BBC Proms - free BBC Introducing stage
The Glasshouse with the BBC are bringing the next wave of independent North East artists to the stage this July. The BBC Introducing Stage will be free to enjoy at The Glasshouse, with a brilliant lineup of performers and DJs creating an atmosphere of music discovery, wrapped around the unique experience of the BBC Proms weekend in Gateshead.
Curated in collaboration with the BBC Open Music trainees, the stage is part of a wider programme of events including immersive soundscapes, soundbaths and screenings and a perfect warm up for Proms concerts from Jordan Rakei and Royal Northern Sinfonia and a special BBC Introducing – Live at The Proms featuring Theon Cross and more.
Need to know
Pricing: free
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult
Rivkala
Saturday 27 July | 6pm
Soulful. Captivating. A musical storyteller.
Rivkala’s journey from the Yiddishe shtetl to the UK’s stages is a testament to her resilience and talent. Winner of Drake Music’s Emergent Artist of 2023, she blends melancholic jazz with raw storytelling inspired by Nina Simone, Carole King, and Amy Winehouse. Her debut single “Zip Lock Teeth” has garnered radio play and acclaim, and her upcoming EP “Crushed Velvet” is highly anticipated. Don’t miss her soulful performance.
SwanNek
Saturday 27 July | 5pm
Innovative. Dynamic. A combustion of musical talent.
Newcastle’s SwanNek, formed in 2020, is redefining jazz with their collaborative spirit. Led by Findlay Hewitson on keys, the collective includes talented musicians like Mollie Birmingham on vocals, Jake Baines on bass, Bailey Rudd on drums, Jacob Egglestone on guitar and trumpet, Ruby Oldknow on flute and Olly Styles on tenor sax. Their debut release “Lucid Dreams” earned them BBC Introducing’s track of the week. With a vibrant live presence and a growing fanbase, SwanNek’s performance is a must-see.
Dilutey Juice
Saturday 27 July | 3.50pm
Energetic. Eclectic. Music to make you dance.
Dilutey Juice, formed during the pandemic, brings an infectious energy with their unique blend of Afro-Beat, house, techno, free jazz, and punk rock. Featuring Billy Bradshaw on trumpet, Ben Fitzgerald on Drums, Thomas Dixon on Saxophone and Lewis Wilkinson on sousaphone, they’ve electrified audiences and supported acts like TOO MANY ZOOZ. Their dynamic street performances are a highlight you won’t want to miss.
Abbie Finn Trio
Saturday 27 July | 2.50pm
Original. Vibrant. Proud Northern spirit.
The Abbie Finn Trio, led by drummer and composer Abbie Finn, delivers contemporary jazz with originality and vitality. Featuring Harry Keeble on saxophone and Paul Grainger on double bass, their latest album “Stotties for Three” has earned praise from Jazz FM and performances at top UK festivals. Dubbed ‘The one to watch’ by Jazzwise magazine, Abbie Finn’s trio promises a captivating set.
Sharifa
Saturday 27 July | 1pm
Playful. Genre-Blending. Retro-futurism.
Hailing from the East Midlands, Sharifa captivates audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of hip-hop and alt-pop. Described by Robin Murray at CLASH Magazine as “melding hip-hop with an assured alt-pop sound,” Sharifa’s music stands out in today’s music landscape. His latest track “SOMEONE” dives into early pop-punk, evoking the energy and emotion of Blink-182 and Paramore, a sentiment echoed by Erica Campbell in Paper Magazine.
Malunga
Saturday 27 July | 1.30pm
Soulful. Authentic. A voice that stops you in your tracks.
Meet Malunga, a captivating vocalist whose soulful sound draws inspiration from icons like James Morrison and India Arie. As a Roundhouse Resident artist, she honed her songwriting and performance skills, delivering her debut EP ‘Exhibit A’ and the single ‘Whispers in the Dark,’ which was playlisted by Toddla T on BBC Radio 1.
Now, Malunga is poised to release her most authentic, passionate, and meticulously crafted work to date. Her new material showcases her rich, unique tone, playful melodies, and heartfelt storytelling, promising to resonate deeply with listeners and mark her as a standout talent in the music world.
Nu Groove Jazz Band
Saturday 27 July | 2pm
Rich. Funky. Take a trip to New Orleans.
Part of The Glasshouse Make Music Adult programme, Nu Groove Brass Band is a community-based ensemble celebrating the rich musical tradition of New Orleans brass bands and their incredible legacy. This group immerses itself in New Orleans street band culture playing traditional and modern second line tunes as well as Funk, Jazz, and Latin-inspired grooves. NuGroove Brass Band is directed by Jason Holcomb and is on a mission to help inform and educate regarding the impact this musical tradition has had underpinning and inspiring modern popular music.
Santa Leticia
Saturday 27 July | 12pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.20pm, 3.20pm, 4.20pm, 5.30pm
Infectious energy. Vibrant rhythms. Sounds from across the globe.
Step into Santa Leticia’s sonic universe, where old and new melodies intertwine amidst dreamy landscapes and vibrant rhythms. Hailing from the sun-kissed lands of Andalusia, Spain, Santa Leticia scours the globe for top-notch vinyl treasures, handpicked from her adventures in tropical and Mediterranean realms.
