The Glasshouse is about to welcome BBC Proms for a packed weekend of music.
And remaining true to its name as a place where music lives and grows, the venue will be alive with new music as a free BBC Introducing stage is announced. A three-day programme of free music, soundscapes, public artwork and even a soundbath in the public spaces overlooking the River Tyne will ensure The Glasshouse is buzzing throughout a weekend already packed with incredible artists as tickets sell fast for concerts already announced in its two unique gig spaces.
The programme is curated in partnership with BBC Introducing and BBC Open Music, and has the theme Made in the North. It is a fantastic opportunity to put the spotlight on a range of North East artists from the worlds of neo-soul, jazz and folk and give them space to shine at the Proms.
Audiences don’t need a ticket to come and explore the concourse programme. Curious folk who want to drop in, can come and feel a part of the celebration of music and sound through this free curated programme.
The free programme of events:
From Friday to Sunday there will be Soundscapes, designed by the next generation of sound artists in Open Music and a public art installation which invites visitors to leave a memento of their experience.
On Friday (26 July) evening, the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia gives a free performance on the concourse. And everyone is invited to come and discover what a digital soundbath is, led by Open Music in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.
Saturday’s (27 July) concourse programme stretches from early to late into the night.
One of the big attractions on Saturday will be the BBC Introducing take-over of the concourse stage, the perfect warm-up for Proms concerts from Jordan Rakei and Royal Northern Sinfonia (Saturday 27 July, 7.30pm) and the special BBC Introducing – Live at The Proms featuring Theon Cross with support from Knats, hosted by BBC Radio 3’s Soweto Kinch (Saturday 27 July, 10pm). North East natives Knats are an inspiring addition to the Proms, making dance music influenced by the jazz, drum & bass, house and gospel the young members grew up surrounded by.
On the concourse stage, The Glasshouse and BBC Introducing will be showcasing the next wave of independent North East artists including: Rivkala, whose journey from the Yiddishe shtetl to the UK’s stages is a testament to her resilience and talent; Newcastle’s SwanNek, formed in 2020, redefining jazz with their collaborative spirit; Dilutey Juice, formed during the pandemic, brings an infectious energy with their unique blend of Afro-Beat, house, techno, free jazz, and punk rock; Proud Northern outfit, the Abbie Finn Trio, led by drummer and composer Abbie Finn, delivers contemporary jazz with originality and vitality; hailing from the East Midlands, Sharifa captivates audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of hip-hop and alt-pop; and Malunga, a vocalist whose soulful sound draws inspiration fromicons like James Morrison and India Arie.
This BBC Introducing Stage is free to enjoy and the Late Opening Party with DJs Westy and Santa Leticia taking the music through to 1.30am.
Sunday (28 July) welcomes folk musicians from the North East including The Early Purple, Ernie and previous Glasshouse Artist in Residence Ceitidh Mac for acoustic performances on the concourse stage ahead of the family concert, Fantasy, Myths and Legends with Voices of the River’s Edge choir and Royal Northern Sinfonia in Sage One.
Abigail Pogson, Managing Director of The Glasshouse said: “The music scene in the North East is really exciting just now, with musicians in all genres making some of the most interesting music emerging in the UK. In partnership with BBC Proms, BBC Introducing and BBC Open Music, we want to put as many bands and artists in the national spotlight. This free programme of concerts on the Concourse stage, alongside our programme of concerts as part of the nationwide activity of BBC Proms will offer audiences coming to The Glasshouse for the weekend a chance to hear the future of music. Even if you’ve not got tickets to a gig, it will be worth coming down to the venue to hear what’s on our free stages.”
David Pickard, BBC Proms Director, said: “Last year, we welcomed almost five-and-a-half thousand people to the BBC Proms in Gateshead, over half of them new to classical music in the venue, so I am thrilled that the BBC Proms in partnership with The Glasshouse are presenting another outstanding programme featuring some of the North East’s most exciting musicians. BBC Introducing has championed many of today’s biggest names in music, from Florence + the Machine - making her own BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall later in the season - to Ed Sheeran and Little Simz. Together with our BBC Open Music trainees they have programmed an impressive three-day programme, totally free, where audiences in the North East may bear witness to the next big star.”
Details on the timings can be found on The Glasshouse website and its social channels. And all the concourse activity is unticketed so people can plan their weekend or be entirely spontaneous.
For those still keen to wrap in a ticket to either Sage One for the full promming experience, or the more intimate concerts in Sage Two there are some tickets stillavailable for most concerts.
The full line-up can be seen HERE
