FREEwww.manifestosunderland.com

SPLIT / Local Interview / News / Reviews / Gig Listings / Top Fives

Issue #22 - September/October

ATANSCHARLATANSCHARLATANSCHARLATANSTHE

WIN

TICKETS

SPLIT

Contents

14SPLIT Festival’s Sunday headliners The Charlatans pop up as Guest Editors and tell us who to toast a keg to over the weekend.

Say Hello To...

6

EditorialSandancing wordsmith Emma Howe is the lady in charge here

at Manifesto, she gives us her bit 12 pence worth to kick off the issue.

4

Local NewsAnnouncements. Write Of Way. New Releases. July/Aug Diary. A

bit of Dance and a SPLIT Spot Prize. 9

This MonthWe get nosey and cosy with Joe Frankland (Generator) and ex-

skinny, now slender twin Adam Smith.12

Spotlight On...the re-named, re-jigged Echohead and a certain Miss

Natasha Haws, both firmly on the cusp.13

Review: CDsYou know the drill... Pick of the month and some cracking

releases.18

SPLIT Transmission/ParadeA certain TR (that’s Tom

Robinson to you ordinary folk), will be popping down to Holmeside to throw a 15 hour pre-split-party of non-stop music.

14

SPLIT FestivalThe main event rolls into town, we get the low-down on

headliners and local acts. Apparently there is room for a tea-party too???

15

Interview

Topping the bill at Transmission, the hottest folk ticket in town Martin Longstaff gives us his views on being this year’s stand-out go-to-guy.

16

Review: LiveJuly/August may have been a pretty quiet time on the live circuit,

but we still went along to some corkers.21

Top FivesNot so regular entries from the not so regular-regulars down

at The Bunker.23

The FixAll the latest from the Sparkies, apparently there’s

fresh meat in town!26

ListingsLocal gigage to tide you over in September/October.24

Athl

etes

in

PAr

is

03www.manifestosunderland.com

Editorial 04

22#

EDITOR

Emma Howe

GUEST EDITOR

The CharlatansDESIGN

Rare Bit rabbit@rare-bit.com

WORDS

Nic Wright, Seb & Liam, Bekka Collins, Trader Hog, Emma Howe

PHOTOGRAPHY

Anna Miller, Ian West, Nic Wright

www.manifestosunderland.comEMAIL

info@manifestosunderland.comemma@manifestosunderland.com

FACEBOOK

‘Manifesto Magazine‘ONLINE EDITOR

Nic WrightMANIFESTO MAGAzINE

29 Stockton RdSunderland, SR2 7AQ

RING

Tel: 0191 567 1777

L

E.H.Emma Howe, Editor

First up, a couple of shout-outs. A big obese sized one to our new designer at Manifesto Magazine, Rare Bit! I’m sure you will agree that our little pocket-rocket is looking finely spruced up and thickened to give you a more info packed,

sexy #22 to fit in the back pocket of your tight little pants! Speaking of tight little pants, a massive congrats to Richard Smith (Chased By Wolves) and our friends at Little River. The first publication of the local fanzine went down a storm and is great to have a bit of a rival to keep us on our toes and ensure Sunderland gets all of the info it needs from a pool of talented local writers.

Now…pass me my beehive, a pack of 20 and cue ‘Back To Black’. It would be wrong to go without mentioning the death of Amy Winehouse, but I will keep it brief. In my opinion, it’s pretty straight forward. Addiction is an illness and Amy Winehouse is nothing but a sad lesson and a great loss to British Music.

99% of you will be joining me in chomping at the bit to tuck into a month of great importance for the city. With Manifesto 22 in one hand and a crisp cold cider in the other, we give you the ins and outs of a full-to-the-musical-brim month in Sunderland. Evo is a distant memory, Ignition was an epic fail, but the time has arrived for SPLIT FESTIVAL to pull-out its little black book and show some Viking spirit. This year organisers, or Futureheads and a fella called Rob, are going to extreme lengths to make sure we see the festival enjoys its best year yet (I hear there are rumours of Shamu in a tub)! Here at Manifesto we flexed our guns to bring you this issues Guest Editor’s The Charlatans. There will be a hoard purchasing a weekend ticket for the event this summer, if only to lubricate themselves fully and one whole day in advance, for the arrival of the Brit Pop legends. With SPLIT PROCESSION & TRANSMISSION giving a much deserved build up and opportunity to some of our best talent, T.R will be getting a pretty dandy view alongside myself and Barry Hyde to watch, amongst others, our Local Interview subject, and current folk prince The Lake Poets.

Elsewhere in our ever-expanding edition, we’ve warm’n’fuzzy introductions of the latest talent including my favourite new kid on the block (oh,oh,oh,oh,oh) and current goosebumper Natasha Haws, live reviews of dapper-electro-beat-god Razamataz Lorry Excitement and biggest cock’s in town B>E>A>K.

Take a breath. Give yourself a slap. Yes, this is Manifesto. But not as you know it. Welcome to a new era….now dig in!

Amy Whinehouse

06

Words: Emma Howe

SPLIT 2011 has moved on from a local-singalong-Sunday with one of our own home-grown members of music royalty, to attract one of the biggest names of the Brit Pop era. The Charlatans in figures are impressive enough.11 studio albums, 3 of them sitting pretty at #1 spot. 17 top 30 singles. 4 top 10 hits and 4 months in prison between them! With a number of festival appearances under their belt already this Summer, we caught up with one of the most recognised sounds of the 90’s, to find out just what festival’s mean to them and why lil ol SPLIT was part of the bands green grass calendar this time round.

SPLIT has a unique ethos where family and the old Viking traditions of Sunderland will be firmly in place. An ethos that is saluted by the Charlatans themselves ‘we (Britain) have a bit of a mend and make-do attitude, that’s what is great about these smaller festivals. We seem to love getting together in groups, and now families are attending festivals instead of going to Skegness. I dig the easy access; the bigger festivals are like playing a game of golf. I do like the more intimate festivals where the music seems to be going on in the background’.

The Futureheads may be the driving force of SPLIT as our local curators, however The Charlatans have lent their own inspirational might to curating stages at festivals across the UK, including Isle Of White and most recently the Friends Of Mine Festival

earlier in the summer. The band are yet to take on a full weekend of their own, although they approve of the idea of bands in charge, ‘it would probably be chaos because bands are notoriously bad at organising stuff, at least our band is. From an artistic point of view, bands will probably be better at picking bands who complement each other and music will be paramount. It’s great that bands do it rather than dodgy promoters. It seems with SPLIT they are trying to do something different, there is a family vibe that I like, free and easy. Nobody is going to be off their nuts, everybody (at this kind of festival) is more chilled. We have mellowed considerably in our years’.

