Culture Digest 16.05.25
A round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East which caught our attention this week
Come Together Festival moves date and site
The Come Together Festival, originally scheduled to take place in Newcastle in early June has been postponed to August 20–22 due to “scheduling conflicts.”
Headliners Robbie Williams and Kings of Leon will both carry over to the new dates as will the announced support acts, which include North East stars Perrie Edwards and Andrew Cushin, Kaiser Chiefs, Courteeners and The Cribs.
As well as a move in the calendar, the event will now take place on a different part of the Town Moor site - the area used by The Hoppings funfair (June 20-29).
Organisers say the new location offers more space and improved infrastructure. Tickets remain valid for the revised dates, and current ticket-holders will be contacted directly with further information.
Birdman Jim Moir – why he won’t be pigeonholed
There’s an endearing contrariness about Jim Moir (or is it Vic Reeves?) which will be clear to people visiting the latest of his exhibitions at The Biscuit Factory.
Tees Valley creatives named Artists of the Year
Five emerging creatives from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been named 2025 Tees Valley Artists of the Year, securing £28,000 each in funding and professional support through a “groundbreaking” initiative to help grow the region’s cultural economy.
Backed by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, the scheme supports artists with a real living wage bursary, tailored development plans, and industry mentoring.
This year’s recipients are DJ and electronic musician Boo; theatre-maker and performer Umar Butt; singer-songwriter Finn Forster; multidisciplinary artist Will Hughes; and embroidery designer Beth Wilson.
The award, now in its second year, is part of a wider £20.5 million investment into Tees Valley’s creative and visitor sectors, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Sam Fender gets hometown honour ahead of big North East gigs
North Shields star, Sam Fender has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough by North Tyneside Council.
Recognising his influence as both a musician and community figure, councillors from all parties voted unanimously to honour the 31-year-old, making him one of the youngest ever recipients of the title.
Sam was praised for being a ‘cultural ambassador’ and for helping shape the borough’s identity and raising its profile as a creative hub… as well as selling shedloads of albums, of course.
The three-time Brit Award winner joins a select list of local icons, including Sting, who received the same honour in 2010.
The news comes just a couple of weeks before his historic three-night residency at St James’ Park.
Why Jeff Brown's buzzing to be back on The Bench
“That’s the thing with plays,” says Jeff Brown. “You write them, you get them performed and that’s it.”
TikTok’s History Gossip lands debut TV series
Chester-le-Street social media sensation Katie Kennedy is set to make her TV debut with History Crush, a new show launching on Sky History on May 27.
Known online as The History Gossip - and for her witty, engaging takes on historical figures and events - Katie’s TikTok account has nearly 600,000 followers who regularly tune in for her fast-paced storytelling, sharp commentary, and clear passion for the subject.
Katie will be bringing her signature style to History Crush where she’ll team up with expert guests to judge whether history’s most iconic figures are truly crush-worthy.
From Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette to Napoleon and Charles Dickens, each episode digs into the messy, controversial truths behind the historical icons - asking: crush or cancel? Sounds like history with a liberal sprinkling of extra fun and spice.
Getting serious about comedy
Last weekend on a London red carpet Smoggie Queens, a bold BBC sitcom from Middlesbrough-born writer Phil Dunning, was vying for a BAFTA.
Newcastle stands up for new Radio Four series
North East comic Louise Young was among those featured in the first episode of BBC Radio 4’s new series Live from the UK earlier this week.
The show, hosted by stand-up favourite Angela Barnes, travels across the country, aiming to capture comedy’s freshest voices.
Louise’s set was recorded in The Stand Newcastle and was broadcast alongside performances from Mark Nelson (Glasgow), Hayley Ellis (Manchester), and headliner Josh Pugh (Birmingham).
Catch the episode now on BBC Sounds.
Late Shows opens doors to exciting possibilities
This weekend's The Late Shows is when cultural buildings across Tyneside aim to woo new audiences by opening their doors after hours. But with so much to see in a short time, which doors to choose?
Note: The Late Shows are happening all over the Ouseburn tonight (Friday) and Newcastle city centre and Gateshead venues tomorrow.
Legally Blonde and Operation Mincemeat are on the 2026 musicals menu
Two major musical productions are heading to the region as part of their UK and world tours.
Legally Blonde The Musical will visit Newcastle Theatre Royal from (May 12–17, 2026) bringing a new production of the feel-good rom-com inspired by the hit film.
Director Nikolai Foster, said the show was “an electrifying musical about empowerment, equality and the folly of judging a book by its cover” which “remains pitch perfect and as relevant as ever”. The bells and whistles production will be back in the region for a run at Sunderland Empire from December 1-5., 2026.
