General News

LTH Listening Panel / Lyric Lab

Sonic Futures is bringing together BBC Introducing, Spark Sunderland and CVFM for an informal listening panel exploring how emerging artists can engage with local radio and BBC Introducing. Led by Shakk from BBC Introducing in the North East, the panel will feature Jenny Dean from Spark Sunderland’s The New Music Show and Baker Lillivick ... More

Last Train Home Music & Comedy Festival 2026

Tracks Darlington Presents: All aboard for another all-out all dayer. pulling into town on Saturday September 5th. Join us for six stages of amazing independent music & comedy. Taking over The Forum Music Centre, The Hullbaloo Theatre and even Darlington Hippodrome’s beautiful auditorium, we’re bringing over 40 of the finest in ... More

Play | Perform | Jam – Music Summer School

Join us for our 3 day summer music school. The Forum's Summer School is back with a BANG 💥 Aimed at 11-15 year olds, 9:30am-3pm. The play, perform and jam week is back this August 18th-20th 2026! This week gives young people the experience of playing in a band with professional guidance from our specialist tutors. This workshop ... More

Connected Communities

Connected Communities: Stories and cultural practices in Darlington  15–21 June 2026 As part of REFUGEE WEEK in Darlington we invite you to a week of exhibitions, events, and film screenings celebrating the stories, creativity, and cultures that shape Darlington today. Bringing together work created by local residents - including ... More

Music Week Awards 2026

A huge congratulations to The Globe in Newcastle for winning the Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene supported by Music Venue Trust. Its fantastic that the award was won by a North East Venue and we were honoured to be shortlisted for this award along with so many other amazing grassroots music venues! Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of ... More

SONIC FUTURES: PRS Foundation Drop-In

PRS Foundation Funding Advice Session Wednesday 15th April | 6:30–8:30pm The Forum, Darlington Hosted by: SONIC FUTURES Join us for an informal evening with PRS Foundation, led by John Hendrickse and Lloyd Francis, to explore funding opportunities available through the PPL Momentum Music Fund and PPL Momentum Accelerator Tees ... More

Film Screenings | Reimagining Regional Policy Through Creative Engagement

Reimagining Regional Policy Through Creative Engagement The Forum is proud to be hosting 2 nights of film screenings as part of the Reimagining Regional Policy Through Creative Engagement led by the Institute for Collective Place Leadership at Teesside University, and co-organised with the Darlington Economic Campus in collaboration ... More

February Building Works Update

Our major building works are still progressing and most of the exterior work on the new kitchen and artist green room and studio has mostly concluded. The scaffolding in the car park has now been removed revealing the exterior of the new studio. Still left to do is the internal fit out of the studio along with the access lift and ... More

How We Use Our Money

At The Forum Music Studios, we exist to serve the community through music, culture, and education. We are a Community Benefit Society with an asset lock, which means: No profits are ever paid out to members, directors, or shareholders. All surpluses are reinvested to support community music, cultural events, and education. Our ... More

Millie Manders & The Shut Up: Back to the Futour

We excited to welcome back MILLIE MANDERS & THE SHUTUP who will be joining us as part of their Back To The Futour! Cross-genre punk rock is increasingly hard to ignore. With main stage appearances at notable festivals such as Slam Dunk, Beautiful Days and Rebellion, and extensive support from the likes of BBC Introducing and Radio X, ... More