North East England platform Big Beat Manifesto has shared news of its latest collaborative exhibition, Sounds of the North East. The photography showcase is set to hit the NCA (Newcastle Contemporary Art) exhibition space in October.
The exhibition will include work from 20 local artists and promises to champion the importance of homegrown creative communities in the face of worsening economic and political challenges.
To launch the new exhibition, Big Beat Manifesto will host a launch event on 4th October at the NCA Gallery. The aim is to transform the space into a nightclub that reflects the region's various flavours of nightlife.
Music at the launch event will be handled by local outfits Shy Bairns, Music Sphere, Profound Sound, Granville Collective and Interstellar Strut. BBM have also collaborated with local brewery Anarchy Brew to create a specially branded beer for the event.
Organiser Conrad Whale said: “I'm so excited to bring together some of the most talented artists and musicians working in the North East, for a first of its kind event in Newcastle. I’ve only been able to make this happen because the nightlife community in Newcastle is so welcoming and everyone who I've reached out to has been so excited to get involved.
“I want to build this into a platform to continually support and help artists to grow. I've curated a selection of work by a mix of artists from all different backgrounds to highlight how amazing the music and creative scene is in the North East.”
The new exhibition follows Big Beat Manifesto’s previous work, ‘An Appreciation for the North East’, which documented music, creative and nightlife/rave culture in the region.
A documentary focusing on Newcastle’s Cobalt Studios, To The Dancers: Blood, Sweat & Music, was also released this year. Directed by local filmmaker Susie Davies, you can watch it here.
The launch event takes place on October 4 at the NCA. You can find tickets here.