However, that’s changing. The crew behind the Cambridge Hotel and The Edwards have joined forces to take-over event management and catering respectively. Wednesday night’s sell-out Smith Street Band gig was the first show under the new arrangement. Bar On The Hill isn’t expected to take gigs away from the Cambridge, but given it’s capacity for an extra 200 punters it will lead to bigger acts returning to Newcastle.

RESTRUNG Newcastle virtuoso guitarist Bruce Mathiske will release his album Six String Anthology on April 6. The 12 original tracks are written in the key of each string of the guitar, an idea that came from a meeting with the legendary conductor and music educator Richard Gill. Catch Mathiske’s at Christ Church Cathedral on June 23.

BLUES TRAIN It’s been 32 years since Sydney act band Cyril B. Bunter Band last released an album of new material. The wait finally ended last month with the release of Locomotive. After breaking up in 1985 the blues-boogie band reformed in 2013. They play the Stag and Hunter Hotel next Saturday.

NASTY STINGER There was a lucky escape for This Way North’s Leisha Jungalwalla this week after she was stabbed in both legs by a stringray in Western Australia. Jungalwalla was rushed to hospital, but didn’t suffer any long-term injury. This Way North continued their national tour regardless, so they’ll be in Wollombi on April 28 for their headline show at Paddock Sessions.