Paul Callaghan

Purchased using funds provided by the 2007 Outset / Frieze Art Fair Fund to benefit the Tate Collection 2008

Empossamento #2 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/restiffe-empossamento-2-p79345

I didn’t think I could like Bruce Springsteen anymore than I did, then he went and wrote this. Superb

Record number of people in UK live in ‘very deep poverty’, analysis shows Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds problem is ‘deeper and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years’

Poverty in the UK is getting worse. This is deeply shameful for such an affluent country

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

How Sunderland's first year as a Music City 'energised' its scene Independent Sunderland venues say demand for gigs has gone up as work to boost the sector continues.

Great piece by the BBC on the great success lf Sunderland Music City...and it is just the start!

The 14 best places to go in Britain in 2026 The top spots to explore in Britain this year, chosen by Time Out writers and editors

Good to see Sunderland listed in Timeout’s best places to go in Britain in 2026.

This is a city undergoing a significant transformation. So much is happening and so much to do.

Sunderland Music City

www.timeout.com/uk/things-to...

Thank you to Katy Wheeler for her great article in the Sunderland Echo about Sunderland Music City’s Music Against Child Poverty campaign that raised £51,684 for Love, Amelia, the wonderful children’s charity, through our evening MACP2 concert & Keys of the City Piano Marathon Relay on Sun Dec 7th

We Did It! Keys of the City – A New World Record!

Delighted to share the news that Keys of the City has broken the world record for the largest number of people playing a piano in a relay.

Previous record was 169 pianists, & on Sunday at @thefirestation.bsky.social, we achieved an incredible 174.

The Big Picture in Sunderland Echo is Emmylou Harris who The Fire Station are bringing to Sunderland Empire on Mon 18 May - tickets going fast www.thefirestation.org.uk/whats-on/emm...

The Fire Station presents Emmylou Harris at The Sunderland Empire on Monday 18th May 2026.

Tickets available from Friday 28th November from www.thefirestation.org.uk

It’s been a great night at Dynamo North East’s Dynamites 25. We’re delighted that Leighton Group companies, Leighton and SaleCycle were recognised by the judges and winners in their categories. Thank you for giving me the honour of being chosen as Tech Champion.

Graeme, it was a fantastic night - and an impressive cameo from you.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is coming to Herrington Country Park

How Sunderland musicians can break a piano world record If you can play a piano, Sunderland Music City wants you to help them join the longest piano relay.

Are you a piano player?
Become part of a World Record Attempt and help support family-poverty charity, Love, Amelia
Read the BBC article below and then sign up at
tinyurl.com/KeysoftheCity

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Latest watercolour painting is of the beautiful Sunderland Empire Theatre and the neighbouring Dun Cow
#Blueskyartshow @bsky.art
#Art #ArtistOnBluesky #WatercolorArt #WatercolourArt #WatercolorPainting #ArtWork #BskyArt #Watercolor #Aquarelle #Watercolour #WatercolorIllustration #WatercolorDaily

London is, and always will be, a place for everyone.

A city where people of all backgrounds live side-by-side, and where our differences are not just tolerated, but celebrated.

Dave Stewart guesting with @tomasmithmusic.bsky.social at @thefirestation.bsky.social Summer Party

Photo by @tynesight.bsky.social

It’s the 12th August so Happy National Mackem Day to Wearsiders wherever you are.

This is going to be an amazing night.

Celebrate all things Sunlun with us, Sunderland Music City, at the Sheepfolds Stables on Tuesday 12th August!

NATIONAL MACKEM DAY

It's FREE but ticketed to make sure the place isn't swamped.
Get in quick and get a ticket here:
musiccity.uk/whats-on/nat...

I'm really excited by the Boundaries Fest programme. There's a real depth to it with each performer bringing something rich, exciting, curious, fun and original. This is top tier stuff with some genuine masters of their craft. It's going to be a special few days this November in Sunderland.
SOON...

BBC Proms – ‘Round Midnight’ with Soweto Kinch, Theo Croker… - UK Jazz News True to the founding mission of Robert Newman and Henry Wood in 1895, the annual Proms season continues to bring serious music to the masses at an affordable price. In recent years the series has incr...

“As people filed out of the impressive auditorium…it was clear that the City of Sunderland and ’Round Midnight’s inaugural Prom had been a huge success.” A super review of the BBC Proms at The Fire Station Sunderland from London Jazz.

ukjazznews.com/bbc-proms-ro...

YouTube video by Arts North Studios Arts North Studios Trailer

A bold new stage for the North East.

Introducing Arts North Studios www.artsnorthstudios.com

Arts North Studios is the latest chapter in our drive to cultivate world-class performance and entertainment in Sunderland. Let's go 🙌

youtu.be/LizjfB83E4U

Went to @thefirestation.bsky.social last night to see Dido and Aeneas. Absolutely wonderful performance by The Samling Academy and The Dunedin Consort. Back to see it again on Saturday. Can't wait 😃

date inscribed Purchased 1966

Whaam! http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lichtenstein-whaam-t00897

The photographic evidence - stopping off in Trafalgar Square on the way to India

Fifty years ago today, my best mate from High Barnes & I hitchhiked overland to India. We started in Sunderland, stuck out our thumbs, and a couple of months later ended up at the Taj Mahal. Through Europe, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, & the Khyber Pass, into Pakistan & India

You couldn’t do it today

Thomas Jackson I wrote a few words about Summer Streets Festival, which took place in Sunderland this past weekend. It was another superb event, and Ross and the team can be rightly proud of this one.

Tom Jackson’s review of Summer Streets
“It isn’t flashy, & it doesn’t try to be.
What it offers is something harder to find: a free, well-run festival that puts local talent first & creates space for people of all ages to enjoy music in a relaxed, welcoming setting”
www.facebook.com/505742644/po...

What a fantastic start to the Year of Music
Since 21st June, we have seen
Adele Emeli Sandé
Franz Ferdinand
Smoove & Turrell
RNS
Martin Stephenson
Hamilton @ the Sunderland Empire
And it's only just getting started!
July has
The Levellers
Samling Opera
BBC Proms - Soweto Kinch
musiccity.uk/whats-on

Summer Streets Festival - Today 5th July and Tomorrow 6th July
Cliffe Park - and it’s FREE