www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzLZiL0yEY

Man, how time flies. Back in March I spent an intense couple of hours sat in Generator’s office debating the merits of the 200-odd applicants for this year’s Evolution Emerging with the likes of Tom Cotton from Our Beat Is Correct and Narc editor Claire Dupree. Now here it is.

Tomorrow night some of the North East’s finest bands, rappers and solo artists take over Ouseburn for a riotous celebration of the region’s musical diversity. Headlined by explosive Geordie indie-rockers Detroit Social Club (who unleash their debut album Existence on Monday), the line-up is packed nose to tail with extraordinary talent. Here’s our pick of the best. You’ll have a hard job deciding who to see, though:

The Cluny

Let’s Buy Happiness

Having lost out to Ellen & The Escapades at this year’s Glastonbury Emerging competition, Let’s Buy Happiness impressed the festival organisers so much they were invited to play the John Peel Stage anyway.

The Cluny 2

Nadine Shah

She only made her live debut as recently as October 2009, but Whitburn-based Shah‘s enthralling Tori Amos-influenced songs are already making waves with the likes of BBC 6 Music‘s Tom Robinson.

The Star & Shadow Cinema

Mattie Vant

Championed by BBC presenters Steve Lamacq and Huw Stevens, Small Screen Light Show made plenty of waves in their brief period of activity. Frontman Mattie Vant’s solo work is something to behold.

The Tyne

Viva City

Viva City deliver a blistering barrage of electronica-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll that has already been tipped for greatness by music journos as far afield as Los Angeles.

The Cumberland Arms

Brilliant Mind (pictured)

Brilliant Mind‘s explosive reinvention of C86 indie is extraordinary. Worth seeing for front-man Calum Lynn’s dancing alone.

The Tanners

Grandfather Birds

The band’s Arcade Fire-style alt-folk already looks destined for bigger stages than The Tanners. A must-see in such a small venue.

We’ll see you there.

Newcastle’s finest indie-rockers Detroit Social Club have been revealed as headliner’s at this year’s Evolution Emerging on May 29. Two days prior to the release of the band’s eagerly awaited debut album Existence, the gig promises to a riotous homecoming.

Watch this footage of the boys recording the album:

For the full Evolution Emerging line-up take a look at Generator‘s website:

http://www.generator.org.uk/evolutionemerging

She’s barely been performing live for six months but already Whitburn-based singer-songwriter Nadine Shah is leaving mouths agape with her haunting piano-folk. Pitching up somewhere between the dark blues of Polly Harvey and the intricate alt-rock of Tori Amos, her songs drip with an undeniable talent that belies her inexperience. Hear it for yourself on the enchanting “Aching Bones”:

Nadine Shah- Aching Bones mp3

Shah plays The Cluny 2 on May 29th as part of Evolution Emerging.

Check out her MySpace page here:

http://www.myspace.com/nadineshah

The line-up for this year’s Evolution Emerging has been announced and it’s an absolute cracker. Featuring 25 bands across six venues in Ouseburn on May 29, it’s the North East’s biggest celebration of regional talent and definitely not to be missed. Here’s who’s playing:

The Cluny

SECRET SPECIAL GUEST HEADLINER (onstage 10.45pm)

Young Rebel Set
Laconia
Mammal Club
Let’s Buy Happiness

+ DJ sets from Tim Shaw

The Cluny 2

Nadine Shah
Soundtracks For A B-Movie (pictured)
Sharks Took The Rest
Chased By Wolves

+ DJ sets from Our Beat Is Correct

Star & Shadow Cinema

Mattie Vant
Okan & Silvar
Trafik
The Union Choir

+ DJ sets from Frankie & the Heartstrings

The Tyne

Viva City
We Are Knuckle Dragger
Mansfield Holiday
Illustrators

+ DJ sets from Jamezz

The Cumberland Arms

Hellfire Club
O’Messy Life
Brilliant Mind
Dirty Weekend

+ DJ sets from Road to Rimini

The Tanners

Winter North Atlantic
The Winter Hill Transmission
Grandfather Birds
Baskin’s Wish

+ DJ sets from From AtoZ.

Listen to Generator‘s Joe Frankland chatting about North East music on BBC Introducing. Keep your ear out for local faves Brilliant Mind (pictured) and plenty of plugs for Evolution Emerging.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/b0089jhs/Sunday/console/

After last year’s hugely successful Evolution Unsigned event that saw more than 20 bands including Frankie & The Heartstrings, Brilliant Mind, Night Of Sevens and Manila Chapter playing across six venues in Ouseburn, Narc and Generator are teaming up once again to bring you the very best new North East talent.

If you’re a band and want to play 2010′s best event for emerging North East music, check out http://www.facebook.com/l/76987;generator.org.uk/evolutionemerging

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FEBRUARY 26th