Part of the joy in returning to Newcastle for the holidays is being immersed in the music of my hometown, with its rich musical heritage and buzzing scene. Listening to local musicians is one of the things that makes me feel like I’m truly at home, worlds away from Cambridge. Of course, Newcastle is no stranger to musical success. Back in the 1960s, The Animals made their mark on the global scene with ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ propelling them into international fame. The only remaining member, John Steel, is still performing today, keeping the legacy alive well into his eighties. Among other local stars are Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music’s frontman, the Police singer and bassist Sting, Dire Straits founder and guitarist Mark Knopfler, and Geordie’s Brian Johnson, who later became a vocalist for AC/DC. With such a rich variety of musical influences across the North East, it would be hard to choose a singular hometown hero, especially because the strong cultural identity it creates plays a big role in how I consume and enjoy music.

“His sentiments and enchanting melodies are still a part of Newcastle’s soundscape”

Perhaps the most well-known contemporary artist to come from Newcastle’s music scene is Sam Fender. Sam, for me, is the epitome of a working-class lad who refuses to throw away his roots and experiences. His lyrics and attitude represent resilience and pride despite living in an area of high child poverty and political alienation. More than this, his desire to stay in the area despite the limited opportunities for young people in small, post-Thatcher towns in the North East resonates deeply with me, having grown up in a village not far from his.

In 2022, Sam took part in a project very close to my heart; the creation of ‘Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story,’ a documentary about Hull’s life, struggles, and the beautiful music to come from it. Lindisfarne played a huge role in my life growing up, and my friends from other schools have mentioned singing ‘Fog on the Tyne’ as a school anthem. Alan Hull never shied away from political issues, writing about the Troubles in Ireland, the Falklands War, and the miner’s strikes. Despite his early death in 1995, his sentiments and enchanting melodies are still part of Newcastle’s soundscape, and remain a special part of my personal playlists, from songs about house parties in Jesmond being shut down by the police to outrage that many can’t afford to live through a winter.

“Throughout the North East there are a host of indie venues hosting brilliant local talent”

Listening to music that depicts the scenes of where I grew up is a big comfort when I’m away from home. Hector Gannet’s ‘Big Harcar’ and ‘The Land Belongs to Us’ are necessary listens for when you’re craving the wind and the sand of Bamburgh beach. Aaron, the band’s singer, songwriter, and often solo performer went to school with Sam and shares his adoration of the North East.

Like Hector Gannet, there are a multitude of local bands that play shows in small, independent, and DIY venues across the North East, creating a rich culture of gigs, which is where Sam Fender began his musical career. While Sam was discovered playing at the Lowlights Tavern in North Shields, DIY venues around Newcastle like the Star and Shadow Cinema and Lubber Fiend have created new spaces for upcoming artists and local acts. Throughout the North East, there are a host of indie venues hosting brilliant local talent, from young lads like Idle Hands making waves as a new group, to acts like Andrew Cushin, who is now doing US tours with acts like Louis Tomlinson, and selling out the City Hall in Newcastle for his headline shows. The culture of supporting local bands, and bands actively going to watch other local musicians means the closeness of the gig scene is really special, and it’s something I was surprised to find wasn’t a part of Cambridge’s music scene.

The music of my hometown is part of the reason I feel such an intense pride in where I was brought up. The acknowledgement of both the beauty and the struggles of the North East makes me feel so connected to my city and the people who have taken those emotions and created wonderful art from them, that can be enjoyed by people globally. I feel I come from a very special place in the world, and the music created in and about it is incredibly reassuring when I’m away from it.