大象传媒

With the 6 Music Festival 2015 coming to Tyneside, our very own Sunderland-born Lauren Laverne takes a look at the musical heritage of the north east to find out just what makes the spirit of the region so unique. The north east is home to acclaimed artists such as Bryan Ferry, Dire Straits, Sting, The Animals, and AC/DC's Brian Johnson. And how could we forget Lindisfarne, of which Ray and Bill from the band give us a tour of their north east. Historically, it's attracted the biggest names to the area - Jimi Hendrix found his manager, and fame, there, with rumours that he busked on the streets, Nirvana played their first gig outside of the U.S. in Newcastle's Riverside, The Yardbirds became Led Zeppelin one historic night at the Mayfair Ballroom, and TV programme The Tube invited the biggest names in music to the city for its weekly Friday evening show. Kitchenware records gave the world Prefab Sprout, the folk movement gave the region its very own instrument and the home of Black Metal was indirectly inspired by Velvet Underground.

Today, the north east is a post-industrial area enjoying a musical and creative surge. With artists like Maximo Park, Field Music, Beth Jeans Houghton, The Futureheads, and Nadine Shah having shone a new musical light on their native home, the musical spirit of the region is in good hands. Join Lauren Laverne as she tells the musical story of the host region to 2015's 6 Music Festival. And hear her talk abut being in Kenickie, what her dad says about playing with Hendrix, and who lent her 20p one night at The Riverside?