BLACK TIDE — LIGHT FROM ABOVE (Interscope): Heavy Metal . . . whether you love it or hate it, you have to admire its resilience as an art form. Feb 10 2008
Although Miami’s Black Tide are a very young band — one of them is still only 14 — they’re incredibly talented musicians, completely steeped in the classic 1980s metal tradition, right down to covering Metallica’s Hit the Lights, while Warriors of Time has more than a flavour of vintage Iron Maiden. All opener Shockwave needs is slightly screechier lead vocals and it could easily be from Motley Crue’s debut album. Signed to Eminem’s label, I’d gamble on Black Tide becoming as big as Slim Shady, especially in America, where this kind of live fast, die young rock has always gone down a storm. more

Sunday Sun Stereo Feb 3 2008
MALCOLM MIDDLETON - SLEIGHT OF HEART (Full Time Hobby): It’s been less than a year since A Brighter Beat, the last album from Malcolm Middleton, and Sleight of Heart comes across like a more reflective, mostly acoustic companion of the 2007 first release. more

Sunday Sun Stereo Jan 13 2008
DEVIAN — NINEWINGED SERPENT (Century Media): This nine wings business is confusing me . . . surely if a serpent had an odd number of wings it would just flap round in circles all the time? more

Does X mark the No1 spot? Dec 16 2007
SHAUN — and Vic — will have some tough competition to beat if they are to clinch the coveted Christmas number one slot. more

Sunday Sun Stereo Dec 9 2007
THE HOUSEMARTINS AND THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH — SOUP (Mercury): Although this CD is touted as being the best of both bands, the Housemartins don’t come out of it too well. more

Maximo mystery Dec 2 2007

TOP North band Maximo Park are offering fans the chance to win a magical mystery bus tour of their favourite city ahead of their homecoming gig. more

Sunday Sun Stereo Nov 18 2007
VARIOUS ARTISTS — RADIO 1’S LIVE LOUNGE VOLUME 2 (BMG): I’d imagine most casual music listeners will find this double CD enjoyable and annoying in equal measure. more

Ladies and gentlemen... Sep 5 2007
WHOOPIN’ and a-hollering into Tyneside for the third year in a row, the stage is set for the high rollers of cabaret entertainment – the Lady Boys of Bangkok! more

Cast excel in complex plot Sep 5 2007
THE first show in the newly refurbished theatre seems to have received a mixed response. more

This is a classic before me Sep 4 2007
Young reviewer CHRIS CONWAY gives his take on the latest RSC production of Macbeth, at Newcastle’s Northern Stage more

Original chiller thriller is back Sep 3 2007
THE latest Royal Shakespeare Company production, Macbeth, is at Northern Stage in Newcastle from tonight. We talk to director Connall Morrison more

A super night for ABBA fans Aug 29 2007
CALLING all super troupers and dancing queens! ABBA Mania will hit the region this week when one of the world’s top touring tribute bands comes to the Sunderland Empire for a three-night stint. more

A dream role for young singers Aug 29 2007
A GROUP of budding stars from across the region will be saying thank you for the music when they step on to the stage of the Sunderland Empire for ABBA Mania. more

Get in the swing of singing Aug 29 2007
HUNDREDS of singers are being sought for a huge concert on Tyneside later this year. more