When I decided to start a music blog, I never thought that I would have accomplished what I have. In just under a year and a half I've worked with countless talented musicians, been published online and in print, interviewed Wolf Alice and earned an Unconditional Offer to study Journalism at Leeds Beckett University.
However, the next step of my writing journey means I will be leaving the area that has shown me so much kindness and support. The North East Music Scene will always have a place in my heart. It's a thriving scene with so many amazing artists and so much variety, that keeps me entertained both as a writer and as an avid music lover.
Thank you to every musician, writer, editor, photographer and all the lovely folk who have read my blog. I wouldn't have been able to achieve any of this without you.
In celebration of the North East Scene, I have compiled a few of my favourite aspects of it. These are the bands I shall listen to when I miss home, or any other time as they are all incredibly talented and produce some killer tracks. So without further ado, here are my personal favourite artists from the North East.
BEST BLUES
BLACK ATOM MOVEMENT
Newcastle's insuperable Kings of Blues Rock. Heavy riffs, bold drums and gravelly vocals - what's not to love?
BEST PSYCHE
BERNACCIA
Bernaccia have one of the most interesting sounds on the scene, channeling a desert blues meets neo-psyche sound. Their slower tracks will enthrall you and their louder songs will enliven even the most prudish of crowds.
BERNACCIA
Bernaccia have one of the most interesting sounds on the scene, channeling a desert blues meets neo-psyche sound. Their slower tracks will enthrall you and their louder songs will enliven even the most prudish of crowds.
BEST INDIE
THE PALE WHITE
THE PALE WHITE
The ones to watch.
BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER
FREYA KING
Fuelled by bewitching vocals and delicate finger picked guitar, Freya King is an absolute dream to listen to.
Fuelled by bewitching vocals and delicate finger picked guitar, Freya King is an absolute dream to listen to.
BEST LIVE GUITARIST
JACOB DIAZ-WRIGHT
Teeside's Jacob Diaz-Wright will leave you speechless. I have never seen such a ferociously talented guitarist and I highly doubt anything could top his playing. Keep an ear out for his Hendrix medley, it's awesome.
PHOTO: CONNOR GELDART - NOUVEAU GIGS 28/7/16
BEST NEW COMER
BLESH
The hottest and freshest talent on the scene. It's Mac DeMarco meets grunge, performed by the canny lads next door, resulting in wild gigs filled with killer tunes and great banter.
The hottest and freshest talent on the scene. It's Mac DeMarco meets grunge, performed by the canny lads next door, resulting in wild gigs filled with killer tunes and great banter.
BEST POST-INDIE
PLAZA
PLAZA's music is a gorgeous fusion of enchanting melodies and Herculean drops, which gives their songs a rich depth and engaging complexity, making it absolute pleasure to experience live.
BEST MATH-ROCK
MONGEESE
Loud, catchy and oh so clever. Mongeese channel the best of Math Rock and add a refreshing grit through ebullient riffs, quirky song titles and ferociously energetic percussion.
Loud, catchy and oh so clever. Mongeese channel the best of Math Rock and add a refreshing grit through ebullient riffs, quirky song titles and ferociously energetic percussion.
BEST LO-FI
MOUSES
Fresh off the Reading and Leeds Festival circuit, these fuzzy rockers have an incredibly bright future ahead of them. Their tracks are full of catchy melodies and heavy drops and when paired with their dynamic and eccentric stage presence, results in one of the most entertaining acts in the North East.
MOUSES
Fresh off the Reading and Leeds Festival circuit, these fuzzy rockers have an incredibly bright future ahead of them. Their tracks are full of catchy melodies and heavy drops and when paired with their dynamic and eccentric stage presence, results in one of the most entertaining acts in the North East.
BEST E.P.
BLESH
It's easy to see (or more appropriately hear) why this E.P. has taken the scene by storm. It was the first thing I'd heard from Blesh and I; and countless others; just can't get enough of it.
BEST TO MOSH TO
CULT LUST
Loud, fuzzy and aggressive - perfect to mosh to. These lads knew what they wanted to achieve and never fail to enliven and entertain audiences.
BEST LIVE SHOW
VELVOIR 42ND STREET 25/8/16
VELVOIR 42ND STREET 25/8/16
Fronted by the raunchiest woman in the cosmos; Verity
Jasmine Bee; the group delivered a larger-than-life performance. Members of the crowd actually started to worship Verity
at her feet and her new found cult wouldn't stop doing so until she told them
to "Arise" multiple times. Every
element of the music was flawless, from the ebullient drums, to the bold bass, to
the armada of impeccable guitar solos - and of course their mesmerising vocalist
who left the crowd questioning sexuality, gender and normality.
