What's on at Sage Gateshead | September & October 2018

What’s On? September / October 2018

RNS Rocks: Maxïmo Park + Field Music + Du Blonde

Friday 21 September Including: RNS 60 Grandmaster Flash Make Music - Classes & Workshops 18/19 TUSK Festival Lord Huron Joan Armatrading

sagegateshead.com Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

Full listings September Mostly Autumn Saturday 1 September Clare Bowen Tuesday 4 September Jonathan Wilson Tuesday 4 September The Wood Brothers Wednesday 5 September plus Logan Brill Grandmaster Flash Thursday 6 September Curved Air Thursday 6 September Joshua Hedley Friday 7 September Nearly Dan Saturday 8 September Breaking Tradition: Sunday 9 September QUEST featuring Demon Barbers The Great Joe Wilson Wednesday 12 September Jurassic Park in Concert Wednesday 12 September Baby Sinfonia Wednesday 12 September Wooden Shjips Thursday 13 September plus The Lucid Dream Sixty Years of Folk: Friday 14 September The Bridge Folk Club at Sage Gateshead Rip it Up: The 60s Thursday 20 September RNS Rocks: Maxïmo Park Friday 21 September + Field Music + Du Blonde Big RNS Kids’ Birthday Party Saturday 22 September RNS Moves Saturday 22 September Big RNS Birthday Gala Sunday 23 September Dionne Warwick: Monday 24 September Don’t Make Me Over Catherine McGrath Monday 24 September - Talk of Your Town Tour Stradivarius in Rio Tuesday 25 September Joan Armatrading Wednesday 26 September The Colin Holt Band Saturday 29 September BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Saturday 29 September The Real Thing: Feel The Force Tour Sunday 30 September

October Mark Lanegan & Duke Garwood Monday 1 October The Billy Joel Songbook Tuesday 2 October Viv Albertine in Conversation Wednesday 3 October The RAF in Concert Centenary Tour Thursday 4 October Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Thursday 4 October Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue

September October

Rachlin Double Friday 5 October John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest Friday 5 October TED X Newcastle Saturday 6 October Steve Hackett Sunday 7 October Bollywood’s Blast from the Past Sunday 7 October An Audience with Simon Reeve Tuesday 9 October Joanna Lumley - It’s All About Me! Wednesday 10 October RNS Minimal @ Wylam 1 Thursday 11 October Caro Emerald plus support Thursday 11 October John Lill’s Moonlight Sonata Friday 12 October TUSK Festival Friday 12 - Sunday 14 October At Last: The Etta James Story Saturday 13 October An Evening with Nigella Lawson Monday 15 October Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something Monday 15 October plus support Level 42 - Eternity Tour Tuesday 16 October + The Blow Monkeys Tony Hadley plus support Wednesday 17 October Tom Robinson Wednesday 17 October - Power in The Darkness Live Paris Mon Amour Thursday 18 October CMA Songwriters Series Thursday 18 October Say Sue Me plus Blackflower Thursday 18 October Baloji Friday 19 October Hawkwind plus Saturday 20 October The Blackheart Orchestra Agatha Mallow Saturday 20 October Folkworks: Lankum Sunday 21 October John Smith Monday 22 October Folkworks: Peggy Seeger Tuesday 23 October Darius Rucker Tuesday 23 October Child Prodigies Wednesday 24 October Richard Thompson + Joan Shelley Wednesday 24 October Father John Misty plus Bedouine Friday 26 October Eddi Reader Friday 26 October Ryan McGarvey plus Saturday 27 October The Mitch Laddie Band The Hallé Saturday 27 October Folkworks: Talisk Sunday 28 October Samling Academy Concert Sunday 28 October Lord Huron Sunday 28 October Rick Astley plus Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 October very special guest Gabrielle Roddy Frame Tuesday 30 October Doric String Quartet Wednesday 31 October

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

What’s On?

Welcome Great Gigs ................................................................. 4 RNS 60th Birthday Weekend ......................... 16 Classical music and RNS ................................. 18 Learn and Make Music ..................................... 26 Early Years and Family Fun.............................. 28

Phew! If, after a scorching Summer, you’re looking forward to a run of great gigs, classical performances and music making to take you into Autumn, then September and October here at Sage Gateshead won’t disappoint. We’ve got lots of highlights, including RNS Rocks, the gig that has it all, with an orchestra as well as three of the North’s most lauded contemporary music acts; Maxïmo Park, Field Music and Du Blonde. Cram this into a weekend of classical that includes a Big Kids’ Birthday Party, a Gala, and lots more, and you have the perfect way of celebrating Royal Northern Sinfonia’s 60th Birthday. Get your invitation to the party of the year on page 16.

Another highlight has to be the legend that is Grandmaster Flash and his one of a kind visual experience: Hip Hop, People, Places and Things. Anyone with so much as a passing interest in Hip Hop needs to come along and be part of what is sure to be a completely mind-blowing event. Find out more about the fascinating history of Hip Hop, and Grandmaster Flash’s role in the movement on page 5. Plus, we’ve also got Father John Misty, Joan Armatrading, Mark Lanegan & Duke Garwood and lots more.

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

Just as the schools are starting a new term, so are we, as September marks the start of a new term of music classes and workshops. With a massive range of instruments and styles to choose from, as well as convenient class times and great value for money, could now be the time for you to pick up a long-forgotten instrument or start something completely new? If you’re not sure whether classes and workshops are for you, check out Ken’s story on page 27 - we think he can convince you.

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Place your brand in the spotlight This magazine reaches 63,000 individual classical and contemporary music lovers in the region and beyond six times a year.

A magnificent stage to showcase your business to a very discerning audience.

Advertisements start at just £180+VAT For more information please contact Alan Dickinson at the publisher, Narrative Communications.

Tel: 07982 719373 | Email: alan@narrativecommunications.co.uk

The ‘New Look’

Sage Gateshead Elite Wedding Show Sunday 7 October | 12 - 3pm | Free FREE ADMISSION to 3 floors of bridal brilliance. You really can have your wedding arranged in one unique Show. A truly stunning Show for the bride who expects the best...

PHOTO CREDIT: 2Tone Photography

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What’s On?

General information Address:

Refunds:

Sage Gateshead, St. Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR

Without TicketPlan (details left) we are unable to offer refunds except in the case of a cancelled concert where we will refund the value of your ticket(s). Sage Gateshead reserves the right to substitute artists without prior notice.

Car Parking: Car parking to rear of the building with lift access and priority spacing for blue badge holders. Charges apply.

Ticketplan: Refund protection is available at a cost of £2 per ticket. This protects you against cancellation resulting from accidents, unexpected illnesses and adverse weather where the Police service or other Government agency have issued warnings not to travel. For full terms and conditions, visit the website.

Exchanges: Tickets may be exchanged for seats of the same or higher value for a performance of the same production with a £2.50 handling fee per transaction.

FREE Metro Travel:

Gift Certificates: Gift Certificates are valid for 5 years from the date of purchase. Gift Certificates can be redeemed at Ticket Office, over the phone and online at sagegateshead.com

Thanks to the generosity of Nexus, you can travel on the Metro to and from Sage Gateshead concerts for free up to 2 hours before and after a performance. This does not include travel to our educational classes.

