A new wave of teenage talent took to the stage at Salt Market Social’s Crossing the Tyne showcase, proving the future of live music is in incredibly creative hands.
Steve Willis has been running his youth showcases at a North Shields venue for several years. The showcases provide a stage for young performers to gain valuable workplace experience and play to a live audience, such as at his recent Crossing the Tyne event.
The new home for these events is Salt Market Social on the Fish Quay. In the quirky downstairs bar/café area, The Loading Bay is establishing itself as a very strong live music venue.
We were entertained by four up-and-coming acts: soloist Sam Iduorobo, Heart Throb, The Low Lights, and The Paradimes. It’s important to note that all performers are young teens — and not just good for their age, but genuinely talented musicians and performers in their own right.
Sam has a beautiful soul voice, accompanying himself on guitar and covering a wide range of material, from pop to show tunes. Heart Throb were new to me, having heard the other performers before, but not this band.
With a stand-in bassist from the outstanding Short Back and Shields, and a very young vocalist, they delivered a slightly nervy but accomplished set of classic rock and indie tunes.
The Low Lights are becoming showcase regulars and are growing in stature and confidence with every performance. The vocalist has terrific stage presence and a powerful rock voice — and bearing in mind the youth of the performers, it’s rare to see this level of confidence. They cover a range of rock and indie, particularly impressing with an excellent Beth Ditto cover.
Headliners, The Paradimes, are fast developing an identity of their own, having previously covered the likes of Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. They are now introducing original compositions into their sets. They wear their influences on their sleeves, but it’s a strong starting point.
The band is becoming tighter, more controlled, and increasingly confident, delivering an entertaining, crowd-pleasing set with real swagger. People are already beginning to seek them out.
One for the future — as are all the performers. It’s only opportunities like these showcases that allow young musicians to develop and progress.
I wonder how many people who heard Sam Fender at thirteen at the YMCA showcases would have predicted just how massive he would become. Who knows where the next superstars will come from?
Image credit: Wayne Bordoli
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