IN a nod to hit TV show Top of the Pops, a Tynedale music producer is broadcasting the talent from the North-East across the world.

Isaac Parker (26), of Corbridge, is heading up the team behind The Unsigned Arch, an online music show to highlight the best unsigned bands from across the region.

Filmed at a purpose built venue within the Cluny Studios, in Newcastle, promising bands and musicians play tracks in front of a live audience. Starting in September, the recorded product is then put out on the world wide web on a weekly basis.

In addition to the music, the video content will also include interviews and backstage footage to heighten the episodes’ appeal.

Lead producer Isaac is working with a team of six to deliver the initiative, aiming to show the wealth of musical talent yet to be discovered from his home region.

He said: “I was a huge fan of Top of the Pops and I was gutted it stopped, so it was a no-brainer to start something for the next generation! I had already had the thought of starting a live music show, so I decided to go for it.

”Bands from across the North are coming to perform in front of an audience, and we can put it out there on YouTube which allows people from all over the world to view it.

“This was really the perfect way of combining my love of music, and my knowledge and love of the region.

“This region produces some incredible musicians and they deserve to be out there for everybody to see just like anybody else.

“The whole show is to provide a platform and give these bands a chance to introduce themselves to a wider audience.”

Raised in Corbridge, Issac studied at music college in London for two years but always wanted to return to the North-East to forge a career.

While a wealth of opportunities existed in the capital, he was more driven to promote the undiscovered acts from his region which he thought were undervalued and underrated.

Isaac said: “I was originally going to stay in London but I love the North-East and Newcastle, and it’s always been a draw for me.

“And I genuinely thought that whatever I could achieve in London, I could do 10 times better in the North and that is proving to be the case.

“The music industry seems to be all London-centric but I want to change that, and we’re not just sticking to one genre as we will include rock, indie, punk, synth pop, singer/songwriters. Everything.

”I really think there is so much undiscovered talent in Newcastle, and it’s sad its music scene is so unrepresented outside the region.”

The filming for the early episodes has already taken place and the first show to be broadcast on September 1. Among those filmed are singer/songwriters Sam Thomas and Lauren Lowes, and punk bands Mouses and Casual Threats.

To help support the costs associated with the first year of production, The Unsigned Arch, has started a Kickstarter campaign which encourages members of the public to donate to the cause. Donations can be left at www.kickstarter.com/projects/1039662217/the-unsigned-arch

More details about the episodes are available atwww.theunsignedarch.com