But just what would a ‘Charlatans Fest’

What is it about festivals eh? Space and time away from everyday life in which intense and extraordinary

experiences can be created and shared (well that’s the definition). It’s the mythical stories that come

in a 3x3 box of shit in the middle of a field (poo girl- Leeds). The dirty burgers and salty noodles on

offer until 5am. T-shirt, legging and welly combinations that make even the biggest munta do-able.

Mud flavoured cider and days upon days of background music that includes and anthem or two and

surprise and a few. For most, it’s all of the above. A decent festival should be a full assault on all of the

senses, that’s agreed. However, there must be that name, that draw, that little collection of letters that

captures the build-up to an event as well as selling a few more tickets. That name which creates a buzz

from the poster right the way through to the final performance of the weekend. Headliners MUST have

the final say! Occupying sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste in one ultimate attack!

Guest Editors

Guest Editors This Month...NORTH COUNTRY BOYS

be like? ‘We would definitely have it indoors, and have a marquee thing going on. It would have to be a festival/rave so you could switch from live acts to dj’s, covering both angles from live music to a club vibe. It would be family friendly, but have an inner city vibe, get it located in an urban area. Bit of concrete flooring. Just off the top of my head ’.

SPLIT seems to have a similar feel to what The Charlatans would do themselves in most senses of the ‘festival’ idea, although I’m not sure how Rob would feel about laying down concrete on his wicket. As stalwarts of the UK Festival scene, what is it we can look forward to from a Madchester band who held all of the melodicism of The Stone Roses and maverick brilliance

of The Happy Mondays in one whole workmanlike groove ‘We could just put one track from every record in our set. We normally try to cover each album we have done, but at festivals we have to play stuff that people would instantly recognise, because it’s only fair. A festival is about putting together an entertaining vibe and doing the best for everybody. We have to make sure everybody feels part of it. If it’s not going well at least we know we have tracks like ‘The Only One I Know’.

We have a couple of ones that have been on the radio so it helps’. Well then, if that hasn’t made you reach for the scissors to apply a ‘Burgess Bowl’, then give yourself a sharp pinch and take a look at what the lads are tipping as stand

out performances to watch from the rest of this year’s line-up. ‘Well it’s all about preferences but: The Drums because they’re ace and Connor is a friend of Tim’s. Mystery Jets because they’re great guys and have totally done it all their own way, they even had their dad in the band for a while - that’s pretty unique and the singer reminds me of Brian Jones - very charming, very handsome. B E A K definitely! Beth Orton, we have a longstanding friendship with Beth that goes back to 92 -93. And any other Charlatan Tips, ‘have a big fry up before and after, avoid the cider as long as possible and #1 essential MONEY’!

The Charlatans will headline SPLIT Festival on Sunday 18th September @ Ashbrooke Cricket Club.

Guest Editors 07

CHARLATANSTHE

www.manifestosunderland.com

Local News 09

What better way for Frankie & The Heartstrings to round off a ridiculously successful year than with a national tour warming up crowds for The Vaccines? Frankie and the boys will be hitting the road with the band during their thirteen date November/December tour. And they’ll be hosting special ‘Pop Sex’ club nights along the way.

The running order for Split Festival’s Fringe Tent has been revealed, boasting the cream of local talent as well as top bands from around the country. Paul Mullen, The Lake Poets, Chased by Wolves, The Union Choir, This Little Bird, Ajimal and Withered Hand appear on Saturday, while Sunday will see performances by Nev Clay, Skylark Song, Michael Rolfe, The Railway Club, Matt Stalker and Fables, and Morris Ford. We all like to do our bit for charity, don’t we? Well on the 10th of September, you’ve got the opportunity to help disadvantaged kids and gorge yourself on fantastic music while you’re at it. Win win eh? COLOURS are holding an evening of music at The Cluny to raise money for Children North East, with a bit of help from Matt Stalker & Fables, Adam James Cooper, Ajimal, Athletes In Paris, Morris Ford, This Little Bird, Nev Clay and N.E.D. My Other Life head out on an 8 date tour across the UK, starting in the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on the 29th September and finishing on home turf on the 8th October @ The Bridge Hotel.

Bunker Dance has been doing its bit to promote and support local House and Techno DJ’s and Producers since its formation in 2009. Based at The Bunker (well I never!), Bunker Dance founders Seb and Liam are working in house to ensure that Sunderland music is championed within the North East Dance Scene.

Since 2010, Bunker Dance have expanded into Workshops and Recording sections. Their most recent project is with producer Leon Thompson. The two have teamed up to offer an exclusive remix competition to celebrate the launch of Leon’s new album You Can Run But You Can’t Hide (see page 19).

You can enter your remix of album tracks “Free Love” and/or “Can’t Hide” and be in with a chance to appear on the single and get a special vinyl pressing of your mix! This is a great opportunity for aspiring Producers and DJ’s in the area.

For further information on how to enter go to www.facebook.com/bunkerdance

AnnouncementsBunker Dance

CompetitionThe organisers of SPLIT have very kindly offered our readers the chance to win 2 Weekend Tickets to this year’s Festival on the 17th & 18th of September. Simply go to our website www.manifestosunderland.com and answer the question below and another online, to be in with a chance to win.

Q: Who headlined the Sunday of last year’s SPLIT Festival?

Find out more about the Bunker

Matt Stalker

www.manifestosunderland.com

Local News 10

In the days of D.I.Y music interaction,

brought to us by the digital age, it is easy

to assume that everything is there for

you at the click of a button. Wrong.

More so, 5 years ago, before every man with a guitar and a laptop began swamping

the internet resulting in a lot of gig promoters and pluggers not bothering to listen

anymore, the task became harder again for the unsigned band to get attention.

Being an artist today consists of around 5% playing and 90% promotion (another

5% goes toward showing off and trying to look cool). Blogs, reviews, gigs and

networking outside your own area, selling

tickets to make ends meet, it all piles on

top of the pressure to actually be decent at

playing instruments together.

If you’re interested in spending more

time in the practice room hoping to build

yourself musically rather than sitting in

front of a screen trying to create fake hype,

then an extra person in the background, ‘a

manager’, can certainly be a bonus. Some

tips….make sure they aren’t in it for the

money because, well, there is none. They’ll

need to be in it for the long haul and

believe in the band as much as you do.

Work together harmoniously and you’re in

with a chance.

