Lindisfarne return to The Exchange — and the North Shields story behind the band

North East legends Lindisfarne return to The Exchange in North Shields this weekend for two nights of live music on Saturday and Sunday, 14–15 February.

But beyond the sold-out gigs and decades of chart success, the Lindisfarne story is one rooted firmly in North Shields.

Founder member and celebrated songwriter Rod Clements is a North Shields lad, born and bred. The town shaped his early musical journey, and its influence runs through the band’s history.

A North Shields Beginning

Rod Clements was born in North Shields in 1947. He attended The King’s School in Tynemouth before going on to study Ancient History and Anthropology at Durham University.

His early musical years were spent performing in local blues bands The Downtown Faction and Brethren in the late 1960s. Among the venues they played was the Rex Folk Club — part of the rich grassroots music scene that helped nurture emerging talent in the town.

In 1970, from the ashes of those early bands, Clements co-founded Lindisfarne alongside Alan Hull.

That same year, he wrote the band’s first hit single, ‘Meet Me on the Corner’, a track that helped establish Lindisfarne as one of the defining voices of the North East.

Although he left the band in 2003, Clements re-joined in 2015 and continues to perform today. Alongside his work with Lindisfarne, he has released several solo albums, including One Track Mind, and collaborated with respected musicians including Kathryn Tickell and Thea Gilmore.

Another strong local link remains within the band. Dave Hull-Denholm, from Tynemouth, is a long-standing band member and the son-in-law of Alan Hull.

A Long Road Home

It has been a long and winding road from North Shields to stages across the UK and beyond.

During last night’s performance, Rod reflected on the band’s enduring legacy, joking that after 55 years he has finally been given a line to sing in the Geordie anthem ‘Fog on the Tyne’.

“I never thought that 55 years later, I’d be singing it on a stage in North Shields,” he said.

Across his career, Clements has taken on vocals as well as guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin and violin — a testament to both longevity and versatility.

A Lasting Influence

Lindisfarne continue to draw from their extensive back catalogue, performing narrative-driven songs with strong choruses and melodies that have stood the test of time.

Their sound continues to influence a new generation of North East artists — including Sam Fender, who has spoken openly about his admiration for Alan Hull and the band.

As the band return to North Shields once more, it is clear that while their music has travelled far, its roots remain firmly planted in home soil.

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