North Shields grassroots music project rolls out support for new promoters

Are You Affiliated and King Street Social Club have launched the Are You Affiliated Promoters Project, a year-long scheme offering a new promoter in North Shields free venue hire, equipment, resources and mentorship from music industry professionals, Mixmag reported. The scheme is backed by Arts Council England.

Are You Affiliated began as a two-year pop-up series founded by Geoff Kirkwood, who performs as Man Power, before securing investment in 2024 to open a permanent space on the upper floor of Phoenix House, home to King Street Social Club. "In just four years we've managed to create national interest in King Street Social Club," the organisers said in a statement, describing how they've also activated a whole local music community by inviting some of the world's biggest names to play.

"We now want to enable somebody from the region to be able to do the same for their own version of a local music scene," they added.

Applicants, who have until August 14 to apply, must email a five-minute video answering questions including why they want to be a promoter, how they already take part in the local scene, who they'd book right now to show what they're about, and who they'd book from any era, dead or alive, for the same reason.

"We believe there's no shortage of people in our region with amazing ideas, dedication and passion," the group said, adding that what's missing locally is resources, networks and opportunity rather than talent.