Environment: We are proud of our environmental awareness: to see our policy and learn about the 2 Star Industry Green award from Julie’s Bicycle, visit the About section of our website.

Family Ticket: Four tickets, must include at least one adult and one child. See website for details.

Postage: If you require postage, a fee of £1.50 will be applied.

For more information please visit www.sagegateshead.com The information in this brochure is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.

North Music Trust is a charity (No. 1087445) and relies on your support.

See Your Orchestra for Less Gateshead Residents

Bar 5 for Under 30s

FREE tickets available for any concert in our RNS At Home series if you live in Gateshead and have never been to an RNS concert before.

If you are under 30 our Bar 5 scheme entitles you to a ticket for just £5 plus a FREE bottle of beer or soft drink.

Restrictions apply, see www.sagegateshead.com for details.

Mostly Autumn

Saturday 1 September

Tuesday 4 September

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage One, 7pm

Counted amongst the top 100 best prog bands of all time, Mostly Autumn draw on influences from the golden age of rock, but have developed their own unique sound that both captures the essence of that era and yet looks forward into the future.

Best known as Scarlett O’Connor on the hit TV show Nashville, Clare Bowen has duetted with heavyweights like Zac Brown and Vince Gill, recorded with Grammy-winning producers T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller and toured with Nashville co-star Charles Esten.

£19.60 & £21.80 in advance. £24 on the door

Clare Bowen

Presented by Suzanne Bielby

Tuesday 4 September

Jonathan Wilson

Grandmaster Flash

£19.10

Sage Two, 8pm

The Wood Brothers plus Logan Brill

The Wood Brothers adapt the blues, folk and other roots‐ music sounds they loved as kids into their own evocative sound and twine their voices in the sort of high‐lonesome harmony blend for which sibling singers are often renowned.

£17.40 Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult

Thursday 6 September

Thursday 6 September

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Join Grandmaster Flash for the first EVER interactive, visual, history of Hip Hop block party, told by the innovator, the pioneer, one of the creators of Hip Hop music. The legendary Grandmaster Flash will show you the amazing history of Hip Hop while cuttin’ and scratchin’ your favourite tunes on the turntables.

Curved Air are a groundbreaking progressive art-rock band known for a powerful combination of a remarkable female vocalist and virtuoso musicians. Their experimental blend of classical themes and electronic sounds continue to thrill a steadily increasing mass of new and old fans.

Curved Air

£21.80

Joshua Hedley

Presented by SJM. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult

Wednesday 5 September

Sage Two, 8pm Jonathan Wilson produced Father John Misty’s Grammy nominated Pure Comedy and toured as a guitarist and vocalist for Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters. This year Wilson released Rare Birds, a solo album featuring backing vocals from Lana Del Rey and Josh Tillman.

£24.50 - £32.20

£21.80 Presented with Venues All

Friday 7 September

Saturday 8 September

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Joshua Hedley made the move to Nashville and fast became known as the Mayor of Lower Broad. The heartbreaking, distilled, defiantly classic country that poured out of him became his 2018 debut album Mr. Jukebox, a beacon for 60s honky-tonk devotees everywhere.

Less tribute and more homage, Nearly Dan is saviour to the growing legions of Dan fans, desperate to hear the meticulously crafted grooves and allusive lyrical style of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The 21st anniversary tour celebrates 40 years of classic album Aja.

£12.50

Nearly Dan

£18.50 Presented with Gary Davies

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What’s On?

Grandmaster Flash and the history of a movement As Sage Gateshead prepares to welcome one of Hip Hop’s founding fathers, we explore the circumstances that allowed this complex and rich genre to flourish.

To say Hip Hop’s genesis is ambiguous is an understatement. Some argue it dates back to the 1920s when the earliest form of hip-hop dance was invented. Others say it came from the Jamaican dancehall toasting era of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Others feel the story begins with The Last Poets, Muhammad Ali and Gil Scott-Heron.

Regardless of how far back you go, it’s clear that the genre has history.

What is indisputable, however, is that it was Grandmaster Flash, Jamaican born DJ Kool Herc and a group of other luminaries that brought the movement kicking and screaming into the mainstream from the stifling post-industrial South Bronx of the 1970s. At the time, South Bronx was considered an urban Armageddon; corruption was rife, unemployment and poverty were sky-high and crime was part of life. Ostensibly an expression of urban youth, Hip Hop quickly became a celebration of black culture and a powerful protest tool.

In a genre often misconstrued as misogynistic, male voices are not the only ones to be heard in the movement’s inception. If Grandmaster Flash and his male stablemates are ‘Father,’ Cindy Campbell, the first Hip Hop promoter, is undoubtedly ‘Mother’. What they birthed together grew quickly, transcending gender barriers and embedding itself as part of the mainstream by 1979. In the following 15 years Rap and Hip Hop made its way around the globe.

As its popularity grew in the ‘90s, with groups and artists including Public Enemy, De La Soul and Tupac reaching superstar status, many thought Rap and Hip Hop would soon seal its own fate. It was new, raw and controversial. Widely publicised gang violence and tragic deaths, including that of mega star Tupac Shakur in 1996, did not help public perception. However, by the mid-2000s, Rap and Hip Hop began to rid its gangster image with emerging artists such as Kanye West leading the charge and changing the narrative.

Hip Hop’s journey has been rife with twists, turns and incredible controversy. Grandmaster Flash was there at the start, is an integral pillar of the movement today, and is bound to keep scratching his influence all over the genre well into the future.

When he visits Sage Gateshead in September, he’ll be sharing this amazing history in the first ever interactive, visual, history of Hip Hop, demonstrating the original breaks, from the original 70s records, featuring the people and places that started it all.

Join him, and become part of the history.

See Grandmaster Flash at Sage Gateshead on Thursday 6 September.

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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The Great Joe Wilson

Wednesday 12 September

Thursday 13 September

Sage Two, 3pm & 8pm

San Francisco’s Wooden Shjips play a minimal, garage bandinfluenced psychedelia with a ‘60s Krautrock influence.

Almost unintelligible vocals slip beneath the waves of minimal rhythms while fuzz tone guitar and shrieking organ freak-outs jump to the foreground and draw you into their primal vortex.

Darlington Hippodrome and Ed Waugh (Mr Corvan’s Music Hall, Hadaway Harry) present his latest comedydrama (with songs) about Joe Wilson, the brilliant Tynesideborn singer/songwriter, best known for the classic Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny.

£19.60

Sage Two, 8pm

Wooden Shjips plus The Lucid Dream

Presented with Ed Waugh

Friday 14 September

Thursday 20 September

Sage Two, 8pm

Sixty Years of Folk: The Bridge Folk Club at Sage Gateshead

RNS Rocks: Maxïmo Park + Field Music + Du Blonde

Celebrate 60 years of The Bridge Folk Club with Johnny Handle, Alistair Anderson and friends featuring The High Level Ranters Rant Again, Di Henderson with memories of Ray Fisher, singers Chris Hendry and Rachel Hamer, Rising stars of the folk degree and Folk club guests The Wilson Family.

