Filming Live Music Aboard ~Flow with Lulu James & The Lake Poets Powerfully Performing “Spooky”
Filming live music often leads me into unique and unexpected spaces, and my recent project aboard ~Flow on the Newcastle Quayside was one of those special experiences.
As someone dedicated to filming live music and filming artists in Newcastle, I’m always searching for collaborations where music and place intertwine beautifully. This time, I had the privilege of capturing a powerful session featuring Lulu James and The Lake Poets performing a soulful cover of Spooky.
Spooky has a fascinating journey through music history. The track started life as an instrumental composed by Mike Shapiro and Harry Middlebrooks Jr. in 1967 under the name Mike Sharpe. It became a hit the following year when lyrics were added, and Classics IV took it to No. 3 on the US charts. Many listeners, though, know Spooky best through Dusty Springfield’s iconic 1970 version. Dusty infused the song with a distinctly British pop-soul feel, adding her smoky vocals to create a rendition that remains hauntingly timeless.
It’s precisely this enduring allure that makes Spooky a perfect choice for reinterpretation. In this ~Flow session, Lulu James—renowned for her electrifying and soulful voice—and Martin Longstaff of The Lake Poets—celebrated for his poetic, folk-tinged songwriting—came together to deliver a fresh take on the classic. Filming live music in Newcastle has allowed me to witness many great performances, but this collaboration was particularly thrilling. Lulu’s commanding presence blended seamlessly with Martin’s intimate storytelling, creating a version of Spooky both powerful and tender.
The session unfolded aboard ~Flow, an extraordinary floating artwork anchored on the River Tyne. Part musical instrument and part art installation, ~Flow is powered by the river’s tidal currents. These currents drive mechanical systems on board, generating acoustic sounds and rhythms that weave themselves into the music. It’s a living, evolving piece of engineering and creativity, offering visitors the chance to explore sound and water as one interconnected experience. You can visit ~Flow for free on the Newcastle Quayside until September—a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in art powered by the river itself.
Both Lulu James and The Lake Poets are part of the 2012 Evolution Festival, one of the North East’s biggest music events, held across the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides. Evolution is renowned for its eclectic mix of global stars and rising local talent. The 2012 line-up featured artists like Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5, and Noah and the Whale, alongside North East talents such as Lulu James and The Lake Poets. The festival is a vibrant moment for Newcastle’s music scene, showcasing the city’s creative spirit and giving local artists the chance to shine on a big stage.
Filming live music in Newcastle continues to remind me how deeply music is woven into the city’s identity. From the buzzing crowds of Evolution Festival to the intimate ripples of sound aboard ~Flow, the Tyne is a stage where history, art, and music converge. These moments fuel my passion for capturing live performances that feel both immediate and timeless.
If you’re in Newcastle, don’t miss your chance to visit ~Flow before it leaves in September. And whenever you can, catch Lulu James and The Lake Poets live—they’re artists who bring remarkable soul and storytelling to every performance, whether in front of thousands or floating gently on the Tyne.
If you’d like to watch more of my music performance films, you can explore them all here: https://alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/music-films/
If you’d like to watch more of my work exploring community stories, creative resilience, and diverse subjects across arts, heritage, and the environment, you can explore all my films here: https://alanfentiman.co.uk/films-by-alan-fentiman/