Now gracing Newcastle upon Tyne with her golden tunes, Santa Leticia shines brightly on Slack’s Radio with her show Un Rayo de Sol. Here, she not only spins records but also hosts eclectic DJ guests from around the world. She also holds a residency with Radio Alhara unearthing rare gems from her extensive collection in a monthly show.
Westy
Saturday 27 July | 9.30pm, 11.30pm
Versatile. Dynamic. Prepare to jack your body.
Having previously blessed the Boiler room stage in Newcastle, Westy is a prominent fixture in the North-East dance community, featuring on lineups across the city supporting electronic music pioneers Robert hood, Jeff Mills, & many more cementing his place as a resident for Newcastle based parties Ape-X & Shy Bairns, making regular appearances at World HQ & Cobalt Studios.
Taking strong influences from Afrobeat, Hip hop, Highlife, classic US house and techno, his skills to conduct dance-floors and build atmospheres are unmatched.
Ceitidh Mac
Sunday 28 July | 1.15pm
Captivating. Melodic. Folk sounds with a progressive twist.
Ceitidh Mac is a unique alt-folk singer and cellist known for her stunning voice and innovative blend of live and electronic elements with folk influences. Originally from Pembrokeshire and now based in Newcastle, she has released several EPs, including “I Reach for the Pen” and “Seabird,” with support from BBC Radio and Amazing Radio. Awarded the Drake YolanDa Award in 2022 and Artist in Residence at The Glasshouse, she tours extensively and performs at major festivals like Shambala and Green Man. Ceitidh has shared the stage with alt-folk hero Rachael Dadd, progressive jazz sensation Alabaster deplume and Dublin folk legends Lankum, cementing her status as a dynamic force in the music scene.
The Early Purple
Sunday 28 July | 11am
Evocative. Heartfelt. Introspective indie-folk.
The Early Purple, led by Northumbrian indie-folk musician Matt Saxon, buries obscure mantras and philosophical nods, deep within heartfelt melodies. Combining Fleet Foxes’ allure with Midlake’s depth, their sound features three-part vocal harmonies, finger-picking acoustic guitars, ethereal synths, and gentle driving percussion.
After sharing the stage with acts like Flyte, Efterklang, Hector Gannet, and Bernard Butler, The Early Purple kicked off the year with a packed hometown show at The Cluny in Newcastle. Now hidden away in Northumberland, Matt is creating a follow-up to his debut EP ‘Summer Hide’ while refining a live performance for upcoming festival shows.
Ernie
Sunday 28 July | 12.30pm
Heartfelt. Brooding. Nostalgia trip.
Part-time chef, full-time singer-songwriter, ERNIE serves up his own brand of heartfelt indie rock, stirring that hazy, nostalgic feeling in with layers of brooding vocals, fuzzy guitars and warbly synths; whilst touching on themes of adolescence, family, relationships and the trappings of being the “odd one out” in a small northern town.
ERNIE – whose real name is Joe Ernest Allan – has spent the last two years in the studio working on a dense collection of songs, and in recent months has been honing his live show, playing alongside the likes of Sam Fender, Wunderhorse, Baxter Dury and English Teacher, and at festivals including Live At Leeds, Boardmasters and The Great Escape.
Anna Hughes
Sunday 28 July | 12pm
Ethereal. Melodic. Exploring forgotten landscapes.
Anna Hughes is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer based in Newcastle. As an Artist in Residence 2022-2023 at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, her latest project, Fell Silent, is a collaboration with filmmaker Alex Ayre. Anna is active in various outfits including Watersmeet, Sømnus, Isobel and Anna Hughes and folk singer Holly Clarke’s band, as well as writing for interdisciplinary commissions.
Digital Sound Baths
Friday 26 July | 9.30pm and 10pm
Why not stay after the concert and experience the BBC Sound Bath?
Settle into our digital sound bath – an immersive surround sound experience, centred around mindfulness and meditation. The experience explores the integration between nature and technology accompanied by a guided meditation.
Open Music Soundscapes
All weekend
Immerse yourself in beautiful and surprising sound worlds exploring the wonders, myths and legends of Newcastle and the North of England, regional identities and the natural vs man-made world. Created by BBC Open Music sound artists for BBC Proms at The Glasshouse. Visit the merch stand to pick up your headphones.
BBC Open Music brings creatives and musicians of all genres, styles and backgrounds from across the UK to the BBC; designed to develop new skills whilst exploring collaborations and ideas across orchestral and classical music broadcasting at the BBC.
Full line up
12:00 – 13:00 Santa Leticia DJ
13:00 – 13:15 Sharifa
13:15 – 13:30 Santa Leticia DJ
13:30 – 13:45 Malunga
13:45 – 14:00 Santa Leticia DJ
14:00 – 14:20 Nu Groove Brass Band
14:20 – 14:50 Santa Leticia DJ
14:50 – 15:20 Abbie Finn Trio
15:20 – 15:50 Santa Leticia DJ
15:50 – 16:20 Dilutey Juice
16:20 – 17:00 Santa Leticia DJ
17:00 – 17:30 SwanNek
17:30 – 18:00 Santa Leticia DJ
18:00 – 18:40 Rivkala
21:30 – 21:55 Westy DJ
23:30 – 01:30 Westy DJ set
Full line Up
11:00 – 11:30 Early Purple
12:00 – 12:30 Anna Hughes
13:00 – 13:30 Ernie
14:00 – 14:30 Ceitidh Mac
