Barry Hyde – the ex-frontman of Noughties indie-rockers The Futureheads – is to play a surprise, one-off Newcastle gig this December.
Formed in Sunderland by musicians from north-east working-class backgrounds, The Futureheads went on to hit the charts and enjoy international success.
The band got together in 2000 and – in a career spanning 13 years – they released five studio albums. The Futureheads’ cover of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love got to number 8 in the UK singles charts and was voted Best Single of 2005 by the NME.
Another successful single was Decent Days and Nights, which the band performed on Later… with Jules Holland in 2004.
Between 2010 and 2013, however, Barry Hyde suffered a severe breakdown linked to his bipolar disorder. This eventually meant he had to leave the Futureheads and take a break from the music industry.
Barry went on to chronicle his mental health difficulties on his 2016 solo album Malady, which tells the first-person story of someone experiencing bipolar.
Barry has also been working with children and with up-and-coming musicians – some of whom will be supporting him at his one-off Newcastle gig – teaching them song writing, singing, theory, and performance skills.
Though Barry is about to start touring in support of Malady, all his previously announced north-east dates are sold out. But, if you hurry, you might be able to snap up tickets for Barry’s one-off Newcastle gig.
The gig – in the intimate Jumpin Jacks, above the Dog and Parrot, in Newcastle city centre – will be different to Barry’s usual acoustic solo concerts. A decades-themed Christmas show, the gig will take the audience on a journey from the suave 1940s right up to the 2000s.
Barry will be supported by six up-and-coming songwriters, each of whom will perform a decade. Ellie Sunderland, an Open Mic UK finalist, will be covering the 1940s. Durham finger-picking genius Conor Thomas will be responsible for the 1970s and Heavy Jets frontman Rhys Breen will take care of the 1990s.
Barry Hyde will, of course, be in the spotlight for the new indie wave of the Noughties. The night is guaranteed to satisfy fans of both Barry’s solo work and his music with The Futureheads.
The gig will take place on 5th December from 7.00 to 10.30 pm at Jumpin Jacks. Tickets cost £5.00 in advance, £7.00 on the door. Fans are advised to buy tickets in advance as they are likely to sell out fast.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/533671967015379/.
