Sound Bite North East on Musicport Whitby

The North is filled to the brim with fast rising musical talents and Musicport 2026 is offering them a platform to share their craft and win over the hearts of the Musicport Community.

Salty air and sea breezes are a given for Whitby Pavilion on the town’s West Cliff. Built 148 years ago on a foundation of Jurassic stone and shale, this iconic Yorkshire landmark provides the perfect setting for this year’s themed elemental Musicport 2026 embracing earth, water, fire and air.

Over 3 days from Friday October 23rd to Sunday October 25th, musicians, singers, poets and storytellers from across the UK, Mali, Vietnam, the Sahara, Catalonia, Hungary, Morocco, the Balearic Islands, Tibet & India converge for a multi-cultural celebration. Supporting the diverse programme of musicians is a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more here!

I Love North Shields & LLIVELY Music

Meeting likeminded professionals is always a real treat, and when I first sat down with Simone, there were moments I felt like I was talking to myself. We are both driven by a passion for creativity, people, and community, and the way she has brought all of those elements together through I Love North Shields has inspired me ever since I first connected with the platform. When we finally met it was like stars collided and ideas came flying out as we sat outside Salt Market Social on a lovely Friday morning. Although it was quite clear within the first five minutes that a collaboration would materialise I waited for her to give me the green light. And here we are.

Together we are opening up live slots at the I Love North Shields Vintage Markets and we want to hear from musicians from across the North East. Together we are building live music into the upcoming market dates for the rest of 2026 and throughout 2027. Nothing too complicated. Come down. Play a 30-minute set. Meet some people. Get your music heard.

You’ll get:

  • A 30-minute live slot at Salt Market Social,
  • A table alongside your set to sell your merch — vinyl, CDs, tees, prints, whatever you make,
  • A collab post with I Love North Shields where possible, so we can introduce you and your music to our audience,
  • Tags, shares and some coverage around the market,
  • The slots aren’t paid, but you’re welcome to have a tip jar / pay-what-you-feel pot out during your set — anything given goes straight to you.

We’re open to solo artists, duos and stripped-back/acoustic sets from anywhere across the North East. You don’t need a huge following. We’re much more interested in good music and interesting people making it.

DATES

2026
25 October
29 November
20 December

2027
31 January
28 February
28 March
25 April
30 May
27 June
25 July
26 September
7 November
12 December

Fancy playing? Email events@ilovenorthshields.com, send us a link to your music/ socials and let us know which dates could work for you!

EP: Joe Doonan – before you leave

Media support for ‘before you leave‘

Quotes

“Rooted in personal experience, the EP documents a deeply human journey through love, struggle and the mental toll of loss, while ultimately finding hope in the possibility of new beginnings, renewed purpose and deeper connections.” – Minds Behind The Music

“Joe Doonan offers listeners a heartfelt project centered around the challenge of letting go and the feelings that come with it. ‘before you leave’ is a thoughtful reflection on endings, loss, and the complicated journey of moving forward.” – TheStrive Magazine

Reviews

Cheers To The Vikings • FLEX • Minds Behind The Music • Purple Melon Music • Roadie Music • Soaplife Magazine • Soulwavez • The Strive • Unrecorded

