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Amateur Ornithologist - experimental gothic chamber pop ensemble from across the North East - make their Pop Recs debut on May 16th 2026 to launch their new album.Think Divine Comedy dancing with Pulp to Siouxsie and the Banshees.
(Tickets were originally on sale through the band’s Crowdfunder and will be issued to supporters who chose them soon)
AO will play tracks from the new record along with some of their favourites from their first three albums.
Two amazing and experimental local artists will be announced as support in the coming weeks and months, along with the album title and other news about the show.
7:00pm - Doors
7:30pm - Madeleine Smyth
8:15pm - Faye MacCalman
9:15pm - Amateur Ornithologist
10:30pm - Gig Ends, Party Begins
Tickets are priced £6 and £10 in advance with options to add Pay It Forward donations and pre-order the album on CD. Tickets will be available on the door for £12.
Standard, Low Cost, Carer, Level Access and Seated tickets available from https://amateurornithologist.sumupstore.com
Pop Recs has two entrances - the main entrance has one step, with the Sonny’s entrance offering step-free access. Gender neutral toilets are located in the basement with two flights of steps down to them. There is an accessible toilet in Sonny’s.
If you require step-free access to the building and toilet, please book a Level Access ticket. Email [email protected] with any questions and we'll do our best to help.
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Amateur Ornithologist is a six-piece ensemble mixing pop and orchestral instruments to create adventurous densely-layered and harmony-filled pop. They’ve earned comparisons to Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and local heroes Prefab Sprout.
The band focus on crafting captivating songs inspired by the everyday weird of neurodivergent lives to the uncanny of Victorian fiction. Their ability to translate these compositions into enchanting live shows complete with costumes and stage dressing sets AO apart from the average guitar band.
AO are about to released their 4th album, having previewed many of the tracks at Durham Brass Festival 2025, appeared on the cover of NARC Magazine, and had videos screened at film festivals. They’ve played sold-out headline shows and appeared at festivals including Marrapalooza, Last Train Home and Summer Streets.
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Faye MacCalman is a performer, composer-songwriter and improviser on saxophone, clarinet, voice and electronics based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Described as ‘one of the most envelope pushing jazz artists today’ (Crack Magazine), Faye’s solo music blends songs and improvisations with art- pop, avant-jazz, and electronica, inspired by under the surface emotions and exploratory storytelling.
Faye is bandleader of acclaimed jazz art rock adventurers Archipelago, and in 2023-24 Faye was artist in residence at The Glasshouse ICM. Although her album is yet to be released, Faye’s solo support slots have included Richard Dawson on his 2025 UK tour, Mary Lattimore, Field Music and Warm Digits. Faye’s debut solo album ‘Invisible Real’ scheduled for release in 2026, and is a celebration of the power and wonder in sharing the things we are told to keep quiet about.
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Event Venue
Pop Recs Ltd, Sunderland, United Kingdom
Tickets
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