July 15th

B>E>A>K flew into

IndeP and Martin

Longstaff, the Sax God

appeared

July 24th

25,000 people are

gathered in South

Shields to see Joe

McFluffy

July 28th

Transmission Picks are

in and on route to Mr

Robinson

Aug 4th

Ignition Fest

offices are magically

stripped and abandoned

overnight

Aug 10th

The Countdown

begins...1 month until

Parade hits Holmeside.

Bring on the trumpets!

Aug 13th

Kenny. S and Ben. W

are seen bumping and

grinding furiously to

Village Soul in IndeP

Write Of Way

All in on breath now; Popstrel Hattie Murdoch released EP ‘Ocean Floor’ on 7th August, Athletes in Paris’ ‘Heartbeat’ was re-released on 8th August, as was Young Liar’s monstrous ‘EP1’. Hyde and Beast finally unveiled début album ‘Slow Down’ on 15th August, the same day as The Union Choir brought out single ‘Eleanor’. Sonner launch their debut EP at Independent on September 3rd. So What Robot’s debut single ‘A Girl Who Reads’ came out August 21st, followed by The Jar Family’s ‘Poolie Strut’ on August 22nd. Minotaurs will release the full-length ‘Eat Yr Hate’ on 5th September. Retriever and Cult Image’s split 7”, ‘Arms Out Wide/Little Black Cloud’ is released on September 10th. The Kush’s ‘Aniseed’ single comes out 26thSeptember. Hollywood and Vines ‘Ocean Beach Fair’ gets a re-release sometime in October. (heavy panting!)

Releases

The view from a man in Sunderland, in a band, Traderhog.

CALLING ALL SCRIBBLERSIf you have a bit of a passion for what’s going on in and around local music, get in touch with us @ Manifesto Towers. We are looking for some new-blood to get involved in our reviews, interviews and news pages. There will also be plenty of opportunities to get involved in writing for our website:www.manifestosunderland.com

If you are interested email our Editor emma@manifestosunderland.com

This Month 12

This month we catch up with two of the big players in events leading up to SPLIT. Well-known local promoter Adam Smith, aka Smiffy, will be kicking off SPLIT Parade at Cosa Nostra on Holmeside, with a unique party in partnership with Barry Hyde and The Bunker. Joe Frankland of Generator brings Transmission to Sunderland for the first time and with it the opportunity for selected bands to impress 6music’s Tom Robinson.

Adam Smith /// Skinny Twins

Joe Frankland /// Generator

Listening to…Loads of new stuff, Summer Camp, Crocodiles, 12 Dirty Bullets, Folks, The Draymin, Fiction, Best Coast. Some older stuff too, Laura Marling, Ella Fitzgerald, Flogging Molly, The Pogues, Bellowhead & Maximo Park.

Reading…I haven’t been reading much lately, shame! I really want to get round to reading The Death of Grass, not really my type of book but I keep hearing good things about it! Or I have always fancied the book that the Godfather was based on, I bet that’s mint!

Watching…I’m afraid the missus has control over the T.V at the moment so its Desperate Housewives, I’ll admit I have actually started to get into it! I am always watching a few of the classic, old

music DVD’s too like The Last Waltz, Help (which I only watched for the first time recently) and Rude Boi (The Clash)

Going to… A friend of mine is promoting a British Heart Foundation gig in Cosa Nostra on the 27th of August, they are normally a really good night! Also I have Chris Helme coming down to 7even on October 1st, can’t wait for that.

Listening to…Month of Fridays bands Clock Opera, Eagulls and The Jezabels are all amazing and the latest album by The Antlers. Locally, I’m really looking forward to hearing Toyger’s new recordings, we’ve discovered the very talented Mary Sends Out Warning, and I’m liking Cottage Industries and Tiny Lights, two great DIY labels. I’ll no doubt still have ‘Shuffle’ by Bombay Bicycle Club stuck in my head. Can’t wait for the album.

Reading…I rarely get the chance/inclination to get stuck into books. Recent holiday reading has been very Scandinavian (Nesbo, Larsson and Mankell). Perhaps

I’ll finally get round to reading my John Peel biography, or I must just read Dylan’s Chronicles again. That and loads of music blogs.

Watching…TV: At the time of writing, Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 8 isn’t yet on UK TV so I’ll be resisting the temptation to watch that online. I’m liking The Hour so far which is filling the Mad Men void for a few months.Films: I’m intrigued by ‘Drive’ and will be trying to avoid seeing Crazy Sexy Love with my girlfriend!I’ll probably get a few more viewings of ‘Barney’s Version’ in - it’s my favourite film for a long time.

Going to… A few friends and I are putting on a series of gigs every Friday in September at Cluny 2, Newcastle. It’s a chance to bring our favourite bands to the North East while showing off the amazing bands in the region. Check out www.monthoffridays.tumblr.com for details. Between these gigs, I’ll be checking out Slow Club, Emmy the Great and of course Split Festival and Split Transmission.

Spotlight On 13

Having played her first, and to date, only, proper gig two months ago, Natasha Haws is climbing the local musical ladder pretty fast. Spotted at one of her regular buskers’ turns in East Boldon, the South Shields teenager was quickly scooped up to become Spark FM’s very first ‘New Generation’ act and play at the Local Music Night down at The Ivy House.

TThe budding singer/songwriter reluctantly accepted her star potential after a set littered with delicate covers and soulful original tracks, and soon set about writing more of her own material. Now having secured a bit of an advisor/manager/pain in the backside, Natasha is set to lay down her whispy-voiced tracks for her début EP in record time, further evidence that this new talent has special and natural songwriting ability. “The writing’s going well, happening slowly but surely. I’ve never been somebody who can just chuck out a song for the craic, but when I have something to write about it comes together fairly quickly.” Natasha is currently honing her live set out of the spotlight in preparation for her return to the stage, which will stand as good practise for her spot at Split Transmission in September. “It’s fair to say I’m crapping myself for it,” she says. “It’s madness that a group of people thought I was good enough to play. It’s just me, and after all, I wrote my first ever song in April. Bloody madness.”

Natasha has been selected to play @ SPLIT Transmission on 10th September

If your lead singer upped and moved to New York, most bands would probably concede defeat. Not Vintage Revolution though. Instead, they’ve closed the door on the old days and reformed as Echohead. Now consisting of David Stothard on guitar/vocals, Tom Booth on vocals/synth/guitar and Daniel Laidler on drums, new blood has been added with Tim Hassell, formerly of Slow Train, on bass, whose inclusion in the band was based largely on his fascination with Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing.

