Skip to main content

Generator’s First Ever Live Festival: A Hit?

 by Geena Ling


On Saturday, North East-based music agency Generator took over Newcastle's Boiler Shop to host their brand new festival, Generator Live.


After a week of fringe events scattered across the city, the all-day festival was a true showstopper. The Boiler Shop was a great choice of venue given its status as one of the most iconic buildings in Newcastle; it really did justice to the vast array of talented musicians who took to the stage.

Crowds began to gather from the moment the doors opened in the early afternoon, and continued to pour in throughout the day. With live DJs and pints flowing, it made for a warm, summery atmosphere - exactly what festival season is about!


The event perfectly encapsulated the wonderful diversity of our local music scene, with performances from nine of the region's best rising stars (sadly Venus Grrrls were unable to perform on the day).


Opening up were four-piece Lovely Assistant with bluesy, American-inspired beats. Then came John Dole, who fused rap with sonically rich electronica to make for an astounding live performance. As the afternoon went on, we saw colourful indie-rock band bigfatbig bursting with fiery, scream-out-loud anthems; rapper Sagaboi intertwining gritty North East-themed lyrics with hip-hop; and Ruth Lyon belting out brutally honest ballads with an incredible backing band. It was then time for Kema Kay, whose infectious rhythms and stage presence got the whole crowd dancing and chanting his lyrics back to him. Jodie Nicholson wowed the audience with her blend of folk rock and upbeat, textured instrumentals, followed by Kay Greyson, whose skilfully crafted bars and vibrant character had everyone impressed.


Bringing the day to a close was Straight Girl. The solo performer's chaotic mix of EDM, punk and art-pop (dubbed 'grave rave') comes together in a mesmerising show like nothing ever seen before. Combined with comedic dance moves and horror-film-esque facial expressions, their energetic performance proved they seriously know how to both shock and captivate an audience - not forgetting their iconic self-introduction: "I am not straight and I am not a girl. If you call me a girl, I will kill you."


What was really special about the event was its variety; with such a wide range of genres covered, there was truly something for everyone. Each act drew in a different crowd, with many people coming to support a specific artist then stopping by to see what else the event had to offer. This made it the perfect opportunity for attendees to get a taste for new styles of music that they may not normally go for - and maybe even discover a new favourite artist!


Generator have already lined up a second annual Generator Live event to take place in 2023, which will no doubt cement itself among the ever-growing list of music festivals we have to look forward to in the North East.



Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular

‘Make Tattooing Safe Again’: Sheffield Based Tattoo Artist Exposed for Indecent Behaviour

 by Emily Fletcher TW: SA, Animal Abuse, Transphobia Photo Credit: @ meiko_akiz uki Recently, an  Instagram account  has been created to provide a  ‘space to safely give a voice to those who want to speak out about the behaviour of one, Sheffield based tattoo artist’. A  total of 40+ posts have been made by the above social media account regarding  one of Sheffield's most popular tattoo artists .  Thankfully, all posts are prefaced with a Content Warning prior to sharing screenshots of the messages that have been sent anonymously to the page. The majority of Content Warnings refer to sexual behaviour, abuse, and sexual assault. It is clear that there is a reoccurring theme within each submission, as many clients appear to have had the same experiences with the tattoo artist. Women, mostly, are being made to feel uncomfortable while being tattooed. One of the most vulnerable positions anyone can be in, tattoo artists should make their clients feel comfortable and safe during the pro
Post a Comment
Read more

Eurydice’s Last Words

by Kate Bradley I do not want to return To sit in the stalls, Of an empty black box Strewn with petals Leave the ghost light on, Let it shine like a call home, But I will not come back To turn it off alone. I learn this as we walk Our ever so solemn path Our thudding funeral march, You think we’re going back. As I trace my old steps, I fear of the day When the symphony swells, And I land my gaze On you, yet you will be Enraptured by the sound, If you did twist To turn around, You would not see me. So I am not sorry, I speak out into the empty air And I am not sorry. “Turn Around.” You do, you look You think  I fall But I run on, Arms wide open To fall in love With it all “Perhaps she was the one who said, ‘Turn around.” On the X45 bus, back from the Tyneside Cinema, I wrote a poem entitled “Eurydice’s Final Words”, after having seen “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”.  That poem was terrible, so I wrote a new one, as my response to the beautifully poignant film.  In one scene, Héloïse , an 1
Post a Comment
Read more

Single Review: ‘Tell Me’ - Jay Moussa-Mann

by Ilana Hawdon The feeling of pure betrayal and heartbreak is perfectly captured in Jay Moussa-Mann’s latest single, ‘Tell Me’. Jay Moussa-Mann is the folk dream we have been waiting for. A favourite on BBC Introducing, Radio 6 and BBC Radio Tees, Jay ’s sound is easy on the ears but delightfully addictive. With a background in writing and film, she began her solo musical venture when she released her debut album, ‘Little Deaths’ in late-2019, and since then, Moussa-Mann has defined herself as an artist with unbelievable range and promise.    ‘Tell Me’ is completely timeless; with notes of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Moussa-Mann creates a folk-inspired track which is simultaneously heart wrenching and strangely empowering. Beginning as a simple guitar tune, ‘Tell Me’ builds with layers of luscious strings and twinkling piano, tied together with Jay ’s vocal line which is equal parts melancholic and divine. The song feels unwaveringly intimate; the lyrics ask, ‘what was I worth?’
Post a Comment
Read more