Step inside A Room in Bloom and experience one of the North East’s most exciting live artists in a setting unlike any other.
Surrounded by towering flowers, delicate paper blooms and an immersive floral wonderland, Melanie Baker brings her powerful, emotionally charged music to #NOVUM26 for an intimate and unforgettable performance.
Writing songs that sit somewhere between noisy catharsis and quiet confession, Melanie blends fuzzy guitars, pounding drums and razor-sharp lyrics with warmth, wit and unapologetic honesty. Inspired by the spirit of ’90s alternative rock while remaining unmistakably her own, her music explores love, anxiety, joy, anger and everything in between. Raw, funny and fiercely human, her live performances have earned her a devoted following, transforming deeply personal stories into moments of genuine shared connection. Whether you’re discovering her music for the first time or already know every word, this is a rare opportunity to experience one of the region’s standout musicians inside one of #NOVUM26’s most beautiful installations.
Her work has been championed across BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music, and her song ‘Double Decker Death Machine’ featured on BBC One’s Waterloo Road. Yet critical acclaim has never been the point. Baker’s songwriting thrives in the messy, glorious space between pain and play, finding humour in heartbreak and hope in absurdity. She doesn’t shy away from emotional chaos; she welcomes it, hands it a microphone and makes it sing.
Opening the evening is Staithe, a duo creating beautifully immersive soundscapes that blur the boundaries between folk, classical and electronic music. Layering haunting vocals with classical guitar, viola, piano and shimmering electronic textures, Staithe craft songs that feel cinematic, intimate and quietly spellbinding. Led by acclaimed songwriter Bridie Jackson alongside multi-instrumentalist Nick, their music invites you to slow down, lean in and lose yourself in the atmosphere.
Before the music begins, take time to explore A Room in Bloom, a larger-than-life floral installation where fresh, locally grown flowers intertwine with handcrafted paper blooms. Beginning at your feet and stretching high above your head, it is a joyful world where nature and imagination come together in spectacular fashion.
A pay bar will be available throughout the evening.
Tickets, priced at £15.00 in advance, are available HERE.