Meanwhile, Olivier Award-winning hit Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical will stop at Newcastle Theatre Royal from (June 22–27, 2026) as part of its first world tour.
Described as “equal parts farce, thriller, and Ian Fleming-style spy caper,” the musical tells the remarkable true story of the WWII deception that changed the course of history.
The announcement of the world tour comes after the production’s third Broadway and fifteenth West End extension. Its creators, SpitLip, said: “Operation Mincemeat reminds us that in uncertain times, the bonds between allies are more important than ever.”
Whisky meets history for double celebration at Ad Gefrin
Saturday is World Whisky Day. Sunday is International Museum Day. Could there be a better weekend to be a museum and a whisky stable?
Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery in Wooler, Northumberland is making the most of its position by hosting a double celebration featuring a programme of events that blend ancient heritage and contemporary craftsmanship.
Adele Sandé and Franz Ferdinand to launch Sunderland’s Year of Music
Sunderland’s Year of Music 2025-2026 will launch next month with headline performances from two major artists with strong local ties.
Summer tour for Four Seasons
Royal Northern Sinfonia is taking Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on the road across the North East and North Yorkshire, performing in seven venues next month.
Led by artistic partner Maria Włoszczowska, the tour, which runs from June 19 to 29 includes stops at churches, cathedrals, and festivals, promising world-class classical performances right on people’s doorsteps.
As well as Vivaldi’s masterpiece, the programme will also include Grieg’s Holberg Suite and Veress’ Four Transylvanian Dances and Skalkottas’ Five Greek Dances.
The tour dates are: The Fire Station, Sunderland (June 19); Newcastle Cathedral (June 20); Hexham Abbey (June 21); Sedbergh Music Festival (June 22); Ripon Cathedral (June 27); St George’s Church, Cullercoats (June 28); St Mary’s Church, Wooler (June 29). Tickets from The Glasshouse website.
Portraits with impact: Arcadea CIO and Debbie Todd at The Late Shows
As part of The Late Shows 2025, Creative Central NCL has commissioned bold, original work from three North East artists – one of which is changing the face of Waterloo Square.
What’s your poison? Northumberland-made gin strikes silver in London
The Alnwick Garden’s Poison Gin has secured Silver at the prestigious London Spirits Competition, scoring 93 out of 100 in a blind taste test.
“We are over the moon,” said Ian McAllister, head of marketing at the Northumberland attraction.
“This accolade highlights the craftsmanship, botanical brilliance, and ability to stand out in a highly competitive market. Our Poison Gin embodies the essence of The Alnwick Garden, where nature and creativity come together.”
Produced by Durham Distillers and infused with Medlar fruit from the Poison Garden, judges praised its “clarity on the nose” and “long, clean lift.”
Berwick buildings to get new life as creative spaces
New funding will underpin plans to revive empty or unused buildings to increase a town’s range of cultural and creative activities.
Cultural regeneration programme Create Berwick and Northumberland County Council has launched the £510,000 fund to support new workspace projects in Berwick.
The initiative combines £300,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with £210,000 of existing funding from the North East Combined Authority (NECA).
A century of important bird watching
It was a century ago that the National Trust took ownership of the wildlife-rich Farne islands off the Northumberland coast.
Twenty years of A Certain Trigger
North East band, Maximo Park have been teasing some celebratory events on the 20th anniversary of their landmark album, A Certain Trigger.
On an Instagram post, the group, led by Billingham’s Paul Smith, said: “We’ve been busy working on a series of moments to mark the anniversary of ‘A Certain Trigger’, which came out 20 years ago today!
“Whether you were there from day one or a recent convert, keep your ear to the ground for more news in the coming weeks & months...”
Channel 4 TV writing awards offer breakthrough chance for Northern talent
Aspiring TV writers in the North of England have a chance to break into the industry with the 2025 Channel 4 Writing for TV Awards, now open for entries.
Part of New Writing North’s Northern Writers Awards, judges are looking for new, unpublished voices with unique stories to tell.
Four winners will receive a cash bursary, mentoring from an industry professional, and the opportunity to work with leading production companies.
This year’s big player partners include Warp Films (Adolescence), Rope Ladder Fiction (Waterloo Road), FilmNation (Small Town, Big Story), and Bonafide Films (Mood). It’s a major opportunity for fresh talent to get their first break in TV.
The deadline for entries is June 16. All the details you need are on the New Writing North website.
Dance City makes case that life begins at 40
Powerful speeches and performances were forthcoming as the 40th anniversary of Dance City was celebrated at its home on Newcastle’s Peel Lane, alongside St James’ Boulevard.
