Kathryn joins a stellar gathering of rock and classical artists to celebrate the life and work of Jon Lord. She will be performing in the piece “Durham Concerto” composed by Jon and played here by the Orion Orchestra, conducted by Paul Mann. The event is presented by the Sunflower Jam charity. For event details and tickets follow this link for the Royal Albert Hall.
Nominated by the public, twenty heroes of the north east of England are featured on a Local Heroes ‘Walk of Fame’, along Newcastle’s Quayside. Kathryn’s plaque was unveiled at the launch event at Baltic Gateshead along with those for Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, Lindisfarne, Sting, Robson Green, Cardinal Basil Hume, and Dame Margaret Barbour. Newcastle Gateshead Initiative came up with the idea which will continue, honouring the area’s most inspirational individuals. See the Gallery for some photos!
Tyne, written by Michael Chaplin, maps the epic history, atmosphere and soul of the mighty river in story, music and images. Kathryn is Musical Director for the show, drawing her inspiration from the river. “Kathryn Tickell has created stirring arrangements of traditional Northumbrian airs” 4* The Guardian. After a sell-out run at Live Theatre last year, Tyne is at Theatre Royal Newcastle until Saturday 8th March.
The Side is currently rehearsing at various secret locations and times known only to themselves (and even then they have to check!). Are they plotting and scheming to record a debut album? They might well be. Come and see them on tour in May and you might get a sneak preview of some rather special new pieces. In the meantime, see a longer clip above of their first ever performance, at the Sage Gateshead last year. The Side have gleaming musical careers, with associations as glamorous as Goldfrapp, Sting, countless BBC Proms performances between them… and we recently found out that cellist Louisa plays on the Downton Abbey theme tune! For a fabulous mix of new artists don’t forget Kathryn’s show every Monday on Amazing Radio.
Kathryn’s appears in “Sting: When The Last Ship Sails” on BBC1, Sunday 22nd December at 22:55. In a live performance, recorded in New York earlier in the year, Sting is joined by musicians and performers, including several from the north east of England: Kathryn, Peter Tickell, Julian Sutton, The Wilson Family and Jimmy Nail. She also features in the current issue of Songlines magazine, in “The Beginner’s Guide to Kathryn Tickell”! … and don’t forget Kathryn’s radio show, every Monday at 9pm, on Amazing Radio.
They’re raring to go! Loughborough and Oxford concerts are sold out. Tickets available for Blackheath 30th November, Manchester 2nd December and Berwick 4th December; it’s advisable to book your seats as soon as possible. Kathryn Tickell & The Side gratefully acknowledge financial support from the PRS for Music Foundation. We’d love to hear what you think of the new quartet. Please add comments here, on Facebook or Tweet to @kathryntickell
Kathryn has her own radio show on Amazing Radio, a regular programme starting on Monday from 9pm. Listen online for an insight into her musical choices, folky and contemporary, plus a few surprises and stories!
Kathryn has contributed to a new 200-page coffee table book featuring stunning landscape pictures and full interviews with more than 60 of the region’s famous sons and daughters talking about their favourite places, views and memories of the North East. See www.my-northeast.co.uk for more details and to purchase copies in aid of the Bobby Robson Foundation.
Kathryn can be heard on BBC Radio 3 at 17:30 Sunday 27th October in a special edition of Words and Music, recorded in front of an audience at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead as part of Radio 3’s Free Thinking Festival. Also, starting on Monday 28th October on ITV is Robson Green’s Northumberland. Kathryn features in a programme due to be broadcast on 25th November.
Musicians and artists from the north east of England are currently gathering in New York to perform in Sting’s theatre show “The Last Ship”. Kathryn is flying out this weekend to join a host of performers including long-time friend and melodeon genius Julian Sutton, her brother Peter Tickell, now a firm fixture in the Sting camp, and the north east’s formidable singing family, The Wilsons. “The Last Ship” has been some three years in the making, with Kathryn closely involved along the way. Some footage here of the work in progress.
Kathryn’s new quartet “The Side” play their first ever concert in the beautiful setting of Childerley Hall, as the finale of the Cambridge Summer Music Festival, Sunday 4th August. The concert starts at 7.30pm in The Long Barn and the grounds of the Hall are open all afternoon — bring a picnic!
This first full concert by Kathryn’s new quartet is not to be missed. With Kathryn, The Side are:
Amy Thatcher, Newcastle based accordionist and clog dancer, also of The Shee and the Monster Ceilidh Band.
Classically trained Scottish harpist Ruth Wall, who performs as a soloist and in some of the most exciting ensembles and bands (Goldfrapp, Fitkin) as well as working extensively with composers, orchestras, electronic and visual artists.
Louisa Tuck, principal cellist at Northern Sinfonia (the youngest principal cellist of any UK orchestra) who also performs regularly as a soloist and with the RPO, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the John Wilson Orchestra.