Strangest Party 8/12/24
Tickets Purchased| Review by Michael Dunwell
Newcastle is brimming with things to see and do, as you can tell from my other reviews here. The city is home to a wide variety of incredible venues and hidden gems. From the great craft beers and lively beer gardens of The Grove to the stellar acoustics at the Boiler Shop, there’s always something happening in Newcastle. But the city has even more to offer beyond the city centre. If you hop on the granted unpredictable Metro and head towards the coast, you’ll find a whole new batch of fantastic spots to explore. This Friday, for example, there was a quirky party (some would call it the ‘strangest’) at the Salt Market Social down on North Shields Fish Quay—a perfect example of the unique events that make this city so special.
The Salt Market Social is definitely a must-visit when in Newcastle, whether you’re a local who’s yet to explore the Fish Quay or a visitor discovering the area for the first time. A little history: back in 1225, a village of shielings (fishermen’s huts) developed where the Fish Quay stands today. North Shields took its name from these shielings and its position on the north bank of the River Tyne. Today, the area is home to a vibrant mix of eateries and lively pubs, from cosy spots to energetic boozers. One standout is the Low Lights Tavern, a snug gem at the end of the Fish Quay. While you’re there, you can spot Sam Fender’s BRIT Award on display, replacing the usual pint pull, as this is one of his favourite local haunts. After soaking in the local atmosphere, head over to the Salt Market Social, which will instantly surprise you with how spacious it is inside. The huge seating area gave me the same vibe as places like Stack near St James’ Park or Boxpark in London—festival vibes, but all year round. The food area, which serves up a great selection, was offering its usual burgers and loaded fries on Friday. My sister had the Chicken Shawarma burger and highly recommends it, while I went for the special of the night—Pigs in Blankets loaded fries (trust me, they were awesome). With a great selection of local beers from the likes of Two By Two and classic favourites, the Salt Market Social was the perfect venue for kicking off an evening of entertainment.
When it comes to entertainment, one of the highlights of the night was tribute band The National Anthems, who brought a 90s Britpop explosion to life with spot-on covers of tracks from Oasis, Supergrass, Primal Scream, and more. From the moment they kicked off with Hello by Oasis, it was clear we were in for something special, their musicianship setting the stage for an unforgettable night.
While Hello was a fantastic opener, my personal favourite was Rocks by Primal Scream. It’s been years since I last heard it, and hearing it live felt like listening to the recording—major props. The band kept the energy high with sing-along anthems like The Day We Caught the Train and infectious, foot-tapping tracks like Roll With It, keeping the crowd fully engaged throughout. A special mention goes to their drummer, who, as I understand it, stepped in last-minute without any rehearsal and had to learn all the songs on the day—props to him, he crushed it! Their lead singer, Jonathan Corbett, was also spot-on in channeling the legendary Liam Gallagher, delivering the vocals with such authenticity and ease that it almost felt like we were watching the real deal. Plus, their guitarist nailed every solo and had the exact Noel Gallagher vibe going on. If you get the chance, I highly recommend catching The National Anthems soon—they’ll be playing at the fantastic Ouseburn venue Billy Bootleggers on New Year’s Eve, bringing more of those classic 90s Britpop anthems. Don’t miss it!
Of course, the main event of the night was Scam Fender, the Sam Fender tribute act who not only nailed the recordings of Sam’s tracks but also nailed all those little flourishes and additions to the recordings that Sam plays live. From the extended sax-led outro on Howdon Aldi Death Queue to the crowd sing-along on Saturday, Scam Fender truly delivered. For me, the standout moments were the Spice and Howdon Aldi Death Queue segments, both of which mirrored the energy of the original Sam Fender shows. Spice in particular was bursting with energy, and Scam Fender absolutely nailed channeling that intensity and presenting it to the crowd.
They also had everyone dancing, kicking off with Will We Talk and then hitting my personal favourite, Spit of You. This band is top-notch—while I haven’t been to many tribute shows, I think I may have just caught two of the best in the North East! The evening reached its peak with Scam Fender closing out their set with Sam’s iconic Hypersonic Missiles. The entire crowd, including myself, was dancing under fake snow at the climactic end of the song—a truly memorable moment and a perfect capture of that Christmas spirit. Major props to the band for pulling that off!
While the entertainment was legendary and the food and drinks were fantastic, it was also a night dedicated to supporting some incredibly important causes. There was merchandise on sale and collection buckets at the merch table, with all proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that trains and funds teenage cancer specialists and equips medical facilities with computers, TVs, and game consoles. The evening was also dedicated to the life and legacy of Marty O’Nions, a North Shields singer, producer, and recording studio owner who passed away from cancer. Marty co-founded Notes Studios in North Shields and was involved with Access Music CIC, a program that helps reconnect people with music. He mentored many musicians, including Sam Fender, who credited Marty with playing a pivotal role in the early stages of his career. A truly special night for both great music and a great cause.