Sage One, 7.30pm Backed by the Rip it Up live band and a supporting cast of singers and dancers, Strictly champions Harry Judd and Louis Smith and people’s champion Aston Merrygold will dance and sing their way through the music of the 1960s.

Rip it Up: The 60s

Presented by Neil’o’Brien Entertainment

Friday 21 September

Monday 24 September

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Join three of the North East’s most exciting musical exports as they perform their own music, arranged especially for Royal Northern Sinfonia to kickstart the orchestra’s 60th birthday weekend and show just how versatile a 21st century chamber orchestra can be.

Five-time Grammy Award winning music legend, Dionne Warwick is a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. She has sold over 100 million records including Walk on By, Any One Who Had a Heart, Do You Know the Way to San Jose and many more.

£24.50

Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over

Proving not all country artists come from America, Catherine McGrath is an Irish singer and songwriter whose music blends fresh-faced pop with influences straight from Nashville and the updated country sounds of artists such as Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, and Maddie & Tae.

£49.10, £70 Presented by MJR Group

Wednesday 26 September

Sage Two, 8pm

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£24.50 - £105 (Meet & Greet)

£16.40

Monday 24 September

Catherine McGrath - Talk of Your Town Tour

£11.40 - £13.60

Sage One, 7.30pm

Joan Armatrading

£13.10

sagegateshead.com

Joan Armatrading has spent the last 45 years touring and recording. 2018 brings Joan into her 46th year in music and only the second time that she will be performing a tour completely solo. Joan will perform new music as well as your favourite classics.

£35.40

The Colin Holt Band featuring Snake Davis

Mark Lanegan & Duke Garwood

Viv Albertine in Conversation

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue

Saturday 29 September

Sunday 30 September

Sage Two, 8pm

Multi-million selling soul band The Real Thing give their much-loved disco inspired hits a new lease of life with the band’s classic songs mixed with contemporary grooves including hits You to Me Are Everything and Can You Feel the Force?.

Sage Two, 8pm

Colin Holt is a respected figure on the local music scene as a song writer and a solo artist.

The band perform an eclectic set of songs including Colin’s own compositions and music by saxophonist Snake Davis as well as classic songs from both past and present.

£16.40

The Real Thing: Feel The Force Tour

£24.50, £26.70

Presented by Miles Keith

Presented with Barry Collings Entertainments

Monday 1 October

Tuesday 2 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Over the last decade, Lanegan and Garwood have worked in tangent on 2013’s Black Pudding as well as on Lanegan’s solo records.

This year, the duo are set to release their second album With Animals, twelve songs that are spectral and sinewy, often defined by the spaces in between the sounds.

Following on from his highlyacclaimed reunion concerts in the USA with Billy Joel’s original touring band and now in its fifth, hugely-successful year, Elio Pace delivers this sensational and criticallyacclaimed tour celebrating the phenomenal music of Billy Joel.

£24.50

The Billy Joel Songbook

£26.70 Presented with Barry Collings Entertainments

Wednesday 3 October

Thursday 4 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

British singer and songwriter Viv Albertine is best known as the guitarist in 70s punk group, The Slits. In 2014, she published her first memoir Clothes, Music, Boys. Viv’s latest book, To Throw Away Unopened is a memoir exploring family, power, and her identity as a rebel and outsider.

Join us for a rousing centenary salute to our Royal Air Force with the Central Band of the RAF. Go on an exciting journey charting the development of the Royal Air Force from its formation in 1918 through to the present day and beyond!

£10.90

The RAF in Concert Centenary Tour

£25.10 - £31.60 Presented by RAF The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises

Thursday 4 October

Friday 5 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Andy Fairweather Low came to prominence as the lead singer in Amen Corner. The 60s saw them clock up hit after pop hit. Songs such as Bend Me Shape Me, Hello Suzy, and (If Paradise is) Half As Nice are internationally remembered to this day.

Barclay James Harvest are one of the world’s most successful progressive rock bands. Formed in 1966, Everyone is Everybody Else was voted into Radio Caroline’s Top 100 albums of all time. Lead vocalist and guitarist John Lees continues performing the band’s music to this day as John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest.

£27.30

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest

£32.70, £38.20

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Presented by Adrian Gibson Music Productions AGMP

What’s On?

TEDxNewcastle

Saturday 6th October

Sunday 7 October

Sage One, 10am

Sage One, 7pm

If you’re a fan of TED Talks videos then TEDxNewcastle is for you! TEDxNewcastle is an independently organised TED event that brings people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxNewcastle will be an event full of inspiring speakers and innovators. Early booking recommended.

Prog icon and former Genesis guitarist, Steve Hackett treats fans to many favourite Genesis and Hackett numbers, accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. The show will feature some of Genesis’ best-loved songs and tracks from Steve’s remarkable solo repertoire.

£22.50-£30

Bollywood’s Blast from the Past

Joanna Lumley - It’s All About Me!

TUSK Festival

Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited Band with Orchestra

£37.60, £43.10 Presented by Kilimanjaro Live

Sunday 7 October

Tuesday 9 October

Sage Two, 4pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Bollywood has seen many energetic, expressive and exciting remixes of nostalgic tracks recently. The North East Indian Cultural Trust presents a vibrant take on these fresh rhythms through the art of dance, with a modern, pop-style twist.

Simon Reeve recounts tales of travelling to the most remote and extreme corners of the planet. From being chased by pirates, hounded by the Mafia and bombed by Columbian barons.

£8.70 Under 13s, £13.60 Presented by North East Hindu Cultural Trust

£27.30 / C / F

An Audience with Simon Reeve

Presented with Giles Cooper Entertainment

Wednesday 10 October

Thursday 11 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Caro Emerald is back with a brand new live tour. The vocalist is an original pop star with the look of a Hollywood icon of yesteryear and a voice that oozes warmth and vitality.

Her live performance is not to be missed.

The legendary Joanna Lumley takes audiences through her hilarious and interesting adventures from her incredible career spanning more than four decades, recounting some never heard before stories.

£32.20 - £64.50 Presented by Phil McIntyre Entertainment

Sage One, 7.30pm

Caro Emerald plus support

£27.30 - £104 (VIP) Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult Presented by SJM Concerts

Friday 12 - Sunday 14 October

Saturday 13 October

Sage Gateshead

At Last tells the story of soul legend Etta James turbulent life and features some of her most beloved songs including Tell Mama, Something’s Got A Hold On Me, Sugar On The Floor, the heart rending I’d Rather Go Blind, her iconic signature song At Last and more.

TUSK Festival brings its uniquely diverse programme of adventurous international music to the North East. This year’s jaw-dropping line-up includes Terry Riley, Sarah Davachi, Otomo Yoshihide and 75 Dollar Bill. Plus film programme, exhibitions, talks, installations, interactions and more.

£21.80 Terry Riley only, Weekend Pass £70

Sage One, 7.30pm

At Last: The Etta James Story

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

£31.10, £42 Presented by MJR Group

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An Evening with Nigella Lawson

Monday 15 October

Monday 15 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

NRFH, 7.45pm

Come and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nigella’s first book! Charming, witty and entertaining, Nigella talks about her life in food and what she’s cooking right now, as we get to the heart of what it means to be an awardwinning author, TV cook and all-round food enthusiast.