The band is already developing a fresh new sound in their new guise; “Echohead is different to Vintage Revolution as we’ve matured as individual musicians and our tastes have developed,” they say. “We try to take it in a way that the listener isn’t going to expect. It’s important to constantly write and preview new material live, otherwise it gets stale.” They’ve already popped their gig cherry, drawing comparisons with acts as diverse as Foals, Queens of the Stone Age and Belle & Sebastian.

Echohead also feel the addition of another vocalist has broadened their sound; “We see it as a way of making our set more unpredictable and exciting.” And it’s a sound that is clearly being taken on board by new and old fans alike, with the band scoring gigs in Newcastle, Sunderland and even Manchester in the next month. Words: Nic Wright

Natasha Haws

Echohead

www.manifestosunderland.com

SPLIT Transmission/Parade 14

Kicking off the parade will be a mingling and nibbles party at Cosa Nostra with a folky twist. The newest of the night’s venues will play host to the industry’s biggest wigs and many of the musicians playing and/or organising Split.

This is an invite event, where everybody is invited.. Canapés digested and bubbly quaffed, the party will then shift to Plugged Inn. Leading the party-goers up to Holmeside, like mad, feathery Pied Pipers, will be everyone’s favourite ornithological instrumentalists, B>E>A>K and special guests. Once safely deposited at Plugged Inn a flurry of top local bands will perform before a final migration over the road to Independent’s Little Room, where Split alumni and those collected on route will be treated to another littering of top local acts. The night will end with some massive electro beats, with deck-fondlers Razmataz Lorry Excitement and Warm Digits getting the toes tapping in the main room.

And all of this before the festival’s even started. Sometimes I think we’re just showing off. Words: Nic Wright

After all that, the party continues well into the night with SPLIT Parade. A spectacular street party with added musical fabulousness, the procession-like event will play out like a giant music-fuelled bar-crawl, making stops along the way for gigs in our best-loved venues.

Split Festival; it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Not content with offering up a storming line-up as Sunderland’s biggest and best music festival, the Saturday before the big weekend itself will be jammed full of more local talent than you could shake a stick at.

Under the banner of Split Transmission, Camp Split and Generator will be putting on a day of brilliant music from the cream of our upcoming crop. On the 10th September, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens will showcase five acts plucked from the whopping 146 artists that applied to play. Eyeing them up will be, not only an eager audience of fans but a panel of industry experts.

The Futureheads Barry Hyde, BBC6Music’s Tom Robinson and our very own Editor and Producer of Spark FM’s Local Music Show, Emma Howe, will be on hand to offer advice to the young guns. And they’ll be in good company too, with

previous Transmission events having uncovered and lent support to favourites like Let’s Buy Happiness, Chased by Wolves and Vinyl Jacket. Could this be the start of a potential love affair for Tom (a well-known North East music geek) with those hand-picked to perform including, Mausi, Railway Club, Natasha Haws, Comets and Static Line Parachute?

Headlining the event will be two local acts already generating a buzz throughout the region and beyond. Groove-pop band Athletes in Paris will be bringing the funk, joining honey-voiced folk sensation The Lake Poets to wrap up what promises to be a striking day of local music.

Joe Frankland Musician Support Manager at Generator says “Generator, Split Festival and The Bunker were absolutely blown away, both by the sheer number of submissions and the quality of music we were sent from

North East artists. Transmission is gaining a reputation now for unearthing the best new and young artists in the North East and we’re confident this event will showcase influential artists of the future.

FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Soak them feet and pick those feathers from your hair, there is no time to rest as the Parade comes to an end and September 17th and 18th arrives to see the musical festivities take hold of Sunderland for the second weekend in a row. Whilst we can’t predict the weather, we can however assure you that the 3rd year of the event at Ashbrooke Sports Club will be bigger than ever before, with a brand new festival ethos and bigger names on the bill than in any previous year. Expect a family atmosphere with some great live music from some of the biggest names in music today and a collection of top local bands.

Established by Sunderland’s finest The Futureheads, SPLIT Festival is set to be more impressive than ever. Saturday will see some infectious indie-pop tunes with American headliners The Drums, who recently became well known in the UK for their memorable summer anthem “Let’s Go Surfing”, alongside dance-worthy indie treats such as “Two Doors Down” “Young Love” and “Serotonin” from UK Southerners, Mystery Jets. Not to mention some of the North East’s finest talent such as

Little Comets, B>E>A>K, Vinyl Jacket and Shields, who will be gracing the stage alongside other notable upcoming acts The Rifles, Dutch Uncles and Spector who are bound to pull off some powerful and captivating performances.

If that wasn’t already enough, the ‘Fringe Tent’ which will feature some fantastic folk music and comedy presented by The Laughing Penguin. This is a dark horse of a tent, harbouring talent such as Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers, The Lake Poets and Paul Mullen of The Automatic among many

others throughout the day. With such an impressive roster of talent, it’s hard to believe that there’s another day to go.Sunday opens its erm doors/field to our Guest Editors The Charlatans. Well known for their dominance, strong stage presence and overall inspirational demeanour within the Brit Pop era, their uplifting tracks, with hard-hitting melodies and harnessed vocals are bound to please the crowd. Hometown favourites, Frankie & The Heartstrings are also set to play Sunday’s stage, with their irresistible indie-rock tracks and local hometown fan base.

Sunday holds a promising line up from start to finish. With other mentionable acts such as punk lovers The King Blues, grunge-rockers Dinosaur Pile-up and Sunderland’s hottest band today, Hyde & Beast also on the bill. It’s fair to say that SPLIT are certainly living up to their name of producing a top-quality festival. When it was announced at the SPLIT Launch that Barry Hyde would be solely in charge of food, taste buds tweaked! Not because Hyde is a masterchef, no! Because it guarantees as much enthusiasm will be put into the whole atmosphere of the festival experience as the superb billing, and that is a mouth- watering prospect. The produce will be sourced from the local area and available at reasonable Northern prices, actually I think there is a masterchef in the mix after all.

Early Bird tickets are £35 for the full weekend or £20 per day until September 1st. Full Weekend tickets are then £40 and individual tickets £25. You can buy your tickets from Hotrats, ALS, RPM or online via Splitfestival.com and Seetickets.com. Words: Bekka Collins

SPLIT festival 15

The Drums

Little Comets

www.manifestosunderland.com

Interview 16

EH: Give us a 3 point evolution of the Lake Poets

ML: 1. I started The Lake Poets in April 2010 as a result of my Grandads death. He was a big influence on me growing up, he came from nothing, worked very hard in the Shipyards all his life & I loved him & respected him very much. His death made me realise that life is fleeting & you’ve got to endeavour to do the things you love, before it’s too late.

