WEEKLY ROUND-UP - Some of the best events this week, incl @RatsOnRafts, Hamish Hawk, Mark Steel, W.H. Lung, Jenny Don't & The Spurs, Queen's Screech, Celya AB, DIG, @ChloePetts and more... 👀👉

TRACK REVIEW: Michaela Hall discovers a 'homely and comforting' new EP by Simon Taylor. ➡️

TRACK REVIEW: Simon Lunt uncovers a beautifully reimagined classic folk song from OUTRI and Imogen Bose-Ward. ➡️

We find out all we can about the North-Shields based artist, Scott Dolan, as he releases his new single, Imaginary Battles.

TRACK REVIEW: Nat Greener uncovers the bold, explorative new electronic EP from Jake Major. ➡️

Newcastle-based neo-soul artist Georgia May tells us more about what inspired her latest single, Heavy.

* @SeatonDelavalNT announces shortlist for North East Emerging Artist Award with proposals showcased in the Hall’s grand Georgian stables from 14th May to 22nd June.

Coastal music extravaganza, @ASTfestival (taking place 25th May) reveals the first wave of acts for their third and biggest event to date.

PREVIEW: Isabel Johnson explores HARK! The Sound of Stories, a library-located amalgamation of stellar live music, poetry, and stories. ➡️

* @MOBOAwards and local partners announce a spectacular five-day festival set to take place at venues around Newcastle, ahead of the 2025 MOBO Awards on Tuesday 18th February.

We catch up with the North-East dancey rock outfit Super Burner, ahead of the release of their new album Pick Your Own (released 8th February).

NTERVIEW: Neil Ainger talks to the Northumbrian writer @AlliDavies1 about Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light (@Tiny_Frags), her remarkable play about one woman’s story of autism 🌤️👉

INTERVIEW: Cameron Wright talks to the North Yorks art-punks Avalanche Party about the surrealist inspiration behind their new album 🏔🎈👉

Ahead of their Newcastle show this month, Dawn Storey talks to inimitable performer and songwriter Hamish Hawk (@HHawkOfficial) about his creative calling ➡️

INTERVIEW: Adam Kennedy talks to the newly reinvigorated rockers @julietsnotdead about their debut album 🌹👉

INTERVIEW: Maria Winter speaks to singer-songwriter @NickGladdish about his band’s upcoming album 🫖👉

INTERVIEW: James Hattersley talks to Newcastle-based noisy garage rockers @pitponyband on the making of their second album 🐎👉

WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Some of the best events this week, incl The Urbanites at @VaneGallery, @WorldWideWelly at @TheGroveNCL, @MiaKellyMusic & @BlairDunlop at @thecumby, @lazydaylazyday at @3TannersBank & more... ➡️

ALBUM REVIEW: Ali Welford discovers the seventh studio album from @sharonvanetten ➡️

TRACK REVIEW: Laura Rosierse discovers a warm and ambitions new track with eclectic influences from indie pop rockers @TheHempQueens 👉