New music and culture venue officially launches in the Ouseburn Valley
Last updated 5th Mar 2024
Nestled in the vibrant Ouseburn district within Hoults Yard, this innovative venue promises a unique blend of daytime relaxation and nighttime revelry, featuring a café by day and a lively bar with a performance space by night.
Founded by music enthusiast and entrepreneur Sam Roberts, Tapyard Studios is the culmination of his rich background in music performance, production, and hospitality. "Music is absolutely at the heart of the operation," says Roberts. "Tapyard Studios is the culmination of all those experiences."
Roberts, who relocated from Leeds to Newcastle to realise his vision, emphasises the city's thriving music scene and vibrant community spirit as key factors in choosing the location. "Newcastle aligned perfectly with our goals," he explains. "The city's sense of togetherness and its enthusiastic embrace of music made it an irresistible choice."
The venue will soon boast three state-of-the-art studios and already has a huge live performance space, making it a prime destination for musicians and music lovers alike. "Our goal is to create an atmosphere where performers feel inspired to give their best and audiences have an unforgettable experience," adds Roberts.
A veritable selection of some of the most pioneering North East artists have been handpicked to grace the stage at Tapyard Studios’ launch party on Sunday 31st March.
Comprising frontman Dan Clark and drummer Ben Kindlan from rock & roll band 'The Kush,' alongside producer Mark "Clem'' Clemmett and tech engineer Pete Cheyne, LAZYRAVE craft a genre-blending sound that marries nostalgia with innovation. Their music, infused with elements from various genres, resonates with the essence of raves, afterparties, and live gigs, capturing a kinetic, atmospheric, and euphoric vibe.
Late Night Drum Club, meanwhile, are a record label and party collective hailing from Newcastle. Renowned for their regular events across the North East, they serve as a crucial outlet for underground electronic sounds in the region. Their extended back-to-back sets, fueled by years of record collecting and music production experience, showcase a profound knowledge of dance music.
It’s Rivkala, however, an emerging neo-soul vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, and pianist, who arguably represents the sheer vibrancy of the North East’s live music scene best. Winner of Drake Music Collective's Emergent Artists of 2023, Rivkala's upbringing in Manchester immersed her in a diverse musical landscape, including jazz, funk, psych rock, and soul.
Tapyard Studios aims to not only provide top-notch entertainment but also to support the next generation of musical talent. Roberts also owns We Are Heard, a venture that partners with schools to record albums and generate funding, aligning with Tapyard's mission to nurture local talent.
"Our philosophy at Tapyard is to either do it to the highest possible standard or not at all," says Roberts. "We're committed to being among the best venues in the country."
The launch event later this month promises an unforgettable experience for attendees, featuring live performances, delectable street food from Slackjaws Gourmet Burger Co and Scream For Pizza and a selection of premium beers from esteemed breweries like Full Circle Brew Co, Northern Monk, and North Brewing Co. "It's an opportunity to support your local music scene while indulging in great food, drinks, and entertainment," encourages Roberts.
Tapyard Studios invites everyone to join in the celebration and become part of Newcastle's burgeoning music community. With its unique blend of ambiance, technology, and hospitality, Tapyard Studios is poised to become a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape.
Adding another layer of excitement to Tapyard Studios' launch, Newcastle’s Notion Live Events - the team behind Shin Gigs, A Stone's Throw Festival and Bobiks, are thrilled to announce their partnership with the venue, spearheading the programming of its vibrant music offerings.
"Programming the music side of things at the new venue is a fantastic opportunity for us," says founder Ant Thompson. "As a company, we cut our teeth working with local developing artists and are still passionate about enhancing the careers of young musicians."
Thompson expresses admiration for Roberts' vision for Tapyard Studios, particularly its emphasis on nurturing musical talent. "We found it incredibly encouraging to learn about Sam's history of recording albums for students and his vision of Tapyard Studios being a state-of-the-art hub for musicians," he remarks. "All of this contributed enormously to us wanting to work closely with Sam and the Tapyard team. We hope our shared visions can leave a positive imprint on the Newcastle creative scene as a whole."
Looking ahead, Thompson teases what audiences can expect from Tapyard Studios' live programme in the coming months. “Our launch event is the perfect opportunity to introduce the venue to the community and test it ahead of what I'm sure will develop into a jam-packed live calendar,” he reveals. "Keep your eyes peeled on the Tapyard socials for exciting touring shows."
Thompson also highlights the uniqueness of Tapyard Studios compared to other venues in the city. "The venue has a real vibe about it," he says. "Sam has an amazing vision of turning the venue into a hub for musicians, which will see them build state-of-the-art rehearsal studios, all the while continuing to serve tasty coffees, moreish grub, and ice-cold taps."
As for the acts gracing the launch bill, Thompson explains, "We've carefully selected a batch of artists who we tip for great things in the future. Each of them has a dancey vibe about them, which is also important during a day of celebration!"
For more info head to https://www.tapyardstudios.com/