BBC Introducing from The Glasshouse: SwanNek & Ellen Beth Abdi
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Original. Creative. Wonky pop and jazzy vibes.
Pay what you decide to find your future favourite artists at our from The Glasshouse gigs. When you come to one, you’re not just supporting the region’s most exciting new and independent acts. The chances are you’re seeing them right before their breakthrough.
Each month we’re teaming up with BBC Introducing to bring you fresh lineups of artists making waves in the North East’s music scene, meaning you can expect to see the best independent musicians from all genres right here.
Look out for from The Glasshouse acts gaining some serious momentum down the line with content shared across the BBC Music Network.
Who will you discover before everyone else?
This month’s lineup features: SwanNek & Ellen Beth Abdi, with one more artist to be announced
Need to know
Venue: Sage Two
Price: Pay what you decide
Stage Times: Announced nearer showtime.
Age: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Who's Playing
SwanNek
SwanNek is a boundary-pushing contemporary jazz collective from Newcastle upon Tyne, led by the visionary Findlay Hewitson (keys). What began in 2020 as a collaboration between Hewitson, Jake Baines (bass), and Mollie Nature (vocals) quickly evolved into an unstoppable musical force.
Their monthly residency at Hoochie Coochie in 2022 turned into a local phenomenon, growing a devoted fanbase. By 2023, SwanNek welcomed new members Bailey Rudd (drums), Jacob Egglestone (guitar) and Olly Styles (saxophone) propelling the group to new heights. Their debut single Lucid
Dreams marked the start of something special, followed by an unforgettable headline performance at the Newcastle Jazz Festival.
2024 saw Alexa Campiglia (cello) join the collective along side the release of Beautiful Sunday, igniting a string of high-profile shows, including BBC Proms, Kendal Calling, and The Boiler Shop. By 2025, SwanNek had earned editorial recognition from Spotify and BBC, and hit the stage at the MOBO Awards.
Ellen Beth Abdi
Ellen Beth Abdi crafts wonky, soul-infused pop with live loops, pokey drums and quietly subversive lyrics. A rising force in Manchester’s scene, she’s supported The Stone Roses, performed with New Order and A Certain Ratio, and shared stages with Olivia Dean, Hollie Cook and Angélique Kidjo. Her debut album dropped in May 2025 via her own label, Sweet Twenty-Three Records.
Ellen Beth Abdi’s appearance is supported by Jazz North’s Northern Line programme.
About BBC Introducing
BBC Introducing has been offering new and unsigned artists a way to gain radio play and build audiences since 2007. They’ve been instrumental to launching the careers of acts like Sam Fender, Florence + the Machine, Lewis Capaldi, Raye, Aitch, Olivia Dean, Myles Smith, Nia Archives and Tom Grennan.
It offers a route to regional and national airplay and occasionally BBC Introducing stages at festivals. The North East is home to the first region-wide partnership between BBC Introducing and multiple venues to showcase emerging and independent music.