2. I recorded four songs in my room that I had written, put them on Myspace and then a few weeks later Ben Wall from Independent kindly asked me to support American Musician ‘Lauren Pritchard’ & that was my first proper gig as TLP.

3. I started getting better gigs, through meeting loads of mint people through the music I was making & the gigs I was going to see locally. Without any representation, agent or management we’ve proudly managed to go on a UK tour, win a Regional Music Competition as well as play slots a Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Evolution & Split Festivals.

EH: You are part of a whole host of events under the SPLIT banner this year, including the main festival itself. As a local lad, how does it feel to be involved in the most important music event in the City?

ML: It’s an absolute honour to be involved in the most exciting

local festival there is, especially as it’s in my home town. I’ve been lucky enough not only to be have been asked to play the festival itself with both of the bands I am in, but also help organise the running of the Acoustic Fringe Tent, I am very grateful. To top it off the Split Transmission event in the beautiful Winter Gardens is something I am very excited to play.

EH: Which event are you most looking forward to, being part of the procession at SPLIT Parade, The Transmission event with Tom Robinson or SPLIT itself?

ML: To be honest I’m looking forward to the lot, I’m the type of person that takes each day as it comes & at each event whether it be with The Lake Poets or B>E>A>K I know we’ll be giving it our all & having a class time.

EH: You have been involved in SPLIT in the past, how do you feel the festival has developed and how is your continued involvement evidence of your own development as an artist?

ML: The Festival has developed massively, from being organised as a small local festival by a few dedicated & enthusiastic people, it’s spread to become a regional talking point that everyone wants to be involved in. Progressing from playing it solo last year to playing it this year with both my bands, it’s a massive feeling of pride. We all just want to

Martin Longstaff///Photography:Ian West

Martin Longstaff, local lad and current darling of local music, has had a rapid rise to become one of the most recognised voices in the City under the guise of The Lake Poets. Now firmly part of the flock that is B>E>A>K, Martin will be taking to the stage no-less than 3 times between the 10th and 18th of September to firmly stake his claim as the years Mr SPLIT (or Mr Greedy)!

...andHere’s YOuMr.

SPLIT

TO

Lake Poets 17

make the Festival the best it can be. I am very thankful to Split. It’s got an amazing atmosphere and an honest, local feel. I reckon this year’s Split is going to be proper massive!

EH: People in Sunderland are pretty familiar with your stuff these days, how do you approach an event like Transmission, do you stick to what you know, or is there a temptation to throw in something crazy? Maybe whipping out your B>E>A>K sax!

ML: I’m very appreciative that people have taken the time to listen to our songs & come to our gigs, that being said we’ve still got a few tricks up our sleeve for the Transmission event! Funnily enough I’ve been toying with the idea of getting my Sax out in a few TLP tunes, Van Morrison style though, nee Kenny G or Bleeding Gums Murphy ten minute solo craic!

EH: How do you feel a side project with such a unique act like B>E>A>K has influenced you as a performer in the Lake Poets guise?

ML: Being in B>E>A>K is so liberating, it’s definitely given me more confidence

& I get a massive buzz from playing with the birds. In The Lake Poets the songs are quite personal, serious & dark in tone. It takes a lot out of you & all eyes are on me. In B>E>A>K nobody cares who I am, I get to be free & we can create a mint party atmosphere where you can lose yourself. Playing in a band with lads that I’ve looked up to all my life & whose music I admire very much is also a massive privilege.

EH: You have said in the past that money and fame are not a motivation for you, that Martin just loves to play. How do you think your lack of desperation to ‘make it’ has an impact on you as a local artist?

ML: I’m staunchly DIY in my attitude to music. If you work hard enough and are open enough I believe you can achieve anything you want to. I’ve been in bands before and I’ll be in bands in the future

and it’s always been about the fun of playing live. I’m not rich and I most likely never will be, obviously though if a big opportunity came along where I could play to more people and make a bit of money I’d be pleased, providing it’s done the right way. It’s never been

about ‘making it’ & I’ve got a strong dislike for anyone that makes music for that purpose. People like that are generally self-absorbed users & should just go on X-Factor or join a boyband or something just as awful. That’s not what music is about in my opinion.

EH: You headlined Evolution’s UMT stage this year, as well as playing an unexpected set down at Glastonbury. After SPLIT, what is left that could possibly top your summer?

ML: This summer has been amazing, I’ve got to play in a band with my best mates, play gigs with some class bands, sell out Cluny 2, perform at mint festivals and meet so many interesting, helpful and creative people it’s unreal. After Split and the Transmission event I’m not sure I could top this year! I’m indebted to Independent, Generator and Split. That saying, getting some BBC Radio play or playing ‘Shipyards’ on Jools Holland would be a dream come true, maybe something to aim for!

EH: When are you giving us an album?

ML: I have plans for an album soon, we’re going to have a break from gigging come October & hopefully get loads of writing & recording done then. Ideally I plan to get a whole host of new songs done. I’m not keen on the idea of re-recording songs that I’ve already released & got available online. I want to give people that like The Lake Poets some new songs, after all, without them I might as well be back in my room.Words: Emma Howe

Catch The Lake Poets & B>E>A>K @ Split Festival 17th & 18th September/ The Lake Poets will be headlining the Transmission event @ The Winter Gardens on the 10th September

Martin Longstaff///Photography:Ian West

www.manifestosunderland.com

Reviews:CDs 18

YOUNG LIAR – EP1 A record as sweepingly devastating as it is melodic. EP1 opens with the delicate emotive riff-picking of ‘The Line’, Lulling you into a hypnotic cocoon of sound, all the while driving itself forward into an inevitable, devastating crescendo. Majesty and power are a recurring theme throughout the EP, and while you’re getting lost in the fuzz-filled ocean that these tracks create in your skull, they’re constantly evolving, pushing themselves into something bigger and even more epic. There’s beauty and grace and a sense of otherworldliness, but also a feeling that they could

snap your neck at any given moment. A bit like sharing your room with a huge wolf. A sexy, scary wolf. 5/5 - facebook.com/youngliar

