It’s Autumn and we’re back to obsessing over café life and seasonal treats, so you can only imagine our excitement when we heard about a fabulous little even that combines this with some of our other favourite things too. Grab yourself a cuppa, let us spill the pumpkin spiced tea.
The Queer Coffee Club: After Hours is promising an evening of music, connection within our beautiful LBTQIA+ community and celebration created to put the spotlight on queer joy in a space that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all. Sounds ideal right?
The event has been organised by the fabulous trio at Queers of the North to encourage both those who identify as part of the Queer community and our increasingly important ally’s to spend time with each other away from the outside world and have fun together. As if that isn’t already a wholesome motive, the team are also not putting a price on attendance so that it’s accessible for anyone and everyone who would like to be there. You will still need a ticket of course (so health and safety can be accounted for), but the pricing is entirely down to your own choosing. Oh and just so you know, any money that is made from the tickets will be going directly to those putting in the hard work to keep you entertained throughout the evening, cos artists deserve to be paid and there’s no question about it.
Our fabulous friend, hard working legend and winner of Mx Drag Great Britain 2025 Phoebe Lareine will be putting her hostess skills to the test, welcoming Charlotte Forman, Layla Lu and Stu H to the stage to show off their vocal stylings and get us all singing along in harmony.
Actually, speaking of Charlotte, shall we have a little chat with her?
Chin wag with Charlotte Forman
Let’s start with an introduction, can you give our readers one sentence to describe yourself?
A red head powerhouse singer songwriter red and a very funny impressionist all in one!
How do you identify?
I’m straight but in the words of Imogen from heartstopper I’m an ally!
What does pride mean to you?
To be honest I’ve grown up in the gay community my godparents looked after us a lot and introduced us to the amazing scenery including amazing music! Pride means being happy with who you are no matter what people think being true to yourself and just giving and accepting love. Love is love!
Let’s talk music, when did you first discover that you had such a great voice?
I first discovered my voice when I was told by my music teacher at school that I could sing and from then on forward I was in talent shows and everything music related in school and out of school. But my voice grew stronger and more powerful after going to university I found my voice and my love for song writing.
Are there any particular artists that have influenced or inspired you to take to the spotlight?
Many artists have inspired me over the years including Shirley Bassey and Fleetwood Mac (Stevie Nicks), but in more recent times Ed Sheeran with his hard work and passion has always inspired me and Adele because she’s like me, so down to earth.
Have you got a favourite song to perform?
My favourite song to perform is either Purple rain or Skyfall, but I also love singing my own music including one that inspires pride called “Don’t Change Me“. I received a beautiful message from a transgender woman saying how that song connected with her so much she felt seen and also loved, isn’t that a wonderful thing music can do? That’s why ill never give up until I’m selling out arenas!
You’ve just released your new single “Love like this before”, can you tell us how the song came about?
Love like this before was inspired by my boyfriend, I’ve been with him a year but honestly I’ve never felt truly loved or seen the way he sees me, he loves everything about me and is a big support of my career I love him too so its basically our love song.
Will you be including this in your set for the upcoming “After Hours” event at the Queer Coffee Club?
Yes i will happily sing a song about love I think the event should be positive and to celebrate love.
What are you most excited for at the event?
I love meeting new people and getting involved with other creative people so I’m excited to mingle in the queer community.
If you could duet with any local artist, who would the first choice be?
She’s a friend of mine, Katie Cowie, beautiful jazzy voice, we would blend beautifully.
Finally, what else can we expect to see from you this year?
This year I’m hoping to go on a busking tour and release a special cover song, next year is going to be massive with a 90s dance inspired song nostalgic and catchy, hopefully catch me at an original gig too but I’m very busy always gigging every weekend and teaching singing lessons too! I believe in being true to yourself because I have asperges syndrome and often feel misunderstood so an event like this just means acceptance and love
So that’s ourselves and one of the fantastic performers ready and raring to go, we’re hoping you feel the same way.
The evening will be hosted at The Cycle Hub, down on Newcastle (NE6 1BU) and it’s a “pay as you feel” event so there’s no pressure at all and as we’ve mentioned earlier, all of the proceeds go directly to the artists involved in the show.
Well then people of the North East and beyond, what are you waiting for?
Click here and grab a ticket right away!