Daniel Brandt is the percussionist of Berlin’s Brandt Brauer Frick ensemble, which balances modern classical and dance music. In the making of his solo debut album Eternal Something the producer travelled the world, experimenting with other artists and different instruments.

£21.80 - £40.90 Presented with Fane Productions

Level 42 - Eternity Tour + The Blow Monkeys

Tom Robinson - Power In The Darkness Live

Baloji plus support

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Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something plus support

£13.60

Tuesday 16 October

Wednesday 17 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage One, 7pm

In a career spanning almost four decades, Level 42 have sold in excess of 30 million albums and their impressive back-catalogue includes mega hits Lessons In Love, Something About You, Running In The Family and It’s Over.

They’re joined by special guests The Blow Monkeys.

As lead singer of Spandau Ballet, Tony Hadley has earned the accolade of being one of pop music’s greatest vocalists. Tony has spent the past 25 years entertaining audiences all over the world with his stunning rich voice.

Tony Hadley plus support

£27.30 - £130 (VIP)

Presented by AEG

U14s must be accompanied by an adult Presented by SJM Concerts

Wednesday 17 October

Thursday 18 October

Sage Two, 8pm

NRFH, 7.45pm

Tom Robinson first became known as a musician and LGBT activist with the Tom Robinson Band. Their top 5 debut release 2-4-6-8 Motorway became one of the landmark singles of the UK punk era. Tom can also be heard hosting his regular shows on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Say Sue Me are a Surf inspired Indie-Rock/Pop act from Busan, South Korea and cited as one of 2018’s break-out bands. The band’s sophomore album Where We Were Together which won praise from Pitchfork, Billboard and i-D. Their fans include Lauren Laverne, Tom Ravenscroft and Gideon Coe.

£32.20, £38.20

£24

Say Sue Me plus Blackflower

£12

Friday 19 October

Saturday 20 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Fusing funk and ragga with the urban sounds of his Congo homeland, Baloji, a founder of the hip hop collective Starflam, is one of the most innovative rappers ever to emerge from Africa.

Championed by influential DJ Gilles Peterson, he marries rap with a glittering casket of African diaspora styles.

Hawkwind bring their brand new concept show In Search of Utopia - Infinity and Beyond. For the very first time in their legendary career, the band will be joined by a live orchestra in what promises to be amongst their most exciting and ambitious live concerts to date.

£13.60

Hawkwind plus The Blackheart Orchestra

sagegateshead.com

£35.40, £42 Presented by MJR Group

Saturday 20 October

Sunday 21 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Agatha cannot be pigeonholed into any particular genre. Whether you hear her lyrical ballads or dynamic rock songs, her emotional involvement and power of expression sound unchangingly thrilling.

Lankum are one of the most talked about bands to come out of Ireland in decades.

They’re a Dublin four-piece who combine distinctive four-part vocal harmonies with arrangements of uilleann pipes, concertina, accordion, fiddle and guitar.

£13.10

Agatha Mallow

John Smith

Presented by Transmission Dynamics

£16.40

Monday 22 October

Tuesday 23 October

Sage Two, 8pm

Sage Two, 8pm

John Smith has gained a reputation through relentless touring as one of the UK’s finest guitarists and singersongwriters. With five album releases in 11 years, his reputation now extends far beyond the UK folk scene, as reflected by sideman credits including Joan Baez, David Gray and Lisa Hannigan.

Expect anecdotes, delivered with Peggy’s trademark wry humour together with memorable music performances from her and sons Calum and Neill. This is a very special show, presenting a fascinating and highly entertaining insight into the remarkable life of one of our best loved ‘Queens of Folk’.

£15.30

Darius Rucker

Folkworks: Lankum

Folkworks: Peggy Seeger

£16.40

Tuesday 23 October

Wednesday 24 October

Sage One, 7pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Darius Rucker attained multiPlatinum status as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of GRAMMY award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish. As a country artist, he has topped the Billboard Country albums chart and earned a whole new legion of fans.

Richard Thompson is one of this country’s greatest songwriters and most distinctive guitar virtuosos, prompting Rolling Stone to hail him as ‘a contender for the title of greatest living rock guitarist.’ His songs have been covered by everyone from Alison Krauss to Robert Plant.

£24.50 - £40.90 U14 accompanied by adult Presented by SJM Concerts

Richard Thompson + Joan Shelley and Nathan Salsburg The ‘13 Rivers’ Tour

£27.30, £38.20 Presented with Serious

Enjoy your evening and stay overnight on the Newcastle Quayside. Just a short walk across the river from Sage Gateshead you can relax in one of our spacious and modern bedrooms overlooking the famous River Tyne.

Make it a night away and join us at The Copthorne Hotel Newcastle

Sage Gateshead exclusive Offer: Show your ticket upon checking in and get complimentary car parking during your stay.

0191 222 0333 | reservations.newcastle@millenniumhotels.co.uk | www.millenniumhotels.com

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What’s On?

Five Minutes with…

Joan Armatrading With more than four decades in the industry, and with a back catalogue that includes some of the most memorable songs of the post-war era, including Love and Affection, Willow and Me Myself I, to call Joan Armatrading a legend would be underplaying her status. Ahead of her visit to Sage Gateshead in September, she talked to us about her new album, Not Too Far Away, the art of song-writing and her relationship with fans.

Q: How do you prepare for the tour?

A: The tour will be solo so I have to work out what songs can I do an arrangement for that will really work. This tour will be acoustic, but I’ll play piano as well. So it’s a question of thinking what songs are really going to work as acoustic?

Q: We know you don’t begrudge playing the hits, because they’re part of people’s lives.

Q: Joan, the first thing that strikes us about ‘Not Too Far Away’ is what a positive album it is.

A: In all my songs the words are pretty much positive and the music is always up. The music is always something that I think will try and make you smile.

Q: You’ve done pretty much everything on the album, haven’t you?

A: Pretty much, yes, I wrote everything, recorded, engineered, programmed the drums, I’m playing everything, I arranged everything, I wrote and arranged all the strings and, yes, sang it all, did everything. But that’s just because I can, and I love to do it.

A: Absolutely, I look forward to playing Love and Affection. I would never dream of doing a concert where I didn’t play it. Why would I? That’s the song that got me known.

Q: Describe your relationship with your fans?

A: I’ve been very lucky with people who’ve stayed with my career, and I’ve had a very long career, but I didn’t have it on my own.

So you need the loyal fans, and I’m happy to say I have some very loyal fans, and you need the new people to join in as well. That’s it, really. I love doing live shows because there’s always such a great mix of people. I’m a very lucky person.

Joan Armatrading’s new album Not Too Far Away is out now.

See Joan at Sage Gateshead on Wednesday 26 September

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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Father John Misty plus Bedouine

Ryan McGarvey plus support from The Mitch Laddie Band

Friday 26 October

Friday 26 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Father John Misty AKA Joshua Tillman, is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer and record producer. Tillman had been a member or toured with Saxon Shore, Fleet Foxes, Jonathan Wilson and more. He has also made contributions to albums by artists including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi.

Eddi Reader’s rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism combine to make her a unique and powerful figure in contemporary British music. She has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers.