Pick of the month

SO WHAT ROBOT – A GIRL WHO READS

Formed from the ashes of Odd Shaped Head and Indigo Colon, you could expect nothing less than

mountains of quirk from new outfit So What Robot. And cheeky, off-the-wall post-punk is what debut single ‘A Girl Who Reads’ delivers. With vocals that waver between falsetto and shouty sing-alongs and a line in the intellectual, So What Robot recalls the wacky and erratic heights of art-wave bands such as Art Brut. Chirpy, literate and flaunting an edgy pop acidity, it’s a promising start for this unique little unit. 3/5 - www.sowhatrobot.com

CULT IMAGE – LITTLE BLACK CLOUDSThe polar opposite of its single mate in

every area except mighty, mighty coolness, ‘Little Black Cloud’ is a joyous piece of eighties inspired

indie done in an inimitably Northern sort of way. It’s got the jangly, echoic melodies and perky danceable riffs that recall the simplistic pop tones of Frankie and The Heartstrings, and all the singalong-ability to go with it. You can’t really ask for more from a modern indie-pop tune; it’s breezy, it’s clever and it’s makes you want to toss your head from side to side like a berk. Lovely stuff.4/5 - facebook.com/pages/Cult-Image

HATTIE MURDOCH - OCEAN FLOOR EPHattie Murdoch showcases her funky pop sound on this three track EP. ‘Black Shadow’ kicks off affairs in a very radio-friendly fashion, with a catchy chorus and drum-machine beats. The stylish, high production values continues with ‘Submarine’, towing the electro-pop line with pulsing keyboards and twinkling loops. ‘Won’t Back Down’ is a more reflective affair, all echoes and glittering finger-picking, which nicely shows off Hattie’s impressive vocal prowess. A natural successor to the Ellie Goulding alt-pop throne. 3/5 - www.hattiemurdoch.co.uk

HOLLYWOOD & VINES – WELCOME TO THE OCEAN BEACH FAIR

What starts off sounding like The Fray thankfully ends up something altogether more

satisfying. Delicate and considered, ‘Ocean Beach Fair’ boasts a bruiser of a drum track, which roots it nicely alongside piano and vocals that at times recall the early days of Arcade Fire’s frontman Win Butler. It’s got the strings and the misty eyed nostalgia that hallmarks modern indie folk, but there’s a lot going on in these 3 minutes, and this track shimmers with potential. 3/5 - facebook.com/HollywoodAndVine

RETRIEVER – ARMS OUT WIDEReleased as one side of a 7” split with Cult Image, Retriever’s half is a massive, fuzzy nightmare of a track. If you didn’t already know this band dress almost exclusively in black and leather, you could make a bloody good guess after listening to ‘Arms Out Wide’. Radiating ingenuity, restrained chaos and inimitable cool, they sound a bit like The Joy Formidable, only dressed for a funeral and soaked in reverb. Ominous and searingly powerful.5/5 - http://retriever.bandcamp.com

Reviews:CDs 19

MINOTAURS – EAT YR HATEAfter a quiet year, South Shields six-piece Minotaurs unveil their debut album, the wonderfully titled ‘Eat Yr Hate’. And you’d have to forgive them for their lengthy absence if this is the fruits that have been born of it. That it’s hard to quite pin down, is perhaps the greatest compliment it could be given. There’s shades of eighties American indie, folk and dark new-wave pop all rolled up in a vastly enjoyable and often heartbreaking work. Considered,mythical and constantly striking.4/5 - http://minotaurs.bandcamp.com

HYDE AND BEAST - NEVER COME BACKThe leading single from their debut album ‘Slow Down’, ‘Never Come Back’ is a warped, laid back slice of pop delirium, with piles of poppy fairy dust laden over its mesmerizing piano twinklings. There’s something intoxicatingly off-key about the whole thing, it’s organic and footloose and wait now there’s a TRUMPET. And all at once it becomes a huge, spine-tingling mess of brass and harmonies, and it’s nigh on impossible to keep a grin off your face.5/5 - www.hydeandbeast.co.uk

THE KUSH - ANISEED‘Aniseed’ is the début single from bluesy, ballsy rock set The Kush. Already receiving high praise from the press, the boys are being touted as the next big thing in rock and roll. Tough thing to live up to, that. But ‘Aniseed’ shows that they’re not all that far away from their hype. Any old band these days can classify themselves as ‘blues’, but not many will whack a great big brass riff in the middle of a distinctly lad-rock track. That they’re not afraid to cut their own path will serve them well. 3/5 - www.thekush.co.uk/band

Words: Nic Wright

LEON THOMPSON – FREE LOVEThis month saw Leon Thompson release his album ‘You Can Run But You Can’t Hide’ packed with 12 dance tracks. My favourite was ‘Free Love’. It’s distinctive ‘Italian House’ sound gripped me the first time I heard it. A driving off beat bass line accompanied by a piano riff provides most of the energy/groove for this track whilst an atmospheric female vocal takes centre stage throughout the track singing simple yet effective phrases. This track and Leon Thompson’s album is available to download now from Reverbnation.

ANGIE STAR – ELECTRIFY MELast week Bunker Dance had an American singer in to record 3 of her tracks. Out of the 3, the 1 that had more of a dance feel to it was ‘Electrify Me’. A simple verse/chorus pop song structure provided a stable setting for Angie’s powerful, vibrato voice. The track has an uplifting, almost euphoric quality to it and with its deep, round, club-friendly bass drum pumping away; a club remix of this track definitely wouldn’t go a miss.

THE JAR FAMILY - POOLIE STRUTMy powers of deduction lead me to believe a ‘Poolie Strut’ refers to a manner of ambulation exclusive to those from Hartlepool. As well as being the carpet-carrying swagger of Teeside dwellers, it’s also a single from song-writing collective The Jar Family. Brash rock and roll meets a thumping country rhythm section, it’s got the street smarts of Arctic Monkeys and the acoustic sensibilities of the alternative/indie set. Folk rock with swagger and nerve, what it’s certainly not short on is attitude.3/5 - www.thejarfamily.com

Bunker Dance reviews

www.manifestosunderland.com

Words: Seb Otigbah

20

Reviews:LIVE 21

B>E>A>K + Grandfather Birds @ The Little Room, Independent 15th July 2011

Opening on an appropriately avian-themed note are Newcastle’s Grandfather Birds, in their Sunderland début. The 100 capacity of The Little Room is already being stretched and there’s hardly a sardine squeezed into it that isn’t won over by Grandfather Birds’ warm, Police-tinged indie.

They’re singularly sincere performers, their stage presence as both quietening and inviting as their lush, echoic tunes. As soon as they appear B>E>A>K launch into a thrashing assault on the senses with their wild, brass-heavy instrumentals. The songs themselves are dynamic, audacious, outrageously clever and performed with the sort of exuberance and reckless abandon that fills you fit to bursting.

