This is probably the most powerful photo from the July 4th, Independence Day, 250th year anniversary celebrations. This is the United States 2026.

The Fire Station Summer Parties presents PALE WAVES on 1st Aug. Since emerging from Manchester's fertile indie scene, Pale Waves have carved out a sonic identity that feels like a neon-soaked fever dream of the 1980s reimagined. www.seetickets.com/event/pale-w... The @palewaveslive.bsky.social

Make Art Not War http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/smith-make-art-not-war-t12561

Sandpipers, Alnmouth http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/nicholson-sandpipers-alnmouth-t05484

Today is World Refugee Day. Here’s a poem called ‘Refugees’.

Looking for office space in Sunderland? We have a range of spaces available, including one of our newly refurbished offices ✨ We offer a convenient city centre location, flexible terms, communal spaces and 10 hours of free meeting use each week. 📩 hello@hopestreetxchange.com ☎️ 0191 337 1550

Southgate’s greatest achievement wasn't tactical. It was convincing England that history doesn’t have to be a prison. Politics, football, patriotism and the stories nations tell about themselves. #England #GarethSouthgate #ThreeLions #WorldCup #EnglishIdentity jon-chadwick.com/2026/06/11/t...

Writing a New England - Industrial Estate of Mind

What Gareth Southgate understood about England: how history, patriotism and national identity shape the England football team and the country beyond it.

jon-chadwick.com

💬 “The case for university was never that graduation guarantees a smooth landing, still less a windfall. But even now – especially now – the odds still favour going to university.” An interesting article in @uk.theconversation.com on the value of a degree ⤵️ ift.tt/qJgZLCl

The graduate job market is grim right now – but the data says university is still worth it

The employment benefit of a degree is large.

theconversation.com

The people throwing bricks in Sunderland & Southampton are dont' act in a vacuum. Behind every riot is an ecosystem of politicians, influencers, & Facebook groups priming people for outrage. #UKPolitics #ReformUK #NigelFarage #FarRight #SocialMedia #Riots jon-chadwick.com/2026/06/07/t...

Another Summer, Another Right Wing Riot - Industrial Estate of Mind

Riots do not emerge from nowhere. How social media, community Facebook groups and populist politicians create an ecosystem in which violence becomes increasingly predictable.

jon-chadwick.com

A great event on Tuesday 9 June at Ryhope Community Centre. Dorothy Hall of Chester-le-Street heritage group will give a talk with loads of pics about the real toffee factory on which my books are based. Then I'll speak briefly about turning fact into fiction and will have my books for sale too.

We are down to the final six performances of Astell & Woolf by Shelagh Stephenson - ends this Sat 6 Jun. Check out just some of the brilliant feedback that's been coming in about this sharp new comedy. Get your tickets whilst you still can at www.live.org.uk/whats-on/ast...

ASTELL AND WOOLF Written by SHELAGH STEPHENSON At Live Theatre Newcastle until June 6th Wonderful theatre - don’t miss it. Tickets: www.live.org.uk/whats-on/ast...

Brilliant documentary by Jeff Brown about Roly Gregoire, Sunderland’s first black player and the racism he faced. So Let's Kick Racism Out of Football Watch it on BBC iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Finding Roly – Sunderland’s First Black Footballer

Roly Gregoire on his experiences as Sunderland's first black player

bbc.co.uk

Great review of Emmylou Harris at the Sunderland Empire promoted by ‘The Fire Station Presents’… www.culturednortheast.co.uk/p/review-emm...

REVIEW: Emmylou Harris, Sunderland Empire

The latest stop on Emmylou Harris’s farewell tour saw a sell-out Sunderland Empire crowd enjoy a career-spanning set from alt country royalty. Simon Rushworth donned his double denim and trucker cap.

culturednortheast.co.uk

A fantastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for 'Astell & Woolf' from Northern Arts Review. 'a work of genius...I would see it again tomorrow'. Read it in full at tinyurl.com/k4p8vxr8

Magnificent new play. Theatre at its best. Playing until Sat 6th Jun: www.live.org.uk/whats-on/astell-woolf @livetheatre.bsky.social - ASTELL AND WOOLF Beautifully written by Shelagh Stephenson, wonderful direction by Karen Traynor & superb performances by Tessa Parr & Phillippa Wilson

Astell & Woolf

LIVE THEATRE presents the World premiere of ASTELL AND WOOLFA Serious Proposal for the Ladies

live.org.uk

Great article by @samwonfor.bsky.social in today’s Journal on the Emmylou Harris gig on Monday 18 May at the Sunderland Empire that is being promoted by @thefirestation.bsky.social

Our CEO, Darren Henley, has published a new blog on antisemitism and the need for honest reflection, care, and action across the cultural sector. Read the blog in full: https://bit.ly/3QWObxM

Listening, learning, acting: a response to antisemitism

Our Chief Executive Darren Henley reflects on the events of the last week and the cultural sector's response to antisemitism

bit.ly

It’s a beautiful morning here in Durham City ☀️

High tide on Sunderland's seafront and it's mesmerising watching the waves splashing up from the seafront promenade. I think that this gentleman has already had one damp encounter and if he's not careful, he's probably going to experience another! #england #sunderland #seaside #coast #photography

Did you know a Manchester school has banned 200 books - including 1984! This is a terrific piece by @clairemalcolm.bsky.social on the value of book reading…via @culturednortheast.bsky.social… open.substack.com/pub/cultured...

Sunday Column: Claire Malcolm

From banned books to shrinking attention spans, New Writing North's chief executive explores what’s at stake, and why protecting access to books has never mattered more

open.substack.com

📅 On this day in 2007, Carlos Edwards did this. Come chat to him at The Fire Station next month in our end of season #SAFC party. 🎟 shorturl.at/dq0VD

We are delighted to welcome back the BBC Proms to @thefirestation.bsky.social on Saturday 25 July. For details of the programme and for tickets go to: www.thefirestation.org.uk/whats-on/bbc...

Sunderland Music City is set to host the Music Cities Network summit from 18-21 June www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Sunderland to celebrate year of music with global summit

Sunderland is announced as the host of the global Music Cities Network summit, scheduled for June.

bbc.co.uk

Who is looking for some EGGcellent family fun during the Easter break? If you've got primary school aged children who love being creative come and join us for Springy Tales! Find out more about this story making adventure followed by a scavenger hunt at www.live.org.uk/whats-on/spr...

Springy Tales

Live Tales at 10 Presents Springy Tales A fun family workshop for primary school age children.

live.org.uk

Poverty in the UK is getting worse. This is deeply shameful for such an affluent country www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

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’

theguardian.com

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

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.

bbc.com

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...

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

timeout.com