Behavioural phycologist Roger Connors argues that a culture is created from a collection of individual experiences.

Often referred to as the ‘3 T’ model, Connor believes that our experiences are made up from three main elements; what others tell us (‘Told’), what’s going on around us (‘Tangible’) and what we assume (‘Thoughts’).

When applied to a group of people, or a community, it is the combination and interplay of the experiences of each individual which produce cultural norms; the set of social alignments and accepted behaviours which become the agreed social patterns of interaction.

It is these norms which differentiate one group of people from another and give them a sense of identity, a set of customs and a culture.

Perhaps only rivalled by football, a passion for music could be at the root of much of what we consider North Eastern culture.

Taken right back to the era of King George, and swaying through the traditional folk era, live music has been central to our social activities and ways of interacting.  As is still observed in many workplaces and pubs today, music remains the source for many of our common-ground conversations with family, friends and strangers; whilst live musical events continue to be more than just a Saturday evening past time, instead a part of our lives and everyday conversations.

In recent times, North Eastern experiences of live music have been shaped by a growing number of impressive music venues.  These venues have allowed us, amongst others results, to enjoy an ever-increasing number of stadium shows (‘Stadium of Light’), intimate pop symphony shows (‘The Sage’) and intimate indie gigs (‘The Georgian Theatre’).

If the North Eastern culture is reinforced by the live music experiences we have, then we’ve been spoilt for choice.

Adding an extra dimension to our live venues, Newcastle’s Think Tank? has become a forerunner to the title of ‘Best live venue’ since it’s opening in 2013.  Originally opened at Hoults yard, and moving to Digital not too long afterwards, Think Tank? has become synonymous both for having it’s finger on the musical pulse (both The 1975 and Wolf Alice played before becoming huge) and for hosting wild nights by established acts (Lee Scratch Perry, Royal Blood).

 

Catching lighting twice, the smaller, sister venue, Think Tank? Underground has proved just as popular with music fans; reinforcing the Think Tank? brand of booking quality artists and providing fans with good value ticket prices and booming sound systems.  Recent headline shows featured in NE Volume by Joseph J Jones and the Shimmer Band have reinforced the CBGB, intimate, performance arena of Think Tank? Underground.

 

Spreading even further into the North East on their mission to make the area the most exciting live music scene in the UK, August 2017 sees the launch of the Sunderland leg of Think Tank?

 

Purpose built in the former Londonderry pub, Think Tank? will be a state of the art, 200 capacity, venue designed to attract the best live acts to Sunderland.

 

Opening with punk rock outfit the Muncie Girls, the venue is already in the process of creating a gig listing to rival anything in the North East, and continue Think Tank?’s reputation for providing amazing live shows in state of the art settings.

 

If you’re looking for a place to build up your own live music experiences, and a place to bet on for ‘best live venue 2017’ Think Tank? Sunderland should be right at the top of your list.