reimagine Billie Holiday’s 1956 record of the same name, covering 17 songs previously performed by Holiday. Her fourth studio album, Superwoman, was released in 2016. In 2023, Ferguson announced the upcoming release of Heaven – Part 2, her first full-length album in seven years. She explained on social media that the album would be her last, marking her retirement from the music industry.

With hits like ‘Digging Your Scene’ and ‘It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way’, The Blow Monkeys epitomised the glamour of mid-80s pop at its most graceful and sophisticated. In the band’s frontman Robert Howard (aka Dr. Robert), they possessed a tall, charismatic singer who was both camera-friendly and clever, who appeared to be just as much at ease on the catwalk that is pop’s conveyor belt as he was penning witty, incisive songs. While quite clearly Robert’s band, though, the Blow Monkeys were also gifted three immensely talented musicians in bassist Mick Anker (he of the trademark bowler hat), saxophonist Neville Henry and drummer Tony Kiley. Behind the band’s stylish veneer lay something else, which became increasingly apparent from Robert’s lyrics. While some of the Smash Hits generation avoided politics with a capital P, The Blow Monkeys openly criticised the policies of the Conservative government, railing against social injustices and adopting an openly left-of-centre stance on issues of the day. From openly endorsing the gay community “Digging Your Scene” to an outright attack on Margaret Thatcher ‘Celebrate (The Day After You)’ – a duet with the late, great Curtis Mayfield, The Blow Monkeys were always the thinking person’s pop group. As the 1980s progressed, so too did the band’s musical style, from a sound once dubbed “jazz punk” by Robert to a more soulful, jazzy style and an ever-increasing adoption of dance music. The Blow Monkeys of their rare, indie debut single ‘Live Today Love Tomorrow’ (recorded on a shoestring in 1981) would be barely recognisable to those who bought the Balearic remix of ‘La Passionara’ from 1990. And yet a soulful, spiritually uplifting strain has continued to run through their music – and, indeed, that of Robert’s solo recordings – to this day.

Cherished as one of Britain’s all-time favourite singers, in 2017 Katherine was officially crowned The No.1 selling 'Classical Music Artist of the Last 25 Years’ by Classic FM, and made chart history when her last album ‘Guiding Light’, became her 13th UK Classical No.1 album, further cementing Katherine's position as the world’s most prolific artist in UK Classical chart history. As one of the UK’s greatest musical exports, multi-award winning Katherine has performed all over the world, for the Pope, for Presidents and is a favourite of the Royal Family, having been invited to sing 'God Save The Queen' at Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, perform at Her Majesty's Coronation Concerts at Buckingham Palace and by special request at Her Majesty's 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle. She has embarked upon numerous sold out tours and duetted with such names as Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Bryn Terfel, Rolando Villazon, and Il Divo, amongst others. Katherine was awarded an OBE at the 2014 New Year’s Honours List for her services to music and charity and wowed audiences and critics alike with her stellar performance as Julie Jordan in Lonny Price’s semi-staged production of Carousel at the London Coliseum in 2017.

Jon Anderson is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable voices in music as the lead vocalist and creative force behind YES. Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album Fragile as well as the series of epic, complex pieces such as Awaken, Gates of Delirium and especially Close to the Edge which were central to the band's success. Additionally, Anderson co-authored the group's biggest hits, including I've Seen All Good People, Roundabout and Owner Of A Lonely Heart. After 50 years of success in the music business, Jon has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt and Jean-Luc Ponty. He has released several critically acclaimed solo albums including Olias of Sunhillow, Song of Seven, Animation, Three Ships, Toltec and Survival and Other Stories and most recently 1000 Hands to name just a few. The Band Geeks began as the house band for the Band Geek podcast, an internet show created by Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult). The band gained popularity on YouTube with their incredibly detailed recreations of music by artists like Queen, Toto, Black Sabbath and Yes, which have earned the Band Geeks over 30 million views. The Band Geeks: Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult) - Bass, Guitar Chris Clark (Brand X, John Entwistle) - Keyboards Andy Ascolese (Kasim Sulton’s Utopia, Celebrating Meat Loaf) - Drums Phil Castellano - Keyboards, Guitar Matt Beck Graziano - Guitar

We are delighted to bring you this exceptional & unique show: this, is The Amy Winehouse Band – Amy’s Original band led by her long term Musical Director/Bass player Dale Davis and Amy’s close friend from the very start of her career, celebrate her era defining global music and live performances, keeping her spirit and legacy and the Amy Winehouse sound alive in a true connection only possible by Amy ’s original band.

The tour celebrates 40 years as a solo artist as well as the release of her new album ‘KEY’ on Fri 4 Oct, which features a collection of reworked singles, fan favourites, deep cuts and two new songs. That unmistakable voice - big enough to fill a stadium and yet intimate enough to make you feel as though she’s singing just for you - has taken her on quite a journey with career highlights including two #1 albums, six Top 10 singles, two BRIT Awards and a Grammy nomination.

Flying Music presents: Tony Hadley: The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026 The voice of the 80s returns with a swinging celebration of classic crooners and his own timeless hits. Tony Hadley returns to Glasgow this November - performing classic crooner tracks and Spandau Ballet hits mixed together with some Christmas favourites. Following the huge success of last year’s sold-out run, The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026 will see Tony return to stages across the country delivering unforgettable performances of timeless jazz standards, swing favourites and 80s anthems in his unmistakable powerhouse voice, joined by the Fabulous TH Band and full brass section. Audiences can expect classics from legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, alongside his big band versions of True, Gold, and Through The Barricades. With The Christmas Big Band Tour, Tony brings the perfect night of classic swing and festive cheer, with a chance to soak up the glamour and enjoy a truly special evening out before Christmas. Former Spandau Ballet frontman and successful solo artist. Born in Islington, Tony Hadley was greatly inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra. When he was 17 years old, Hadley not only saw Ol’ Blue Eyes perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall, but also managed to get backstage and shake his hand. Not long after, Hadley co-founded and became the lead vocalist of Spandau Ballet. The members of the New Romantic band had all gone to school together. Spandau Ballet rose to prominence throughout the ’80s, having released eight top 10 UK albums and numerous top 10 singles including To Cut A Long Story Short, True, Gold, Only When You Leave and Through The Barricade.

UK country superstars The Shires first entered the history books in 2015, when their debut album, Brave, became the first ever British country album to enter the UK Top Ten. Their second album, My Universe, also broke new ground by becoming the fastest-selling British country album of all time and reached the top three in the UK chart. After an incredible two years, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, hailing from Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, have fast become a firm favourite in the UK country music scene. Now they’re making their mark in Nashville too. With two gold certified albums under their belt within 12 months of each other and nine playlisted tracks across BBC Music, The Shires are back and they’re raring to go.

Formed in 1997, America's Death Cab For Cutie released their debut album Something About Airplanes to widespread acclaim from independent music reviewers. They built upon this success with 2000's We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes and 2001's The Photo Album. After the release of the hugely popular fourth album Transatlanticism in October 2003, the band signed to Atlantic Records and released their major label debut Plans in 2005, selling 90,000 copies in its first week of release and moving the band to a new level of success.

Kim Wilde burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the classic Kids In America, a worldwide hit. This lead to a stunning career with over 30 million record sales spanning 12 albums and some of the most memorable hits of the 80s including Chequered Love, Cambodia, You Keep Me Hangin' On, You Came, Never Trust A Stranger and Four Letter Word. The 90s saw Kim continue to remain in the spotlight with the albums Love Moves and Love Is, featuring singles including Love Is Holy and the Bee Gee's classic If I Can't Have You from The Singles Collection 1981-1993. In 2013 Kim released the beautiful and critically acclaimed, Wilde Winter Songbook album, which featured her favourite Christmas and winter-inspired songs, both cover versions and original material. With Radio Two playing Hey Mister Snowman at Christmas, Kim played a few select Christmas shows in both the UK and Holland, which she repeated with the release of the special edition of the album the following year.

JOY. present Morcheeba \+ support This is a 14+ Event. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+ Any under 16s attending the venue must be accompanied by an adult, 18+. The accompanying adult will be required to show ID (valid driving licence or passport) and provide their contact details at the door. The under 16 and accompanying adult will be required to wear a wristband while on the premises. Failure to comply with this policy will result in refusal of entry, without the option for a refund. Presented by JOY. This is a 14+ Event. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+

Soft light. Gentle music. Just you and the mat. A teacher leads the practice. A live musician shapes the mood. Together, they create a morning that’s calm without being sleepy, energising without being intense. An hour where your body loosens, your mind steadies, and you don’t need to touch your toes to feel at home. Every session brings a new pairing. A different pace. But the setting? Always extraordinary. Light-filled windows. The Tyne drifting by. Sun salutations that actually meet the morning. A quiet invitation to start your day with intention. No pressure. Just presence.

A brew. A bop. A brilliant album. Crumbly scones meet cult records, with nostalgia layered in as generously as the jam. It’s a no-skips listening party hosted by a certified liner-note lover. Settle in for a start-to-finish spin of one iconic album. We’ll brew big pots of proper tea and stack tiered stands with finger sandwiches, still-warm scones and homemade cakes. No shuffle. No chatter over the best bits. No “wait, what song is this again?” Just great music, sweet bites and the kind of conversation that only happens when people really love what they’re hearing. The album, Sun-drenched. Harmonic. Pickin’ up good vibrations. Golden hour bottled. A kaleidoscope of layered harmonies. Surf‑soaked nostalgia and Brian Wilson at his heart‑wide‑open peak. Drift from track to track: the soft ache of ‘God Only Knows’ to the warm bounce of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’. It’s youthful longing, California sunshine and pure pop genius. Close your eyes and let the harmonies do what they do best, lift you up, mellow you out and carry you somewhere warm.

Crumbly scones meet a cult record, with nostalgia layered in as generously as the jam. It’s a no-skips listening party hosted by a certified liner-note lover. Settle in for a start-to-finish spin of one iconic album. We’ll brew big pots of proper tea and stack tiered stands with finger sandwiches, still-warm scones and homemade cakes. No shuffle. No chatter over the best bits. No “wait, what song is this again?” The album Taylor Swift’s stripped back, with storytelling in full force. Hushed vocals, gorgeous piano lines and lyrics that feel like underlined pages from a well‑loved novel. Haunted love triangles, cardigan crushes, quiet heartbreaks, nostalgia‑tinted memories and those perfectly devastating Swift one‑liners. It’s tender, it’s transportive, it’s the ultimate cosy Sunday soundtrack

Wiggly. Giggly. Everyone dancing. Think rave – but at a sensible hour. A live DJ, bubbles everywhere, glow sticks galore, and a room full of tiny dancers going harder than you ever did in ’99. Parents get nostalgia. Kids get chaos. Everyone wins. Perfect for shaking off that wild summer-holiday energy. Loud, bright, messy and brilliant. Our ever-popular family dancefloor is only getting bigger for Summer.

All welcome, this is a totally free event. Just come on down. Whirly. Wonderful. Smiles at the ready. Step into a full-on day of family fun. The Concourse comes alive with games, music, bubbles and brilliant things to do. It’s a big, bright Saturday packed with drop-in activities for every age. No booking, no pressure, just pick what you fancy and join in the joy. Watch bubbles float higher than your kids. Spin round the floor at the family cèilidh. Try something new. Silly. Giggly. Unexpected. Come for an hour or stay all day. It’s friendly, free and full of ‘did you see that?’ moments.

Cosy. Colourful. Big‑screen magic. Find a spot in our cinema-meets-hangout hideaway. Beanbags you can sink into. Popcorn in both hands. A room full of kids completely absorbed… while the adults secretly have an even better time. Coco - Colourful. Heart-tugging. Love never leaves. Cross into the Land of the Dead with young Miguel – a glowing, neon-bright world of marigold bridges, family secrets and generations cheering him on from the other side. Funny, bold, and guaranteed to hit you right in the feelings (in the best way). Expect dazzling visuals, toe-tapping songs, cheeky skeletons with big personalities, and a heartfelt message about family and memory that stays with you long after the credits roll. See less

Cosy. Colourful. Big‑screen magic. Find a spot in our cinema-meets-hangout hideaway. Beanbags you can sink into. Popcorn in both hands. A room full of kids completely absorbed… while the adults secretly have an even better time. This is a free event, but pre-booking is required! Sing Lights up, stage set, nerves jangling. The most unlikely talent show is about to steal the spotlight. Pure feel-good fun, with big personalities, brilliant animal performers and a soundtrack full of sing-along moments. From shy superstars to unexpected heroes, it’s a joyful reminder that everyone has a voice worth hearing… and yes, you will leave singing

Rhythmic. Raucous. Shoes off and move. Think old-school swing, turned up loud and remixed with a DJ who refuses to let the room rest. Already know your lindy from your Charleston? Amazing. No idea what those are? Even better – this is the place to find out. You’ll be spinning, swapping, and accidentally inventing new moves within minutes. With friends. With strangers. With whoever grabs your hand next. Pure, playful, get-on-the-floor energy.

