First up is poet Amelia Loulli. Amelia is a PHD candidate at Newcastle University and is based in Cumbria. Her debut poetry collection ‘Slip’ is an absolute must-read! Released in Spring of 2024, ‘Slip’ is a powerful and brave insight into the life of a 21st century woman. Nothing is out of bounds with Loulli's collection, and as a result is takes reader’s on a necessary, ground-breaking, and at times tragic journey through motherhood.
Someone else who should absolutely be on your radar after this year is Actor and Writer Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock. This year, Rebecca, originally from West Yorkshire, took leading roles at Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre’s ‘Hope is a Four Letter Word’ and ‘My Name is Rachel Corrie’ with her stealing the show in both productions. Rebecca also won the Channel 4 Writing for TV Award 2024, so watch this space (and stage) is all I can say!
Next up is Newcastle based Author Eliza Clark. Now I have been a staunch supporter of Clark since the release of her debut novel ‘Boy Parts’ in 2020. The novel was a sort of cult phenomenon at first, but 2024 and beyond has been and will continue to be her time to shine. Clark’s short story collection ‘She’s Always Hungry’ is full of stunningly dark delights and has seen her go national with ‘The Telegraph’ and ‘The Guardian Bookshop’ promoting her work.
Teesside’s answer to the Arctic Monkeys and Scouting for Girls, Provenance, are also part of my top picks from the past year. The band, made up of members Theo Formby-Jackson, Joe Bradford, Harry Blythe, and Jack Obern are going from strength to strength, with them becoming regulars on the Teesside music scene. Glasto and Leeds 2025, Provenance surely have to be on the bill!
Newcastle-based Playwright Tamsin Rees, originally from County Durham, is still smashing the local theatre scene with their work in contemporary and naturalistic theatre. One of their latest piece is a response to Alphabetti’s ‘Fixing’, called ‘Table Salt’, which I have to say is a stand alone superb piece of theatre. Moreover, Tamsin’s play ‘Stupid Girls’ was long listed for Verity Bargate award 2024.
Finally, Newcastle Fine Art student Charlotte Brecken, whose fantastically intricate piece ‘Metro Ticket’ was part of the Northern Summer Exhibition 2024 at Newcastle Arts Centre is another absolute standout of the year with her piece was also being exhibited at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead.
My Full List of Standout Artists 2024 from here in the North East can be found below:
Amelia Loulli- Poet
Provenance- Indie/Rock Band
Eliza Clark- Author
Tamsin Rees- Playwright
Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock- Actor & Writer
Charlotte Brecken- Painter/Artist
Jessica Andrews- Author
Gary Evans- Screenwriter
Rachael Cutmore- Painter/Artist
India Arkin- Singer/Songwriter