Eddi Reader

£27.30

£27.30 Presented by The Gig Cartel

Saturday 27 October

Sunday 28 October

Sage Two, 8pm

NRFH, 7.45pm

Ryan McGarvey’s dynamic guitar playing leaves crowds marvelling. With strong songs, award winning vocals, fierce guitar playing and an undying love for the blues flavoured hard rock he pours from his soul, Ryan has been compared to the best in the business.

Mohsen Amini’s concertina, Hayley Keenan’s fiddle and Graeme Armstrong’s guitar meld seamlessly together to produce a unique force that has earned them a Folk Band of the Year 2017 at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, and a 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award.

£15.30, £17.40

Folkworks: Talisk

£14.20

Presented with Linda Valentine

Sunday 28 October

Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Lord Huron

Lord Huron was created by Los Angeles-based Ben Schneider. Born and raised in Michigan, Schneider drew inspiration from the Great Lakes and his music stands in awe of the natural world. The platinum selling single The Night We Met was featured in the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.

£21.80

Tuesday 30 October Sage Two, 8pm

Roddy Frame

Roddy Frame and his band Aztec Camera debuted on Glasgow’s legendary Postcard Records, releasing two singles for the label before moving on to Rough Trade where the unique acoustic sound of their debut album High Land Hard Rain was responsible for inspiring a whole generation of indie bands.

Sage One, 7pm

Rick Astley plus very special guest Gabrielle

£30 - £51.80 Presented with SJM Concerts

Brass in Concert Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 November Sage Gateshead is alive with the sound of brass as it hosts the world-famous Brass in Concert Championship which features many of the finest bands in the land.

£22.30 - £30

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Rick Astley has sold over 40 million records worldwide.

50 has over 10 million UK streams, 20 million worldwide while his classic Never Gonna Give You Up has had over 140 million streams on Spotify alone. He’s joined by very special guest Gabrielle.

sagegateshead.com

1958

1975

The Sinfonia Orchestra is founded by Michael Hall. They perform their first ever concert at Newcastle City Hall on 24 September 1958.

The opening of the Sinfonia Centre, the UK’s first purpose-built rehearsal centre.

RNS Big Birthday Bash Friday 21 - Sunday 23 September It’s hard to believe it’s been 60 years since Royal Northern Sinfonia first began delighting audiences in the North East, Cumbria and beyond. Having made its home here at Sage Gateshead in 2004, the orchestra has become a diamond in the crown of the region.

During the forthcoming 2018/19 season, we set out to reflect both its achievements to date, and its ambition for the future, as Thorben Dittes, Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Classical Music Programme describes: “Turning 60 is a major milestone in any human life, and so it is for an orchestra. Far from thoughts about retirement, however, we have used this opportunity to look back and celebrate whilst simultaneously

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setting out our ambition for the future; a future where RNS is recognised the world over as the UK’s leading chamber orchestra.”

So, how do you go about marking the 60th birthday of an orchestra? Well, you only get to do it once, and it has to be done in style. So, as RNS prepares for the big day in September, we’ve been busy planning the orchestral party of the decade, taking place between Friday 21 and Sunday 23 September.

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1984

2004

2015

Bradley Creswick is appointed Leader of Northern Sinfonia.

Sage Gateshead opens on 17 December 2004.

Lars Vogt appointed Music Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia from September 2015.

Over the course of this jam-packed weekend, we’ve got something for everyone, even those who might not consider themselves to be traditional classical music fans. Why? Because we want everyone in the region to celebrate with their orchestra.

With no less than four concerts showcasing the extraordinary talent and versatility of these musicians, the festivities will culminate in late night dancing, fizz and birthday cake on the Concourse.

The fun begins on Friday night with RNS Rocks, featuring three of the North East’s most exciting musical exports, Maxïmo Park, Field Music and Du Blonde, all playing live with their local international orchestra.

On Saturday morning the focus shifts onto the next generation, with the Big RNS Kids Birthday Party, the first concert in our Classics 4 Kids series this season. Part of the vision for the birthday weekend includes a traditional children’s tea party feel, complete with party hats, games and trestle tables! There will be free fun and party games on the Concourse beforehand, plus birthday cake afterwards to say ‘Happy Birthday!’ to RNS. Children are such an important part of the orchestra’s future, and that’s something that is reflected throughout the season.

What’s On?

Next up on Saturday is RNS Moves, when Sage Two will play host to a chamber concert with a difference – the first performance of a new kind of ensemble, featuring disabled and non-disabled musicians together in a chamber group. With some new music written specially for the ensemble, and a reworked Vivaldi ‘Season’, like you have never heard it before (including electric guitar and harp!), this should be really special. This is a FREE event, so book your tickets now.

To round off the birthday weekend, on Sunday Music Director Lars Vogt will be conducting a threepart gala which showcases the breadth of music at the heart of a chamber orchestra’s repertoire today. The classical masters – Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart – each make an appearance. There will be contributions from RNS Chorus, and a jubilating soprano. You will meet our new artist in focus Mahan Esfahani, and the orchestra will sizzle in virtuosic Prokofiev and Brahms.

After the concert, join our musicians on the Concourse to ‘Party like it’s 1958!’ with dancing to a live Big Band, plus birthday cake and a glass of fizz to toast the orchestra at midnight. What a weekend!

Join the party at Sage Gateshead between Friday 21 - Sunday 23 September.

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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CLASSICS 4 KIDS

Classics 4 Kids Big RNS Kids’ Birthday Party

RNS Moves

Saturday 22 September

Saturday 22 September

Sage One, 2pm

Sage Two, 4pm

Lars Vogt conductor, Royal Northern Sinfonia. Enjoy some of the most exuberant music ever written for chamber orchestra, with free fun birthday activities on the Concourse from 1.15pm.

Suitable for ages 5+ but everyone welcome.

Royal Northern Sinfonia and Friends

£11 Adult, £5.50 Child M 10% off when you book all 4 Classics 4 Kids

Join us for the first public performance by this unique inclusive ensemble, featuring both disabled and non-disabled musicians, which formed following workshops between RNS and Candoco Dance Company. This 45-minute performance will include one of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons reimagined, plus specially commissioned works. Enjoy this free 60th birthday treat!

Free, ticketed

Big RNS Birthday Gala

Stradivarius in Rio

Sunday 23 September

Tuesday 25 September

Sage One, 6.30pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Lars Vogt conductor, Mahan Esfahani harpsichord, Sarah Tynan soprano, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Beethoven Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Fauré Pavane, Mozart Laudate Dominum, Mozart Exsultate Jubilate, Poulenc Concert champêtre, Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Haydn Symphony No.6 ‘Le Matin’, Brahms Haydn Variations

Viktoria Mullova violin, Matthew Barley cello, Paul Clarvis percussion, João Luís Nogueira Pinto brazilian guitar

A sparkling gala concert to open our birthday season, with RNS performing music that has cemented their reputation as the UK’s leading chamber orchestra. Includes one 60-minute and one 30-minute interval - dining options available. Post-concert dancing with live big band on the Concourse, plus cake and fizz at midnight.

