Reporter Darcie Rawlings and her partner headed to the North East only live music quiz to witness the launch of their new Late ‘n’ Drive campaign.

We headed to this years first Late ‘n’ Live music quiz on Saturday, March 2 where Marisam events kicked off their brand-new safe travel campaign – Late ‘n’ Drive at The Grove in Byker, Newcastle.

Here are our thoughts on the North East’s only live music quiz. 

The Northern Echo: The quiz sparked the launch of Marisam Events new their new Late ‘n’ Drive campaign

Firstly, I thought the events space at The Grove was the perfect venue for this kind of quiz, attending the venue a few times before I was familiar with the atmosphere of this bar, and it is certainly a great one.

We arrived at 7:30 to get our seats ready for the event which began at 8:30, which were picnic bench style seat, like what you would see at a Bongo’s Bingo event.

The Northern Echo: Seats were filling up at The Grove even an hour before the quiz began

The venue was already starting to fill up, which wasn’t surprising considering this event had sold over 100 tickets.

With quiz sheets at the ready the quiz began, singer Devon, was the perfect host of the quiz bubbly, and cracking jokes as she introduced the Late ‘n’ Live house band.

The Northern Echo: The Late 'n' Live music quiz was held at The Grove in Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Sara Dickinson from ShoutUp! was also introduced, who had set up a corner of the venue to discuss the new campaign which will support women and gender minorities to safely travel to and from live events in the North East.

Sara was also available for a chat between quiz rounds to offer audience members advice about safe travel.

The Northern Echo:

There were 6 rounds to the quiz consisting of:

  1. Songs of 2024 so far…
  2. Naughty 90’s
  3. What’s the right lyric?
  4. 80’s rock
  5. Gen Z bangers
  6. What’s the connection?

Each round provided a spectacular mash-up of a pub quiz and music concert, and the Late ‘n’ Live house band had attendees up off their seats and dancing, throughout the entire quiz.

From musicals to Dolly Parton, film scores, Cher and Bruce Springsteen - all bases were covered with every round.

The Northern Echo: Singer Devon, was the perfect host of the quiz bubbly, and cracking jokes

There was also an interval break halfway through the sets and the band performed ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ by Pat Benatar.

Unfortunately, we didn’t win the quiz and I’m certainly not at liberty to share our, frankly horrific score, but we were enjoying the buzz of the evening far too much to be sore losers.

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Enjoying the live music of the band combined with the quiz element made for a truly fun and terrific evening.

The Northern Echo: Maria Winter (Left) and Sam Harris (Right) launched their company Marisam events in 2021

Maria Winter and Sam Harris of Marisam Events, are certainly making waves in the North East music scene and for good reason, I would be scared if I was Bongos Bingo.

In a relatively short time Maria and Sam have created a refreshing business model that advocates for a more transparent, inclusive and diverse creative sector, while also being a cracking night out.

Late ‘n’ Live was at The Grove, 1 St Michael's Rd, Byker, NE6 1QU on Saturday, March 2.