PREVIEW
Mitch Laddie
MUSIC
ART & LIT
STAGE
MITCH LADDIE DISCOVERY MUSEUM & CREDIT ONLINE RELEASES NEW ALBUM, GREAT NORTH MUSEUM: PREVIEW + Q&A WAVE OF ILLUSION HANCOCK REOPEN Words: Beverley Knight Feeling retrospective, creator Mitch Laddie looked to his past to frame his future, heading back to classic records from the 70s and 80s to produce electronic record Wave Of Illusion. Through his nine songs, influence from Prince and Stevie Wonder fuses with contemporary artists such as Frank Ocean and Dabeull. As he was born into the blues/rock scene, this was a bold move for Laddie. He reveals: “What came out was something bigger than I ever could have hoped for, and this is a project I can say I’m truly proud of. It’s me. It’s an album that flirts with sexuality and morality, as well as accepting that life’s too short.” It was paramount that Wave Of Illusion exuded an atmosphere of going out, dancing and having a blast. In Dig A Little Deeper you hear French Touch and Janet Jackson style, with a powerful guitar solo which surprises near the end. A fuller bassline plays out in Real Thing, and stripped back Musk is a steady piece of funk. Dirty Kink has an edgier attitude than the rest, but like all of the tracks, is not overly political, which was always Mitch’s intention: “The album is about coming together to be better, to live and feel. Not just for ourselves but for us as a collective. Facing issues and growing – together.” Mitch Laddie releases Wave Of Illusion on 24th September www.mitchladdie.com
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Words: Nicola Owen Tuesday 1st September sees the re-opening of two Newcastle museums: the family favourite Discovery Museum and the stately Great North Museum: Hancock. The Discovery Museum brings to life the story of Newcastle and champions the spirit of the North East. A wandering panel gallery explores the contribution of Tyneside’s female population to the region in the Discover Her Story exhibition and, if you visit with people in your support bubble, you can try out the newly acquired Red Arrows capsule simulator. Great North Museum: Hancock has been able to secure extensions of two special temporary exhibitions. Other Worlds: The Art of Atomhawk and a British Museum touring exhibition Ancient Iraq: New Discoveries will now run until 1st November. The permanent exhibitions of Fossil Stories, Ancient Egypt and Living Planet are also well worth a look. Both museums are stuffed full of loads of other brilliant treasures and offer a coffee and a bite to eat, as well as activities for the young and young at heart. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended and if you don’t feel like braving the outside world just yet both museums have virtual tours available online. www.discoverymuseum.org.uk www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Words: Laura Doyle Serendipity is a curious thing. When playwright and community creative Laura Lindow started a project on the experiences of people living on Universal Credit, she wouldn’t have expected the finished theatre piece to be performed under such unusual and difficult circumstances. We’re not just talking directly about Miss Rona here, although her antics mean that Credit has been pushed to an online preview. Just last month, we hit a record-breaking recession. With the economy not doing so great, now is exactly the time to take a look at the benefit system meant to catch those made most vulnerable by this circumstance. Gateshead Council initially commissioned research into life on Universal Credit in the North East which was completed by academics from across the region. Unsurprisingly, the report concluded that it kind of sucked. Lindow draws on this comprehensive research to bring it to the stage in a drama that delves deep into the experiences of those let down by our government. A rehearsed reading of Credit will be recorded at Alphabetti Theatre and streamed on Wednesday 16th September, followed by a Q&A session with those responsible for bringing the disparities to light. While an academic report may have limited reach, there is the hope that this play will bring wider accessibility and in turn, greater discussion. Cap-A-Pie present the online preview of Credit + Q&A on Wednesday 16th September at 2pm and 7pm www.cap-a-pie.co.uk/credit