You can feel the sunshine in the music of Brazil - and superstar violinist Viktoria Mullova and her handpicked quartet play it with matchless zest. It’s ‘music for balmy nights and cool drinks - a tropical greeting from Sugar Loaf Mountain.’ Go on, treat yourself!

£19.50

£16.50 - £40 P B

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BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Rachlin Double

Saturday 29 September

Friday 5 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Thomas Dausgaard conductor, Viktoria Mullova violin, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Sibelius Finlandia, Sibelius Violin Concerto, Nielsen Symphony No.2 ‘The Four Temperaments’

Julian Rachlin conductor/violin, Sarah Rachlin viola, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Beethoven Egmont Overture, Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola, Penderecki Concerto Doppio, Schubert Symphony No.8 ‘Unfinished’

Nielsen got the idea for his Second Symphony from cartoons displayed in a country pub, and it’s as fresh, funny and uninhibited as that sounds. Thomas Dausgaard and the BBCSSO excel in this music: first, though, comes the fire and ice of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.

When Mozart paired the violin and viola in his Sinfonia Concertante, the result was some of the most personal music even he ever wrote. Krzysztof Penderecki pays a heartfelt tribute, while Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ symphony couldn’t have been more perfect even if he had finished it!

£16.50 - £40 P B

£14 - £38 P B

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm

John Lill’s Moonlight Sonata

RNS Minimal @ Wylam 1

Thursday 11 October

Friday 12 October

Wylam Brewery, (Exhibition Park, Newcastle) 8pm

Sage One, 7.30pm

Mahan Esfahani harpsichord, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Philip Glass A Prelude to Endgame, John Adams Shaker Loops, Barbara Benary Barang I, Barang II, Michael Nyman Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings

John Lill piano, Beethoven ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, Prokofiev Sonata No.6 in A Op.82, Schumann Kinderszenen, Chopin Polonaise in F Sharp minor Op.44, Chopin Nocturne in C minor Op.48, Chopin Ballade No.4 in F minor Op.52

Mahan Esfahani has never accepted that the harpsichord is merely a historic instrument. Today, with Michael Nyman’s harpsichord concerto, he’ll light up the sky. The only thing that’s minimal about the musical worlds of Philip Glass, John Adams and Barbara Benary, meanwhile, is the name.

John Lill is the kind of pianist you thought they didn’t make any more - a performer for whom only the music matters.

From Beethoven, Schumann and Chopin to the cold steel of Prokofiev, tonight’s concert displays his full, masterly range.

£15 Standing, £20 Seated

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£18, £22 M 10% off when you book all 4 Piano Greats

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What’s On?

Paris Mon Amour

Child Prodigies

Thursday 18 October

Wednesday 24 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage Two, 8pm

Trevor Pinnock conductor, Ingrid Fliter piano, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Fauré Masques et bergamasques, Chopin Piano Concerto No.2, Busoni Berceuse élégiaque, Mozart Symphony No.31 ‘Paris’

Royal Northern Sinfonia, Mendelssohn String Quartet No.1 in E flat, Janáček Mládí, Kaprálová String Quartet Op.8, Bruch Septet

They call Paris the ‘City of Light’: and whether it’s Frédéric Chopin making the salons swoon, the young Mozart dressing to impress with a spectacular new symphony, or Gabriel Fauré conjuring up a pastel-coloured dreamworld, this concert celebrates that unmistakably Parisian je-ne-sais-quoi.

£14 - £38 P B

The music of friends: a pocket-sized group of RNS players share the chamber music they love, in a musical journey that sweeps from the exuberant, romantic world of the young Felix Mendelssohn to the wide-eyed wonder of Janáček’s childhood memories from rural Moravia.

£14.50

Post-concert spotlight

Celebrate the festive season in style this year...

... join us at one of our fabulous Christmas party nights.

Ideal for friends, family and colleagues to enjoy the festivities, our shared party nights are perfect for smaller groups or those looking to enjoy their Christmas party with others in Sage Gateshead’s jaw dropping surroundings • •

•

Complimentary bubbles Three course Christmas meal finished with coffee and chocolates Fantastic live DJ

All for just £32 per person (£10 per person deposit confirms your booking.)

To get ahead of the Christmas rush, reserve your space now.

Simply email Sarah.Telford@sagegateshead.com, or visit sagegateshead.com for more details.

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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The Hallé

Samling Academy Concert

Saturday 27 October

Sunday 28 October

Sage One, 7.30pm

Sage Two, 7.30pm

Sir Mark Elder conductor, Timothy Pooley viola, Nicholas Trygstad cello, The Hallé, Strauss Don Quixote, Elgar Symphony No.2

Samling Academy is developing a new generation of classical singers in the North East of England through unique training and performance opportunities with world-class artists.

The culmination of six days of intensive study, this concert showcases some of the most exciting up-and-coming talent in the region in a programme of best-loved songs, arias, duets and ensembles.

‘Rarely, rarely comest thou, Spirit of Delight…’ Elgar’s Second Symphony is more than an epic musical adventure: it’s the sound of a great artist baring his soul. Richard Strauss’ glorious comic tone poem will make a wonderful showcase for Elder and The Hallé too.

£14

£16.50 - £40 P B Pre-concert talk 6.30pm

Diamonds are forever, and with your help, so is our orchestra

Doric String Quartet

Wednesday 31 October Sage Two, 7.30pm Purcell Two Fantasias, Haydn Quartet in B minor Op.33 No.1, Mozart Quartet in D K575, Bartók Quartet No.5 The Doric Quartet return to lead us on a journey from the seventeenth century to the twentieth: Purcell was England’s greatest Baroque composer and the fifth of Bartók’s six quartets features his eerie and mysterious ‘night music’.

£13, £21 C

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RNS is a local chamber orchestra with a global reputation. We are asking for your help to ensure it remains the case.

Ticket income alone is not enough to support the breadth and depth of RNS’s programme.

We rely on donations to support us to bring the best in classical music to as wide an audience as possible.

As the orchestra’s very first concert took place in 1958, we are asking you to make a regular donation of £19.58 per month for one year.

Alternatively, you could make a single gift of £60; that’s just £1 for every year since the orchestra was founded. Whatever you can afford is gratefully received, though, so please contact us today.

As a thank you, everyone who gives more than £60 or sets up a regular gift, will be entered into draws throughout the season for the opportunity to have an RNS chamber ensemble play in their home.

To donate call Natalie Heath, Individual Giving Manager, on 0191 443 5038, or email Natalie.Heath@sagegateshead.com

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RNS Out and About La Mer Royal Northern Sinfonia is out and about in the region this Autumn, bringing more gorgeous music to churches in Ponteland and Hexham. Hear works by the giants of French music, Ravel and Saint-Saëns, plus an ensemble arrangement of Debussy’s La Mer. St Mary the Virgin, Ponteland | Thursday 25 October Hexham Abbey | Friday 26 October Concerts begin at 7.30pm Kyra Humphreys director Royal Northern Sinfonia Debussy Prélude a l’après midi d’un faune Françaix Wind Quintet No.1 Ravel Introduction and Allegro Saint-Saëns Fantaisie for Violin and Harp Debussy La Mer (arr. Farrington) Tickets: £15 Under-18s £5

The Baroque Christmas

by Candlelight tour is back!