Radio

Amazing Radio • The Sound Lab

Playlists

Apollo’s Folklore • Apricot Magazine • Artistas independentes • Atlas De Musica • AVOLA • Beach House Mag • Buzzy Band • CAGE RIOT • CLOUT • Cougar Microbes • De Ochtendschijn • De Ochtendschijn • Dizzy Boy • Dolce Brano IT • Dulaxi Entertainment • ELITE Emergente • Elsa Vibes • Euphony BlogNet • EXTRAVAPOP • Falcodice • Fresh Dingers • Future Classics • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • HailTunes • Honk Magazine • Hot Folk / Country • Hypehub Magazine • IGGY MAGAZINE • Illustrate Magazine • Indie + Rock Retrievers • Indie Dream • Indie Happy Vibes! • Indie Noise Nation • Indiefferential Picks • indiemusicflix • JYLA MUSIC • lacavernamx • Lancamentos Rock’n’Roll • Lazy Pug • Little Garden • Lost In The Manor • Lyricsvibe.mp4 • Melodie Soft Hits • Movers and Shakers • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music On The Rox • Musik Galaxie • MusikePOOL • Musocasa • Mystic Juice • NUVAPULSE • Os Garotos de Liverpool • Pitch Perfect • Pop • Pop by COCOMYRRH • Poppunkersmx • Princess • RADIO BRUMAS • Relive Footy • Revista Soundloop • RGM • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • ROCK by FVMusicBlog • ROMBO Magazine • Savoy Truffle Tunes • Senocular Media • Soaplife Magazine • songplode • Sonic Universe • Spinex Music • Splendiferous Pioneer • Swiispa • The Discovery Edit • The Indie Grid Anthems • The Intelligence Music • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • The Whistling Traveller • TJPL Media Network • TrackTallyUK • True Heat • Tune Oasis • Universal Groovebox • Voxwave Magazine • We Write About Music • what good is living • World Of Music • You! Me! Dancing! • Ze Rock Porto

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Barn & Belle – Start Again

Media support for ‘Start Again’

Quotes

“Barn & Belle give the urge to escape a vivid musical identity with ‘Start Again’, a Folk/Acoustic release infused with Pop and Rock/Punk energy.” – SameWay Magazine

“Dutch Americana folk duo Barn & Belle are returning with ‘Start Again’, an evocative new single that blends folk, Western Swing, and swing-jazz influences into a compelling musical journey.” – songxplode

Reviews

Indie Dream • indie folk BOPS • Rock Culture • Rotate Magazine • SameWay Magazine • Soaplife Magazine • Songxplode • South 2 North Entertainment

Radio

Amazing Radio • Cosmonauto Radio • Platinum Mind

Shout-outs

Atlas De Música • Cheers To The Vikings

Playlists

Allen Peterson Reviews • Apollo’s Folklore • Apricot Magazine • Artistas independentes • Atlas De Música • Audiokaradi Press Co • Backstage Pass • Best New Songs • BREAKOUT INDIE • Buzzy Band • Cougar Microbes • De Ochtendschijn • Distortion Diaries • Dolce Brano IT • Dulaxi Entertainment • ELITE Emergente • Euphony BlogNet • EXTRAVAPOP • Falcodice • Folk & Strings • Fresh Dingers • Future Classics • FVMusicBlog • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • Groover City • HailTunes • Hella Fuzz • Hidden Gems • Hit Harmony Haven • Hot Folk / Country • IGGY Magazine • Illustrate Magazine • Indie BANGERS • Indie Happy Vibes! • Indie Rock Doods • Indiefferential Picks • indiemusicflix • It’s All Indie • JYLA MUSIC • Lazy Pug • Lost In The Manor • Melody Lens • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music Mingle • Music On The Rox • Music Outsider • Music Reload • MusikePOOL • Musocasa • Mystic Juice • New Music from the Mixing Desk • NUVAPULSE •Os Garotos de Liverpool • parapopdotnet • Pitch Perfect • Plus One Reviews • Princess • PulseHutch • Revista Soundloop • Revolutions De Rythme • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • ROMBO Magazine • Senocular Media • Sinusoidal’s Monthly Mix • songplode • Splendiferous Pioneer • StageCast • Swiispa • Tape Ranger • Testing Melodies • The Indie Grid Anthems • The Intelligence Music • The Interviewist • The Music Asylum • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • The Whistling Traveller • TJPL Media Network • TrackTallyUK • True Heat • Tune Oasis • what good is living • World Of Music • Ze Rock Porto • Zillion Magazine

SOCIALS

Review: The Grove Summer Party

Free live music on a Saturday afternoon paired with great coffee and delicious food is a combination that is hard to beat, and The Grove Summer Party delivered exactly that.

The afternoon set off with a great mix of sounds, starting with Josh Webb’s fun, soft vibe and strong vocal delivery. The energy shifted into high gear with Jam Tub, who brought a heavy, hard-hitting rock presence that kept the crowd fully awake and buzzing. While it is heart-breaking to hear they are calling it quits as one of them moves away, they certainly left everything on the stage. Adding to the mid-day brilliance, Robyn Banks captivated everyone with her signature bluesy rock style, made even more special by performing alongside a full band that visibly rallied behind her performance and sound.

Charlie Floyd graced the stage as a duo, delivering his signature poetic soundscapes and heart-warming storytelling, paired effortlessly with his rich voice. Bringing a burst of youthful enthusiasm, Tilly Louise and her band might still be a little green behind the ears, but their boundless energy was completely contagious, injecting a fresh dynamic into The Grove.

Closing out the festivities on a high note, Bear Park proved again why they are a must-see act. The fun, upbeat indie rock outfit delivered a powerful, uplifting set that had the whole room moving, rounding out a wonderful Saturday at The Grove.

Video: Tim Gambles – Today

Media support for ‘Today’

Quotes

“It took him over a decade, but Gambles has finally given this personal song a voice, and it sounds sincere, grown up and oh-so-relatable!” – Chunedesk

“Australian artist continues his ascent with this warm and lofty piano-led swoon.” – Mystic Sons

“‘Today’ sounds like a song that finally found the space it needed, and it’s easy to hear why it’s already proven itself in front of festival crowds despite how little it’s actually doing on paper.” – Rock Era Magazine

“‘Today’ is one of those rare songs you come across that feel short-lived yet enormous once you have a listen. It opens with Gambles’ cautious, a little raspy vocals over a slow, eerie build-up.” – Tune Oasis

Reviews

Beach House • Bread Records • Chunedesk • Contarte • Expansión Radial • Mystic Sons • Prensa Fan • Rock Culture • Rock Era Magazine • Soaplife Magazine • Soulwavez • SoundsGoodWebZine • Tune Oasis

Radio

Amazing Radio • BeyondTheBridge on Raw Radio • Nova Hits Radio • Only Rock Radio • Poptastic Radio • Radio Wigwam • Rock’n’Roll Vibration

Shout-outs

aktmusic • CHARMMusic • Cheers To The Vikings • Music News Monthly • Rocktelling

Playlists

Alte Magazine • Amplead Music • Apollo’s Rock Galaxies • Apricot Magazine • Atlas De Musica • Audiokaradi Press Co. • BerlinOnAir • BerlinPlaylists • Black Fruit Promotions • Blazemuse Magazine • BOPS • Buzzy Band • CAGE RIOT • Carb Medio • Cougar Microbes • De Ochtendschijn • Distortion Diaires • Dolce Brano • Dulaxi Entertainment • el vacio • End Sessions • End Sessions • Euphony BlogNet • EXTRAVAPOP • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • Groove Africa • HailTunes • Hit Harmony Haven • Hottest Tracks • Hypehub Magazine • IGGY Magazine • Illustrate Magazine • Indie + Rock Retrievers • Indie Music Flix • Indie Noise Nation • Indie Rock Hits • introvertdisco • JYLA MUSIC • lacavernamx • Lancamentos • Lost In The Manor • Midnight Pop Therapy • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music Reload • MusikePool • Musocasa • Mystic Juice • NewIndieRadar • Noir Playlist • Obscure Sound • Os Garotos de Liverpool • Princess • PulseHutch • RADIO BRUMAS • Revolutions de Rythme • RGM • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • Savoy Truffle Tunes • Sinusoidal Music • songplode • Sonidos Urbanos • Splendiferous Pioneer • Swiispa • Testing Melodies • The AVOLA Frequency • The Best Rock • The Gatekeeper Space • The Interviewist • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • The Whistling Traveller • This Is The Scene • TJPL Media Network • Tompo Team • TrackTallyUK • Underground Sounds Edinburgh • Underrated Chill Acoustics • Unleash The Fury • Unrecorded • Voxwave Magazine • We Write About Music • what good is living • World Of Music • Yokai Circle • Ze Rock Porto Recommends

