Another fabulous night at The Fire Station, my local venue. This special event was scheduled for World Music Day, celebrating the launch of Sunderland Music City with a showcase of the North East’s leading emerging talent. This special event featured performances from rising stars who are being supported by artist development programmes based in Sunderland and the wider region. This event was hosted by Marty Longstaff and Frankie Francis. Marty Longstaff is also known as the Lake Poets, and Frankie is better known as Frankie from Frankie and the Heartstrings
In the first half we were treated to excellent performances by Red Remedy, Fabz and Mcxxne, and Ruby Kelly. Red Remedy hail from Sunderland College, and are a five-piece alternative pop rock quintet from the North East known for their powerful and infectious music. Led by Maddy Storey’s mesmerizing vocals, the band’s sound combines alternative rock, indie and punk elements.
Next up were Fabz and Mcxxne led by Newcastle-based singer/songwriter Mcxxne. Mcxxne has been supported across platforms such as BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Introducing, and DMY. Fabz is a rising MC coming through the Northern Roots mentoring scheme. Straight out of NAME (The Northern Academy of Music Education) was singer Ruby Kelly. Ruby Kelly is a Welsh folk singer/songwriter who is influenced by some of my favourite artists such as The Kinks, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, her songs were brutally honest accounts, from her own life experiences of moving away from her hometown at the age of 18.
During the interval I treated myself to a pint of Guinness and from there we moved into the second half which featured once again excellent performances from Lottie Willis, Jodie Nicholson and Celadore. Lottie Willis kickstarted her musical career by joining the Young Musicians Project at the age of 14 and now at just 19-years-old she has grown her audience across the North East with support from BBC Introducing as well as performing shows for the likes of Summer Streets, Waves festival and Tracks. She was followed by Jodie Nicholson a Teeside-based writer and producer who was the first artist to play at The Fire Station.
Last, but by no means least, was a performance by Celadore, the alias of Sunderland born-and-raised musician Rachael Small. Rachael has surrounded herself with a band of like-minded and talented folk with the aim of bringing to life the piano ballads she has been rehearsing and recording at The Bunker, a legendary pioneering artist development organisation in Sunderland
By this time I was too knackered to stay for the after-party hosted by DJ Frankie Francis. Many thanks to Jackie for the photographs and Chris for navigating the site.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by ciarant1step on August 6, 2024 at 10:38 am
Sounds like an excellent festival. It’s so good to hear about these new acts, and great to think that your corner of the world is still producing such talented musicians and singers.
Thanks for sharing this. Seems like a lot of fun.
Posted by vintagerock on August 6, 2024 at 11:49 am
Yes Lots going on here Peter