Cuckoo group scores radio commission

The Cuckoo Young Writers group in Newcastle has just been awarded their first commission from spoken-word supremos Apples and Snakes NE. The group has won one of ten commissions, which challenge poets and producers to write and produce an hour-long spoken word radio show which will be broadcast via digital station Basic FM.

For the past weeks the group have been working with poet and producer John Challis to develop their proposal and start working on their writing, which has been inspired by the city of Newcastle. Their programme will consist of writing inspired by the characters, buskers and happenings on Northumberland Street and in the metro station, and found sounds recorded “on location”. The group will then work with David Brewis of Sunderland band Field Music to develop a soundscape to link the work together.

The finished recording will be broadcast in July.