NOVUM 2024 - The Lake Poets

The Lake Poets

The Lake Poets is Martin Longstaff, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Sunderland, England - Inspired by artists such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Villagers, Feist, John Martyn, Wilco, Damien Rice, & Bright Eyes, Martin aims and enjoys to write classic, engaging and relatable songs in an expanded band or solo singer-songwriter style.

Described as 'Quietly Devastating', 'Accomplished and Intelligent and 'Spellbinding and Heart-breaking, Martin's music regularly silences audiences and turns heads. Lead single 'Your Face' from The Lake Poets’ debut album has received over 8 million+ Spotify plays as well steady daytime airplay on BBC Radio 2, Radio X, and BBC 6 Music, with follow up single ‘Edinburgh’ not far behind.

“Honeyed voice and beautiful intricate guitar riffs create a sound that soothes, understated like watercolours of an idyllic landscape. This sound, coupled with lyrics of love and heartbreak that rival Damien Rice's as a laureate of loss and despair, has situated Martin and The Lake Poets as a jewel in the crown of northern song writing”

Recorded at Blackbird Studio, Nashville USA and mixed in Los Angeles The Lake Poets’ debut album comes as special edition double gatefold 12" vinyl including a bonus Live recording captured over two sold out launch nights in Martin’s hometown Minster using equipment and personnel direct from Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.

In 2019 album track ‘Shipyards’ was chosen to be the theme tune of internationally popular Netflix documentary ‘Sunderland Til’ I Die’ leading to to a top 3 UK Christmas chart position and National TV performances. As a result of the success of the series Martin played The Royal Albert Hall as well as to 49,000 SAFC fans in the centre circle of the Stadium of Light Boxing Day 2019.

Martin also writes and records for, and with other acts, most notably London Trance Act ‘Above & Beyond’. Martin has co-written and performed vocals on four songs to date, two being lead singles, as well as recorded an acoustic live album with the band which featured the London Philharmonic recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Martin continues to collaborate on songs with other songwriters in the North East, London, Nashville and L.A and runs a youth group in Sunderland that promotes original songwriting and performance opportunities.

"Somewhere between Bright Eyes and John Martyn. Something Special" - Mojo ****

"Stunning Debut from Sunderland Troubadour. Quietly Brilliant" - Uncut 8/10

“Martin’s rich, spacious sound, his room-filling guitar style and soft, clear, sweet voice are so shockingly note perfect. The tracks he play ripple with wistful sadness and sharply observed lyrics and the images and lives he creates feel immensely personal” - For Folk’s Sake

"For decades the sound of the acoustic guitar has pulled at the heartstrings of so many. Now Longstaff is carrying on that tradition with his beautiful, thought provoking, honest acoustic music. When I first heard The Lake Poets I was blown away" - The Guardian

"Stunningly heart-breaking music, beautiful and quietly devastating“ - BBC 6 Music

About the Festival

After a fantastic first year, NOVUM is back on 8th-11th August 2024.

Incredible installations, free performances, local and internationally acclaimed live music acts, free workshops for families - there is something for everyone!

Also NEW for this year - Secret Cities, exploring the hidden and forgotten spaces of Newcastle via photography and poetry; and Thriple Threat, an original Breaking (breakdance) competition premiering as part of NOVUM 2024, celebrating Hip-Hop culture, community, and dance.

No tickets needed for installations, free performances and free family workshops - explore the full programme on our website at www.novumnewcastle.com

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Civic Centre, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom