Tag Archives: Newcastle

Record Store Day 2025 at Beyond Vinyl

Ever since their move from Newcastle city centre to the west end, Beyond Vinyl has been evolving into what is now a new and eclectic community hub for music and vinyl enthusiasts, so it was no surprise to see an endless queue impatiently awaiting its opening this Record Store Day. Together with David I’d organised a series of in-stores to liven up Record Store Day; I’d booked a handful of grassroots musicians from within and outside of the region to play their songs acoustically.

Local folk musician Oliver Hunt, Americana duo Hels Pattison and Zach Savage, pop rock artist Sam George, and incredible rock’n’roll artist Megan Black graced the stage and brought their mesmerising sounds to an eager audience, making Record Store Day 2025 that bit more magical. This line-up had come together through various circumstances, I’d chosen Oliver Hunt as he was about to release a new single, Hels Pattison has been making waves within the local scene and has got a musical summer coming up, Sam George is about to release his debut EP, and Scottish rockstar Megan Black had just returned from a European tour.

Despite the fact that you might not yet know these artists, behind the scenes they are working very hard to make a name for themselves and to increase their on- and offline following, with myself and Beyond Vinyl aiming to support them in their endeavours. Collaborating with venues, promoters, festivals, and record stores has always been at the core of what I do within the music industry, because bringing together those that work towards the same goal makes for the most inspiring and wonderful of work environments!

Curating Sofar Sounds

When I’m asked what it is I do, I usually simply answer “I work in music and events”, as that is a safe way of saying “a shed load of different jobs”. One of my favourite jobs, however, is one that doesn’t take up much time but always delivers in pure magic. Curating Sofar Sounds Newcastle’s monthly shows is the most gratifying volunteer role I’ve ever fulfilled. There’s a wonderful team of volunteers supporting myself and co-city leader Jay on the evening s of our events by being on the door, checking attendance, liaising with artists, helping on sound, and introducing our artists.

This week we headed to Gateshead’s co-working and independent studio space Orbis Community for another sold out evening. One of the owners of the business, JP, brought his enthusiastic self and made us feel right at home. I had met JP through one of our incredible Sofar Sounds volunteers, which is how we got the space for our event. With one of our initially confirmed artists cancelling his performance on the morning of our show, we had to find a replacement very quickly and found that in Teesside-based singer songwriter J.W. Darwin. He performed a great set of soft but exciting pop tracks, with a good amount of stage chatter in-between songs.

Next up was York/ Newcastle-based singer songwriter Jeremy M who’d sent his music through us and who we got captivated by. His softly spoken voice combined with a warm guitar sound made for a fantastic live experience, a bit more experience and stage presence and we’ve got a star in the making. Last up were Leeds-based outfit VICTORS who performed in acoustic trio form. With influences taken from Jungle and jangly pop outfits they created a very exciting and powerful performance that left us all softly swaying until the very end.

The Sofar Sounds audience is like no other; they sit and listen, interact, and appreciate. They have sold out our shows for the past 24 months, and keep showing up, either we’re doing something well, or they’re just too kind for this world. I think it’s a combination of both. It’s not always easy finding the right space for our events, as we look for the unfamiliar, the slightly odd; hairdressers, cafes at night, cinemas, cocktail bars, wherever we can fit our sound system and audience! Though not always easy, incredibly fun, it’s a task I do with pleasure, as well as finding the right artists for our line-ups, and when all’s been found, it’s meeting our wonderful audience. Every single month, Sofar Sounds is what I look forward to!

Introducing the Industry: Newcastle’s Tapyard Studios

Newcastle’s live scene is brewing and ever-growing with the recent addition of brand new live music venue Tapyard Studios. I spoke to co-owner Gabby about their plans and struggles. Read the entire interview on Music For The Misfits.

Who are you and what is Tapyard Studios? “Firstly, music is absolutely at the heart of the operation. Sam grew up playing in bands and studied music performance at Leeds college of music and then developed a love for production. He spent the next 8 years or so working as a studio and live sound engineer. Alongside his work as an engineer he ran bars over in Leeds and worked through the ranks from bartender to general manager. He always loved the idea of opening his own place.”

“I (Gabby) am currently the drummer in band Venus Grrrls, and I’ve always loved performance. Like Sam, I also studied performance at Leeds College of Music. So, in a nutshell, Tapyard Studios is the culmination of all those experiences.”

