Chris Webber looks at the latest attempt to put North-East performers on the musical map as Stockton's Arc prepares for three days of seminars, workshops and gigs plus some words of wisdom from Fergal Sharkey of the Undertones.

ROCK star Feargal Sharkey will head a delegation of legendary behind-the-scenes figures from the music industry who have been asked to check out North-East talent next week. Promising bands, musicians, song-writers, producers and band managers will meet at a three-day convention about surviving the cut-throat music industry at Stockton's Arc venue.

The event will end with a major gig at the town's The Georgian Theatre in which Tees Valley bands will have a rare chance to impress movers and shakers in the industry..

The convention has been organised by From Teesside With Love, an initiative funded by music collective Studio 64 and Newcastle-based North-East music development agency Generator.

From Wednesday to Friday there will be workshops on how it's possible to grab the attention of the music industry and gigs by some of the area's promising acts like Stone Coda,

"This is going to be one of the music events of the year for us on Teesside," said Alan Bell of From Teesside With Love.

"It's very hard to get anyone interested in the music industry from London about the talent we've got here. It can be frustrating because I look at what's on the television and then go down to, say, The Georgian Theatre in Stockton, and think that our acts are actually better. This convention will be fun and also give our bands and other people interested in the music industry a headstart."

The first workshop will be held on Thursday when successful songwriters from across Britain will discuss their craft. Other seminars during the three-day convention will be about breaking through in the industry, managing a band, the relationship between A&R managers and musicians, producing music, getting gigs and ways to have your music heard by people who count in the music industry.

A highlight will be a session chaired by former lead singer of successful 1970s and 1980s band The Undertones, Feargal Sharkey. Sharkey, who has been involved in Government projects and has been a talent scout, will discuss the Government's new Live Music Forum designed to promote live music. Former A&R man Russ Conway, who discovered dozens of bands, and Bruce Findlay, former manager of Simple Minds, will chair other workshops.

Gigs will be held on the Wednesday and Thursday at The Arc. Headlining on Wednesday night will be four-piece pop band Mercedes from Hartlepool who have recently won a recording contract and shot their first video. The band recently recorded songs at a 15th Century manor house in the south of France and have won national attention. Also playing on Wednesday will be 1950s rock and roll and punk outfit The Hitchers and upbeat rock band The New Lev Yashin. On the acoustic stage flamenco pop man Andy Jones and singer songwriter Paul Liddell will perform.

On Thursday Indie dance and rock and roll band The Hayze will play after other rock bands Stories and Comets and Demon Summer. On the acoustic stage singer Elaine Palmer will headline after a high energy act by James Riggall.

The most exciting night will be the Friday night gig at 240-year-old venue The Georgian Theatre at Green Dragon Yard. Leading Teesside band Live and Twisted will headline and there will also be a performance by Stone Coda. The Friday night gig will be the only event in the entire convention with a charge and entry will cost £3.

* To find out more log on to www.nexne.org.uk

From Teesside With Love can be contacted on (01642) 633817.

Published: 06/05/2004