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Mariecke Borger – Unravel

Media support for ‘Unravel’

Reviews

“Musically, the track draws on Borger’s usual touchstones, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor, landing squarely in folk and Americana territory.” – Music On The Rox

“‘Unravel’ is about the delicate balance between loving someone and loving yourself. There is something so powerful about the emotional punch of this all being true you can be grateful to have someone by your side, afraid of losing that connection, and unsure of how independent you really are.” – Soaplife Magazine

Reviews

Amplead Music • Music On The Rox • NenesButler • Rock Cabeça • Rotate Magazine • Soaplife Magazine • Soulwavez • Stereo Stickman • Tongue Tied Magazine • Nagamag Blog

Shout-outs

7Tage – 7 Songs • aktmusic • BANDUP • Music Arena GH • Punk Rock Blog • Unrecorded

Radio

Amazing Radio • Cosmonauto Radio • GOOD MUSIC RADIO

Playlists

All Pop • Alte Magazine • Apollo’s Pop Constellations • Apricot Magazine • Atlas De Musica • Aural Odyssey • Beach House MAG • Best New Songs • BOPS • Bravo Revista • BREAKOUT INDIE • Bright & Dark Sides of LOVE • Buzzy Band • Cougar Microbes • Daily Dose of Indie Pop • De Ochtendschijn • Distortion Diaries • Dolce Brano IT • Dulaxi Entertainment • ELITE Emergente • Euphony BlogNet • EXTRAVAPOP • Falcodice • Favorites • Fresh Dingers • FVMusicBlog • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • HailTunes • HAYAMI’S COLLECTION • Hella Fuzz Underground • Hidden Gems • Hinterland: New Americana • Hit Harmony Haven • Hot Tracks • Hypehub Magazine • IGGY Magazine • Illustrate Magazine • Indie Happy Vibes • Indie Noise Nation • Indie Pop Hits • Indiefferential • introvertdisco • JYLA MUSIC • KIMU New Music Spotlight • lacavernamx • Lancamentos • Lost In The Manor • Lyricsvibe.mp4 • M.E.I. News Playlist • Melodiemaven • Midnight Pop Therapy • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music For The Masses • Music Mingle • Music Reload • Musik Galaxie • MusikePOOL • Musocasa • Mystic Juice • NUVAPULSE • Os Garotos de Liverpool • parapopdotnet • Plus One Reviews • Pop • Pop Hits • Pop Paradise • Pop Rock • Popfad Music • Princess • project timbre • PulseHutch • Revista Soundloop • Revolutions De Rythme • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • Rotate Magazine • Savoy Truffle Tunes • Sinusoidal Music • Soft pop • Sonidos Urbanos • Spinex Music • Splendiferous Pioneer • Swiispa • The Gatekeeper Space • The Indie Grid Anthems • The Intelligence Music • The MBTM Playlist • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • True Heat • Tune Oasis • Underrated Chill Acoustics • Unrecorded • VA8 Release • what good is living • Woman On Top • World Of Music • York Calling • You! Me! Dancing! • Ze Rock Porto

Facebook • Instagram • Spotify • Apple Music • Linktree

The Avelons – Alice (On The Comeback)

Media support for ‘Alice (On The Comeback)’

Quotes

“The Avelons are a UK band who have been grafting and rising in acclaim with a stellar collection of singles that have singled them out as a rousing rising force in the scene.” – CLOUT