There’s a awareness in The Little Room tonight that we’re part of something extraordinary and surreptitious and mad. And for the privilege, you’re expected to pull your weight. That might mean donning a bird mask, playing a drum for a bit, or even, if you’re The Futureheads’ Barry Hyde, handing out individually wrapped bundles of home-made bird seed. There’s little in live music I’ve found in ten years that rivals the communal exhilaration of screaming ‘get your beak on’ at the top of your lungs while a man with a huge bill whacks a saxophone off a floor tom. The whole thing passes, all too quickly, in a massive blur of trumpet and smoke and Missy Eliot samples. You feel like you need a cigarette afterwards even if you’ve never smoked in your life. Although tonight, we’ll have to make do with Barry’s seedy treats.

www.manifestosunderland.com

Words: Nic Wright 

LIVELIVELIVELIVELIVE

Reviews:LIVE 22

“It feels like I’m gatecrashing a private party here,” remarks Ben Trenerry. Usually the front-man of alt-folk trio Is Shepherd, tonight he’s flying solo as part of Bar One’s second monthly showcase, The State of Things. And his opening comment is dead on. This small room is largely populated by drunk- mods too busy trying to chat up overdressed teenagers to listen to Ben’s bluesy acoustic tunes, which is a shame, because despite the ill-fitting venue they’re soulful and laden with melody. Another man without his band follows; Sunday Best’s Robbie McBride goes down the electric solo route with his Kings-of-Leon-esque indie-rock. It’s a rock band’s set, and as such the songs are at their best when they’re belted out with force. Nonetheless it’s a valiant and entertaining effort, and Robbie performs like a rock star.

Finally one half of lad-rockers Sonner are up for their acoustic set. It’s a set full of promise of new tracks from their forthcoming EP. It’s also a set that suffers from the band having sunk one too many beers earlier. There are bum-notes and off key vocals aplenty, though it does little to dampen the quality of the songs, and if nothing else serves as a wobbly but passable enticement for their new material.

The State of Things #2 @ Barone, 13th August

Young guns Rover are a pleasant surprise; a group of teenage boys who can throw together a wicked post-hardcore tune with vigour. Their drummer in particular impresses, and even with a cast on his leg, cracks out the beats like a humanoid metronome with an afro. Gallery Circus, strong contenders for the ‘most entertaining band on the circuit’ crown, screech and thrash their way through a set of viscerally clamorous tracks , wearing their guts on their sleeves with a raw energy that’s nothing if not infectious. Finally Kev Dosdale, the man behind the buttons of Razmataz Lorry Excitement, takes his place behind a fortress of decks and sampling machines and unleashes wave after wave of deafening sonic euphoria. There’s people throwing shapes like its 1992 and the ecstasy’s being dished out like smarties, high as kites on desperately exhilarating fat electro beats. And it doesn’t stop until he runs out of tunes.

Razmataz Lorry Excitement + Gallery Circus + Rover @ Ashbrooke Cricket Club, 23rd July

The Ivy House has never been a venue known for its ability to hush when an acoustic act takes to the stage, however tonight a certain Miss Haws comes up trumps. The crowd is packed with those eager to catch a night of lad-laden-indie-rock, but within the first few lines of some questionably brilliant banter they immediately become transfixed with the delicate, poised lyrics of a beautifully crafted set from a girl, surely at the beginnings of something full of promise. Somewhat unknown, Natasha Haws makes more than a few sit-down and pay attention in a room, very much lacking in seats.Next up are fellow cherub faced newbies Dalaro. There is plenty in this performance to suggest the band are growing into a re-jigged 3-piece quickly and if their song-writing matures as quickly as their outfits and stage presence has in the last 6 months, they too show the kind of capacity to become as good a live outfit as the more ‘experienced’ The Soviets. The family duo at the forefront of this band epitomise what it is to make live performances your bread and butter. There are easily identifiable influences in their sound that make the set familiar and easy listening. There is a reason this band seem to have brought the biggest following of the night; a mix of well-crafted songs and a fun well-honed live show. A note that should be taken from final band Spray On Jeans. In my opinion this band have one of the most natural songwriting abilities of any young outfit in the area. Maybe it was an over-eagerness to impress but at times the set was lost in nerves. There were still enough moments of scientifically quantifiable indie-pop-gems to prove that even nerves won’t stop this potentially hit-stuffed four piece from getting better.

Words: Emma Howe

Spark Local Music Night #3 - Spray On Jeans + The Soviets + Dalaro + Natasha Haws @ The Ivy House, 4th August

Words: Nic Wright

LIVELIVELIVELIVELIVE

Top Fives 23

Top 5 road trip games...1. Spot the munta2. I Spy3. Change lanes without looking4. Guess the intro5. Putting up random windscreen wipers at service station

Top 5 Post Summer- blues actions...1. Buying your first knitted jumper2. Putting your change from Greece in a memory bag3. Spraying a little bit of factor 10 on you to keep the smell4. Making a playlist fo yourfestival highlights5. Booking next years holiday

Top 5 questions you answer immediately with a lie...1. Did you like my bands 12 track demo2. How many birds/fellas have you had3. Is that brown stain on the toilet yours4. Doctor: ‘How many units do you drink a week’5. Does my bum look big in this

Top 5 outdoor activities...1. Alnwick Castle Adventure Centre2. Swimming in the Seychelles3. SPLIT Festival 20114. Spontaneous roof-top gig attendance (Jan 1969)5. Blocker

Top 5 texts to get when you’re at work...1. Fancy a pint tonight2. Your teas ready for you when you get home3. Im ready for you when you get home4. Congratulations you have justwon the lottery5. Mike Ashley has just sold the entire first team

Top 5 songs that encourage you to spell...1. D.I.S.C.O- Ottawan2. You Ugly (U.G.L.Y you aint got no alibi)- Daphne & Celeste3. Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani4. F.E.A.R- Ian Brown5. Lola- The Kinks

Bailey

Simon 1

Cowie

Dan

Kris

Simon 2

www.manifestosunderland.com

Listings 24

SEPTEMBER& OCTOBER /////GIG LISTInGS1st September /////////////////////////////

Apache Viking + Hungry Ghosts + Mickey Greatbach @ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

10th September ////////////////////////////

SPLIT Transmission: Static Line Parachute + Comets + Mausi + Natasha Haws + The Railway Club + Athletes in Paris + The Lake Poets@ Sunderland Winter Gardens, 12-5pm, FREE

10th September ////////////////////////////

COLOURS: Matt Stalker & Fables + Adam James Cooper + Ajimal + Athletes in Paris + Morris Ford + This Little Bird + Nev Clay + N.E.D@ The Cluny, Newcastle, 4pm, £5

12th September //////////////////////////// Airship @ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £6

15th September //////////////////////////// Unplugged + Dennis + Brucey Ripper@ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

16th September ////////////////////////////

Official Split Festival Warm Up: Emil Friis + Gallery Circus + Final Flash @ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £4 or FREE to Split ticket holders.