What better way to ease yourself into Christmas? Hear seasonal instrumental favourites in some of the most beautiful churches in our region. And, yes, we really do bring hundreds of candles with us.

Programmes include ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Thu 6 Dec | St Michael’s Church, Alnwick Thu 6 Dec | St Cuthbert’s Chapel, Durham Fri 7 Dec | All Saints Church, Rothbury Fri 7 Dec | St Cuthbert’s Church, Darlington Sat 8 Dec | St George’s Church, Cullercoats Sat 8 Dec | Stockton Parish Church, Stockton Tue 11 Dec | St Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle Tue 11 Dec | Hexham Abbey, Hexham Wed 12 Dec | Sunderland Minster, Sunderland

All concerts begin at 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Under-18s £5 Early booking advised

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sagegateshead.com

What’s On?

A Classic Christmas with RNS at Sage Gateshead Home Alone in Concert with RNS One kid, one house and two seriously unlucky burglars: Home Alone is a family movie without the family! Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!

Sun 25 Nov | 3pm & 7.30pm | Sage One Tickets: £16.50 - £40

The Snowman Sat 22 Dec | 2pm (relaxed) & 5pm Sun 23 Dec | 11am, 2pm & 5pm Mon 24 Dec | 11am & 2pm 22/23 Dec: £17.50 | £19.50 | Family £60 24 Dec: £19.50 | £22 | Family £65 Family tickets available A great family favourite and now a Sage Gateshead tradition. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Early booking advised.

Messiah Handel Messiah Hallelujah! Messiah is back.

A real highlight of Christmas with RNS.

New Year’s Day in Vienna

Sat 15 Dec | 7pm | Sage One

Tue 1 Jan | 3pm | Sage One

Tickets: £16.50 - £40

Our traditional Viennese concert to see in the New Year. From the Radetzky March to the Blue Danube, raise a glass to 2019 with the music of Strauss and friends!

Tickets: £16.50 - £40

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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NOW ON SALE

Classes & Workshops 18/19 Playing an instrument or singing in a choir is massively fun and rewarding. It makes you feel good, has a multitude of long-term health benefits, is a great way to meet new people and can help fulfil that lifelong dream of playing in a band, too! Why not find out for yourself?

We run many different music classes each week from absolute beginners to advanced. Come and learn to play guitar, ukulele, mandolin, saxophone or recorder, or maybe you’d prefer to play in a band?

Our short Come & Try sessions are designed to give you a taste of our termly classes, teach you the basics and get you started.

We also have a huge range of vocal groups singing everything from pop to classical including soul, jazz and blues, rock and roll, folk and opera, not to mention our specialised folk classes and our Silver Programme for people over the age of 50. For many of our classes there’s no need for musical knowledge, no auditions and no pressure.

Spend some time with our experienced leaders getting to grips with singing, ukulele and fiddle, or have a go at playing in a folk band. We’ll teach you the basics and get you started

If you’re not sure where to start, or can’t commit to a termly class, look out for our regular Come & Try Days and one-off workshops throughout the year.

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Come & Try Day Sunday 16 september

Enrol now, meet other budding musicians and begin or continue your musical journey, whatever your chosen instrument or style.

Our new term starts from Monday 17 September*

Adult Classes £70 per term (£52.50 concession) 10 sessions per term Book for all three terms of one class and receive 15% discount.

Book onto more than one class within any term and receive 10% discount.

Silver Programme £50 per term (£25 per half term) 10/5 session per term/half term £25 peer led groups (£12.50 per half term) Book onto more than one class and receive a discount of 7% for each class booked** *Date may vary according to class **Restrictions apply. Please visit sagegateshead.com for more details.

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What’s On?

KEN GIBSON

Why join a class or workshop?

If you’re interested in joining a class or workshop this year but don’t know if it’s for you, reading Ken’s story of new found confidence might just convince you…

From the early 1990s Ken Gibson loved playing the piano, but in 2010, had a stroke following major heart surgery. This, coupled with the fact he had become a full-time carer to his wife Maureen, meant he was unable to continue his hobby; something that had brought him so much pleasure. Ken recalls becoming very reclusive, losing the confidence to try anything new or meet new people.

Then one summer, he came to watch a show at Sage Gateshead and everything changed.

“I noticed a number of people of a similar age walking round with ukuleles. I took a leaflet and worked up the courage to enquire about the classes on offer. I started in the beginner guitar class and it has taken off from there.”

I’ve gone from a person who was petrified of meeting new people to playing on stage almost weekly and loving it. I still have my health issues, but I have found that being involved in music has helped with my coordination, confidence and ability to work out things for myself - I’m really enjoying the freedom the music has given me.”

Now Ken, 66, of Sedgefield, plays in the Mandolin Orchestra, Bluegrass Band and Skiffle Band, all of which are part of the Silver Programme for people over the age of 50.

Ticket office: 0191 443 4661

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Classes for Early Years... plus even more family fun In addition to our great classes and workshops for adults, we also have lots going on for little ones too. So, why not bring your mini musicians along to Sage Gateshead for weekly family music making created by our friendly and engaging live musicians? Our songs, dances and games all help to gently support development whilst helping you experience just how magical music can be for the whole family. You can even take away ideas for continuing the music at home too!

Breaking Tradition: QUEST featuring Demon Barbers

Music Live Under Five Baby Musicians (under 12 months)

Wednesday 12 September | NRFH, 11am & 1.30pm

Monday 2.15pm & Wednesday 11am

Music Live Under Five Mini Musicians (0-4 years) Monday - Saturday, various times Book for the term or half term to guarantee your place and save money, or if it suits you better, you can even pay as you go.

Cost: £3.50 per adult/single child per session £2.60 per child per session (when booking 2+ child tickets) *25% OFF! £22 per adult/child per half term (7 sessions) 10% OFF! £41.50 per adult/child per term (14 sessions) 15% OFF!

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Sunday 9 September | Sage Two, 2pm Families, gamers and live music & dance lovers of all ages are invited on this unforgettable adventure.

Cost: £14.20 adults, £8.70 children Family Ticket available

Baby Sinfonia Sway, rock, dance and bounce or just sit back and enjoy this classical treat. Suitable for babies up to 18 months.

Cost: £5.50 Adult, £3.30 Child

Classics 4 Kids Big RNS Kids’ Birthday Party Saturday 22 September | Sage One, 2pm Lars Vogt conductor, Royal Northern Sinfonia. Enjoy some of the most exuberant music ever written for chamber orchestra, with free fun birthday activities on the Concourse from 1.15pm. Suitable for ages 5+ but everyone welcome.

Cost: £11 Adult, £5.50 Child M 10% off when you book all 4 Classics 4 Kids *Discount does not apply to half and full term additional child tickets.

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Music Spark performers from Thomas Bewick School, Percy Hedley College, ESPA College, Collingwood College and Skimstone Arts for an evening of live music, drama, comedy and dance. Together they celebrated creative diversity and championed ability before disability, all on the theme of identity and regional heritage.

Graeme is a former Music Spark Trainee and now volunteers with the group. He helps to support young people with their training through his own experience, and is now also employed by Sage Gateshead as a support musician. As Graeme says, helping to shape the event has had profound benefits.