“Traditional, swaggering indie rock.” – Music Is To Blame

“Alice (On The Comeback) comes equipped with euphoric indie rock instrumentation, driven by persistent, powerful drums and lively guitar work. There is an infectious energy running throughout the composition, creating the kind of sound capable of snapping you out of even the most sluggish mood.” – Right Chord Music

“The song itself is a call to arms, for anyone that is down on their luck or simply having a bad day, put this song on and your mood is instantly lifted.” – Sound Bite North East

Reviews

CLOUT • Concert Monkey • Music Is To Blame • Right Chord Music • Rock Era Magazine • Sound Bite North East • This Is The Music • Zillions Magazine

Radio

Amazing Radio • French Connection • Newfangled Radio • Radio Tyneside • SilverMusic Radio • Spark Sunderland • The Sound Lab

Shout-outs

BANDUP • Bread Records • Music Earshot • Popfad Music Blog • Thoughts Words Action • Uranium Waves

Playlists

Alte Magazine • Apollo’s Rock Galaxies • Apricot Magazine • Artistas independentes • Aural Odyssey • Beach House Mag • BerlinOnAir • Best New Songs • Boostrin • BOPS • Bright & Dark Side • Bungalows: New Indie • Buzzy Band • CAGE RIOT • Caguama Medio • CLOUT • Cougar Microbes • Daily Dose of Indie Pop • De Ochtendschijn • Distortion Diaries • Dolce Brano • Dulaxi Entertainment • el vacio • Electroctopus • ELITE Emergente • EMERGENTE TOP ONE • End Sessions • EXTRAVAROCK • Falcodice • Fresh Dingers • Future Classics • FVMusicBlog • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • HailTunes • Hella Fuzz • Hidden Gems • Hit Harmony Haven • IGGY Magazine • Illustrate Magazine • Indie + Rock Retrievers • Indie Happy Vibes • Indie Noise Nation • Indie Rock Hits • Indie Treasure • Indiefferential Picks • indiemusicflix • Inspotmusic • Introvert Disco • It’s All Indie • KIMU New Music Spotlight • Korliblog • lacavernamx • Lancamentos • Lost In The Manor • LVL UP! Record Breakers • M.E.I. News Playlist • Melodie Soft Hits • Midnight Pop Therapy • Movers and Shakers • Music and Entertainers • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music Is To Blame • Music Mingle • Music Outsider • Music Reload • Musik Galaxie • MusikePOOL • Musocasa • Must Listen • My Music Mixtape • Mystic Juice • New Indie Rock • NewIndieRadar • Obscure Sound • Os Garotos de Liverpool • Our Favorites • Parapop • Pop • Pop Star Vibes • Popfad Music • Princess • Public Pressure • PulseHutch • Rattler Choons • Revista Soundloop • Revolutions De Rythme • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • Rock Anthems • Rock’n’Roll Isn’t Dead • ROMBO Magazine • Savoy Truffle Tunes • Sinusoidal Music • Sonido A La Carta • Sonidos Urbanos • Splendiferous Pioneer • Swiispa • The AVOLA Frequency • The Best Rock • The Indie Grid Anthems • The Intelligence Music • The Interviewist • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • The Whistling Traveller • The Yume Collective • This Is The Scene • TJPL Media Network • TrackTallyUK • True Heat • Unleash The Fury • World Of Music • Yokai Circle • You! Me! Dancing! • Ze Rock Porto

SOCIALS

Tim Gambles – Today

Media support for ‘Today’

Reviews

“It took him over a decade, but Gambles has finally given this personal song a voice, and it sounds sincere, grown up and oh-so-relatable!” – Chunedesk

“Australian artist continues his ascent with this warm and lofty piano-led swoon.” – Mystic Sons

“‘Today’ sounds like a song that finally found the space it needed, and it’s easy to hear why it’s already proven itself in front of festival crowds despite how little it’s actually doing on paper.” – Rock Era Magazine

