Fortnightly Music Reviews from the streets of Teesside and beyond The Howl And The Hum (solo), Celia Grace, The Courtroom, Middlesbrough Town Hall, 11 April 2026
travelled with them on their journey so far. This was a wonderful opportunity to get closer to the main man and also closer to the songs that are rooted in modern folk tale but can build to anthem. Closer to that incredible voice. The guy next to me mouthed every word and I am sure was not alone. Or rather the audience were miming along to all but a series of new songs that Sam felt comfortable enough playing to his trusted home from home audience. You got me in a choke-hold darling, was followed by Wild Horses. Sam paints pictures with his words. The only boy racer left on the island... they say you can hear the engines from the mainland. He had driven here today past former Middlesbrough venues, most notably the much lamented Westgarth Social Club and had also remembered the venue for his first ever parmo. See, I told you it was his home from home. Now living in Leeds, Sam tells us he can tuck in at the same restaurant chain. Teesside and Parmo's are following him around.
The Howl And The Hum What an absolute treat to spend a Saturday evening being entertained by Howl and the Hum's genial genius singer Sam Griffiths in the sumptuous restored Victorian courtroom. Thank you Middlesbrough Gigs for this. The hottest ticket in town. Sold out immediately, even the former reporters benches and I was up in the public galleries which were also full. Talk about cracking atmosphere. And yes there was perfect silence in court for the performers. Lovely to see Celia Grace performing live again. A prodigious young talent, the Hartlepool singer songwriter is back recording and playing again after bravely fighting through serious illness. The recently released Phone Operator reveals Celia as an outstanding purveyor of the lilting, laid back pop that seems to be a Hartlepool style as profiled by Mt Misery and Marketplace.
He puts down his guitar and sits at the piano. Sam tells us he played his first piano gig only last week in Leeds. It was scary but he likes scary he reveals. I burned out at 27 he sang at the keys. The emotions were still raw as we met him on a bridge to hand over our hostages. Talking of bridges the encore just had to be Godmanchester Chinese Bridge. Surely one of the most beautiful and haunting songs you are ever likely to hear. With the chorus rising up to the stained glass fanlights it was a truly electric finale. Special stuff... Words: Robert Nichols Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Championed from the start of their rise by The Kids Are Solid Gold, York's Howl and the Hum were embraced by the Teesside crowd, many of whom have
Off The Beat with Robert Nichols and Tracy Hyman