Lead singer of The Stranglers Baz Warne will be performing at The Vault in Hexham

The renovated ancient cellar-come music venue was set up in 2016 by local artist Ben Haslam, who was inspired to create a space for starter musicians and local performers to play and gain exposure.

“We’re what’s known as a grassroots venue,” Ben said, “which means we’re a place where musicians can practise and gain experience, whilst audiences can come to appreciate fresh, emerging talent.”

Over the past year, The Vault has played host to more than 100 gigs, but with grassroots venues closing regularly across London, Ben said he had to “get creative” in order to keep his dream alive.

So he reached out to successful artists within the music industry, and asked for their support in keeping the grassroots movement going by bringing big names to the small venue.

Ben said: “These artists have helped raise the profile of The Vault and helped to make us an established musical hub.

“As a small part of the future success of this British music industry, I think it’s important that we nurture new talent within the local area.”

The musical stars stepping out of the limelight and returning to their roots to perform at the intimate, 60-seater venue include film and television leading lady Maria Doyle Kennedy, star of The Commitments, Orphan Black, The Tudors and The Conjuring 2.

Maria, known first as an Irish folk singer and songwriter, will be performing a selection of songs from her nine albums in November.

Lead singer and guitarist of international punk rock band The Stranglers, Baz Warne, will also be performing at his sold-out gig on Saturday at The Vault.

Rising to fame in the 1970s, The Stranglers have seen 23 singles reach top 40 status in the UK, including Golden Brown and Always the Sun.

Folk artist, and regular to The Vault stage, Jez Lowe will be returning to perform in November.

The singer, who is County Durham born and raised, rose to fame through his songs inspired by his life in the North-East and multi-instrumental skills on the guitar, harmonica, cittern and piano.

Some of the local musicians taking to the stage include pop-rock band Dahlia, a newly put together four-piece group based in Tynedale.

Ovingham singer-songwriter Sam Shields will be returning to The Vault in December to promote acoustic music from his new EP.

Hexham-based rock artist and former frontman of Fables Last Stand, Richard McMahon, will be taking the stage by storm in November.

Richard is no stranger to live performances, having previously toured the UK as a support act for the lead singer of rock band Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter.

International artists Jenny Biddle and Kent Dushane will make their Hexham debut in November.

Australian musician Jenny Biddle was the winner of Melbourne’s Best Busker 2010-2012, and currently has six albums under her belt. She describes her genre as ‘indie folk, with a twist of blues’,

For Minnesota blues artist Kent Dushane, Hexham is just one stop of many during a lifetime of tours across the US and Europe.

His vast experience on stage saw his show named as one of the five best concerts in the UK by The Times newspaper.