PrettyInScarlett

With all the excitement about moving, we will definitely miss this place! Arriving here still homesick for Ottawa, it was great moving into such a friendly area. I'll miss the music groups most definitely; whilst Durham Amateur Pianists isn't continuing in present form, Let's Play the Piano! Newcastle and the Gateshead Piano Workshop are still strong.  Farewell home grown apples   After the amazing Eliza Carthy back in August, it's been so hectic we've not made any concerts etc. I finally made it to Empty Shop the other week for their Cassette Store Day related music fair thing and some good beer. No cassettes purchased (many years since I last had a tape deck) but I did acquire The Caroline EP by local band Dennis . Warm, bouncy, feel-good songs with a brass twist, very nicely done. Also on Facebook . Back there just yesterday for Wax In The Attic , an all-day vinyl fair/event. My most notable 'why not?' purchase was Musique de film imaginé by...

Laura Beth Salter So far M and I are enjoying our new home in Durham - made it to see the Lindisfarne Gospels and had a fun trip in and around Alnwick. However for a pair of music fans the lack of a proper record shop is probably the biggest downside (although the lovely people at Spillers Records do have an online shop...). We were therefore very keen when I spied that the art & culture folk at Empty Shop were promoting a one-day pop-up record shop, Hot Potato Records. Our first visit around midday saw the transformed premises (formerly used as Blockbuster on North Road) hosting a steady stream of customers browsing the racks of LPs and CDs from Newcastle based Reflex Records as well as labels Discount Horse, Box Records, Plan-It-X, Cruel Nature Records and more. Plus free tea and coffee! Enjoying the vibe and browsing away, between us we chose LPs by Sigur Rós, Bonobo, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club plus 5 curiosities from the bargain boxes. Mixed bag but 3 out of 5 good ...