BEST ALBUM
BERNACCIA - GROWL PEACE BELIEF
I cannot wait for this album to be released on September 23rd. It is just superb. The album full of evocative, exciting, powerful tracks and is the epitome of creative, soulful psyche-rock.
BERNACCIA - GROWL PEACE BELIEF
I cannot wait for this album to be released on September 23rd. It is just superb. The album full of evocative, exciting, powerful tracks and is the epitome of creative, soulful psyche-rock.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Mouses Hollywood
Wonderfully wacky and beautifully bizarre video for this killer tune.
Enjoy!
Wonderfully wacky and beautifully bizarre video for this killer tune.
Enjoy!
It takes more than just talented musicians to make a thriving music scene. Here's a few local treasures who shine offstage.
PHOTOGRAPHER
DANIEL STARK
Daniel Stark never fails to produce spectacular images, full of movement and emotion. Furthermore his attitude towards supporting artsits and the scene as a whole is just exemplorary.
Daniel Stark never fails to produce spectacular images, full of movement and emotion. Furthermore his attitude towards supporting artsits and the scene as a whole is just exemplorary.
BEST PROMOTER
This one was a two way tie. Beyond the Wall (based in Newcastle) and Famous Last Words (based in Teeside) put on countless fantastic gigs and without them, I would not have heard the majority of the bands in this article.
This one was a two way tie. Beyond the Wall (based in Newcastle) and Famous Last Words (based in Teeside) put on countless fantastic gigs and without them, I would not have heard the majority of the bands in this article.
BEST VENUE
TYNEMOUTH SURFCAFE
From its quirky decor, to its mind-blowing nachos to its legendary Sunday Night gigs, Tynemouth Sufcafe is a local gem. Their staff are so passionate about supporting local talent and the arts and the place radiates a warm, friendly ambiance. This will be one of the first places I'll visit when I'm back at Christmas.
From its quirky decor, to its mind-blowing nachos to its legendary Sunday Night gigs, Tynemouth Sufcafe is a local gem. Their staff are so passionate about supporting local talent and the arts and the place radiates a warm, friendly ambiance. This will be one of the first places I'll visit when I'm back at Christmas.
BEST MAGAZINE
NE Volume
This free local magazine provides so many opportunities for young people in the North East. Whether you're a musician. a writer or a photographer, NE Volume will give you the opportunity to improve your skills and gain priceless experience. Editor Lee Allcock works so hard to ensure that local young talent is given the opportunity to produce high quality content and get one step closer to reaching their goals.
If you wish to get involved or in touch, email: info@nevolume.co.uk
Trust me - you wont regret it.
This free local magazine provides so many opportunities for young people in the North East. Whether you're a musician. a writer or a photographer, NE Volume will give you the opportunity to improve your skills and gain priceless experience. Editor Lee Allcock works so hard to ensure that local young talent is given the opportunity to produce high quality content and get one step closer to reaching their goals.
If you wish to get involved or in touch, email: info@nevolume.co.uk
Trust me - you wont regret it.
BEST WEBSITE
This was another two way tie, as both NE:MM and Spotlight produce some excellent work. Both sites are volunteer ran and cover so many genres. ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to gain exposure and experience.
NE:MM was the first organisation to let me write for them, the lessons I've learned from the other writers, the photographers and our fantastic editor Russell Poad are ineffably priceless to me. NE:MM has allowed me to have faith in my own abilities and gave me the drive to pursue a career in Journalism. Without them I would have been studying English Literature at University - I would have been bored tit-less!
This was another two way tie, as both NE:MM and Spotlight produce some excellent work. Both sites are volunteer ran and cover so many genres. ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to gain exposure and experience.
NE:MM was the first organisation to let me write for them, the lessons I've learned from the other writers, the photographers and our fantastic editor Russell Poad are ineffably priceless to me. NE:MM has allowed me to have faith in my own abilities and gave me the drive to pursue a career in Journalism. Without them I would have been studying English Literature at University - I would have been bored tit-less!
I'd like to thank each and every one of you who has taken the time to read this post - it honestly does mean the world to me. I shall miss the North East and all the lovely people that make this scene so wonderful. Whether you're a gig goer, a musician, a photographer, writer (or whatever!), the world needs people like you. I'll always be incredibly grateful for the kindness and support I've received.
See you at Christmas.
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