Culture Digest 28.02.25
Our regular round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention over the past seven days
People are listening to Sam Fender’s People Watching… and then some
Sam Fender has cemented his place at the forefront of the British music scene with his third album, People Watching storming to the top of the UK album charts.
Achieving the biggest opening week for a British artist since Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, the album is Sam’s third consecutive long-playing chart-topper and has surpassed first week sales of his first two - Hypersonic Missiles in 2019 and 2021’s Seventeen Going Under - combined.
The 11-track album has already sold more than 107,000 units - it’s also the fastest selling vinyl album by a British artist in the 21st century.
We can only imagine the news has given Sam an extra boost - if he needed one - ahead of tomorrow night’s BRIT Awards (March 1). He’s both performing and shortlisted in two categories - Artist of the Year and Best Alt/Rock Act.
While we’re talking about the BRITs - good luck to former Little Mix star JADE who is up for Best Pop Act and Song of the Year for the corking single Angel of My Dreams.
This would be the first solo BRIT for the excellent South Shields lass… but not the first BRIT Award she’s taken home. There’s three on her sideboard from the Little Mix days.
Read more: Curated Culture 25.02.25 - our weekly what’s on suggestions
Multi-million-pound boost for Berwick Barracks project
A project to transform a town’s historic barracks into a cultural hub has taken another leap forward with a new funding award.
A £4.5m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to English Heritage on behalf of the Berwick Barracks Partnership.
This is a significant milestone in the long-term project to realise the potential of the 18th-century Berwick Barracks by bringing empty buildings and spaces back into use in a way which supports the local economy and ensures the survival of an historic landmark.
Chris Ramsey announces 2026 tour
South Shields stand up comic and one half of the successful Shagged Married and Annoyed podcast (his other half, Rosie Ramsey is the other half), Chris Ramsey has announced a new tour, Here Man! for 2026.
As you would expect, the North East is well served. A date at Stockton Globe (Feb 27) is following by four shows at Newcastle 02 City from April 17-19.
Full details and tickets via Chris’ website.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert to make Royal visit
A new tour of the dazzling and downright life-affirming show, which joins three fabulous friends inside a shimmering tour bus - Priscilla - bound for the Outback, will be stopping off at Newcastle Theatre Royal next year.
Featuring a glittering soundtrack dripping with hits like Hot Stuff, It’s Raining Men, I will Survive and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, audiences are invited to join Mitzi Mitosis, Bernadette Bassenger and Felicia Jollygoodfellow on an adventure which will see them discovering the true power of love, acceptance, and friendship.
Tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert - based on the hit 1994 film starring Guy Pearce, Terence Stamp and Hugo Weaving - go on sale on Tuesday (March 4) with the production coming to Tyneside from April 6-11, 2026.
Visit the website for more details.
Read more: How Corbridge could have been capital of the North East
Countdown to Hexham Book Festival reveal
The programme for this year’s Hexham Book Festival will be unveiled next week.
Taking place from May 2-11, it’s a knocking bet there will be bookshelf’s worth of events which will sell out as soon as tickets go on sale, so don’t sit on your hands.
Dates to note: March 5 - programme available to view online on the Festival website; March 7 - printed programme released (keep your eyes peeled in all your favourite venues and cafes); March 7-9 - priority booking open for Festival Friends; March 10 - general sale for everyone else.
New Durham art gallery comes a step closer
Anyone with fond memories of the old DLI Museum and Art Gallery will be pleased to see progress on the site and the reality drawing a little nearer to the digital impressions of what we can expect.
The vision, as Councillor Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships at Durham County Council, explains, is for “a world class cultural venue, capable of hosting internationally significant exhibitions, offering a new space for showing DLI exhibits and providing welcome indoor and outdoor spaces for residents and visitors to feel inspired”.
Read more: Max Roberts on Peter Straughan ahead of this weekend’s Oscars
Lauren Laverne: ‘Back in the place that feels most like home’
Sunderland treasure Lauren Laverne was positively beaming this week as she returned to her happy place - the BBC 6Music studios.
The popular presenter took the plunge in her new 10am-1pm show slot, having handed over the keys to her breakfast show stomping ground to Nick Grimshaw.
In an Instagram post, she said: “Last summer today felt like it might never come so it was hugely emotional and joyful to return to doing what I love full time.”
At the end of last year, the 46-year-old shared she had been successfully treated for cancer after it was detected ‘unexpectedly during a screening test’.
She has since returned to presenting duties for Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and The One Show… but it was clear this week that her 6Music chair was the one she has missed the most.
And as a regular listener, it was gorgeous to hear Lauren back on the airwaves.
Read more: Newcastle fixture for footy drama, Dear England
£75k grant supports next generation of region’s film and music talent
A new initiative to support young film and music talent in the North East has secured a £75,000 grant.
The Tyneside Talent Unit, launched by Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, will mentor over 150 young creatives annually, offering access to editing bays, production equipment, and industry workshops.
Funded by the Sir James Knott Trust, the initiative aims to nurture future talent and will commission 100 hours of new content and grow a ‘library of regional stories’.
Read more: Introducing the Lort Burn Specials at Alphabetti
Sporting auction set to be gripping
It is a photograph which has become part of football folklore.
On February 6, 1988 Newcastle United played Wimbledon, pitting hard man Vinnie Jones against one of the game’s - and Tyneside’s - rising stars, a young Paul Gascoigne.
The match ended 0-0 but will always be remembered for the picture captured by newspaper photographer Monte Fresco.
Now a framed copy of the picture, signed by both players, will be sold by Graham Budd Auctions on Tuesday (March 4) with an estimate of £120-£150. It’s part of a four-day auction of sporting memorabilia.
.Read more: Winning hearts and minds at Tyneside Cinema
BRILLIANT scheme launched for Lumiere
When Lumiere lights up Durham later this year, it could include a light work by YOU.
That’s the message coming from event producers and curators, Artichoke via the 2025 launch of BRILLIANT - a national commissioning scheme inviting anyone who has a bright idea to submit it for consideration.
To be clear, no artistic experience is necessary to get involved.
Up to four individuals or groups will be selected to have their works made and exhibited alongside UK and internationally-renowned artists as part of the 2025 programme.
Free to enter, anyone over 18 and currently living in the UK is welcome to enter… as long as they have ‘an innovative idea that will transform Durham’s urban landscape using the medium of light’.
Inspirational women celebrated at Town Hall
Two exhibitions and three notable speakers will come together for A World of Inspiration on International Women’s Day (March 8).
Those taking the stage at Bishop Auckland Town Hall will be Nigerian-British artist, curator and advisor Chinwe Russell, Azadeh Fatehrad, professor of art and public policy at Teesside University, and Sarah Price, who runs the Science Museum Group’s Locomotion attraction at Shildon.
Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, will host the event which also offers a chance to view the exhibitions.
Silent Disco fans, listen up!
The ever popular Awesome Silent Discos have announced dates for this year’s beach edition(s) taking place on King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth.
June 20 and 21 are the dates for your dancing diaries. Tickets for the evening sessions went on sale today (Feb 28). Tickets for the family ones go one sale tomorrow.
Details on the website… where you can also still snap up tickets for a trio of events at Hexham Abbey on March 15
Read more: The artist and author who is really into the weeds
