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BEST SELLING PRODUCTS
Interview: Nev Clay
As a child, Nev Clay recalls seeing North Shields as a ‘mystical place.’ Every Saturday, his family would take a diesel train from Benton to visit his paternal grandmother in Chirton Green. He remembers holding his breath through the series of three tunnels between the town and Tynemouth, ‘coming up for air’ in a ‘different realm’ where they would watch Doctor Who, play word games like Lexicon and marvel at a vitrified rock in the garden. Like much of Nev’s work, this story seems to overlay the ordinary with a sense of wonder, or perhaps to discover the wonder that was always there. It’s a quality that’s well in evidence on So Little Happened For So Long, his first album since 2001, released last month, and its centrepiece, ‘Cuddy’s Cave.’
Are you Affiliated?
North Shields is buzzing once again as DJ and producer Man Power (Geoff Kirkwood) follows up his triumphant collaboration with Scottish powerhouse Ewan McVicar by unveiling his next big venture: a brand-new club space inside King Street’s Phoenix House. His rallying cry — “Are you Affiliated?” — has already been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, signalling the arrival of a fresh hub for the region’s grassroots music community.
Eager for an encore: Gala 2024
From the moment the lights rose at the Parks Sports Centre, Gala 2024 revealed itself as something far more than a concert. This ambitious collaboration between the North Shields Opera Chorus, Tête à Tête Opera Company and the Royal Northern Sinfonia brought together professional musicians, community choirs, dancers and local schoolchildren in a powerful celebration of shared creativity. What unfolded was an evening rich with local pride, musical brilliance and a striking sense of togetherness – a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to create something extraordinary.
The man behind the master musicians: Ernie Scott
From surviving a wartime bombing as a baby to welcoming world-class musicians into North Shields pubs and churches, Ernie Scott’s story is one of quiet resilience and extraordinary dedication. Honoured by the Queen and cherished by his community, his lifelong commitment to classical music has brought the world to Tyneside — and left an indelible mark on the town he calls home.
I Love Opera Chorus North Shields!
At first glance, the idea sounds unlikely: opera in North Shields. A form often seen as distant or elite suddenly finding a home by the Tyne. But look closer and the picture shifts. What’s happening here is something bold and refreshing – a community coming together to create opera that belongs to them. From first-time singers standing shoulder to shoulder with professionals, to a gala performance bursting with local pride, this project proves that opera doesn’t need marble halls or velvet seats. In North Shields, it thrives on shared voices, shared stories, and a powerful sense of place.
Pete Bell: A glass three halves full kind of guy
From windmilling arms in a Salt Market Social crowd to songs that spark joy in the face of dementia, the Whodlums were more than a tribute band — they were a lifeline. At their centre is Pete Bell: North Shields born, mod-spirited, relentlessly passionate, and one of the North East’s busiest musicians. As his tribute days fade, Bell’s own music steps into the spotlight, carrying a lifetime of influence, obsession and love for the sound that shaped him.
“North Shields is the new London”: Singer-songwriter Craig Redpath on where music has taken him
While many North East musicians head for London in search of success, Cramlington singer-songwriter Craig Redpath has chosen a different path — relocating to North Shields. Drawn by its close-knit and buzzing music scene, Craig is quickly establishing himself among the area’s standout artists, blending heartfelt storytelling with infectious melodies as he enters an exciting new chapter of his career.
The Engine Room: all hands on deck
Tucked away beneath a coffee shop on Tanners Bank is a small venue with a big heart — and an outsized impact on North Shields’ cultural life. The Engine Room isn’t just a bar or a place to catch a gig; it’s the result of one man’s lifelong devotion to live music, risk-taking, and community. From punk gigs in the late ’70s to promoting sold-out shows and finally opening his own venue against the odds, Mark Elliott’s story is woven into every note played there. This is the story of how passion, persistence and a love of loud guitars helped create one of the North East’s most cherished independent music spaces.
Serenading the Streets: The Spanish City Rollers
If you’ve yet to experience the Spanish City Rollers in full swing, you’re missing a musical spectacle as unmistakably upbeat as a seagull strutting along the Whitley Bay shoreline. This vibrant brass ensemble has become a beloved fixture of North Tyneside, blending swanky brass lines, sunny melodies, and their trademark Hawaiian shirts into a feel-good soundtrack for the community.
The Hightowns: North Shields welcomes a new golden age of narrative pop
Bringing back the golden age of narrative pop, North Shields’ The Hightowns revive the rich harmonies and storytelling of legends like The Everly Brothers and Paul Heaton. Their debut album, Stories in the Walls, blends wistful lyrics, soaring harmonies, and vibrant instrumentation, capturing small-town life with humor and heart. Since forming in 2023, they’ve quickly gained attention, culminating in a sell-out album launch at The Klurb, a growing hub for local music and fresh talent.