“‘Today’ is one of those rare songs you come across that feel short-lived yet enormous once you have a listen. It opens with Gambles’ cautious, a little raspy vocals over a slow, eerie build-up.” – Tune Oasis

aktmusic • Bread Records • CHARMMusic • Chunedesk • Contarte • Music News Monthly • Mystic Sons • Prensa Fan • Rock Era Magazine • Rocktelling • SoundsGoodWebZine • Tune Oasis

Radio

Amazing Radio • BeyondTheBridge on Raw Radio • Nova Hits Radio • Only Rock Radio • Poptastic Radio • Radio Wigwam

Playlists

Alte Magazine • Apollo’s Rock Galaxies • Apricot Magazine • Atlas De Musica • Audiokaradi Press Co. • BerlinOnAir • BerlinPlaylists • Black Fruit Promotions • Blazemuse Magazine • BOPS • Buzzy Band • CAGE RIOT • Cougar Microbes • De Ochtendschijn • Distortion Diaires • Dolce Brano • Dulaxi Entertainment • End Sessions • End Sessions • Euphony BlogNet • EXTRAVAPOP • GOOD MUSIC RADAR • HailTunes • Hit Harmony Haven • Hypehub Magazine • IGGY Magazine • Illustrate Magazine • Indie + Rock Retrievers • Indie Music Flix • Indie Noise Nation • Indie Rock Hits • introvertdisco • JYLA MUSIC • lacavernamx • Lancamentos • Lost In The Manor • Midnight Pop Therapy • Music Evolution • Music For All • Music Reload • MusikePool • Musocasa • Mystic Juice • NewIndieRadar • Noir Playlist • Obscure Sound • Os Garotos de Liverpool • Princess • PulseHutch • RADIO BRUMAS • Revolutions de Rythme • RGM • RGMS Radio • Roadie Music • Savoy Truffle Tunes • Sinusoidal Music • songplode • Sonidos Urbanos • Splendiferous Pioneer • Swiispa • Testing Melodies • The Best Rock • The Gatekeeper Space • The Interviewist • The Musical Road • The Other Side Reviews • The Whistling Traveller • This Is The Scene • TJPL Media Network • Tompo Team • TrackTallyUK • Unleash The Fury • Unrecorded • Voxwave Magazine • We Write About Music • what good is living • World Of Music • Yokai Circle • Ze Rock Porto Recommends

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LLIVELY Music Presents at Durham Fringe Festival

The first time I met Maria was while volunteering at Ouseburn Festival, the second time was a lot less of a fleeting meeting, as we both joined Curated Place’s Creative Producer Course. She introduced me to the Durham Fringe Festival, and from the moment she mentioned it I knew that I wanted to experience the festival and take part, in one way or another. I ended up applying to host a showcase and got in, I got two hour long slots at the festival on the Palace Green, right in front of Durham’s stunning cathedral. There isn’t a more solemn, beautiful and inspiring place to organise a showcase, or at least, I haven’t found one yet…

On Wednesday the 29th of July Tim Gambles and Joe Doonan shared the stage, as they share a band, inspirations and friendship groups, and they curated an hour long set made up of their own musical catalogues. A brilliant tech team made sure the sound and lightning was spot on, and an attentive audience filled the tent and brought the atmosphere we needed for an early Wednesday evening in July. Afterwards we all stayed for a drink at the Durham Fringe bar on the green, and enjoyed the summer evening slowing down on us. The next day, on Thursday the 30th of July, alternative rock outfit Abnorm took the stage. The four brought a very different atmosphere to the Palace Green, yet it was just as magical.

Great sound and lightning once again, and another incredible audience listening to the band’s fantastic rock tracks made for another wonderful evening. Durham well and truly showed up, surprised me, welcomed us all, and made me instantly want to return for more. Aside from a wonderful location that will be very hard to beat, the team that organised the festival, the creatives that ran a plethora of shows across all artforms, and the audiences that showed up, made for an incredible experience, one we hopefully will be able to keep experiencing for the foreseeable future.

Thank you, Durham Fringe Festival.