PHOTO CREDIT: DARREN O’KANE

As part of the Great Exhibition of the North, Sage Gateshead has hosted a run of gigs curated by Lauren Lavern, an operatic collaboration with Nevill Holt Opera, film and art and sound commissions (plus a whole host of other amazing things). One of the undoubted highlights at Sage Gateshead was our Music Spark Show.

The show was put together by participants from our Music Spark programme, which trains young people with additional needs to develop their employability skills and become community musicians. Music Spark aims to promote equality and diversity in the workplace and access to employment for people with additional needs. In addition to participants, we welcomed some of the region’s most accomplished

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“Working on the show was a fantastic opportunity to build confidence and develop other skills alongside our musicianship. For example, hosting, scriptwriting, stage management and event running.”

The Traineeship lasts for 12 months. Every week, participants are supported to develop skills and experience so they can access paid employment, explore and develop their confidence levels and sense of self-belief. The programme culminates in graduation and an annual show, which this year coincided with the Great Exhibition of the North.

Sam is a Music Spark trainee. He said: “My favourite thing is that I can make new friends and learn to run the music workshop. It’s a wonderful place to go.”

Matt Sokell, SEND Programme Leader at Sage Gateshead, is hugely proud of 2018’s graduates, saying, “This year’s Music Spark Show was another legendary one. All the participants came together to produce something awe inspiring, really contributing to the Great Exhibition of the North as a whole.”

To find out more visit sagegateshead.com

sagegateshead.com

What’s On?

Ronnie Scott boost for young jazz musicians We work with thousands of children and young people across lots of different musical activities. Our Young Musicians Programme is one such area of work, each year supporting around 200 young people between the ages of 4 and 19 to learn an instrument or sing.

It’s really important to us that as many young people as possible can participate, and we run a bursary scheme so that budgets are not barriers for families. Each year we raise money to support the programme, and recently, Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation made a donation to support our work.

The grant will be used to help encourage more young people to take part and progress in our two

Young Musicians Programme jazz ensembles; Jazz Attack for 11 to 16-year-olds; and Jambone for 13 to 19-year-olds.

Emily McDermott, 16 from Sunderland, is an aspiring jazz singer who joined Jambone last year. Emily credits Jambone with giving her a confidence boost, and is grateful for the financial support Sage Gateshead’s Fundraising Team secures for the programme, as she explains. “This year I have gained a huge amount of confidence, especially in my performance, thanks to Jambone. The Fundraising Team at Sage Gateshead work hard to find the funds to make the programme what it is - full of quality opportunities for every young person who wants to reach their musical potential.”

We make music for everyone Every day, and in all that we do, we aim to inspire a life-long love of music with our dynamic international music programme and events and learning opportunities.

Sage Gateshead is a registered charity.

North Music Trust (Reg. Ch. No 1087445)

As a registered charity, we rely on your generous support to use music to stimulate, educate and inspire.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a gig, classical performance or musical learning opportunity, why not make a donation and help bring the power of music to everyone, today and for the future?

Donate today via our website or by calling 0191 443 5038.

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Sage Gateshead dining gets a re-tune Since his appointment, the challenge for Dale has been to ensure that, despite these various demands, every customer is served the kind of food that he would want to eat; fresh, local and beautifully prepared.

So, what’s new? “We’ve made some changes in the last few months, all geared towards making eating and drinking at Sage Gateshead an experience that matches what happens inside the halls – really special,” explains Dale.

When Dale Henry, Head of Food & Beverage, joined Sage Gateshead last year, he set his sights on making sure the café, restaurant and bar experience matched what goes on in our famed music halls. Six months on, having got to grips with one of the hardest working kitchens in the North, it’s clear that times, they are a changin’.

Having spent many years in the food service industry, most recently at Browns Brasserie and Bar in Newcastle, it would be fair to say that Dale Henry has experienced a lot. But could anything have prepared him for Sage Gateshead?

“What amazed me was the sheer volume and variety here; we must have the hardest working kitchen in the North!”

Dale says. “In one day, we can prepare food for a 500-person conference, serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in the café, do 100 a la carte covers in the restaurant, before delivering bespoke food options to artists in their dressing rooms. There’s never a dull moment.”

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The café menu has been overhauled, and is now filled with freshly prepared options, an extensive all-day brunch and a larger choice of lighter evening meals. Plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available, and locally produced, seasonal produce features throughout.

It’s the restaurant that features the most noticeable change, however. Not only has the a la carte menu had a modern makeover, the whole restaurant has moved out onto the concourse. As Dale explains, the move was a no-brainer.

“Eating out is an experience that’s about more than the food on your plate. The music, the wine and the atmosphere play a huge part. Moving the restaurant out onto the concourse was a real win. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the best views that NewcastleGateshead has to offer whilst enjoying their meal? It’s transformed the dining experience.”

Come try the tuned-up Sage Gateshead dining offer. Open 9am - late every day.

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Thank you

Platinum Corporate Partners

Sage Gateshead values its partnerships with individuals, trusts and foundations, companies and its core revenue supporters Arts Council England, North East and Gateshead Council. As a registered charity this support is vital to allow us to continue and develop our work.

Gold Corporate Partners Trusts and Foundations 1989 Willan Charitable Trust Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Morrisons Foundation Netherton Park Trust PRS Foundation Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation Sir James Knott Trust Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation The Barbour Foundation The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust The Foyle Foundation The Hadrian Trust The John S Cohen Foundation The Kavli Trust The Leche Trust The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation The Monument Trust The Shears Foundation Vardy Foundation Youth Music W A Handley Charity Trust

Project Supporters Darlington Borough Council DCSF Music Manifesto and Music and Dance Scheme Newcastle City Council Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Public Funding Arts Council England Gateshead Council

Founding Patrons Garfield Weston Foundation Joan and Margaret Halbert Northern Rock Foundation The Barbour Foundation The Sage Group PLC

Founding Endowment and 10th Birthday Endowment Donors 1989 Willan Charitable Trust 400 Club Bowland Charitable Trust Clore Duffield Foundation Cunard Mr J Cuthbert Fenwick Ltd Christopher French Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust Greggs PLC Mr & Mrs M Howard John and Florence Adamson Charitable Trust John Bell Charitable Trust Lord Falconer of Thoroton Northern Arts Board Northumbrian Water Ms W Oloman Anne Reece Roland Cookson Fund Mr Anthony Sargent CBE Sir James Knott Trust Stuart Halbert Foundation The Barbour Foundation The David Boardman Trust The David Goldman Programme The Go-Ahead Group PLC The Shears Foundation The Squires Foundation The Vardy Foundation

Silver Corporate Partners

Bronze Corporate Partners Northern Elevator Limited O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions Pioneer Foodservice Sanderson Weatherall Solution Group ZeroLight

Public Funding

Advertisers

Legacy Bequests Mr H Bender Miss Joyce Christie Audrey Dixon Richard and Maggie Freyman Ann Stephenson

Sage Gateshead is a registered charity, North Music Trust (Reg. Ch. No. 1087445).

Sage Gateshead exists thanks to the support of public and private donations.

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PHOTO CREDITS: Darren O’Kane, Mark Savage