A Great Day In Newcastle Knats

• 1 7 Bridges To Burn 02:44
• 2 Gainsborough Grove 01:51
• 3 Wor Jackie 05:42
• 4 Messy-In 05:42
• 5 Azure Blues 05:10
• 6 Bigg Market Scrappa 02:45
• 7 Carpet Doctor 04:54
• 8 Never Gonna Be A Boxer 06:13
• 9 Farewell Johnny Miner 05:41
• Total Runtime 40:42

Info for A Great Day In Newcastle

‘A Great Day in Newcastle’ is musical documentation of the North East working class experience.

Formed by Stan Woodward (bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (drums), Knats first released their self-titled debut album last March. Produced by former Black Midi singer and guitarist Geordie Greep, who also features on the album, A Great Day In Newcastle sees the band revisit their experimental and rock-inspired roots to tell stories from their hometown.

Speaking of the album, Woodward explains: "This album has been a few years of thought and writing in the making. In terms of how could we make a record as a love letter to our hometown, whilst still talking about some of problems working class people in the North East face, without seeming too self-pitiful. When Cooper Robson got involved, everything changed. These instrumental songs I’d been writing about certain specific topics now actually had stories to accompany them, with words delivered from a person who truly loves Newcastle as much as we do. A Great Day in Newcastle is an exploration through happy, sad and angry stories from Newcastle and the beginning of a new sound for Knats."

Commenting on the lead single — which is inspired by the experience of football player Jackie Milburn — Woodward adds: "‘Wor Jackie’ was written at a time when I was reading into the North East coal mining industry, after a conversation with me grandad talking about his time as a pitman. The community aspect amongst the pitman astounded me, given the dangerous nature of the job. The piece, I initially intended to be a moody sort of march, which then evolved with the addition of Cooper Robsons gorgeous poems. The title ‘Wor Jackie’ refers to Newcastle football player Jackie Milburn, who was believed to have done half days in the pit and half on the football pitch, and who I thought would be the perfect character to represent this story."

Alongside longstanding members Sandro Shar (keys) and George Johnson (tenor sax), the band reaches new highs of intensity throughout the 45 minute epic.

Cooper Robson, vocals
Stanley Elvis Woodward, vocals (track 9)
King David Ike-Elechi, vocals (track 9)
Ferg Kilsby, vocals (track 9)
Stanley Elvis Woodward, bass, synthesizer
King David Ike-Elechi, drums, percussion
Ferg Kilsby, trumpet, flugelhorn
Sandro Shargarodsky, piano, keyboards, synthesizer
George Johnson, tenor saxophone
Otto Kampa, alto saxophone
Tom Ford, guitar
Geordie Greep, guitar (tracks 4 and 7)
Josh Mitchell-Rayner, piano (track 1)
Viviane Ghiglino, flute (track 1)
Lucy Rowan, alto flute (track 1)
Frank Barr, clarinet (track 1)
Sebastian Barley, French horn (track 1)
Tobias Amadio, trumpet (track 1)
Bertie Beaman, trombone (track 1)
Dillon Pinder, trombone (track 9)
Enya Barber, violin
Congling Wu, violin
Natalia Solis Paredes, viola
Morgan Key, cello

Engineered by Simone Gallizio at Fish Factory Studios
Mixed by Hugh Padgham and Chris Webb at the Friary Studios
Mastered by Caspar Sutton-Jones at Gearbox Productions
Produced by Geordie Greep

Knats
Led by lifelong friends Stan Woodward (bass) and King David Ike-Elechi (drums), Knats is rapidly becoming a distinctive force in contemporary jazz, earning critical acclaim for their signature “Geordie Jazz” sound.

Their music blends high-energy jazz fusion with drum ‘n’ bass, punk intensity, electronic influences, and danceable grooves with “jaw-dropping brilliance” (Jazzwise). Moving to London in 2022, Stan and King enrolled at Trinity Laban on the BMus Jazz course. From performing at the BBC Proms to playing a sold-out Jazz Re:freshed headliner, Knats took London by storm, proudly showcasing their Newcastle jazz style and spotlighting themes of working-class experiences and regional pride. The UK-based band also features trumpeter Ferg Kilsby alongside members Sandro Shargorodsky (keys), George Johnson (tenor sax), and Cooper Robson (vocals).

In 2024, the band signed to Gearbox Records. They supported R&B legend Eddie Chacon on his UK tour and eclectic soloist Geordie Greep on his UK & Europe tour. Knats’ first single Tortuga (For Me Ma) was written by Stan for his mother, reflecting on his admiration for the strength and sacrifices of single mothers. In spring 2025, they released their self-titled debut album Knats, recorded at Damon Albarn’s Studio 13, which gained praise from Jazzwise, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone Japan.

The band toured the UK in their first headline tour the same year and were shortlisted for the Jazz Newcomer of the Year Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Starting 2026 with a sold-out headline set at 100 Club London, the band later played at SXSW Festival as part of the Jazz Re:freshed Outernational Showcase. Knats recently announced their headline UK tour, including performances at the Brick Lane Jazz Festival, and their second studio album A Great Day in Newcastle, produced by Geordie Greep.

This album contains no booklet.