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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · 4d

Updated link, due to technical issues: vocal.media/beat/gig-rev...

Gig review: Driven Serious

An atmospheric evening in a wind-blasted church

vocal.media

Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · 4d

Had a top night in Sacriston, listening to Driven Serious and @millsandfarrell.bsky.social in the atmospheric surroundings of the Old Church. Small-scale, intimate, but full of beauty and energy. The photos don't do it justice, the review might: vocal.media/beat/gig-rev...

Gig review: Driven Serious

A campfire vibe at an acoustic set

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · 18d

Feels like a good moment to repost my review of the excellent Constant Noise by @benefitstheband.bsky.social

TL;DR - it's a loud slice of what we need right now.

Full review: vocal.media/beat/benefit...

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · 19d

Life after mining. Art. Videos. Sound installation. Lots of good stuff to enjoy at Going Back Brockens in Sunderland Museum. More at vocal.media/art/going-ba...

@narbiprice.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @wemakeculture.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social

Going Back Brockens

Sounds, films and paintings reflect on life after industry

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Aug 25

A bit more from Horden, where Ensemble 84 is doing exciting things on stage. Here's a review of the most recent production, Pits, People and Players, which reached the end of its run at the weekend: vocal.media/geeks/pits-p...

Pits, People and Players

Tapping into a seam of drama in Horden

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Aug 24

@narbiprice.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social @thecrackmagazine.bsky.social

Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Aug 24

Going Back Brockens is in its final week at Horden church. Meanwhile, looking back at where it began - a disused warehouse in a Bishop Auckland shopping centre - offers ideas about regenerating town centres. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/newgate-wa...

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jul 3

Following riots when Les Ballets Russes premiered the Rite of Spring in 1913, Stravinsky's music is presumably now on the blacklist.

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jul 3

Just emailed with a bit more detail on those. 300 characters doesn't give much room for conversation!

Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jul 3

As for writing, New Writing North's 'Durham Writes' project went into places like Barnard Castle (I recently interviewed a chap from Barney who was selected for the follow-up writing masterclass). He's part of the Barnard Castle Writing Group, but that maybe doesn't have the same kind of pro input.

Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jul 3

Not writing, but @joannecoates.bsky.social and Roova Arts were doing some work to try to bring creatives in North Yorks / South Durham together. Similarly, there are a few groups in Redcar & Cleveland whose reach goes into North Yorks rather than facing towards Middlesbrough.

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 24

Another write-up about Going Back Brockens, this time in North East Bylines: @narbiprice.bsky.social @nomorenowt.bsky.social @buildingculture.bsky.social

North East Bylines @northeastbylines.co.uk · Jun 24

Going Back Brockens: monuments and rhetoric after the Miners Strike
New exhibition opens

northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/goin...

Going Back Brockens: monuments and rhetoric after the Miners Strike

New exhibition opens

northeastbylines.co.uk

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 20

And shout out to @nomorenowt.bsky.social and @buildingculture.bsky.social, as well as Mine, for getting the show on the road.

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 20

Exciting times for art in Bishop Auckland with the opening of Going Back Brockens last week. Click for an interview with artist @narbiprice.bsky.social about his work. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/going-back...

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 9

I did Moscow-Beijing by train in 2005, via Mongolia. I took the scenic route and had a great time, but going direct would have taken about a week. Add three days London-Moscow overland and you're looking at 10 days. Except you can't easily travel overland to Russia these days, for obvious reasons.

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 9

This is a great production, and I got a chance to chat with Jeff for a few minutes after the performance in Durham. talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/plays-to-t...

Plays to the people!

A football-themed drama aims to hit the target outside the region's familiar venues

talkingnortheast.substack.com

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 9

One from an occasional series about interesting pubs. The Pele in Corbridge is a cracker - 700 years old, built to protect a nervous vicar from Border raids, and now a fine spot for a quick pint. More at vocal.media/proof/mine-s...

Mine's a pint: The Pele

A stronghold for strong ale

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 5

Hi,

I was over at Teesaurus Park yesterday, researching for an article about the England Coast Path in the area. Could you point me in the direction of the listing application for the dinosaurs? It's an impressive little park, and I'd love to get some background on it. Thanks, Andy.

Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Jun 3

Recently had the pleasure of a quick chat with Jeff Brown after reviewing The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre. Plenty about the importance of live performance - and the need to bring it beyond traditional stages. More at talkingnortheast.substack.com/p/plays-to-t...

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · May 25

So, some people kicked a ball around for a bit yesterday. Some of us got a bit excited. Red-and-White striped waffling available here: vocal.media/cleats/why-w...

Why we do it

A couple of hours’ of stress, a couple of moments of joy

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · May 23

It must be at least 15 years since I last reviewed a play. Until yesterday, when I got to see The Bench at Durham's Gala Theatre for @thereviewshub.bsky.social. Enjoyable show, accessible and thought-provoking. You can check out my review here: www.thereviewshub.com/the-bench-ga...

The Bench - Gala Theatre, Durham - The Reviews Hub

Writer: Jeff Brown Director: Olivia Millar-Ross Translating sport onto the stage is a thankless task. It’s impossible to top the natural drama of last-gasp goals and underdog triumphs without veering ...

www.thereviewshub.com

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · May 23

As a kid, I grew up over the road from William. This was a fascinating chance to discover more about his poetry in a fantastic new anthology jointly edited by @jakecampbell88.bsky.social and Peter Armstrong. Well worth checking out if you've an interest in contemporary poetry, or northern England.

North East Bylines @northeastbylines.co.uk · May 23

Marratide: a timely retrospective of a Wearside bard
Review of the new anthology collection by Sunderlands, poet William Martin

northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/poet...

Marratide: a timely retrospective of a Wearside bard

Review of the new anthology collection by Sunderlands, poet William Martin

northeastbylines.co.uk

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Mar 26

Thanks. Appreciate that. Especially after it crossed my mind that 'gigantic word-turd' could be sadly misconstrued!

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Mar 25

So, from time to time I'm motivated to review music. @benefitstheband.bsky.social latest album, Constant Noise, was just the motivation. A modern-day Dante's Inferno, perhaps? Read, listen, buy a copy and decide: vocal.media/beat/benefit...

Benefits: Constant Noise

From Dante to Damon Albarn, Teesside's angriest are fiery and glacial by turns

vocal.media

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Talking Northeast @talkingnortheast.bsky.social · Mar 21

Thanks for sharing this. Managed to rattle something out, and even got a bit of a joint project done with my daughter. Will add Cursed Morsels to my list for future calls.

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