Tonight is shaping up to be a very special night in Blyth, as local music fans anticipate the arrival of The Bluetones lead singer & songwriter Mark Morriss. He is heading to The Tavern on Beaconsfield Street as part of his UK Solo Tour and will be supported by two excellent local musicians in the form of The Longsands front-man Trevor Cox and the talented Jack Burn who is emerging with plenty of acclaim from fans in the region.

It is a ticket-only event in an intimate setting and I believe all initial tickets sold-out within 48-hours for this. Any spare tickets that do become available are expected to fly off the SeeTickets Website. If you did manage to get one then you’ll no doubt be looking forward to singing along to your hearts content to the likes of ‘Slight Return’ 'Cut Some Rug' ‘Marblehead Johnson’ ‘If’ ‘Sleazy Bed Track’ 'Carry Me Home' and ‘Bluetonic’ amongst many other hits from The Bluetones Six Albums and Mark Morriss’ two solo albums 'Memory Muscle' and 'A Flash of Darkness'.

In the February of 1996, the debut album by The Bluetones ‘Expecting To Fly’ knocked Oasis’ What’s The Story: Morning Glory off the number 1 spot in UK Album Charts and huge hit ‘Slight Return’ still remains in many people’s favourites list from that era.

Hailing from Hounslow in Middlesex, Mark will hopefully enjoy his time in our town before continuing his Nationwide tour then returning to the North-East at the end of July with The Bluetones, who are on the bill alongside Shed Seven and Ocean Colour Scene in Newcastle’s Times Square. He will also be performing his solo set at Corbridge Festival on July 9th.

Prior to Mark taking the stage, The Longsands lead singer Trevor Cox will be treating us with his soulful voice, which on several occasions has had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. (A similar feeling to when you hear the roar at St. James’’ Park as the players come out of the tunnel). Coincidently, The Longsands actually performed their great version of ‘Blaydon Races’ on the pitch at St. James’ Park a few years ago and have also played at The Sage as part of a UK Tour. Bruce Foxton’s From The Jam is a fan too, who asked them to support his band on their UK Tour.

Cramlington-based Trevor used to host a buskers evening at local Pub The Masons Arms and delighted punters with tunes by Ocean Colour Scene, Oasis, Stereophonics, The Killers and The Verve, along with tracks from The Longsands album ‘Meet me in Spanish City’. His voice on The Longsands recent song ‘Standing In The Shadows’ is absolutely tremendous, getting right to the core of your soul.

As if those two musicians weren’t enough, local lad Jack Burn will be performing too, with his beautiful tune ‘The Better Way’ receiving an abundance of praise from local music fans recently. I’m sure he will gain a warm reception from an excited and packed crowd this evening.

Enjoy tonight if you managed to get a ticket, if not you can read a Review of the Gig which will hopefully be coming on Sunday, all things pending.

Ross.

*I hope to provide more Blyth-based Gig & Events Previews and Reviews in the future for this site, with an array of things to enjoy in the pipeline for Spring/Summer 2016.*