What are your plans for Tapyard Studios? “First and foremost, we’re a music venue and event space. We want to create an atmosphere where performers feel inspired to give their best, and audiences have an unforgettable experience. Aside from hosting shows, we’re a relaxed coffee setting through the day that transforms into a lively beer and food hall atmosphere by night.”

“Our philosophy is to do everything to the highest possible standard. So, while we’re working on being among the best venues in the country, our studios will be built to an elite standard, we invested in the best espresso machine on the market and had the team trained to barista standard. We’re also pouring the amazing beers through our taps, partnering with the likes of Full Circle Brew Co, Northern Monk and North Brewing Co. And on top of that, you can now get Acropolis, the kings of Greek street food, right here in our venue.”

“This blend of a killer venue, huge food and beer hall, lush coffee house and premium rehearsal rooms are all part of the long term vision. We’re gearing up to create a one stop shop where people just won’t want to leave!”

What inspired you to open up Tapyard Studios and where do you find inspiration for new business ideas? “We worked in a similar style business in Leeds. It was a key cultural hub for the city and despite the business going from strength to strength, it was forced to close simply due to a breakdown of communication between business owner and landlord. It was a tough one to swallow, but ultimately led to the formation of Tapyard Studios. Every cloud and all that…”

Highlight on… Music venues

The north east music scene is thriving, with new acts, music venues, and industry professionals rising to the surface and improving as they grow and collaborating with others within the local scene. Find most of its fantastic grassroots music venues below.

Durham

Claypath Delicatessen
Fabio’s Bar
The Angel

Gateshead

Microbus
Station East
The Central Bar
The Glasshouse ICM

Hartlepool

The Clippy
The Studio

Middlesbrough

Café Etch
Middlesbrough Town Hall
Off The Ground
PLAY BREW
The Bottled Note
The Townhouse

Newcastle

Alphabetti Theatre
Cobalt Studios CIC
Head of Steam
Mosaic Tap
Summerhill Bowling Club
Tapyard Studios
The Cluny
The Cumberland Arms
The Globe
The Grove
The John Marley Centre
The Lost Wanderer
The Little Buildings
Two By Two Brewing Taproom
Zerox’ Shooting Gallery

North Shields

Salt Market Social
The Engine Room
Three Tanner’s Bank

Stockton

ARC
KU Stockton
NE Volume Music Bar
The Georgian Theatre
The Green Room
The LINK
The Social Room

Sunderland

Independent
Otto Sunderland
Pop Recs Ltd.
The Bunker CIC
The Fire Station
The Peacock
The Ship Isis

Tynemouth

Alfie & Fin’s
Barca El Globo
King Street Social Club

You might also be interested in our list of north east-based independent promoters!

Introducing the Industry: hmv Newcastle

Breaching the barriers of the wider music industry, I decided to initiate conversations with local change makers, get to know hmv Newcastle supervisor Ritch, and read the entire interview on Music For The Misfits.

What is your role at hmv Newcastle, and what do you do besides working at hmv? “I’m a supervisor at hmv and also plan, organise and promote all the in-store events especially the Live & Local activities. Besides hmv, I can usually be found at a gig or two every week, the cinema or the best role of all, being a dad to my daughter.”

When did you start working in the role you’re in now and what inspires you to keep going? “I’ve worked for hmv since July 1999 and played a part in the events for a long time. When #hmvLiveAndLocal began in 2019 I jumped at the chance to run things.”

“A great source of inspiration has been working with the local artists. When hmv launched its own record label (1921 Records) one of my own nominations was chosen, India Arkin. Since then I’ve been even more eager to continuing helping artists where I can.”

What do you think of as the strengths of your local music scene? “We have such a wonderful community that takes care of each other. GIGCO is essential for the scene and is growing all the time. Ben and Matt have such passion and it’s great getting to work with them. Promoters such as Shin Gigs along with us having so many venues around for people to perform. You really could go to a gig every night of the week. I’ve made some amazing friends through the music scene too!”

Highlight on… Independent promoters

It was about time for a highlight on north east-based independent promoters, who take the financial risk to put on live events and help promote the bands they believe in.

456 Live
Afterlight Management
Canny Queer Collective
eastside events
F54
KU Promotions
Pillar Artists
Portions 4 Foxes
Shin Gigs
The Kids Are Solid Gold
Tyne + Queer
Wandering Oak