For Teesside’s Sarah Johnsone, making music has always been about peeling back the layers, chasing honesty, and finding that moment when a song finally feels like hers. This month, she brings that journey full circle with a headline show at Cluny 2 on Thursday 9th October. It is a venue that holds more meaning than most to her.
“I actually used to work at the Cluny,” she laughs. “It’s one of the loveliest jobs I’ve ever had. Everyone there is just the best vibe, and it’s such an important pillar of the North East music scene. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite places to be.”
The show marks her first headline gig of 2025 and follows a deliberate pause. “I took time off gigs from January to June this year to focus on creating new music with a fresher sound and more identity,” she explains. “I’m so happy with what we’ve created, and I can’t wait to share it.”
Her sound has shifted over the years. She began in indie-folk, then expanded into a bigger, bolder full-band sound. Now, a bluesy, jazz-tinged edge defines her latest material, threaded with her trademark introspective lyrics. “I never sit down to write thinking about genre,” she admits. “It’s more like an emotional purge – I spill my brain onto the page. And then, with everyone in the band bringing different tastes, it all fuses together.”
On stage, Johnsone is candid about still feeling nerves. “Honestly, I get nervous, whatever the size of the crowd,” she says. “Sometimes a more intimate crowd can be more daunting. But I have the same process of amping myself up each time.”
What keeps her grounded is the North East’s strong sense of community. “The artist-to-artist backing here is so great. If you’re on the same line-up, you’re instant friends, and I didn’t realise how rare that was until I played elsewhere.”
That camaraderie has carried her through surreal moments, from supporting English Teacher to stepping onto the stage at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. But headlining Cluny 2 feels particularly special. With new material on the way and the Cluny 2 stage calling, Johnsone is poised for an exciting next chapter. “Performing with the band is one of my favourite things ever,” she says. “This feels like the perfect place to start.”
Tickets, priced at £9.00 in advance, are available at thecluny.com.
