STAGE

MUSIC SAT 17 ABE PARTRIDGE & DAVID FORD

WED 7 BREAKIN’ CONVENTION

The international festival of hip-hop dance theatre returns to the region with an explosive showcase of the skills of some of the best poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls in the country, alongside showstopping international acts. Expect DJs, graffiti artists, freestyle dance sessions and plenty of opportunities to join in and learn more about hip-hop culture with artistic director Jonzi D. Customs House, South Shields www.breakinconvention.com

Music Fri 9 Slix

Innovative Scottish four-piece SLIX push the boundaries of rock and pop to create a distinctive, dreamy sound. Having gained a firm following for their catchy optimism and thought-provoking lyrics, their onstage camaraderie has been compared to the likes of early Blur and Idles. Local support comes from Britpop-influenced Porcelain. Head of Steam, Newcastle www.slixuk.com

Stage Thur 15

The Geet Muckle Slam

Spoken word platform Born Lippy present a thrilling battle of words and wit as they bring twelve poets together to go head to head in a (mostly) friendly war of words. Expect high energy performances, superb writing, off the cuff wit and audience participation. There can only be one winner, and YOU decide!

Northern Stage, Newcastle www.northernstage.co.uk

For lovers of evocative songwriting and heart-stopping vocals, this double headline show is a real must-see. Alabama native Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, songwriter and visual artist, who joins the UK’s own David Ford, multi-instrumentalist, producer and occasional carpenter, for an evening of visceral storytelling and lyrical dexterity. Old Cinema Launderette, Durham www.abepartridge.com www.davidfordmusic.com

Music Sat 17

Gabriel Moreno

With influences which span the likes of Leonard Cohen, Bill Callahan and Nick Cave, you can assured of a night of top-notch storytelling and a passionate performance from Gabriel Moreno, who has strong links to the London alt. Americana and folk songwriter scene. Local support comes from Peter Hall and Jasmine Weatherill. The Studio, Hartlepool www.gabrielmoreno.co.uk

Stage

NARC. E-ZINE

The place to be for multimedia diversions, including videos, playlists, sound clips and more

NARC. TV

Our magazine-style programme features performances and interviews with North East artists, filmed in venues across the region +

Munro Festival

Read exclusive Q&A interviews with some of the artists performing at the Stockton festival on Saturday 1st July, featuring Crystal Tides, Lauren Amour and more

Nrthrn Baby

L-R Christian Alifoe, Shem Hamilton and John Rogers

Wed 21

Sucker Punch

The critically acclaimed National Theatre production of Sucker Punch by leading playwright Roy Williams lands at Sunderland’s Fire Station, which tells of two best friends, Leon and Troy, who spend their teenage years growing up in a boxing gym and explores the experience of being young and Black in the 1980s in an exciting and electrifying stage production. Runs until Friday 23rd June.

The Fire Station, Sunderland www.thefirestation.org.uk

We chat with Nicola Coaker from Newcastle-based rap, R&B and hip-hop management company and record label Nrthrn Baby, who talks about the musicians on her roster and her passion for working with unrepresented artists

MUSIC ARAB STRAP @ SAGE GATESHEAD

Words: Ali Welford www.arabstrap.scot

Poll a random sample of Arab Strap fans, and opinions would inevitably differ regarding the Scots’ finest hour. Malcolm Middleton would vouch for mid-career highs The Red Thread or Monday at the Hug & Pint. Aidan Moffat himself favours the band’s scrappy debut The Week Never Starts Round Here, while recent comeback As Days Get Dark has successfully mobilised a new generation of devotees. Under First Past The Post, though, there’s little doubt the victor would be 1998 sophomore Philophobia; the record which was, in their own words: “where everything started to come together… where sounds and themes began to take shape…”. From Packs of Three’s notorious opening refrains to New Birds’ dramatic emotional catharsis, to the wince-inducing candour of I Would’ve Liked Me A Lot Last Night, not only is Philophobia the nearest thing to a definitive Arab Strap album; it’s also the only one they’ve ever pondered performing in its entirety.

Calling at Sage Gateshead on Friday 16th June, Philophobia Undressed will see Moffat and guitarist Malcolm Middleton do just that, stripping these beloved songs down to merely the core duo and their trusty drum machine. Moreover, the promised nostalgia lap is offset with the promise of fresh songs, ahead of a new album mooted for 2024. A celebration of their past, with an eye to the future… Arab Strap play Sage Gateshead on Friday 16th June.