South Tyneside was once home to a glittering, lively, world-class live music scene. Across the region, musicians wrote and performed original music to packed-out, excited crowds.

 

From iconic gigs by international stars to unforgettable nights at local venues, live music was the heartbeat of the community. In recent years, much of that scene has faded. Key venues have closed, and the music legends that once stopped here now pass us by for larger cities. But the region still pulses with talent, with a handful of passionate venues championing grassroots music – and a wealth of memories from those who were there.

 

Gig Culture is a project developed and delivered by The Cultural Spring, funded by Arts Council England, to celebrate that legacy and reignite the region’s musical spark. The project connects generations – gathering stories of South Tyneside’s music scene from the 1950s to the early 2000s and linking them with the ambition and creativity of today’s young musicians.

 

Working with Hive Storytellers, we collected memories of gigs, bands, and never-to-be-forgotten nights out from older residents. These stories became the inspiration for a new wave of original music, written and performed by talented local musicians aged 14–25.

 

This album brings those voices together – the echoes of the past reimagined through fresh sound. I worked in collaboration with members of the South Tyneside community to co-create the sleeve artwork and capture the spirit, pride, and energy that runs through the project.

 

This isn’t just a record. It’s a tribute to where we’ve been, a celebration of what’s still here, and a bold, creative step towards what’s to come.