“After ‘Transmission’ and ‘Parade’, Inde P presents you with your last chance to get into gear before Split’s main event. And it’s a gig as international as it’s big festival daddy. Danish Old/Friends Bookends veteran Emil Friis headlines the official warm up party in Independent’s cosy Little Room. Also playing are wailing blues-rock twosome Gallery Circus and Final Flash, who join us all the way from Montreal. As an cheeky added bonus, if you’ve got a Split Festival ticket, you get in for absolutely diddley squat. Spoilt you lot are.”

17th - 18th September //////////////////////

Split Festival@ Ashbrooke Cricket Club, Sunderland

19th September ////////////////////////////

‘New Music Tour’ hosted by Sara Cox and featuring quality bands@ North Shore, 9pm.

21st September ////////////////////////////

S Club School Disco featuring S Club 3 live@ North Shore, 9pm

22nd September ////////////////////////////

Among Brothers @ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £6

24th September ////////////////////////////

Folks@ Plugged Inn, 8pm, £3 24th - 25th September //////////////////////

Kennyfest@ Independent, 2pm, £8

Emil Friis

Listings 25

29th September /////////////

The Railway Club + The Bluebuds@ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

29th September /////////////

Neil Buchanan & Marseille+ support@ North Shore, 7.30pm

30th September /////////////

The Silence + Warning + Masamune@ Arts Centre Washington , 8pm £4

30th September /////////////

Definitely Might Be + Changing Man + Sunday Best @ Cosa Nostra, 8pm, £9.50 +BF

1st october ////////////////

Chris Helme + Reckoner@ 7even, 8pm, £5

1st october ////////////////

Karima Francis + Lilliput + Natasha Haws@ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £5

“Blackpool’s Karima Francis, the singer/songwriter who’s been championed by both iTunes and The Observer graces Independent’s Little Room and brings her delicate acoustic music to Sunderland. Support comes from local purveyors of fine alternative folk, Lilliput along with our lovely and talented Spotlight On star Natasha Haws, following up her set at Split Transmission.”

6th october ////////////////

Station + The Langtails + Teetah@ The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

12th october ///////////////

Chapel Club + Spray On Jeans + Liars Lie@ Independent, 8pm, £10.50

13th october ///////////////

Nedry@ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £4

15th october ///////////////

Under The Covers featuring The Complete Stone Roses & loads more@ Cosa Nostra, 8pm, £13.50

20th october ///////////////

The Colourist Project + Free Radical + Clint@The Ivy House, 8pm, FREE

21st october ///////////////

The Lurkers + Red Alert + Last Rough Cause + We Done it for The Don@ Independent, 7.30pm, £7.50

22nd october ///////////////

Foreign Office@ The Little Room, Independent, 8pm, £4

28th october ///////////////

Paul Liddell + The Pavestones + Ani Sandwith + Jamie Thomas@ Arts Centre Washington, 8pm £4

Please submit your gig listings to us at info@manifestosunderland.com

Chris Helme

Karima Francis

Complete Stone Roses

www.manifestosunderland.com

The FixThe Fix 26

As Sunderland University prepares for another batch of new blood to descend upon the City, Spark FM will be gearing up for another full assault on out-of- towners and those local freshers, not so familiar with our bright, shining, shit-hot-beacon of a musical pit-town. Aiding them in discovering the delights and plights of our red side of the water will be the Local Music Show with Nathan Would. Every Sunday Nathan takes to the air, not quite literally, to bring listeners the best of North East Unsigned music. A packed-out show from 4-7 with Mr Would, brings you the very latest news, views, interviews and exclusive tracks from those making the right kind of noise all around the region. In the next couple of months the show will be welcoming in Revolver, Clint and The Fletchtones for some intimate live acoustic sessions in the Studio. Post-Summer; look out for the re-opening of our uba-flash ‘Studio 4’, Spark FM’s very own ‘Live Lounge’.

Before the Studio was shut down last year in order for carpet fitters to re-fresh our walls, there were some memorable full- band sessions from the likes of Shields, Vinyl Jacket, We Beat The System and Matt Stalker & Fables. In my time at Spark I have only known the bands who come down to the Local Music Show to have had a great time and gained some valuable experience of playing live on air and attracting new fans, it’s a fact we guarantee more likes on faceyB! With such a ratings winner of a show at the station, every new fresher should hurry to pick up their ‘I definitely Would’ poster at this years freshers fair.

Well that’s a Sunday covere,d but what else should the new generation of dossers, I mean hoboes, I mean students be looking out for in town? This year see’s The Students Union team up with Independent to make Sunderland’s Live-Indie Music hub-club the only city centre linked venue. Spark of course, with such a diverse range of musically plum experts in what’s hot locally, run their own Live Music Night down @ The Ivy House once a month. Located in one of the busiest areas for residential students on Worcester Terrace, Spark has created a buzz night, attracting some of the top bands, who until Spark Night, had never ventured over the water to play.

I remember my days as a Fresher, a little while ago, maybe, but the biggest tip I could give to any student away from home, on campus, in halls, resident of a sleeping bag on a floor, GET INVOLVED! Immersing yourself fully in student life is what makes the 3 or 4 years some of most memorable! Sunderland University has a massive tradition of volunteers going on to bigger and better things, and this is no more true than at Spark FM, where our graduates and Sparkies have introduced themselves into the big bad world of work with a BANG! Most recently our much-missed Head Of Music, graduated with a top degree as well as impressing the big wigs of the music world, to go on and land herself a pretty spiffing job as a Producer at Amazing Radio.

So for all of you bands familiar with our Spark name, get in touch with Kenny Sanger, Head Of Local Music, if you would like to send across your tracks or be considered for a Live-On-Air Session on the Local Music Show. To all you freshers, make your first week a good’n and after that get a bang’n on Josh Coles door, I can tell you becoming a Sparky IS all it’s cracked up to be!

Kenny.sanger@sparksunderland.com- Head Of Local MusicJosh.coles@sparksunderland.com- Programme Controller Shields Luke Elgie in Studio 4