NOVUM 2024 - Hector Gannet, Amelia Coburn, India Arkin

Hector Gannet

Hector Gannet, from North Shields on Tyneside, are masters of a kind of new, modernist folk music, taking their name from an ill-fated trawler which sank in the North Sea under heroic circumstances in 1967. Hector Gannet’s musical incarnation began to draw attention when they wrote and performed music to accompany vintage footage of the North East heritage of shipbuilding and fishing as part of a project for the BFI, and a tour supporting Sam Fender soon followed.

Hector Gannet has toured widely since, including support slots with Sea Power, Lanterns on The Lake, Peter Doherty and Kathryn Williams, plus two North American adventures and, more recently selling out 500 cap Sage Hall Two in Gateshead and 600 Whitley Bay Playhouse.

Fresh off the back of a busy 2023 which included a critically acclaimed album release [⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MOJO, 7/10 UNCUT, Album of The Month The Crack] plus multiple sell out gigs and a dream gig supporting Sam Fender at St James Park Newcastle, Hector Gannet came into 2024 with a single release and a short English tour. As well as writing material for the new album, a string of dates has been confirmed including Stockton Calling, Coast Fest and a solo co-headline spring tour with fellow North Shields native and front man of heritage indie act Band of Holy Joy, Johny Brown.

Amelia Coburn

Amelia Coburn is darkness and light. From tales of vengeful widows and moonlit stream-of-consciousness to songs filled with whimsical romance, she has a knack for making the unusual sound timeless. Her work is populated with the characters she meets in the dark shadows of literature, film noir and travels in unfamiliar lands. Amelia threads Tin Pan Alley melodies through European folk music and torchlit jazz with a blur of psychedelia and baroque pop.

Musical heroes and heroines include Serge Gainsbourg, Scott Walker, Joni Mitchell, Neil Hannon, Rufus Wainwright, Liza Minelli and David Bowie. From early musical epiphanies pilfering songs from her dad’s record collection which have infused her original work with a playful, punkish spirit that remains highly melodic and distinctive, in no small part, due to her unique, cut-glass delivery which betrays a love of the golden age of musicals and can pierce and melt even the most well-armoured heart.

A finalist in the BBC Folk Awards, Amelia’s live performances are captivating, dynamic and leave audiences stunned and walking away with a major new musical crush. Her natural, North Eastern stage presence disarms and beguiles in equal measure. It is art without artifice: The wild, theatrical characterisations of Jacques Brel pinned to the unforgettable melodic ability of McCartney.

Her debut studio album produced by Bill Ryder-Jones is set to be released in Spring 2024.

India Arkin

HMV’s one and only unsigned artist, India Arkin is most definitely one to watch in 2024. An indie-singer-songwriter based in Newcastle, having been put on the page following the launch of her debut album “Home Truths” in October 2022, found the rising-star as a National Album Day ambassador alongside the likes of Sam Ryder, Franz Ferdinand, KSI, and The Staves.

Starting in 2021 she quickly caught the attention of the BBC, finding a heavy rotation on BBC Introducing North East and Radio 6, finding her place as a BBC Intro Tips artist for 2023. Alongside earning her a residency at world renowned The Glasshouse ICM.

An incredible first year touring found her playing the likes of well known UK festivals including that of Bingley Festival, as well as Spring Classic and The Big Retreat on their mainstages among many others. Arkin has also headlined international festivals including that of Rotterdam's Left Of The Dial festival, which named her one their top 15 artists out of over 115 international acts by Add To Want List.. which undoubtedly states the beginning of her international success.

About the Festival

After a fantastic first year, NOVUM is back on 8th-11th August 2024.

Incredible installations, free performances, local and internationally acclaimed live music acts, free workshops for families - there is something for everyone!

Also NEW for this year - Secret Cities, exploring the hidden and forgotten spaces of Newcastle via photography and poetry; and Thriple Threat, an original Breaking (breakdance) competition premiering as part of NOVUM 2024, celebrating Hip-Hop culture, community, and dance.

No tickets needed for installations, free performances and free family workshops - explore the full programme on our website at www.novumnewcastle.com

Host or Publisher Curated Place