Run, Rock and Raise: The Kaiser Chiefs, Kodaline and Lisbon, September 11, Metro Radio Arena, 0844 493 6666 or www.metroradioarena.co.uk
The Kaiser Chiefs, Kodaline and Lisbon will be ‘making every note count’ when they perform for the first fundraising event of the newly-formed Graham Wylie Foundation.
Scheduled to act as an ‘after-run’ party following the Great North Run, the charity gig is raising money for the Graham Wylie Foundation, the Teenage Cancer Trust and music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins. All money raised will stay in the region and go towards the opening of the first Nordoff Robbins centre outside London. (see page 18).
Eric Burdon and the Animals – The Homecoming, September 7, Newcastle City Hall, 08448 11 21 21 or www.newcastlecityhall.org
One of Tyneside’s favourite sons, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Eric Burdon is about to make an emotional return to Newcastle with his legendary sixties band The Animals.
The City Hall will provide the backdrop to one of the most magical evenings in Newcastle music history with 60’s chart toppers Marmalade also confirmed on the bill. Joining them will be Tyneside’s legendary Moat brothers featuring with Tex and Leon and Friends, formerly Tex, Leon and The Tynesiders.
And Then Come the Nightjars, September 14-17, Live Theatre, 0191 232 1232 or www.live.org.uk
Presented by Theatre503 and Bristol Old Vic in association with Tara Finney Productions, the play is set in South Devon, in 2001.
Jeff is a dairy vet with a problem. Michael is a cattle farmer – he is a problem. The two men have a begrudging respect for one another, usually expressed through a shared fag, a nip of whisky and some boisterous banter. But when Foot and Mouth sweeps across the UK countryside their friendship – and indeed their whole way of life – is thrown into question.
Heritage Open Days, September 8-11, various venues regionwide, www.heritageopendays.org.uk
The annual chance to explore local treasures and see hidden places returns for the 22nd year... and it’s still all free!
From pathology lab tours at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead and a look around the Bigg Market toilets to a potted history of 36 Lime Street in the Ouseburn and a rare chance to climb Grey’s Monument in Newcastle city centre, there’s so much to choose from during the four-day event. And remember, a lot of what’s on offer isn’t available to enjoy the rest of the year, so make the most of it!
Sister Act, September 5-10, Sunderland Empire Theatre
A rousing Hallelujah is in order as a new production of Sister Act swings into the region, this time starring former X Factor winner and star of The Bodyguard musical Alexandra Burke.
Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, the hit Broadway and West End production is based on the smash movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith and features original music by Tony and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken as well as dazzling dance routines, Sister Act is billed as “the funniest and funkiest musical around”.
The Lindisfarne Festival, September 1-4, Beal Farm, Northumberland, www.lindisfarnefestival.com
Following last year’s impressive debut, the festival which must surely boast one of the most picturesque settings, returns with Reef and British Sea Power leading the line-up charge. As was the form last year, a host of North East acts also pepper the bill, including Kathryn Tickell, Little Comets, The Baghdaddies, Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, Shields and Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra. There will also be comedy, a silent disco, a shedload of top-drawer street food and more craft ales and beers than you could shake a tent peg at. What’s not to love?
The Season Ticket, September 23 to October 8, Northern Stage, 0191 230 5151 or www.northernstage.co.uk
A much-anticipated new staging of the story which inspired the film Purely Belter will be kicking off in Newcastle in September. The touching and funny plot, which has been adapted for the stage by Lee Mattinson from Jonathan Tulloch’s original book, follows the story of Gerry and Sewell, two Toon fans who dream of getting a season ticket – and try every trick in the book to gather the grand it will cost them.
The Three Degrees, September 29, Sage Gateshead, 0191 443 4661 or www.sagegateshead.com
One of the most successful female groups of the seventies bring their timeless catalogue to Tyneside, including When Will I See You Again, Dirty Ol’ Man, Woman in Love and Take Good Care of Yourself. Formed in Philadelphia in 1963, the current line-up – there have been many over the years – consists of Valerie Holiday, Freddie Pool and Helen Scott. The tour coincides with the group’s first album for 25 years, Strategy.
Rich Hall – Live 2016, September 29, Tyne Theatre and Opera House, 0844 2491 000 or www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
The star of the critically acclaimed BBC Four documentaries Rich Hall’s California Stars, Rich Hall’s You Can Go To Hell, I’m Going To Texas and Rich Hall’s Inventing the Indian is returning to his stand-up stomping ground – and he’ll obviously be bringing his trademark deadpan and very grouchy style with him. A master of absurdist irony, the award-winning Montana native is renowned for his expertly crafted tirades and quick fire banter with audiences, to say nothing of delightful musical sequences to boot.
Professor Brian Cox Live, September 24, Newcastle City Hall, 08448 11 21 21 or www.newcastlecityhall.org
A dazzling journey through space and time is on the cards as the professor who used to be in pop rock outfit D-Ream, delves into ‘high science’ and makes big and complex ideas accessible and entertaining for us all. Promising to take science into a new dimension, he will also be interviewed by his Infinite Monkey Cage co-host, Robin Ince.