Cosy. Colourful. Big‑screen magic. Find a spot in our cinema-meets-hangout hideaway. Beanbags you can sink into. Popcorn in both hands. A room full of kids completely absorbed… while the adults secretly have an even better time. This is a free event, but pre-booking is required. Fantasia - Spellbinding. Sweeping. Dance with a broom. Mickey Mouse in a wizard’s hat, battling an army of runaway broomsticks to the swell of a full orchestra… that’s Fantasia. A true Disney classic, this is a technicolour dream where animation and classical music collide in astonishing ways. One moment you’re in a stormy mountaintop nightmare, the next watching ballerina hippos pirouette or galaxies shimmer into life. Bold, surreal, and completely unlike anything else Disney has ever made.

Iconic. Immersive. Feel every note. We’re dimming the lights, cranking the volume, and rolling out the beanbags for a series of big-screen deep dives into the gigs, artists and moments that changed everything. The Last Waltz - Raw. Revered. The Band at full tilt. More than a farewell gig, it’s a myth-making moment captured at full cinematic scale. Martin Scorsese turns The Band’s final performance into something operatic – part concert, part confession, part love letter to an era that burned bright and fast. This isn’t just a concert film. It’s the last page of a chapter, played loud, shot beautifully, and felt in the chest.

Iconic. Immersive. Feel every note. We’re dimming the lights, cranking the volume, and rolling out the beanbags for a series of big-screen deep dives into the gigs, artists and moments that changed everything. This is a free event, but pre-booking is required! The Last Waltz - Raw. Revered. The Band at full tilt. More than a farewell gig, it’s a myth-making moment captured at full cinematic scale. Martin Scorsese turns The Band’s final performance into something operatic – part concert, part confession, part love letter to an era that burned bright and fast. This isn’t just a concert film. It’s the last page of a chapter, played loud, shot beautifully, and felt in the chest.

Play. Build. Go Wild. A drop-in, dive-in kind of Sunday, where families take over the Concourse and burn off every last bit of summer energy. Arcade games for the button-bashers. A Lego station for the tiny architects. Board games for the thinkers, the gigglers and the quietly ruthless. All with a lively playlist keeping the room buzzing. Come when you like. Stay as long as the kids allow. No booking. No timetable. Just easy, all-ages fun. Build something brilliant. Challenge each other. Team up. It’s colourful, lively, slightly chaotic (in the best possible way) and absolutely made for families who don’t do quiet Sundays. Need to know Venue: Concourse When: 10am – 3pm All welcome. This is a free event and no ticket is required.

Switch. Shuffle. Boogie on down. Headphones on. Volume up. Three channels of massive summer tunes and a whole room of tiny dancers going harder than you ever did in ’99. Parents get nostalgia. Kids get chaos. Everyone gets choices – pick your colour, pick your soundtrack, pick your groove. Bubbles flying. Glow sticks everywhere. A glowing dancefloor full of wobbly knees, wild shapes and zero judgement (because no one can hear you anyway). It’s the end‑of‑summer boogie to beat the back‑to‑school blues. Bright, messy, brilliant.

Vibey. Glowy. Choose‑your‑groove. Three channels of feel-good summer tunes and one glowing dancefloor to round off summer properly. Switch whenever you like, sing along at full volume, and dance like nobody’s listening (because they’re not). One minute you’re all in sync. Next, everyone’s on a completely different track. It’s chaotic, it’s brilliant, and it only really makes sense once you’re in it. It’s the final big boogie of the summer. Make it count.

The evening honours one of the most influential songwriters of the past century and features performances by beloved UK artist RUMER and the Mercury nominated singer-songwriter ED HARCOURT both of whom worked directly with BURT BACHARACH - plus additional guests to be announced. The show will be brought to life with the WTWNN Band accompanied by the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA under the musical direction of Rob Shirakbari - Bacharach’s long time arranger and music director. The show features Bacharach’s classics including ‘The Look of Love’, ‘Walk on By’, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’, ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’, ‘Make It Easy On Yourself’ and the timeless anthem ‘What The World Needs Now Is Love’ plus lots more. Bacharach remains one of the most decorated songwriters in modern music with a catalogue that includes 73 US Top 40 and 52 UK Top 40 hits as well as three Academy Awards, six Grammy Awards and an Emmy. His songs have been recorded by hundreds of artists across multiple generations and genres.