STAGE MODEST @ NORTHERN STAGE

Words: Jonathan Coll

Modest tells the story of pioneering Victorian-era artist Elizabeth Thompson, who in 1874 created the legendary painting Roll Call that would see her fall just short of being the first woman elected to the Royal Academy. The painting was, however, bought by Queen Victoria and remains one of the most sensational military paintings every produced. Her incredible story has been brought to life by writer Ellen Brammar, for a night of music hall and drag king cabaret which touches down at Northern Stage on Monday 12th-Tuesday 13th June, in a punk-spirited show which celebrates one of the country’s real trailblazers. Having experienced a unique combination of privilege and prejudice throughout her time in the arts, it’s a fascinating tale that is finally and deservedly taking centre stage.

The production is a joint enterprise between gig-theatre specialists Middle Child and queer-led theatre company Milk Presents. The cast comprises some outstanding drag performers, such as Death Drop’s LJ Parkinson and Emer Dineen, who plays Elizabeth. The music hall was a hotbed of gender expression, and this collaboration is the perfect way to tell one of the most fascinating and exciting tales that you’re yet to hear.

Modest is performed at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Monday 12th-Tuesday 13th June www.northernstage.co.uk

MUSIC MELVINS @ BOILER SHOP

Words: Matt Young

Get ready to rock Newcastle! American rock legends the Melvins, are coming to town on Friday 2nd June. For the uninitiated, Melvins mix the heavy sludge doom of Sabbath with the melodies of The Beatles while embracing the fun metal spectacle of early Kiss. They also throw in elements of thrash and pure noise.

They’ve been credited with pre-empting grunge before it even had that name, and they certainly influenced that scene hugely including its biggest exponents, Nirvana, in their formative years.

So, they’ve been around! In fact, this year sees the band celebrating their 40th anniversary, Buzz Osborne and Dale Grover are still rocking as original members and now they’re joined by former Redd Cross bassist Steven McDonald – yet to be consigned to the Melvins’ ex-bassist roster.

Legendary label Amphetamine Reptile is releasing an old/new album with six of the band’s early singles called The Devil You Knew, www.themelvins.net

The Devil You Know, with six originals on one side and the new re-recordings from 2023 on the flip. Melvins have never stopped playing or recording so you know the songs still kick hard, and will burst with energy. Known for their prolific output and their sonorous live shows that are a thunderous display of powerful drumming, scorching guitars and raw growling vocals filling the room, Melvins are definitely the real deal.

Melvins play Boiler Shop, Newcastle on Friday 2nd June.

Thursday 15 June, 8pm

MUSIC PETE ASTOR @ BOBIKS

Words: Tom Astley www.peteastor.com

Pete Astor comes from an alternative Britain. Or a Britain from an alternate dimension. One where Britpop lived up to its own expectations, and didn’t get swallowed by kitsch and cool Britannia pomp. And in that alternative Britain, The Loft, the first of the legendary, under-the-radar indie pioneer’s musical incarnations, didn’t split up (before they really began) in infamously public fashion on stage in 1985, and their lilting, self-effacing folk-inflected indie became the template for Creation Records, the fledgeling label they helped to found.

In the 40 years since that departure from alternate reality, Astor has quietly amassed a back catalogue of tender, acoustic-driven tracks under a litany of names. On Sunday 11th June at Bobiks Astor will comb through this back catalogue; his most recent album, 2022’s Time on Earth, is especially occupied with memory, the past, with the stories told, and the realities behind them. It’s a kaleidoscope of flashes of Britishness, with tracks about the weather (of course), about daydream plans in sixth form, dead high streets, and death (of course). All over a self-effacing indie rock sound that parallels all the more well-known contemporary names… but not quite. It’s from an alternative universe. A happier, sadder, more poetic one.

Pete Astor plays Bobiks, Newcastle on Sunday 11th June.